Receiver brand and quality, watts, value, etc.

StopherJJ1980

OK, forgive me if this is a newbie question but I have limited experience with receivers, I have only owned 2. MY question is right now I have a Yamaha HTR-5740 AVR that is allegedly putting out 85Wx6 RMS. I have been having a major case of upgraditis lately and have been looking at other receivers.

First let me say I am actually really pleased with my current Yammie. Yes it is an admittedly budget receiver and I got it for a steal, but so far I have no complaints about sound quality.

I have been looking at other brands, mainly harman/kardon and Denon. In my price range I would only be able to afford 75W per channel max. Now I have read that these are good high current receivers and that although the WPC is lower that they are better. Now my Yammie is budget, but it still has a good brand name credibility. Sometimes my movie listening will go as high as -10 or -8db on my Yamaha, and I have a fairly large room to fill (20x20x12), and I dont want to go dangerously close to 0db and stress the amp if I drop down in wattage. Or will I not do this since these brands have "better" watts/power?

OK I am rambling a bit but I guess my main question is... Is the better brand name worth it even with lower watts? Will I notice a difference for the price?

And I'll save some of you the time... YES i know a pre/pro is always better and to give my speakers lots of raw power but right now my budget doesnt allow that Maybe I can get s decent receiver with preouts and have that option later.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks.

VR3

Outlaw Audio

Probally better than any current receiver available for the money...

www.outlawaudio.com

The Outlaw will be alot more powerful than any of those three. it will also give you a chance to add seperates in the future among other upgrades. It is a nice piece.

outlander

To bad the HTR-5740 has no pre-outs. I’m running my HTR-5250 as a preamp to a Rotel RB-985MKII (100W X 5) and it sounds sooooooo much better than just using the receiver. To me the biggest improvement was in 2ch stereo listening, but the HT improvement was huge too. If it was me I wouldn’t waste my money setting up another system that the first thing you want to do is upgrade it. If your going to make the leap try to get something you know you’ll be happy with (for awhile anyway). And don’t forget to look at used equipment, sites like audiogone.com are loaded with high end audio gear at reasonable prices. I picked up my Rotel on audiogone for $550.0 and like it a lot, Adcom, Outlaw and B&K are all good amps and can be found at reasonable prices used if you look around. I bet you could pick up a HTR-5250 (or something like it) cheap and one of the above amps for ~$500.0 or 600.0 and that would miles ahead of any receiver you could buy for the same money.
O

cfrizz

+1 on the Outlaw 1070 receiver! Everything you could want w/pre-outs. Then you can start saving to add one of their amps!

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/1070.html

Nelson57

Stopher, what is the price range you are working with?

Jer_ry

outlander wrote:

To bad the HTR-5740 has no pre-outs. I’m running my HTR-5250 as a preamp to a Rotel RB-985MKII (100W X 5) and it sounds sooooooo much better than just using the receiver. To me the biggest improvement was in 2ch stereo listening, but the HT improvement was huge too. If it was me I wouldn’t waste my money setting up another system that the first thing you want to do is upgrade it. If your going to make the leap try to get something you know you’ll be happy with (for awhile anyway). And don’t forget to look at used equipment, sites like audiogone.com are loaded with high end audio gear at reasonable prices. I picked up my Rotel on audiogone for $550.0 and like it a lot, Adcom, Outlaw and B&K are all good amps and can be found at reasonable prices used if you look around. I bet you could pick up a HTR-5250 (or something like it) cheap and one of the above amps for ~$500.0 or 600.0 and that would miles ahead of any receiver you could buy for the same money.
O

Wow i was looking into getting a new HK or Denon reciever this week to replace my yammie htr-5250 but you say getting an amp would be better?

dorokusai

Almost everything on the used market is a value, just depends on your level of commitment.

I've heard great things about the Outlaw brand and the price is certainly attractive for those in the market. I like the combinations they put together.

cfrizz

Yes! If you are happy with the sound of your receiver and it has pre-outs get a separate amplifier!

Jer_ry wrote:

Wow i was looking into getting a new HK or Denon reciever this week to replace my yammie htr-5250 but you say getting an amp would be better?

Jer_ry

Oh ok see i'm not really happy with the sound. It's not the loudness i'm worried about it's the clarity and for the rti line i have i feel it could sound better with a newer reciever

aaharvel

......

outlander

Jer ry,
You already have a good receiver /preamp in the HTR-5250, it just has a junk power supply. With that said it’s a perfect candidate for a preamp pushing a nice amp. Your only ~$500.0 away from making a serious improvement in your system if your willing to look on the used market. There’s no way you could make an improvement like this with a new receiver from HK or Denon for even twice that $ (IMHO). I think you would be very happy with the results.
O

Jer_ry

I'm more confused then ever. Yeah i have about $550 that was to be used towards a reciever so that should do for an amp. I'm not sure exactly what an amp does...gives it more power but to how many channels?

outlander

To go with your 5250 you’ll need to pick up a 5ch amp. The separate amp will have cleaner power / sound and much more head room.
O

Jer_ry

outlander pm sent

StopherJJ1980

Thank you all for your input but I feel like my question isnt really answered. Yes, I would like to go with the Outlaw or other pre/pro as this would be the best way to go, but as Ive stated originally I cant really afford it now. Of course I would want my new AVR to have preouts to have that option in the future though.

To restate my dilemma though... Is 50-75W per channel of "good" HK or Denon power better than your 85-100W per channel of "standard" Yamaha or Pioneer power. Has anyone had experience comparing the two?

I would like to stay in the 500-700 price range for now.

wingnut4772

The 1070 is a receiver. Not a pre/pro...you know that right? It's not cheapy cheap but it's a good value for the $$$.

aaharvel

StopherJJ1980 wrote:

To restate my dilemma though... Is 50-75W per channel of "good" HK or Denon power better than your 85-100W per channel of "standard" Yamaha or Pioneer power. Has anyone had experience comparing the two?

imo yes & yes

amulford

Yes there is a difference from entry level recievers to the higher priced models. The better models will have higher qualty amp sections, like in the case of HK, a higher current capabilty. Yamaha's are no slouch, if you like the sound.

Your best bet is to go pre-owned. Look around and try stuff out. Rome wasn't built in a day.

cfrizz

You would be doing yourself a greater service, by buying a better receiver like the Outlaw or a higher priced higher powered Denon. It will save you in the long run since when you are ready, you will only have to buy more amp power later on.

StopherJJ1980 wrote:

Thank you all for your input but I feel like my question isnt really answered. Yes, I would like to go with the Outlaw or other pre/pro as this would be the best way to go, but as Ive stated originally I cant really afford it now. Of course I would want my new AVR to have preouts to have that option in the future though.

To restate my dilemma though... Is 50-75W per channel of "good" HK or Denon power better than your 85-100W per channel of "standard" Yamaha or Pioneer power. Has anyone had experience comparing the two?

I would like to stay in the 500-700 price range for now.