[xirtam2005]

I'm looking for advice and recommendations for a new reciever in the $1700-$2500 price range. I will be moving my existing Yamaha RX-V2400 to power another system:


The main system consists of the following:

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V2400 (getting replaced)

Amp: Odyssey Audio Stratos (for front 2 channels)

Front Speakers: B&W N805

Rear Speakers: B&W N805

Sub: B&W 825

DVD/Blu-Ray/CD Player - Sony PS3 with optical digital fed to receiver

Media PC: Dell XPS 730x with optical digital fed to receiver

Cable: AT&T U-verse HD with optical digital fed to receiver


Here is how I typically use my system:

25% movies (played from PS3)

25% cable (played over U-verse)

15% CDs (played on PS3)

35% compressed music (yeah, I know, but lots of mp3s, internet radio, AOL radio, U-tube, ipod, etc.)


Here are receivers that I'm currently considering, but I don't know as much about what's out there: Yamaha RX-V3900, Yamaha RX-Z7, Rotel RSX-1560


I want a receiver that does the following really well: Excellent DACs (both surround formats and PCM) and post-DAC analog output stage (op-amps, etc.), good support for compressed music, as this is 35% of my listening.


I definitely want something that has a higher quality DAC and preamp than my current Yamaha RX-V2400.


Is the Yamaha RX-Z7 worth it over the RX-V3900? I could care less about the extra video processing features. I only care about the quality of digital feed signals, digital processing, DAC, and pre-amp output stage.


Also appealing about the Yamaha's is their compressed music enhancer, which the Rotel lacks. I want something that will make the mp3s, you-tube, AOL radio, etc. sound as good as is feasible, but processing of CDs, DVD, & Blu-ray feed is priority.


What do you suggest? Thanks for the advice.

 

[MichaelJHuman]

Well, the Z7 probably has more power than the 3900. And it might have some better components.


For your purposes, the 3900 might work fine. Or even the 3800 if you did not need HD radio, Rhapsody or other 3900 features. I like the 3900, I own one. It's not perfect though, see my review on it in the 3900 thread.

 

[Cattledog]

I would pass on the Rotel for 1 reason and 1 reason only. No room EQ.

 

[phantom52]

Have you considered the Marantz 8002 ?

 

[john barlow]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Cattledog /forum/post/15530853


I would pass on the Rotel for 1 reason and 1 reason only. No room EQ.

I agree and I love Rotel but honestly, when are they going to jump into the

21st century?

 

[Filthy McNasty]

I would audition the NAD T765 HD when it is released in February - especially since you have B&W speakers

 

[xirtam2005]

Ok, so it seems like Rotel is a little behind on the technology. I'm really curious how the Yamaha digital signal is handled, processed (DAC quality, etc.) and the preamp analog output stage is, especially comparing my existing RX-V2400 vs. RX-V3900 vs RX-Z7.


I'll check out the NAD as well. How does it handle the compressed music formats? Are there any other receivers that are worth a look?


Thanks!

 

[xirtam2005]

I was really hoping for a better response - what would you recommend in my price range for the uses I mentioned? I'm not sure that Yamaha is the best bet, but I've had good experiences with their receivers.

 

[ChicagoPhil]

I have a 2 or 3 generation old Rotel RSX-972. When i bought it in 2001, I brought home the comparable Marantz (SR-17 I think) as well as compared to the top Sony ES at the time (777?). The Rotel just sounded much better, with more authority of the lower region especially, and a smoother sound up top. This is powering Magnepan speakers, which are a 4ohm load.


I have heard Rotel power the B&W Nautilus line, and it's a great combination. My advise is to see if a local high end dealer will let you bring a unit home to demo. That's the best way to know if it will work for you in your system. But I doubt you will be disappointed with Rotel. They may not offer the latest in eq settings, but I'm pretty confident it will sound better for music, and most aspects of home theater.


edit - You should also look at both the 1550 and 1560. The latter uses Class-D amps, while the former uses Rotel's more traditional A/B amps. I know the A/B amps sound great with the B&Ws, but I have not heard the new Class D amps yet.

 

[phantom52]

Marantz 8002 does everything you want. I'm a Yamaha fanboy, but my choive now would be the Marantz 8002. We don't have a Marantz dealer around here to check out. It's either Yamaha,Denon, or McIntosh.