Upgrade Path Continued..

mwaarna

I started a thread a while back asking opinions on an upgrade path for the fall for my self..

I now have a complete 5.1 LSi setup. LSI9's LSiC LSiFX

But my electronics i feel are not upto par.

Now i am down to replacing my amp or receiver.

Ideally i would like to replace both, but the budget will not allow this.

my Amp is an older amp, the Outlaw Audio 750.. which people have commented on will do the job,which it does, but will not fullfill the power requirements of the LSI Series. I do not play movie reference levels of sound so it has been a fine first amp.

As for my AVR it is lacking, i purchased it to just get up and running i spent about 200 dollars on it. It was the cheapest receiver i could find with pre-out puts. HK 235 OSD is done thru composite YUCK!!!!

How much of a sound quality difference would there be if i upgraded to a new Pre/Pro like the integra 9.8 or the Onkyo 885? approx 1300 dollars....

How much would I gain if i switched to a better amp, like the Outlaw 7500 or a Sunfire Grand Cinema?

Also taking suggestions for different receivers, amps, etc.. For amps i am wiling to buy used, for the receiver i would prefer to buy new, cause there is no point in buying into older tech that is just getting replaced.

venomclan

What is it about your sound now that you do not like? The Outlaw Audio 750 is more than adequate for your speakers. Since you already have a seperate amp, I see no reason to spend that much money on another receiver. For $800 you can now buy a brand new Outlaw 990, that will most likely blow away those receivers pre/pro capabilities.

Stepping up to an Outlaw 7500, will not yield a discernable difference (35 watts 8 ohm, 50 4 ohm). A speaker upgrade will yield that greatest results, but first you need to tell us how your current system is lacking?
Venom

WilliamM2

I see no reason to spend that much money on another receiver. For $800 you can now buy a brand new Outlaw 990, that will most likely blow away those receivers pre/pro capabilities.

The Integra 9.8 and Onkyo 885 he is refering to are pre/pros, not recievers. And their capabilities blow away the 990's. Although at $800, it may be worth considering.

john22614

I just got the Outlaw 990, and the sonic improvement over the Yamaha RXV 630 I was using for pre outs is substantial. Vastly improved sound stage width and depth, richer, clearer overall sound, improved transparency and vocals, and a tighter more musical bass. I'm tellin ya, its a major improvement.

They are on sale right now for $799! Just make sure you have enough space...they're pretty big. If you have the room, I wouldn't hesitate.

Sherardp

The 990 is a beast but the deal killer for me is lack of HDMI.

mwaarna

venomclan wrote: »

What is it about your sound now that you do not like? The Outlaw Audio 750 is more than adequate for your speakers. Since you already have a seperate amp, I see no reason to spend that much money on another receiver. For $800 you can now buy a brand new Outlaw 990, that will most likely blow away those receivers pre/pro capabilities.

Stepping up to an Outlaw 7500, will not yield a discernable difference (35 watts 8 ohm, 50 4 ohm). A speaker upgrade will yield that greatest results, but first you need to tell us how your current system is lacking?
Venom

Its not that i dont like the sound of my system. I am looking to see if i can buy something to make it sound better. THe amp should be sufficient, but there is always something better out there.

But talking about the AVR that i have, it was the cheapest one i could find with pre-outs. It is lacking in inputs and HDMI. And I would consider my AVR the weakest Link in my system.

The 2 models i mentioned the Integra 9.8 and the Onkyo both are Pre-amps and have HDMI 1.3a inputs.

If outlaw would release a newer version with HDMI i would definately consider it. WHich i hope the new price drop indicates.

This upgrade which i am doing research for is something I hope to do in the net few months, but Xmas is always crazy variable that could change plans.

venomclan

WilliamM2 wrote: »

The Integra 9.8 and Onkyo 885 he is refering to are pre/pros, not recievers. And their capabilities blow away the 990's. Although at $800, it may be worth considering.

I was not aware that Onkyo and Integra still bothered making stand alone pre/pros, they seemed to leave that market long ago when they went low-fi, at least Onkyo. I guess I have not followed them for many years.

It pretty much depends on the price point of these pre/pros and if HDMI is a necessity, which seems the case. I still think that a speaker upgrade will yield the greatest upgrade in sound. There will always be something better out there, until one is satisfied with what they have.

If you do decide on an amp upgrade later, I found the Outlaw house sound to be somewhat dull. Semi-clean, but not very musical. A used Rotel or Adcom may fit the bill.
Venom