[Zoltrix]

Hi all,

Looking to upgrade my current AV receiver to a 4k/Atmos compatible one. Possibly a silly question, but do I just buy what the budget can afford, or take into account current room size and current speakers?

My current speakers are:

Fronts:
PSB Image T6
Frequency Respone
On Axis @ 0°±3dB
On Axis @ 0°±1 1/2dB
Off Axis @ 30°±1 1/2dB
LF Cutoff -10dB

Sensitivity 91dB
Impedance 8 Ohms
Input Power 20 - 200 Watts

Centre:
PSB Image C5
Frequency Respone
50-23,000Hz
65-20,000Hz
65-10,000Hz
45Hz

Sensitivity 90dB
Impedance 8 Ohms
Input Power 20 - 150 Watts

Rears:
Dali Concept 2
Frequency Respone
43-25.000Hz

Sensitivity 87dB
Impedance 8 Ohms
Input Power 40 - 120 Watts

Subwoofer
PSB SubSeries 300
12-inch Driver Powered with 300 Watts

The theatre is contained in a space of 4m x 4m (13 feet x 13 feet). But but the room itself is larger and contains an adjoining space (no doors, etc) of 2.6m by 2.8m (8 feet by 9 feet).

Based on that info, is there a minimum amount of power I should be looking at when looking for a new receiver? It will only be used for watching movies.

Cheers,
Zolt

 

[hodgjy]

Your fronts and center have good sensitivity. I seriously doubt you'll listen very often above 5 watts of power. Pick the receiver with the features you want and don't worry about the wattage. Any name brand, modern receiver will have enough power, provided you listen at reasonable volume.

 

[Zoltrix]

Your fronts and center have good sensitivity. I seriously doubt you'll listen very often above 5 watts of power. Pick the receiver with the features you want and don't worry about the wattage. Any name brand, modern receiver will have enough power, provided you listen at reasonable volume.

Thanks hodgjy. I sometimes listen to moves around -5dB and often want it louder. Often depends on the source material I guess. I currently have a Denon AVR-3312, which states it has fully discrete, identical quality and power for all 7 channels (165 W x 7 ch), whatever that means...

 

[hodgjy]

If we make a very liberal calculation and just assume that 0 db on your dial is the reference 85 db listening volume, based on your room characteristics, I'd venture a guess that your amp is pumping out about 2 watts per channel when set at at 0 db.

If you're worried about it, get an SPL meter or even download an app for your phone to get a rough estimate. Then you can use this web page to calculate what your amp may be pumping out or required to reach the volumes you desire:

https://mehlau.net/audio/spl/

 

[Zoltrix]

If we make a very liberal calculation and just assume that 0 db on your dial is the reference 85 db listening volume, based on your room characteristics, I'd venture a guess that your amp is pumping out about 2 watts per channel when set at at 0 db.

If you're worried about it, get an SPL meter or even download an app for your phone to get a rough estimate. Then you can use this web page to calculate what your amp may be pumping out or required to reach the volumes you desire:

https://mehlau.net/audio/spl/

Thanks again for the help mate.

With receivers needing replacement fairly often because of technology changes. Would I be better buying a less powerful receiver with an amp (eg, a Marantz NR1608 receiver and a Marantz PM5005 Integrated Stereo Amplifier)? Or spending the same money and getting the Pioneer VSX-LX503?

 

[hodgjy]

Thanks again for the help mate.

With receivers needing replacement fairly often because of technology changes. Would I be better buying a less powerful receiver with an amp (eg, a Marantz NR1608 receiver and a Marantz PM5005 Integrated Stereo Amplifier)? Or spending the same money and getting the Pioneer VSX-LX503?

Do you have a dealer that will let you do in-house demos? They most likely have different sound characteristics. The best way to decide is to listen to them in your space, if possible. If not, there's really no right or wrong answer.

I'm of the mindset that nothing is future-proof and everything made today is basically disposable. I say buy the feature set you want the most within your budget and never look back. I also like fewer devices in the chain, but that's just me, assuming the wattage is the same.