all-in one receiver or separates, which will be better

Halo_master · 08-11-2009, 11:20 AM

I currently own a pioneer sc-lx71 receiver, it is nice, but not precise and powerfull enough for me and my setup (B&W XT 5.1, 45 square meters living room, pioneer 600M plasma). Also i would like to get a decent videoprocessor for HD(1080I sources) and DVD.

I am on a bit of a budget (3000 GPBs), and i am considering the follwing set-ups(second-hand or demo):

all-in-one:

-arcam avr600
-Denon avc-a1hda(importing a denon 5308CI from te states)
-yamaha z11
-pioneer lx90 susano(could have been perfect, but no videoprocessing through hdmi, and don' t like the sound of class D amps)

seperates:

audiolab 8000 AP+ arcam p7/parasound halo a52+calibre vantage HD2(no hd-audio decoding, higher jitter, great price, would leave me money for a better videoprocessor, a second had calibre vantage hd2 or crystalo 2 3100)
arcam av9+arcam p7+ dvdo edge(matching set, but no audio through hdmi)
rotel 1570+ 3x rotel 1552 stereo amps/arcam p7/halosound halo a52+dvdo edge.(hd-audio decoding, 1.3 hdmi, don't lijkke the class D amps, option is 3x stereo amps(1552) class a/b
Marantz 8003AV+Marantz 8003MM+ Dvdo edge.
Anthem d2(with hdm 1.3 board installed, imported from the states)+arcam p7/halosound a 52, (no hd-audio decoding, but no need for a videoprocessor, great videoprocessor on-board)

Seperates sound very tempting instead of one all-in receiver, the denon gets killer reviews though and has great videoprocessing. The yamaha z11 and arcam avr600 too (not as good as the denon on videoprocessing).

Would the seperates i mentioned be better for SQ on music and movies than the denon, yamaha or arcam? or should i get higher rated seperates to beat these receivers?

Welwynnick · 08-11-2009, 12:18 PM

Good shortlist, but improving on both the quality AND the power of the lx71 won't be that easy. A receiver may not the way to do it. The Arcam will improve SQ, but isn't very powerful. The Susano is very powerful, but doesn't sound much better than the lx71. See below for the Denon. I haven't heard the Yamaha, but I heard good things about it (but probably better for movies than music).

I've owned or heard most of the equipment that you mention, and although you find lots of great reviews for everything onn your list, I'd suggest the Marantz combo, as long as you can live with either HD decoding OR room EQ (but not both at the same time). It simply sounds better than everything else; it was a very pleasant surprise indeed. I think the following review is one of the best bits of information that you'll find.

Home Theater: Marantz AV8003 Processor and MM8003 Amplifier

Nick

Halo_master · 08-11-2009, 1:16 PM

It was a good read indeed, Thanks!

Read other reviews from that site and got another alternative, a integra 9.9 proc. has a great videoprocessor and very good specs.

Can get great delas on Marantz 8003' s , especially the MM8003, last one was sold for around 700GBPs on the forums, if i could get a good deal on an av8003, i would be set.

lbstyling · 08-11-2009, 1:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welwynnick

Good shortlist, but improving on both the quality AND the power of the lx71 won't be that easy. A receiver may not the way to do it. The Arcam will improve SQ, but isn't very powerful. The Susano is very powerful, but doesn't sound much better than the lx71. See below for the Denon. I haven't heard the Yamaha, but I heard good things about it (but probably better for movies than music).

I've owned or heard most of the equipment that you mention, and although you find lots of great reviews for everything onn your list, I'd suggest the Marantz combo, as long as you can live with either HD decoding OR room EQ (but not both at the same time). It simply sounds better than everything else; it was a very pleasant surprise indeed. I think the following review is one of the best bits of information that you'll find.

Home Theater: Marantz AV8003 Processor and MM8003 Amplifier

Nick

nick- i know you have got the power amp - but have you heard/used the av8003 then?
you know what my next question is......

Welwynnick · 08-11-2009, 2:10 PM

I wasn't going to talk about this, but David Schulte rates the AV8003 highly, either in stock or upgraded form, which is good enough for me, so thats my next stop. The MM8003 is superb - its my preferred power amp now.

Nick

lbstyling · 08-11-2009, 2:51 PM

i appreciate your situation.

i was looking at the one on ebay that keeps coming up, and before the thread on jitter in the audiolab 8000ap came up- i had discounted the unit because of the obvious shortcomings with the processor chip.
it looks like its between the audiolab and the marantz units for me now.

the factors between them are weather i want eq or not (havent tryed the audessey one -and its considered the best by many)
and the aspect that although the analogue stage in the marantz seams to be good- i cant see it touching the audiolabs levels.- the tag's were very very good.

i think it will come down to the fact i can get the audiolab so cheap!

has the tuc had a audiolab 8000ap?

IWC Dopplel · 08-11-2009, 6:45 PM

I would look at processor/power as this provides flexibility and upgrading is much easier. When the 'new' formats or evolutions change you only have one out of date product.....

I am currently listening to power amps built in the 80's......

IWC Dopplel · 08-11-2009, 6:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welwynnick

I wasn't going to talk about this, but David Schulte rates the AV8003 highly, either in stock or upgraded form, which is good enough for me, so thats my next stop. The MM8003 is superb - its my preferred power amp now.

Nick

Nick do you have in of these then !

Welwynnick · 08-11-2009, 9:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IWC Dopplel

Nick do you have in of these then !

I've been going round in circles with power amps this year, and despite all the great reviews everywhere, I've not been entirely happy with anything I've tried. I bought the Marantz from johnsattuk, and I'm glad I did, its a breath of fresh air.

Nick

lbstyling · 09-11-2009, 1:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welwynnick

I've been going round in circles with power amps this year, and despite all the great reviews everywhere, I've not been entirely happy with anything I've tried. I bought the Marantz from johnsattuk, and I'm glad I did, its a breath of fresh air.

Nick

moved- irrelevant to thread.