A/V-receiver or stereo amplifier?

Hello,

i'm new here and i'm quite aware that there will already be loads of existing topics on this matter - but I hope you can understand that I just haven't got the time to read them all to find a solution to my problem. So if anyone can redirect me to such a post, i will also be thankful. I didn't even have the time to search if it's okay to name brands in this topic, so I apologize if this isn't the case.

Currently i am using these speakers (which sound pretty good for the money i paid for them): http://www.jamo.com/search/?sku=S708. I connected them to an old Kenwood XD-652 mini hifi system which also works surprisingly good, but it's time to move on to something better and more stylish.

I also use Apple Airplay all the time to stream music from my devices to this system via an airport express (no Apple TV). But here's the thing: in time I'd like to combine a home cinema (for tv, movies and gaming) with my stereo speakers: i would love to have a setup where i can either:
- replace the the two front speakers of a home cinema with my Jamo speakers (or better ones in the future)
- connect both a complete home cinema and stereo speakers to one receiver or amp

I'm torn between buying a stereo amplifier or an A/V receiver like the pioneer vsx 922-k. I've listed some pros and cons below, but my main concern is wether an A/V-receiver will sound as good as a stereo amplifier. If I can believe the information I have found so far - it won't. That would mean I need to buy an amplifier as well as an A/V-receiver

A/V receiver Pros

• Built-in Airplay
• All-in-one Gaming, Movies and TV combined with stereo?
• Multiple speakers and surround sound
• Remote control

Stereo Amp Pros

• (airplay with separate airport express)
• No sound quality loss compared to A/V
• Bass, treble, ... controls on the system
• Easier to connect record player (?)

What would you do? Is the loss of sound quality in A/V-receiver so big I need to buy a separate amplifier?
You might need to know that I listen to all kinds of music: from oldies to electronic music with powerful bass.
And one more question - the stereo amplifiers i found on Pioneer's website don't have an optical input - isn't that supposed to be the best way to connect an input device to your amp?

Greetings and thanks!
Edited by Qualky - 1/15/13 at 2:21pm

Ok - thanks for your quick reply!

I expected the quality loss as i read it a couple of times on the internet and because i can't find another reason why stereo amps are about the same price as A/V receivers with less W per channel :-). Some of the amps are even more expensive.

I'll probably have to buy a phone preamp if i want to connect a turntable to most A/V receivers?

I guess i'll just have to figure out if i want to dedicate a complete separate setup for playing audio, even though you obviously think that would be nuts :-)

Thanks all for your replies!

I just got my dad's collection of records - Pink Floyd, CCR, Dire Straits, you name it :-). And i'm planning on expanding it!





Ok, i'll do a little bit more research into other brands of A/V receiver! I started with pioneer because a local store is selling the vsx922 with a free pioneer S-HS100 speaker set (seems a great deal as a starter kit?).

I too will need several HDMI ports, but i'll definately do some more research. And maybe i'll buy a stereo amp in the future, as JD said. I'll probably change the Jamo S708 speakers to something like these too: http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Speakers/Home_Audio/600_Series/683.html

Can anyone tell me what to look for exactly to get the maximum out of the Jamo S708 or other floorstanding speakers? Is watts per channel the most important thing to pay attention to? Because then Pioneer would seem the way to go.. (notice how little I know about these things )
Edited by Qualky - 1/16/13 at 12:54am

Thanks, good to know!


Thanks but my mind is made up now - I will buy an A/V-receiver first :-).

Ok I have done some research - even during working hours - and I have come to the following options:

- Pioneer vsx 922 or 1122: these seem to have all the features I need for a good price. Not much other receivers offer 150 W/channel, but i don't know if this is necessary?

-The more research I did, the more I came across people who seem to have some sort of grudge against Pioneer receivers . There are loads of people who say they're no good. If anyone can confirm this, I might be looking to spend a little more on a Denon Avr-2313


Marantz receivers look really good, but they seem to be a lot more expensive.

Any thoughts? Which of the three avrs mentioned above would you choose?

Alright, i found the Denon on a website in my country for not that much bucks more that much more money then the Pioneer. I think I'll go for that one - if you can't trust a fellow Liverpool fan then who can you trust?? ;-)

Thanks JD & the rest for all your help!