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Just Curious - About using a AV Receiver as main unit

Just curious about something.

I know it is preferable to use a Integrated Amp or Pre-Amp+Amp combo as your main unit in the system but sometimes I see used AV's receivers see from manufacturers who make really good high end 2 channel equipment and these receivers sell for less then say a 2 channel component from the same manufacturer (units from say Rotel, Anthem, Arcam, Marantz, etc). Also, since we are talking about AV Receivers, I guess it's fair to compare them to SS Amps. If your into Tubes, then that is whole different story.

I wonder sometimes if you start a build using one of the AV receivers instead of the 2 channel component, would that be a good system to build off of.

I will say for myself, I started with a Denon AVR-5700 (which I still have and was a beast in it's day) and I think it was an excellent piece of equipment and had a great 2 channel section.

Last year I bought a Integrated amp but honestly, I could have easily stayed with the Denon and build off of that.

Sure, these AV's receivers wont compare to components that are way up there in the thousands but if your budget is bit tight I think these components would be great to start with and I am not talking about your $400 dealer receiver from best buy, I mean AV's receivers that were top of the line in their day and now can be had for much cheaper. 

Well just curious and my opinion.

Thanks
128x128jay73
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,735 posts
 
Listening to my new Forte 4s powered by my trusty Onkyo receiver as I write. Dan Fogelberg's "Souvenirs" is easing my worried mind...
nnsixx's avatar
nnsixx
26 posts
 
The Yamaha as-2200 arrived yesterday. The first thing I noticed is it accentuated the top end and sounds more refined overall. Playing rock like Led Zeppelin I didn't think the difference was night and day but liked what I heard. Today I hooked up the tube dac via XLR, put on some Gino Vanelli (early jazzy stuff) and woah...this amps got rythm! For the ultimate test I put on the Body Heat album by Quincy Jones. The effect of going through XLR is dramatic. I'm in the middle of the soundstage with background singers and harmonica sounding like it is coming from behind me. I also hooked it up to pass through my home theatre and can't tell much difference (still sounds excellent!). My conclusion is adding a 2 channel amp to your existing AVR can be worth it but primarily if you can also upgrade your connection and other aspects to make the most out of the difference. Doesn't change my opinion of how great my Denon sounds though, especially decoding dsd but indeed it makes a difference for stereo when streaming. I probably need more time for the Yamaha's highs to settle down just a bit or try dsd to completely fall in love with it. Doubt I'd made the jump if I hadn't also been adding XLR and activating additional tubes in my dac. The only problem is this amp has no line level input for a sub. Going to try using RCA to the preout and then hopefully it will play when using the yamaha alone and with the denon. Not really missing the sub right now playing Carol King and Folgleberg's beautiful acoustic songs. This amp has plenty of punch!
nnsixx's avatar
nnsixx
26 posts
 
Well the Yamaha is broken in now. I have to say, there is something special about running your speakers full range in stereo without a sub to see what they can do. I like percussion and in my bedroom the R300's really slam on drums. I'll be moving so the system will be going in a family room soon and I may have to go 2.1 but I hope not as I'm enjoying this option. Haven't really a b tested with the Denon but thats apples and oranges anyway considering I was using 2.1. Given the Denon was overated at 140w and the Yamaha is underated at 90 it doesn't seem to be a huge difference between the two, but it did allow me to run xlr from the dac and passthrough the Denon so its worth it for the options it opened up. The cool looking VU meters on the Yamaha really spice up the looks too!
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