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Old Flagship Vs New Mid-Level Receiver

Folks,

I currently have a B&K AVR 507 which, when I bought it, was about as good as you could get. I'm thinking about getting a new receiver to take advantage of hi-res audio formats and, most impoartantly to me, room EQ. I don't have flagship money this time around so my budget is $1000 tops. Has anyone compared my 507 or something like a Denon 5803 to a new mid-level receiver like an Onkyo 818 or anything else with Audyssey XT32? I'm also considering an Anthem MRX 300 to get ARC. Will I get an improvement is sound? So what is better? An old flagship receiver or a new mid-level one?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

On a side note, I really miss the days of high-end brick and morter stores where I could bring the equipment home :(
lpdevotee

Showing 1 response by martykl

martykl
3,578 posts
 
I'm unfamiliar with your B&K, but I have compared my xt32 equipped Onkyo prepro to my old Theta prepro and IMHO there are two answers to your question, depending on your set-up.

1). If you use subwoofers, the odds are good that the xt32 (or equivalent like ARC) unit will sound MUCH better. It's always possible that in any given room you may be able to get the smooth FR in the bass and seamless integration of DRC software with careful placement and skillfull set-up, but I've never been able to get close. In my view, the DRC equipped modern unit probably wins in a runaway.

2). If you're not using subs, then it's a different story, and I'd hesitate to make a generalization.

Marty
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