Yamaha RX-V990

[Newbie1954]

What should I do with the Yamaha RX-v990. I would to upgrade with a budget of $800. Currently using this receiver for a set of KEF Q65/95/30 for HT. It definitely need approvement. I'm thinking the possibility of getting Emotiva LPA-1 or XPA-5 but does not know whether I could hook either one of them to the V990. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks,

 

[Seth=L]

I would suggest waiting for the Emotiva LPA-2 to come out before you upgrade. You can buy the XPA-5 now and use the preouts on your receiver to power your speakers. The LPA-2 preamp will offer advanced processing and connectivity. When you do get the preamp processor you will no longer need to use the Yamaha unless you want to use it for another room, for surround back channels(7.1), or for Multi-zone power.

 

[Newbie1954]

Hi Seth: Is this a better option to considering Denon 2808CI and when the LPA-2 will be available. Thanks.

 

[Seth=L]

Hi Seth: Is this a better option to considering Denon 2808CI and when the LPA-2 will be available. Thanks.

The LPA-2 should be out this spring or early summer I believe. The LPA-2 should be far superior to the Denon in most every respect aside from availability at the moment. Since you already have a receiver you won't be out of a home theater.

 

[gene]

The RX-V990 has a great amp section but is an extremely old A/V receiver and doesn't even had DD/DTS decoders built in. Assuming you are using it for HT, DON'T buy a new power amp. Instead pick up a new A/V receiver such as the Yamaha RX-V663/3800 or Denon AVR-2808CI or higher. Later if you decide you need more power, go with an EMO amp. But your best bet now is to upgrade the receiver.

 

[Dezoris]

The RX-V990 has a great amp section but is an extremely old A/V receiver and doesn't even had DD/DTS decoders built in. Assuming you are using it for HT, DON'T buy a new power amp. Instead pick up a new A/V receiver such as the Yamaha RX-V663/3800 or Denon AVR-2808CI or higher. Later if you decide you need more power, go with an EMO amp. But your best bet now is to upgrade the receiver.

Good advice. And thats a good point, many people want to go amp crazy but when you get into the higher end quality receivers that are out now I think it's harder and harder to justify external amplifiers unless you have some extremely good speakers.

 

[Newbie1954]

Thank you for all your great advice. I now have more the reason to get rid of my old RX-V990. Any thoughts which receiver I should consider to power my KEF Q65/40/95C (for now).

 

[gene]

Thank you for all your great advice. I now have more the reason to get rid of my old RX-V990. Any thoughts which receiver I should consider to power my KEF Q65/40/95C (for now).

For under $1k the Yamaha RX-V863 is the hot ticket:
See: http://store.audioholics.com/product/1760/0/yamaha-rx-v863-7-2-channel-digital-home-theater-receiver

for around the $1500 mark, I'd recommend a Yamaha RX-V3800, Denon AVR-3808CI or Onkyo TX-SR875.