Fluff??
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mule
Posts: 282
I am some what new to this stuff, but I have been reading the posts here for a little while and some times I get overwelmed by all the abreviations, dts, thx and what not.
Here is my question.
Given that most of us are trying to get the best stuff in our budget.
Would someone be better off buying a demo Rotel rsx 1067 or, B&K avr307 or something similar that dosen't have the latest and greatest gadgets like hdmi and all the other little abreviations, but has maybe better amplification and cleaner sound as opposed to a new Onkyo 805 or Yamaha rx-v3800 that has all the little frills and gadgets.
Are the power ratings on the B&K/Rotel more honest than Onkyo/Yamaha?
Is all that stuff fluff and window dressing ?
Am I right to think all the little abreviations are just marketing and the bare bones Rotel is a simple performer?
Here is my question.
Given that most of us are trying to get the best stuff in our budget.
Would someone be better off buying a demo Rotel rsx 1067 or, B&K avr307 or something similar that dosen't have the latest and greatest gadgets like hdmi and all the other little abreviations, but has maybe better amplification and cleaner sound as opposed to a new Onkyo 805 or Yamaha rx-v3800 that has all the little frills and gadgets.
Are the power ratings on the B&K/Rotel more honest than Onkyo/Yamaha?
Is all that stuff fluff and window dressing ?
Am I right to think all the little abreviations are just marketing and the bare bones Rotel is a simple performer?
Post edited by mule on
Comments
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It depends on what you value. If you want the latest connectivity, decoding, etc which will make it easy to connect up you HT system, then the new stuff has its advantages. If you're like me and want really good quality sound and build, good honest power ratings, etc. then going with gear that may not have the latest and greatest is a good choice, although it may not always be the cheaper route. I love the sound that my B&K AVR 507 s2 produces. I am OK waiting for a Bluray player that has decent internal decoders and can feed the 5.1 analog inputs on my AVR for the new audio formats. I have listened to the new Onkyo AVR's, and also those from Denon, Pioneer, Marantz, etc. Most of them sound like **** compared to my B&K.
You have decide what you value in your HT and then make your purchase decisions accordingly.DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
I've had a B&K 317(Upgraded 307) for almost 4 years and while I will certainly upgrade, it won't be until I have the need for HDMI downstairs. Aside from HDMI, there's no reason for me to upgrade, in any way. The newer surround formats are in their infancy and by the time more movies start using them, I'll be shopping anyways.
The only new format that intrigues me is Dolby Headphone.
The power ratings for both manufacturers are solid and reliable. I have no qualms about HK or Onkyo either but I'd give the edge to Rotel, B&K and Parasound....for example.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
It depends on what you value. If you want the latest connectivity, decoding, etc which will make it easy to connect up you HT system, then the new stuff has its advantages. If you're like me and want really good quality sound and build, good honest power ratings, etc. then going with gear that may not have the latest and greatest is a good choice, although it may not always be the cheaper route. I love the sound that my B&K AVR 507 s2 produces. I am OK waiting for a Bluray player that has decent internal decoders and can feed the 5.1 analog inputs on my AVR for the new audio formats. I have listened to the new Onkyo AVR's, and also those from Denon, Pioneer, Marantz, etc. Most of them sound like **** compared to my B&K.
You have decide what you value in your HT and then make your purchase decisions accordingly.
Thats what my thinking was, a good dvd will decode and send audio to the reciever and video to the tv so hdmi is not all that important, right?
Going Onkyo/yamaha/denon you would need external amps to get a sound quality equal to B&K/Rotel, right?
I am just trying to figure if going with the slighly older technology but better quality is going to limit me in the future or if getting a Yamaha/onkyo/denon is more of a step sideway as opposed to a step ahead (I have a Onkyo now)
I know there is no real concrete answer, just trying to get some direction before I get serious about shopping for new gear. -
You also have to remember that what I think is good sound quality may not sync with your version of good sound quality. Lots of people love the sound of their Onkyo, HK, Pioneer, Marantz, etc AVR's, and they are not wrong in the least. My advice would be to try and listen to as many options as possible, think about what might work the best with any future speaker changes, and then make the most informed decision possible. Good luck and have fun!DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
I don't believe you HAVE to automatically plan for an outboard amplifier with the other brands but you certainly don't see many folks augmenting a B&K/Rotel with one because it's not up to par. DKG should have a good opinion on that as well.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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My best advice would to be get out and get your listen on at a few different places, with the same gear. I am far from the only person on here that knows that 99% of places don't set up their rooms up correctly, so don't always take the first impression as gospel. Sit down in front of as much gear as possible, then go find it used. Save some green.:D
Sound quality is always subjective, but there will be a solid difference between an Onk receiver and a Rotel receiver, for better or for worse is for your ears to decide. -
I don't believe you HAVE to automatically plan for an outboard amplifier with the other brands but you certainly don't see many folks augmenting a B&K/Rotel with one because it's not up to par. DKG should have a good opinion on that as well.
Even with a full LSi HT I didn't find much reason to use external amplification vs the internal amps in the B&K AVR 507. I did add the B&K 125.2 to power the front LSi9's, more out of curiousity then need. There was a marginal improvement, although not really enough to justify the cost of a separate amp. The B&K AVR does run a little cooler using the external amp for the front mains, but not that it was anywhere near over heating before that.
With the normal Onkyo, etc. AVR's I would feel the need to run external amplification, so I would probably opt for the Integra pre/pro or a B&K pre/pro and then use the amplification that had the sound signature I like.DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
If you're looking for a meat and potatoes receiver that can hang with some seperates systems you should check out the Arcam AVR300. They are going for a song lately on the Audiogon and even the 350 is coming down in price. I have the 300 and love it. I did add my external amp to give my fronts a little more bottom end slam but there wasn't much difference otherwise. I did get a little more headroom as well with the amp although i find i don't hardly take the volume up that high anyhow.Onkyo TX NR 5008 modified by The Upgrade Company
Oppo BDP 93 modified by The Upgrade Company
Arcam CD37
Monitor Audio Gold GS 60
Revolver Audio Music 5 towers.(surround)
Vandersteen V2W -
Even with a full LSi HT I didn't find much reason to use external amplification vs the internal amps in the B&K AVR 507. I did add the B&K 125.2 to power the front LSi9's, more out of curiousity then need. There was a marginal improvement, although not really enough to justify the cost of a separate amp. The B&K AVR does run a little cooler using the external amp for the front mains, but not that it was anywhere near over heating before that.
Nothing wrong with that and I bet it looks snazzy to boot.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Nothing wrong with that and I bet it looks snazzy to boot.
It does look and sound snazzy! If you run across another 125.2 give me a call. My center channel says it needs to look snazzy :rolleyes:DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
