AVR vs Stereo Amplifier

[PGY]

Hi Everyone,

I have a question in my mind, thought of getting it clarified from everyone .

From the discussions in most of the threads, i understood that Stereo Amplifiers play a big role in getting a good quality music output.

I see most of them using a Pre-Amplifier, then a stereo Power amplifier for this process.

Here is my question

If we get a pre-amplifier, can i use my AVR as a power amplifier ? I see the most commonly used one is NAD & Valve Pre-amplifiers, How this NAD differs from the Yamaha or Denon Stereo Amplifiers ? both of them does same job ?

Out of this, the valve pre amplifiers captured my interest, will that be more good than a Yamaha or any other stereo amplifiers ? I understand taste differs, is there any changes in terms of quality ?

kindly let me know,

 

[Sunderpalanivel]

Hi Everyone,

I have a question in my mind, thought of getting it clarified from everyone .

From the discussions in most of the threads, i understood that Stereo Amplifiers play a big role in getting a good quality music output.

I see most of them using a Pre-Amplifier, then a stereo Power amplifier for this process.

Here is my question

If we get a pre-amplifier, can i use my AVR as a power amplifier ? I see the most commonly used one is NAD & Valve Pre-amplifiers, How this NAD differs from the Yamaha or Denon Stereo Amplifiers ? both of them does same job ?

Out of this, the valve pre amplifiers captured my interest, will that be more good than a Yamaha or any other stereo amplifiers ? I understand taste differs, is there any changes in terms of quality ?

kindly let me know,

- Even if you use a preamp onto the AVR. the AVR will still screw things up, so no point in doing that. If you buy a pre am you need to buy a power amp.
- Integrated sterio amp could be an effective solution, so you dont have to be confused with pre-power combination etc
- You can chose a best brand suitable for your first based on your budget and then by auditioning.

 

[PGY]

Thank you so much Sundar . I really appreciate it.

 

[rishiguru]

From the discussions in most of the threads, i understood that Stereo Amplifiers play a big role in getting a good quality music output.

For an equal amount of money, a stereo amplifier will always have better sound quality than an AVR. The reason is stereo amplifiers deal with only audio & just 2 channels, while a standard AVR have to deal with 7 or more audio channels along with video.

The truth is HT is a tougher business than stereo HiFi, is ten folds technically challenging and needs extensive development time with big budgets to produce a successful, descent sounding AVR with an equal video prowess. AVR business is so technically challenging and resource intensive now-a-days that even manufacturer like Arcam & Cambridge Audio had initial hiccups with their TOTL avrs a few years back in terms of reliability and overall performance.

Also AVR's have so many more options, its is a very versatile device. It versatility is also its Achilles hill, as it has to sacrifice some sound quality for the sake allowing multiple audio/ video outputs, up scaling video ...etc. But as you climb up the ladder into zone of high-end AVR's the difference between stereo amplifiers & AVRs in terms of audio quality & power output diminishes drastically being sometimes next to nothing.

I have heard quite a few high-end AVRs, and indeed they are very very musical. Downside is you have to spend big bucks for them. In return it will provide you the liberty to have single setup that that does it all, from critical stereo listening to earth shaking theater sound.

 

[Falcon21]

honestly i can't tell the difference bet stereo and avr sound by listening to it
as avr also plays stereo and does only 2 channels in stereo mode
except the technical difference on papers about variable & constant wattage its not apparent in listening

one could even get a avr with preout and buy a power amp later to power the front speakers

 

[PGY]

For an equal amount of money, a stereo amplifier will always have better sound quality than an AVR. The reason is stereo amplifiers deal with only audio & just 2 channels, while a standard AVR have to deal with 7 or more audio channels along with video.

The truth is HT is a tougher business than stereo HiFi, is ten folds technically challenging and needs extensive development time with big budgets to produce a successful, descent sounding AVR with an equal video prowess. AVR business is so technically challenging and resource intensive now-a-days that even manufacturer like Arcam & Cambridge Audio had initial hiccups with their TOTL avrs a few years back in terms of reliability and overall performance.

Also AVR's have so many more options, its is a very versatile device. It versatility is also its Achilles hill, as it has to sacrifice some sound quality for the sake allowing multiple audio/ video outputs, up scaling video ...etc. But as you climb up the ladder into zone of high-end AVR's the difference between stereo amplifiers & AVRs in terms of audio quality & power output diminishes drastically being sometimes next to nothing.

I have heard quite a few high-end AVRs, and indeed they are very very musical. Downside is you have to spend big bucks for them. In return it will provide you the liberty to have single setup that that does it all, from critical stereo listening to earth shaking theater sound.

Thank you so much for your explanation rishiguru, i got it

 

[PGY]

honestly i can't tell the difference bet stereo and avr sound by listening to it
as avr also plays stereo and does only 2 channels in stereo mode
except the technical difference on papers about variable & constant wattage its not apparent in listening

one could even get a avr with preout and buy a power amp later to power the front speakers

Thanks Falcon,

Was just wondered when i see some threads for stereo setups. Thanks for the clarification

 

[asliarun]

Generally, most of the cost of an avr is due to its features that are preamp specific. The power amp is sacrificed. A stereo power amp or integrated is all about the power amp section - oversized power supplies, big toroid transformers, big capacitors, discrete components, etc.

So the reverse would be a better combo, use an avr as a preamp and feed it into a stereo power amp.

 

[manoj.p]

Quoting myself
http://www.hifivision.com/preamplifier/24897-stereo-preamp-vs-avr-used-preamp-2.html#post350558

The sound signature and quality depends a lot upon the components actually used in the device, any specific processing and its implementation. Many theorists suggest that for the same price, stereo integrated amp will be better than an AVR because, its simply needs very few components and manufacturer's are able to use quality components. Again, this is in theory only because the AVR's are made by big manufacturers and they are able to source components very cheaply. I mean, we are talking about electronic components like chips, IC's, resistors, transistor, capacitors etc and they are available in cents to manufacturers. So, have a stereo amp is not necessarily better from components build quality alone.

Now, where the sound signature does change a lot is in the processing. The stereo preamp pretty much does not do anything else beyond tone controls and volume controls. Those don't even do any crossovers/bass management. The AVR's have the bass management and almost all have automatic setup with included mic and room eq correction. It helps in setting speaker levels, distance, phase, crossover and then do the room correction.These features are very helpful, if you want to use a subwoofer or if your room is not perfect/symmetrical or if your speaker setup is not symmetrical/optimal.

For me, the room correction, bass management are very important features because it allows you to tweak the sound to your liking. You can decide what's more important to you and then choose which one you want.