Guidance needed

[subfire91]

Hi guys,

Im looking to build by first HiFi system for the living room and im stuck on some decisions. i was wondering if i could have your guidance.

i was looking some AVRs within my budget and i was reading some reviews regarding candidate products. During my research i switched my research focus and was wondering if i should probably go for a network stereo receiver as first of all im not interested in surround sound i prefer i HiFi setup and also you may get a better product sound quality wise with the same budget (correct me if im wrong). Products that fit my budget are :

R-N600A or R-N800A by Yamaha
Denon DRA-800H
Marantz RN1200
ONKYO TX 8270

Does anyone have experience or recommendation regarding the above products ? i will go initially for a 2:0 setup and if the bass is not adequate i will probably fit a sub in there also.

Additionally the yamahas have no ARC ports but they have good reviews regarding their sound quality. I was wondering if for a 2:0 or 2:1 setup ARC offers any sound quality benefits compared to optical ? Again im not interested in surround. The ability to control the volume of the receiver via the TV remote that ARC offers is a good think to have but not a deal breaker for me.

The system will be used for listening to music and it will be also used to connect the tv to it in order to up the game from the TVs internal speakers. i have two set top boxes that serve me the local tv channels subscription services connected to it. Is there any benefits of directly connecting the set top boxes to the receiver compared with haing them connected to the tv and directing sound to the receiver via optical cable ?

Sorry for the long post and thank you

 

[Spkrdctr]

Well, just did a quick look at three of your options. First the Denon is a basic two channel stereo and the price reflects that. You get 100 watts per channel and it will be fantastic for just hooking up to the tv and also listening to music. I noticed the Yamaha is a lot more expensive (double the Denon) but includes the YPAO function that is very nice. So 100 watts per channel and YPAO. The Onkyo is also a decent unit that is mid-priced between the other two. I didn't look at the Marantz as I don't really like the company so it is my quirk! So, the inexpensive easy way is the Denon, the more expensive way is the Yamaha with YPAO. It depends on your pocket book. If you can, the Yamaha is a very nice unit and you will not have to replace it for over a decade. Or the inexpensive basic Denon saves money. Your choice!

 

[subfire91]

Well, just did a quick look at three of your options. First the Denon is a basic two channel stereo and the price reflects that. You get 100 watts per channel and it will be fantastic for just hooking up to the tv and also listening to music. I noticed the Yamaha is a lot more expensive (double the Denon) but includes the YPAO function that is very nice. So 100 watts per channel and YPAO. The Onkyo is also a decent unit that is mid-priced between the other two. I didn't look at the Marantz as I don't really like the company so it is my quirk! So, the inexpensive easy way is the Denon, the more expensive way is the Yamaha with YPAO. It depends on your pocket book. If you can, the Yamaha is a very nice unit and you will not have to replace it for over a decade. Or the inexpensive basic Denon saves money. Your choice!

Thank you for your input @Spkrdctr. Actually all of them are very closely priced in my country. I can get the R-N600A for €639 the R-N800A for €869, the denon is the priciest of all at €899 and the Onkyo at €799. The Marantz its at €699. All of them are within my budget so i will probably go with the best choice.

basically im between the onkyo the yamahas and the denon. i dont know which one offers the most value in terms of sound quality for my budget, and unfortunately i don't have the option to try them side by side so i can decide based on my ears. i have read a lot of positive feedback for the Yamaha but it holds me back due to the absence of ARC connection. I'm not sure though whether an ARC connection offers any advantages in sound quality over a 2 channel system compared to TOSLINK besides centralized management of devices.

 

[Spkrdctr]

You are at the point of all audio buyers. Having to decide between a lot of good choices. Get whatever has all the features you want as they will all sound fantastic. I didn't check them all for room correction software like the Yamaha YPAO, so check the others. Also check to see which ones have the ARC connection too. Get the one that has all the bells and whistles that you might need. Good Luck. You are going to have a lot of fun!

 

[subfire91]

@Spkrdctr yeaah too many questions, as a novice im trying to put things into real scenario usages ?

Does ARC connection offers any advantage in sound quality over TOSLINK for purely stereo sound ?

All the above mentioned machinery meet my needs in terms of specs.

 

[Apesbrain]

I'm not sure though whether an ARC connection offers any advantages in sound quality...

It does not. Since your interest in TV sound does not include surround, you might consider a WiiM Amp (or upcoming Amp Pro) which includes ARC as well as a wide range of streaming features. Less than half the price of those other units and a lot smaller box.

 

[MAB]

Thank you for your input @Spkrdctr. Actually all of them are very closely priced in my country. I can get the R-N600A for €639 the R-N800A for €869, the denon is the priciest of all at €899 and the Onkyo at €799. The Marantz its at €699. All of them are within my budget so i will probably go with the best choice.

basically im between the onkyo the yamahas and the denon. i dont know which one offers the most value in terms of sound quality for my budget, and unfortunately i don't have the option to try them side by side so i can decide based on my ears. i have read a lot of positive feedback for the Yamaha but it holds me back due to the absence of ARC connection. I'm not sure though whether an ARC connection offers any advantages in sound quality over a 2 channel system compared to TOSLINK besides centralized management of devices.

Between these, played at the same volume, with the tone controls and/or YPAO set to neutral, no way anybody will hear the difference. They are all moderately powerful.
I am partial to Yamaha, I have one of their Integrated amps from 1978 and still listen to it daily. I like the simple appearance as well. YPAO is a potential improvement over the other units. I used DSP to correct my room's response, that is important since room reflections and resonances do alter the sound.

And you choice of speakers in your room will have a very large difference in sound.

 

[Spkrdctr]

A few more guys chimed in with some great info!

 

[subfire91]

It does not. Since your interest in TV sound does not include surround, you might consider a WiiM Amp (or upcoming Amp Pro) which includes ARC as well as a wide range of streaming features. Less than half the price of those other units and a lot smaller box.

Yet im struggling to understand the presence of ARC/eARC connectors to network stereo receivers since any surround signal will be downmixed to 2:0/2:1 since TOSLINK is sufficient for this and all TVs have a TOSLINK connector. Maybe there’s an advantage in downmixing? From what i ve read even the almighty Atmos and DTS:X will be downmixed

 

[Spkrdctr]

Yet im struggling to understand the presence of ARC/eARC connectors to network stereo receivers since any surround signal will be downmixed to 2:0/2:1 since TOSLINK is sufficient for this and all TVs have a TOSLINK connector. Maybe there’s an advantage in downmixing? From what i ve read even the almighty Atmos and DTS:X will be downmixed

Yes, if you are listening to 2 channel it will all be downmixed to 2 channel. So, for a plain jane no surround TV listening, two channel will be fine. You will get more volume and a much better and deeper all around sound. It takes a lot of DSP to get tiny little speakers to sound full range and decent. I have a decent TV that has decent sound, but when I kick on my expensive surround sound soundbar with sub an rear speakers, it really comes alive. All of the bass comes through too, especially on Sci-fi movies.