Emotiva separates or Yamaha AVR recommendation?


I’m looking to assemble a really basic 3.0 system where sound quality is my main concern vs. features. I’d like to bi-amp the L&R speakers. System will be in our nice townhome’s living room so we don’t want a full array of speakers.

Would I do better purchasing Emotiva’s Pre/pro w/ 5 channel amp or a Yamaha Aventage AVR. Yamaha is feature heavy and I won’t take advantage of much of the connectivity. Emotiva (or Outlaw) is more rudimentary which I like. I’m looking at about 100 wpc. Source is BD player, over-the-air HDTV, and occasional Apps on smart TV.
Which is a better choice?

(I have Monitor Audio Silver S-6 floor and Vienna Acoustics Theatro center speakers for use.)

So what do you say?
128x128mjcmt

Showing 2 responses by mjcmt

I had a lower end Yamaha Aventage AVR a few years ago and didn’t find any adverse effect bi-amping, before moving back to a 2 channel set-up, though I didn’t notice much sonic difference, just easier on the amp. Thanks for the heads up that Emotiva is bright sounding. I’ll look into Marantz. Late model used AVRs is where I’m heading, but would like to see if I could get more dynamics w/ separates.
I'm aware about the importance of similar LCR speakers but when I had a system years ago I liked the improved dialogue clarity and positioning w/ a high quality center even if it didn't match. I don't plan on changing speaker at present and plan to use what I have.

I should mention that I will use my current 2 channel tube system w/ TT somewhere else and I'm looking for convenience and improved dialogue for TV sports and other TV programing, plus the occasional movie.

Auxinput, I didn't have the MA speaker back then but still thought bi-amping was a plus w/ an AVRs extra amps for L&R highs.