I'm just now really starting the quest in learning about AVR's and amplification. After a few days of reading through the threads I've noticed a lot of people praising brands such as Anthem, Cambridge Audio, and NAD [in that order I've found too,] when it comes to musical quality over Marantz, Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sony, HK, and Yamaha. I have also heard plenty of people praise anything with a decent version of Audessey and therefore, always are recommending a Denon or Marantz unit from accessories4less while bashing the first three I mentioned for being too expensive or not having Audessey. I've also noticed that I think Audessey may be better suited if HT is the goal instead of musical playback...maybe I'm wrong.
The comparisons I have read seem that people who once owned the more popular Japanese brands, and then switched to the Anthem, NAD, CA AVR's, are much happier with the decision to switch. It seems that these three have better results powering harder-to-drive speakers with less wattage, and simply, sound better naturally.
Now I've heard about NAD and CA being the only brands that test their amps under stressed conditions and have heard many opinions on this whether this matters or not. Where as the Japanese brands don't test their amps under load when posting the specs. I don't know if Anthem does this but people have claimed that the MRX 310 is still a quite capable AVR.
I'm also aware of the power requirements to raise the SPL 3dB need to be doubled, and doubled, and doubled, from 1 watt, to 2, 4, 8, ect. So I know there isn't much difference between the 80-110 watt range.
The speakers I'm considering trying out are SVS Ultra bookshelves, Goldenear Aon 3's and Sierra 1/2's. The SVS, and Sierra's are 87 dB sensitive, and the GE Aon 3's are 90 dB. They'll be about 9' from the MLP in a room that is small - 14' X 9' X 8'. I will be getting a 5.1 system with an SVS PC12+ sub and watching movies, playing PC games in 5.1 hopefully, but my main priority is the best SQ I can get for music...and LOUD too on the weekends when having friends over. This is why I'm not really jumping on the Audessey band-wagon as a 'must have' for my setup. I hear ARC w/ Anthem is great. People like YPAO w/ the Yamaha Aventage line, but the NAD T758 only has a basic version of audessey, and not sure what Cambridge Audio have.
I know this is a lot but can anyone help me make a decision or aid in my education so I know what it is I'm looking for in an AVR? My budget was $1000 or under and I'd love to keep it under if possible however...there are some that slightly exceed that and if they are worth the extra cash...I can swing it. Here is what I am leaning towards:
NAD T748v2 - $599 80Watts x 2, 40watts x 7 and no room correction software? Not sure if it has pre-outs either.
NAD T758 - $999 110watts x 2, 60watts x 7, basic Audessey, and not sure about pre-outs.
CA Azur 551R - $1200 90watts x 2, 60watts x 7, think it has pre-outs and not sure about room correction software.
- I've heard these two brands are the only ones that test under load and have much better power output than other brands.
Anthem MRX 310 - $1200 80watts x 2, 60watts X 5, ARC room correction, no pre-outs I hear.
Emotiva Fusion 8100 - $699 110 x 2, 65watts x 7, Emo's room correction software (any good?,) and pre-outs I think. I know next to nothing about Emotiva's SQ or if this is a solid avr. Its so new that I'm guessing we are all going on Emo's reputation with this one.
Because of price and wattage, the NAD T758 and Emo Fusion 8100 are at the top of the list so far. I hear Anthem has the best sound though. Pre-outs aren't necessary, but might be nice later on if I can snag a good used amp if I want more juice.
I haven't crossed the Japanese brands off my list permanently, but I would really like to know if what I listed will give me better power output due to the power supplies they have, and if they have superior sound quality. If so, the then one of these will be my pick.
I think I can bi-wire/bi-amp the main two speakers with all but the Anthem MRX 310. Originally I was looking at a Marantz, Denon, or Yamaha but I honestly don't need ANY of those extra bells and whistles that those AVR's come with like Airplay, 2nd room, ect. And again, I will watch movies in 5.1 but my main goal with the AVR is AMAZING sound that can easily drive an 87 dB sensitive bookshelf speaker to very loud levels.
The comparisons I have read seem that people who once owned the more popular Japanese brands, and then switched to the Anthem, NAD, CA AVR's, are much happier with the decision to switch. It seems that these three have better results powering harder-to-drive speakers with less wattage, and simply, sound better naturally.
Now I've heard about NAD and CA being the only brands that test their amps under stressed conditions and have heard many opinions on this whether this matters or not. Where as the Japanese brands don't test their amps under load when posting the specs. I don't know if Anthem does this but people have claimed that the MRX 310 is still a quite capable AVR.
I'm also aware of the power requirements to raise the SPL 3dB need to be doubled, and doubled, and doubled, from 1 watt, to 2, 4, 8, ect. So I know there isn't much difference between the 80-110 watt range.
The speakers I'm considering trying out are SVS Ultra bookshelves, Goldenear Aon 3's and Sierra 1/2's. The SVS, and Sierra's are 87 dB sensitive, and the GE Aon 3's are 90 dB. They'll be about 9' from the MLP in a room that is small - 14' X 9' X 8'. I will be getting a 5.1 system with an SVS PC12+ sub and watching movies, playing PC games in 5.1 hopefully, but my main priority is the best SQ I can get for music...and LOUD too on the weekends when having friends over. This is why I'm not really jumping on the Audessey band-wagon as a 'must have' for my setup. I hear ARC w/ Anthem is great. People like YPAO w/ the Yamaha Aventage line, but the NAD T758 only has a basic version of audessey, and not sure what Cambridge Audio have.
I know this is a lot but can anyone help me make a decision or aid in my education so I know what it is I'm looking for in an AVR? My budget was $1000 or under and I'd love to keep it under if possible however...there are some that slightly exceed that and if they are worth the extra cash...I can swing it. Here is what I am leaning towards:
NAD T748v2 - $599 80Watts x 2, 40watts x 7 and no room correction software? Not sure if it has pre-outs either.
NAD T758 - $999 110watts x 2, 60watts x 7, basic Audessey, and not sure about pre-outs.
CA Azur 551R - $1200 90watts x 2, 60watts x 7, think it has pre-outs and not sure about room correction software.
- I've heard these two brands are the only ones that test under load and have much better power output than other brands.
Anthem MRX 310 - $1200 80watts x 2, 60watts X 5, ARC room correction, no pre-outs I hear.
Emotiva Fusion 8100 - $699 110 x 2, 65watts x 7, Emo's room correction software (any good?,) and pre-outs I think. I know next to nothing about Emotiva's SQ or if this is a solid avr. Its so new that I'm guessing we are all going on Emo's reputation with this one.
Because of price and wattage, the NAD T758 and Emo Fusion 8100 are at the top of the list so far. I hear Anthem has the best sound though. Pre-outs aren't necessary, but might be nice later on if I can snag a good used amp if I want more juice.
I haven't crossed the Japanese brands off my list permanently, but I would really like to know if what I listed will give me better power output due to the power supplies they have, and if they have superior sound quality. If so, the then one of these will be my pick.
I think I can bi-wire/bi-amp the main two speakers with all but the Anthem MRX 310. Originally I was looking at a Marantz, Denon, or Yamaha but I honestly don't need ANY of those extra bells and whistles that those AVR's come with like Airplay, 2nd room, ect. And again, I will watch movies in 5.1 but my main goal with the AVR is AMAZING sound that can easily drive an 87 dB sensitive bookshelf speaker to very loud levels.