the power ratings on most mass market avrs are notoriously overstated, often deceptively so--an avr touted at 100w/ch may actually achieve that with only two channels running and/or with very high distortion. e.g. i had a yamaha 5.1 avr which claimed 90w/ch but in fact tested at 35w with 5 channels running. from my experience, only nad and hk actually rate their receivers' power output reliably. power ratings aside, you also have to look at the receiver's ability to drive challenging loads--i.e. speakers such as your b&ws which have much lower than average sensitivity, or speakers which have lower impedance benefit from an amp/receiver designed to deliver high current.
AV Receiver recommends
I started researching receivers last year. The only place I could actually audition any of them was at the Magnolia room (Best Buy) and they tend to push you towards the Pioneer D Class Amps. Not that anything is wrong with them I actually like the Pioneer SC-91 that just came out.
I wanted to get the boards consensus though before going that route. I think the AV receiver is my next purchase.
Again, I am running a 5.1 system with B&W CM1's all around, Sony XBR-55HX950 TV, JBL-150 (pending upgrade) and my 15 year old Yamaha AV.
Are there other recommendations outside the Pioneer D Class series? I'm sorta an Apple guy so iPhone, iTunes, Apple TV integration is always a plus.
I wanted to get the boards consensus though before going that route. I think the AV receiver is my next purchase.
Again, I am running a 5.1 system with B&W CM1's all around, Sony XBR-55HX950 TV, JBL-150 (pending upgrade) and my 15 year old Yamaha AV.
Are there other recommendations outside the Pioneer D Class series? I'm sorta an Apple guy so iPhone, iTunes, Apple TV integration is always a plus.