Recomendation for AV amp, im lost. help

[savas]

Hello.

As the tread name suggest, I am looking for an amp. I've been reading a lot on them and the more I read, the more I get lost.
My situation: at the moment I am using a old ONKYO (dont remember correctly, but It was made in 1980~) amp and I am quite happy with the sound, I used other amps (again old ones) one of the best one I had was a hybrid tube amp made in 1984 but I got tired of repairind the old amps and I bought my first TV (yeah I know its 2025 but I only use the TV for movies), since I am moving forward and got a Hisense 65U8 tv, I want it to finally get a new or at least this century amp and use one remote for sound, you know, for convienence.

The thing is, I only need a few of the features and I am quite oblivious of the new stuff:

PHONO is a must I like my vinyl...
HDMI (for the remote audio control)

thats basically it. I am using only 2 speakers but they are self made a long time ago but don't know if it helps. Not planing on going surround. I have no use for the integrated FM or spotify and other clutter, since my tv can do that, I see no reason I would need another device to do the same...

What my reaserch gave me:

Yamaha rx-v6a 600 euro
Denon avr x2800h 700 euro
Denon avc x3800h or 3700 (since it's better?) 1050euro

I would really like to stay below 1000 euro since the old stuff sounds good for 100e but it's just not convient...
Maybe there are better alternatives to my needs? Or am I just overthinking it?

Thank you in advance

 

[Doodski]

Not much sense in purchasing a surround sound 7 channel receiver if you only use 2 mains speakers.

 

[savas]

That's what I am thinking, but i can't find ones with HDMI audio control support, maybe I am just looking at the wrong places

Not much sense in purchasing a surround sound 7 channel receiver if you only use 2 mains speakers.

 

[Doodski]

That's what I am thinking, but i can't find ones with HDMI audio control support, maybe I am just looking at the wrong places

IC. Perhaps another ASR member can steer you around better than I regarding the HDMI.
If you only need 1 HDMI audio input a Wiim may be a good solution.(?)

 

[JSmith]

Yamaha rx-v6a

Very average measurements;

Yamaha RX-V6A 7.2 channel 4K / 8K Dolby AV Receiver Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Yamaha RX-V6A "8K" Audio/Video Receiver (AVR). They only announced two such 8K AVRs and this is the upper model. Our company (Madrona Digital) is a dealer for Yamaha so I was able to purchase this at a discount for testing. Retail cost is US...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Denon avc x3800h

Could be better;

Denon AVR-X3800H Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Denon AVR-X3800H 9.4 Home Theater Audio/Video Receiver. It was kindly drop shipped to me by a member and costs US $1,699. Not much to say about the look of the unit as it is pretty much similar/same as last generations. Here is the back panel...

www.audiosciencereview.com

3700

Excellent;

Denon AVR-X3700H AVR Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of Denon AVR-X3700H 9.2 channel 8K Home Theater AV Receiver (AVR). It is kindly loaned to me by a local member and costs US $1,199. Visually, if you have seen one AVR, you have seen the look of the AVR-X3700H: The input selector is plastic and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Benefits for stereo are room correction for example... but this many channels is pretty overkill for stereo as well, as mentioned by @Doodski.

You may wish to explore some other AVR reviews here at ASR;

Search results for query: AVR

www.audiosciencereview.com

Why not take a look at the WiiM Pro Amp? It also features HDMI ARC, however you will need to set the output from the source to stereo PCM.

WiiM Amp Pro Streaming Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Amp Pro networked streaming stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $379. The package is minimalistic in nature and matches the "non-pro" version of the amplifier. The volume indicator is that set of LEDs...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[savas]

looking at the wiim ultra as it is the only one with Phono... I am a bit dense on this, but what is this? a DAC that can be in between my existing amp and other devices?
I need a new amp since my old school one is basically on its death bed, and I do not want to repair it anymore (just too old and the dry potentiometes, worn out buttons and etc is not worth the effort anymore IMHO, I did repair it 3 times already) So is this for me or I will still need a new amp with it? Again sorry for the questions...

 

[Doodski]

looking at the wiim ultra as it is the only one with Phono... I am a bit dense on this, but what is this? a DAC that can be in between my existing amp and other devices?
I need a new amp since my old school one is basically on its death bed, and I do not want to repair it anymore (just too old and the dry potentiometes, worn out buttons and etc is not worth the effort anymore IMHO, I did repair it 3 times already) So is this for me or I will still need a new amp with it? Again sorry for the questions...

