2. amps-preamps
  3. 1135921439

Better buy: old flagship or new tier 2 AVR

I have recently upgraded my Athena F1 fronts to Martin Logan Aerius I's and need to drive them. I need a new AVR with some guts. I have read the reviews and countless forums (I know....seperates).

I can get an old flagship, B&K AVR202 or Yamaha DSP-A1 delivered for under $600. Or for that price I can get a tier 2 AVR Denon 3805 or Yamaha RXV2500. I cannot spend more.

My listening is 90% HT. I have a 5.1 set-up. Room EQ and features are nice, but my priority is sound quality. My main concern with an older flagship AVR (pre-2000) is that sound benefits i would gain by a superior amp section would be offset by dated technology, older DACS etc.

If you were in my shoes, what would your choice be?
bakammer

Showing 2 responses by a4or3s

a4or3s
6 posts
 
I would say buy the old flagship if you are planning to have it drive the Aeriuses. Just be aware you will need a good power amp down the road if you are keeping the MLs. Although a new tier 2 has all the new processing modes, you definitely need power to make the MLs sound their best.

I have ML Aeriuses (non-i) for my fronts and drove them for a little while with my Yamaha RX-V1. Good sound, but not great, and the quality of the bass was sub-optimal. Didn't really like listening for long periods of time. I do about 85% music, only 15% movies.

Bought a Parasound 1205A when funds allowed, even before I filled in the rest of the HT system. The V1 is now just a preamp. I now have Magnepan MMG Ws for rears and the MMG C center. Planar sound on a small budget, and they integrate well together. All of these speakers love high current amps, and the Parasound has done well for movies.

Best of luck in your search!
a4or3s
6 posts
 
Regarding your integration question, I have to start by saying I don't have much of a basis for comparison, and I'm not a huge movie buff. What I can tell you is that the MMG C was basically plug and play. The soundstage across the front is pretty seamless. When you have action that pans across the front 3 speakers, I don't really detect much of a change in the quality of sound. Concert DVDs retain much of the characteristic airiness for the mids and highs that planars are known for.

I have a small room, 18x12x9, and have the system along one of the long walls, actually a staircase wall. The size and weight of typical ML centers would have made it difficult to place. The MMG C is sized just right to span my audio rack. Not to mention, the MLs start at twice the price of the MMG C. The Ws are no slouches either. I have them mounted on the wall behind the couch, and swing them out when in use.

I use a Quad L sub to fill out the deep end, and have not had trouble getting it to integrate with the MLs. The remote is very convenient for tweaking settings from your chair, and you can set up presets for music and movies separately.

Congratulations with your purchase, and happy new year!
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