AV receiver which is good for Music

[rdevakumar]

Presently i have Onkyo HT-S3300 with 5.1 speakers HTP-380 which is 3 years old. It is used in my living room (12x12) and connected with my HDTV. The input sources are Airtel HD, WDTV Live, Sony DVD Player. As needed, i connect other sources like Laptop, Mobile.

The speakers are not configured surround and all are placed in the front. Also, for the last one year, i haven't connected 5 speakers and sub to the AVR, Instead i am using a set of old Sony stereo speakers (which sounds much better to me). I don't have plan to have the surround setup in near future and will be selling the AVR and 5.1 speakers.

Now i want to buy a new AVR and will use that with the Sony Stereo speakers and later may upgrade to high end stereo speakers. The only reason i am looking for AVR instead of Stereo amplifier is the need of connecting multiple HD input sources (Is there any better solution for these HD sources with stereo amplifier instead of AVR?).

Please suggest me a good AVR with the below requirement:
1. Should have good DAC and should be good for listening music
2. Should have 3/4 HD Input
3. Bluetooth (My WDTV Live takes care of my network streaming and USB connectivity)
4. Budget < 50K

I listen mostly Indian movie audio / video songs (Illayaraja and ARR). Also i have collection of few Gazals. Yanni (Audio, Live program videos), few albums like Boney M, Daft punk (I am yet to explore the world of music, i am just starting). Most of my sources are good quality (Original Audio CDs, FLAC, HD Videos). Also i watch mostly HD TV channels only.

I listen with 'Direct' mode and without any EQ / Enhancements in the AVR. I like decent bass (not earth shattering) and like the flow of bass guitar and Tabla.

 

[RajithKumar]

If for music ..consider Marantz or Yamaha AVR

 

[John]

Music = Marantz.

Best of luck in your search.

 

[philistine]

I think as per suggestions above and my research marantz really cut it for music. Of course you need to decide only after a demo.

 

[jkarthik]

Marantz. Demo and then decide.

 

[elangoas]

Presently i have Onkyo HT-S3300 with 5.1 speakers HTP-380 which is 3 years old. It is used in my living room (12x12) and connected with my HDTV. The input sources are Airtel HD, WDTV Live, Sony DVD Player. As needed, i connect other sources like Laptop, Mobile.

The speakers are not configured surround and all are placed in the front. Also, for the last one year, i haven't connected 5 speakers and sub to the AVR, Instead i am using a set of old Sony stereo speakers (which sounds much better to me). I don't have plan to have the surround setup in near future and will be selling the AVR and 5.1 speakers.

Now i want to buy a new AVR and will use that with the Sony Stereo speakers and later may upgrade to high end stereo speakers. The only reason i am looking for AVR instead of Stereo amplifier is the need of connecting multiple HD input sources (Is there any better solution for these HD sources with stereo amplifier instead of AVR?).

Please suggest me a good AVR with the below requirement:
1. Should have good DAC and should be good for listening music
2. Should have 3/4 HD Input
3. Bluetooth (My WDTV Live takes care of my network streaming and USB connectivity)
4. Budget < 50K

I listen mostly Indian movie audio / video songs (Illayaraja and ARR). Also i have collection of few Gazals. Yanni (Audio, Live program videos), few albums like Boney M, Daft punk (I am yet to explore the world of music, i am just starting). Most of my sources are good quality (Original Audio CDs, FLAC, HD Videos). Also i watch mostly HD TV channels only.

I listen with 'Direct' mode and without any EQ / Enhancements in the AVR. I like decent bass (not earth shattering) and like the flow of bass guitar and Tabla.

Chennai is no short of AVR dealers.... Please take a demo & then decide.....

There are better solutions to consider.... All HD sources have backwards compatibility (Digital Co-axial & Optical outputs)... IN your case, tatasky, WD TV live & Sony DVD player should have any of these outputs....

Onkyo 8050,8020 / Yamaha R N 500 / Marantz PM 6005 all are modern stereo receivers which have a decent DAC inside.... You could run all the video sources thru HDMI to TV... Simultaneously, you can take digital outputs from the sources & connect it to the above said stereo receivers....