The Wiim Amp Pro has a built in amp and DAC.

 

[ZolaIII]

You don't need either AVR or HDMI for stereo speakers. Toslink PCM stereo will work just fine and TV will do downmixing. How ever people tend to go with AVR's for additional DSP capabilities and property stuff (Dolby's). You can just add one of DAC's with basic PEQ support and remote as preamp. Future more integrated phono stages are usually not great. It's really what you want to prioritise. From integrated stereo amp's see new uper mid range R-N Yamahas as R-N1000A. On the other hand you could check their newer A-S range but that way you lose YPAO (room correction). Power amplifier stages on those are of course good old A-B class.

 

[Petrushka]

The Wiim Amp Pro has a built in amp and DAC.

But no phono. This could be an advantage, because you can try various phono preamps.

I got a Sonos amp for Christmas. I didn’t request it, but I’m happy with the way it works with the TV. The automatic input switching is flawless. Like the Wiim, it requires a phono preamps.

It has volume and mute touch controls.

 

[savas]

You don't need either AVR or HDMI for stereo speakers. Toslink PCM stereo will work just fine and TV will do downmixing. How ever people tend to go with AVR's for additional DSP capabilities and property stuff (Dolby's). You can just add one of DAC's with basic PEQ support and remote as preamp. Future more integrated phono stages are usually not great. It's really what you want to prioritise. From integrated stereo amp's see new uper mid range R-N Yamahas as R-N1000A. On the other hand you could check their newer A-S range but that way you lose YPAO (room correction). Power amplifier stages on those are of course good old A-B class.

The Yamaha lineup looks exactly what I am looking for, and also quite expensive, the R-N800A at 940eur and R-N800A at 1350 eur but probably worth the money since it looks that it does not prioritize other stuff that I don't think I need. But the R-N2000... oh man I am a sucker for the indicators... but it is just too expensive for me

back to the topic...
R-N800A vs R-N1000A
R-800A does not have HDMI arc and thats the only difference that I can find thats important (or I think)
now the question is, is HDMI arc worth 410e or I should just use two remotes (tv and amp)?

 

[Petrushka]

The Yamaha lineup looks exactly what I am looking for, and also quite expensive, the R-N800A at 940eur and R-N800A at 1350 eur but probably worth the money since it looks that it does not prioritize other stuff that I don't think I need. But the R-N2000... oh man I am a sucker for the indicators... but it is just too expensive for me

back to the topic...
R-N800A vs R-N1000A
R-800A does not have HDMI arc and thats the only difference that I can find thats important (or I think)
now the question is, is HDMI arc worth 410e or I should just use two remotes (tv and amp)?

To me, being able to control everything with the TV remote is priceless.

Actually, I hate my TV remote and never use it. I have a Roku ultra, and it has a nice remote.

 

[ZolaIII]

The Yamaha lineup looks exactly what I am looking for, and also quite expensive, the R-N800A at 940eur and R-N800A at 1350 eur but probably worth the money since it looks that it does not prioritize other stuff that I don't think I need. But the R-N2000... oh man I am a sucker for the indicators... but it is just too expensive for me

back to the topic...
R-N800A vs R-N1000A
R-800A does not have HDMI arc and thats the only difference that I can find thats important (or I think)
now the question is, is HDMI arc worth 410e or I should just use two remotes (tv and amp)?

It's not only difference, as much as I remember R-N 1000A & 2000A use newer YPAO with automatic loudness (compression). HDMI alone ain't worth anything for stereo setup and it only introduces more noise. I use phone for most part of the remote menagement this day's (and it gets complicated) as my way of decoupling remotes and it works for the most part. If you like to listen records you won't be far off to manually switch on preamp for it anyway. No need to insist on integrated in that regard so much even going with separates and you can get both better performance and save money that way. Besides if you're Onkyo is working well and satisfactory with speakers you plan to keep there is no rush in upgrading it as you really won't get anything in that regard by doing so. I don't think two separate remotes are problem. One thing is certain what ever you chose to do the number of remotes will continue to grow as that's how it goes. It's easy and overwhelming for stereo so basic question is to straighten up what you really need and want and go one of paths available. I like my TV remote (Panasonic) but I can get without it and rarely use it. Actually rarely use TV in the first place (a bit for gaming) as I watch movies on a beemer and avoid TV shows in the first place.

