Expensive AVR vs Cheap AVR+Power amp

[Kittu]

Kittu,

I was in the same boat as you are and after a lot of thinking, I added a 2ch power amp (and decent interconnect) to my Yamaha AVR.
Now the mid/high tones sound more liquid, way cleaner and less sibilant. Before the tones were sort of smeared together, now they are separate and distinct.
Even bass has much better slam and for the fist time I can hear minute bass textures.
As a pleasant surprise, system now responds much better to EQ (yeah, I use EQ )

Not trying to exaggerate, but the difference is like day and night. You should give it a try...

EDIT: And don't use YPAO. Even if you use it, before starting calibration choose 'FLAT' instead of 'NATURAL'.

May I know what power amp you added to yamaha?

 

[sound1]

May I know what power amp you added to yamaha?

Class D Audio SDS-254 Kit - Amplifier Kits

And a nice amp enclosure from magma :thumbsup:

 

[anm]

why didn't you go for a 3 channel amp? I am sure your center also requires decent power.
what avr/ speakers are you using?

 

[spirovious]

Thanks sound1,I am the third one in the same boat.
So got your way,me & kittu will follow you perhaps.
@kittu-If possible you can visit sound1 & have audition.

 

[spirovious]

Class D Audio SDS-254 Kit - Amplifier Kits

And a nice amp enclosure from magma :thumbsup:

This kit has 4 ch & still cheaper than the one you use.
Class D Audio CDA-258 Kit - Amplifier Kits
Or details mentioned are wrong.Powersupply is 500VA.
"powerful 500W X 2, or 100W X 1 Class D Power Amplifier modules"

 

[Kittu]

Thanks sound1,I am the third one in the same boat.
So got your way,me & kittu will follow you perhaps.
@kittu-If possible you can visit sound1 & have audition.

Would love to do an audition, provided if sound1 is fine with it. :licklips:

 

[Kittu]

This kit has 4 ch & still cheaper than the one you use.
Class D Audio CDA-258 Kit - Amplifier Kits
Or details mentioned are wrong.Powersupply is 500VA.
"powerful 500W X 2, or 100W X 1 Class D Power Amplifier modules"

Do a side by side compare by adding those two models to compare list. You will know why SDS is priced higher.

 

[sound1]

why didn't you go for a 3 channel amp? I am sure your center also requires decent power.
what avr/ speakers are you using?

Well mainly because of budget. I own Aperion 5B speakers and Yamaha RXV 765. My AVR seems to drive the center (wharf 10.CS) quite well but not the Aperions.

 

[spirovious]

Do a side by side compare by adding those two models to compare list. You will know why SDS is priced higher.

Read it & found it.

 

[rishiguru]

Naveen, You can use Yamaha RX series AVRs (665 and 667). These AVRs have:

1. Features (HDMI/YAPO/3D etc...) 2. Stereo and 7.2 PreOut 3. "Pure mode" where AVR would not apply any "enhancement" to audio 4. $250 -$500 Price point ....I am using RX-V665. It overstates the power in specs, but its a good AVR because of Pre-Outs.

I have auditioned the Yamha RXV-V667 AVR in my friends place, a nice reciever. It is quite a stable machine even when driven loud for a sustained period of time. Sound quality in nothing exceptional and weighs just 10 kilos, but for its price it is hard to beat.

Comes with F/C/Sr/Sb/Sw Out(x2) pre outs & supports almost all the the features you stated. Two subwoofers are supported. Also used the V667 & DSP-A2070 as a pre-power combo and it works very well, immediately the sound became a little laid back & more authorataive, bass became more pronounced & chest thumping and over all the soundstage was much much bigger & vivid.

Naveen, since this thread is very technical oriented I provide some internal shots of V667 :

Yamaha RVX-667 interiors:

 

[Kittu]

Well mainly because of budget. I own Aperion 5B speakers and Yamaha RXV 765. My AVR seems to drive the center (wharf 10.CS) quite well but not the Aperions.

+1 , I have yamaha 667 and Paradigm CC-190 center channel ,+4db setting on center it seem to handle quite well. But the same is not with L&R..:indifferent14:

 

[navin advani]

I would suggest UMC1 + XPA-1 + Norge ... or a basic AVR (may be second hand) for the surrounds along with the XPA-3 for FL-C-FR

Yes that is another great idea....
UMC1 + good stereo power amp + smaller 5 channel power amp.
If one can get each of the above for about $500 one can have an excellent system for about $1500.

 

[sound1]

Thanks sound1,I am the third one in the same boat.
So got your way,me & kittu will follow you perhaps.
@kittu-If possible you can visit sound1 & have audition.

We all love boats, don't we

Would love to do an audition, provided if sound1 is fine with it. :licklips:

You are most welcome. Pls call me one day in advance. Will PM my number...

+1 , I have yamaha 667 and Paradigm CC-190 center channel ,+4db setting on center it seem to handle quite well. But the same is not with L&R..:indifferent14:

My guess: May be because only voice comes out of it and not much LFE.

 

[navin advani]

why didn't you go for a 3 channel amp?

Stereo power amps are easier to find.

I have auditioned the Yamha RXV-V667 AVR in my friends place, a nice reciever

+1 , I have yamaha 667 .. But the same is not with L&R

I have not heard the 667 so cannot comment but I believe the Aventage 810 is a step up when it comes to audio processing. So with the 810 you get the audio processing of the 2010 less a few features (like a 3rd zone which I do not need) buit at half the price of the 2010.

Now if one wants to step it up a bit one can get a 4 channel power amp and bi-amp the front channels!

 

[cmsajith]

Yes that is another great idea....
UMC1 + good stereo power amp + smaller 5 channel power amp.
If one can get each of the above for about $500 one can have an excellent system for about $1500.

I am using the same way : UMC1 + Quad 909 + Onkyo 606 AVR (may add one dedicated monoblock for the center once I go for a 7.1 setup)

 

[rishiguru]

Yes that is another great idea....
UMC1 + good stereo power amp + smaller 5 channel power amp.
If one can get each of the above for about $500 one can have an excellent system for about $1500.

navin till now many people have proved so may options. Have you decided which way to go?

I mean a cheap reciever + 2 channel power amp or UMC1 + good stereo power amp + smaller 5 channel power amp.

You have to decide, or else there will be pages of suggestion with no outcome.

It you think Yam 667 is a good option kindly read this personal review : Yamaha RX-V667 + Emotive 5 channel power amp

 

[spirovious]

+1 , I have yamaha 667 and Paradigm CC-190 center channel ,+4db setting on center it seem to handle quite well. But the same is not with L&R..:indifferent14:

This may be as most of centre ch has more sensitivity than that of fronts of same family.eg my Tannoy fronts are 87db & Centre 90db.

 

[Kittu]

Now if one wants to step it up a bit one can get a 4 channel power amp and bi-amp the front channels!

And I will have to start looking for a new apartment :lol: .....

Serious note I was thinking to go for a 2 channel amp , that is where I need power for music. DIY is not my cup of tea so I need a complete power amp.

Can any one recommend a budget 2 channel power amp with lot of power ?

 

[avidyarthy]

Emotiva XPA-2 ....... @ Kittu

 

[Kittu]

Emotiva XPA-2 ....... @ Kittu

Hehe.... Read my post above "Budget boleto sasta wala"