Choose the one that has many digital inputs.... It will def be handy....

 

[Raghuhifi]

Only Yamaha

 

[rdevakumar]

Chennai is no short of AVR dealers.... Please take a demo & then decide.....

There are better solutions to consider.... All HD sources have backwards compatibility (Digital Co-axial & Optical outputs)... IN your case, tatasky, WD TV live & Sony DVD player should have any of these outputs....

Onkyo 8050,8020 / Yamaha R N 500 / Marantz PM 6005 all are modern stereo receivers which have a decent DAC inside.... You could run all the video sources thru HDMI to TV... Simultaneously, you can take digital outputs from the sources & connect it to the above said stereo receivers....

Choose the one that has many digital inputs.... It will def be handy....

If my TV had digital output, i would have gone for Stero amplifier which has digital input instead of AVR (My TV has 4 HDMI Input). As you suggested, let me now let me check with the equipments i have (Airtel DTH, WDTV, DVD player) to see what kind of Digital output they have and will i be able to map them to these stereo amps. However, i may be restricted with flexibility / future enhancements.

 

[hydra]

Why don't you retain the Onkyo, and use the analog outs of the Onkyo with a new amp?

This would work if you're satisfied with the audio quality of the DAC of the Onkyo, and if you're not looking for an upgrade on the DAC front.

In addition, if the Onkyo can function as a preamp, you have the option of being able to use a new power amp (instead of an integrated amp). You could try a hand at the Nelson Pass Amp-Camp (4W, Class A if I'm not mistaken) if your Sony speakers are reasonably sensitive. This build wouldn't cost much (under 6K), and would be a fairly good upgrade in terms of amplification quality.

With this arrangement (= retaining the Onkyo) there is the issue that you're adding more electronics into the mix, which has the potential for degrading the source signal. But then, if you can borrow an amp from an FM and try this out, you should be able to see if this is the case.

 

[CLEARCUT]

Perfeection makes the stereo two channel amplifier one step ahead of surround amplifier. High end components and perfect R&D makes the stereo amplifier to reproduce the originality. Which we can not expect from surround amplifiers. If you go for a higher end surround amplifiers it may be little comparable with budget model two channel. So both are entirely different. More over each brand has its own signature. I feel good Marantz and good Onkyo surround amplifiers can reproduce the stereo image nearby. Whatever may be let your ears be the judges. Cheers.

 

[sandeepmohan]

I have a Pioneer vsx-1122k. I never expected it to sound any good with music but this receiver has surprised me. Off course, not to be compared with a top notch stereo integrated. From listening experience I felt my Pioneer had better tonal quality than a Marantz PM-8004. I suggest you audition all your options before putting down your money.

 

[rdevakumar]

Why don't you retain the Onkyo, and use the analog outs of the Onkyo with a new amp?

This would work if you're satisfied with the audio quality of the DAC of the Onkyo, and if you're not looking for an upgrade on the DAC front.

In addition, if the Onkyo can function as a preamp, you have the option of being able to use a new power amp (instead of an integrated amp). You could try a hand at the Nelson Pass Amp-Camp (4W, Class A if I'm not mistaken) if your Sony speakers are reasonably sensitive. This build wouldn't cost much (under 6K), and would be a fairly good upgrade in terms of amplification quality.

With this arrangement (= retaining the Onkyo) there is the issue that you're adding more electronics into the mix, which has the potential for degrading the source signal. But then, if you can borrow an amp from an FM and try this out, you should be able to see if this is the case.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I want to get rid of 5 speakers filling the area, but i don't think i can sell speakers alone. Also i don't want to keep two amplifiers. I am Ok wot use Onkyo as the amplifier for the living room (i am planning to have another stereo only setup by early next year in a separate room). That is the reason i want to sell the whole setup and buy a good AVR. Later as needed, i will replace the sony stereo speakers with some high end speakers. I already have one vintage Pioneer amplifier (which is connected to my PC and Base 301 speakers).