 

[savas]

It's not only difference, as much as I remember R-N 1000A & 2000A use newer YPAO with automatic loudness (compression). HDMI alone ain't worth anything for stereo setup and it only introduces more noise. I use phone for most part of the remote menagement this day's (and it gets complicated) as my way of decoupling remotes and it works for the most part. If you like to listen records you won't be far off to manually switch on preamp for it anyway. No need to insist on integrated in that regard so much even going with separates and you can get both better performance and save money that way. Besides if you're Onkyo is working well and satisfactory with speakers you plan to keep there is no rush in upgrading it as you really won't get anything in that regard by doing so. I don't think two separate remotes are problem. One thing is certain what ever you chose to do the number of remotes will continue to grow as that's how it goes. It's easy and overwhelming for stereo so basic question is to straighten up what you really need and want and go one of paths available. I like my TV remote (Panasonic) but I can get without it and rarely use it. Actually rarely use TV in the first place (a bit for gaming) as I watch movies on a beemer and avoid TV shows in the first place.

What I want is a good working amp (mine is bad as I wrote before) I want to have an option to connect it to my tv (basically movies only) and I want to listen to my vinyl, I can go with a separate on for the vinyl, but prefer not to just because of space saving since I have no place to put two Amps, maybe one on the top near the record player would work, but that's another thing to find a good phono amp then... I would still love to get suggestions of going separate one for tv and for vinyl if that's a better option in my case. I really appreciate all the input you guys are giving

 

[ZolaIII]

Where you live (country regarding availability)? With separates I meant DAC's and preamps in small boxes not separate power amplifiers.
Phono preamp... Either Fosi or Cambridge Audio Duo (or Solo) take a look at the chat.

Fosi Audio Box X5 Phono Preamp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio Box X5 stereo Phono stage. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $109.99. Company manages to bring a touch of class in a category that is universally utilitarian with those rounded corners and orange power button. Flexibility...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[savas]

Where you live (country regarding availability)? With separates I meant DAC's and preamps in small boxes not separate power amplifiers.
Phono preamp... Either Fosi or Cambridge Audio Duo (or Solo) take a look at the chat.

Fosi Audio Box X5 Phono Preamp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio Box X5 stereo Phono stage. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $109.99. Company manages to bring a touch of class in a category that is universally utilitarian with those rounded corners and orange power button. Flexibility...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I live in Lithuania.
For phono, I could get Cambridge solo 180eur to ditch the phono on the main amp
then add like Sonos AMP for 500eur or the wiim (will it be able to pump my 12" low ranges?)
and be done? Did I understood correctly?

 

[ZolaIII]

Don't add either of those. How much DSP you intend to use?
Base amp should be something like this:

YAMAHA AS-501 Integruotas stereo stiprintuvas

YAMAHA AS-501 Integruotas stereo stiprintuvas

www.audiovideo.lt

 

[savas]

Don't add either of those. How much DSP you intend to use?
Base amp should be something like this:

YAMAHA AS-501 Integruotas stereo stiprintuvas

YAMAHA AS-501 Integruotas stereo stiprintuvas

www.audiovideo.lt

I never used one. And I can not comment on that at all, I only used the amp Hi/Low adjustement (again, I'm like a caveman at this point with the new stuff, sorry...) But I would like to have an option to correct the sound.

 

[early rejecter]

There are stereo receivers with HDMI and phono input available for under $1000. Note I haven’t used or heard any of these, but look at:

Denon CEOL RCD-N12 (also includes CD player)
Denon DRA-900H
Onkyo TX-8470

 

[savas]

For more info on what I am using now it is Onkyo TX 7830 R1. Don't know if it is any good, but I like it, except that I am getting pretty annoyed with disappearing R channel, or selector not working random times... And I have to use an optical converter to use it with the tv, but I cant control audio level via remote then...

 

[kyuu]

If you want to go the AVR route, which is perfectly sensible even if it seems a bit silly to have a bunch of channels you're not going to use, I might recommend the JBL MA710.

Or go for separates with a Wiim Ultra and a stereo amp like Audiophonics MPA-S250NC.