[spartanstew]

Honestly I don't see my self replacing the receiver that often.

I didn't either, but you never know what will come up. In general, receivers are replaced more often than speakers (speaker technology doesn't really change that much).

 

[tonyvdb]

Receiver replacement or any other piece of electronics depends on how much you spend on it. A $200 receiver is a disposable item just like most DVD players these days however spending $1500 on a receiver that will last is a whole different ball game the same goes for speakers. If you only spend $200 on a pair you'll find your self replacing them every so often because you will likely not be happy with them for long. Spending $2000 on 2 speakers and you'll find that you will keep them for a long time.

 

[spartanstew]

Receiver replacement or any other piece of electronics depends on how much you spend on it. A $200 receiver is a disposable item just like most DVD players these days however spending $1500 on a receiver that will last is a whole different ball game the same goes for speakers. If you only spend $200 on a pair you'll find your self replacing them every so often because you will likely not be happy with them for long. Spending $2000 on 2 speakers and you'll find that you will keep them for a long time.

But not always. As I said, 4-5 years ago not many receivers had HDMI. Now, it's almost a necessity. Lots of great receivers from that time period have been replaced due to technology advancing (and yes, I realize you can still use them with analog). Speaker technology just doesn't advance that fast. That's also why $2000 speakers will hold their value over the years, but receivers won't. I could probably sell my $2200 speakers from 5 years ago for close to $1500. The $2000 receiver - $350. That says a lot.

 

[tonyvdb]

resale value has little to do with it. I never buy something expecting to get anything for resale down the road I just enjoy it now. Receivers made between 1995 and 2002 had very little changes in features to them, HDMI and BluRay changed everything I dont see any other big changes coming down the line for another 5 to 8 years in receiver features that would make me want to upgrade what I have. I still use my Yamaha receiver now as my two channel system from 1999 that used to be my main unit till I upgraded to the Onkyo 805. But yes my main speakers are still the same ones I bought back in 1992.

 

[spartanstew]

resale value has little to do with it. I never buy something expecting to get anything for resale down the road I just enjoy it now. Receivers made between 1995 and 2002 had very little changes in features to them, HDMI and BluRay changed everything I dont see any other big changes coming down the line for another 5 to 8 years in receiver features that would make me want to upgrade what I have. I still use my Yamaha receiver now as my two channel system from 1999 that used to be my main unit till I upgraded to the Onkyo 805. But yes my main speakers are still the same ones I bought back in 1992.

I realize resale value is but one aspect, but the point still remains (in general speakers are kept longer than receivers). I don't see any big changes in 5-8 years either (except maybe PLIIz, which not everyone has a use for), but that's about the typical life span of a receiver in a rack anyway. As you pointed out in your last sentence, speakers will be held onto a lot longer than 5-8 years.

 

[Lordoftherings]

^ fftopic2: ^

Hey Justin (OP), since you live in a condo, you don't need to spend $1,000 on a receiver with your SVS MTS speaker system.

1. I think this is all you really need: http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...r607-7.2-channel-Homr-Theater-Receiver/1.html

2. Or this one is a nice too (more money though): http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...ruehd-/-Dtshd-Master-Audio-Av-Receiver/1.html

* The #1 option is an excellent value, and will do just fine in your condo.
The #2 option is also excellent, with a refined sound, and will look exceptionally examplar in your condo.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Samas]

My apologies to Justin (OP). The last thing I want to do is hijack your thread, but I have a couple questions directly related to the topics being discussed here. I was initially drawn to this thread because I'm in a similar situation.

I have recently purchased a pair of MTS-01 speakers and I don't yet have a receiver/amplifier combo. After talking to the great folks at SVS, I am sold on purchasing a dedicated amplifier for my speakers. I hear these MTS-01's can be power hungry beasts, and I'm not willing to compromise that power by using an all in one AVR. So far I'm looking at amps made by Emotiva.

Now, my real question comes down to buying a receiver to pair with this type of amp. I don't necessarily need an amp with massive amounts of power/channel, but I would like to find an receiver with a top of the line processor that can handle all the latest HD protocols.

In a nutshell: Can I save a little money by finding a receiver that doesn't have as much power? Or am I stuck still buying something like the Onkyo TX SR 876?

Thanks

 

[tonyvdb]

Hi Seth, You could go with the 807 as well the only thing you really loose out on is the video processing considering your not going to use the amp section to power your mains the 806/807 is a good quality receiver it just does not have the beefy power supply or the Raon HQV video processor that the the 876 has.

 

[Samas]

That was my primary concern Tony. It seems like great processing goes hand in hand with power/channel on todays receivers. There doesn't seem to be a way to find a great processor and no power for those of us interested in dedicated amps.

On that note - if I did purchase the 876 but continued to use a dedicated amp, would the reciever use less amps since my speakers weren't connected to its R/L channels? The only reason I ask is because I don't have a dedicated circuit yet for this equipment, and I'm a little concerned about the power drain.

 

[tonyvdb]

Dont worry about it, the Onlyo 876 and the other gear wont draw enough to trip a breaker unless you really push it. The 876 will draw less but given your also using an external amp that really doesn't change much as the external amp will draw probably more.

 

[Lordoftherings]

1. About an Emotiva XPA-2 (they're on sale right now), matched with an Onkyo TX-SR706 or a Marantz SR6003?

* When you say Processor, you mean on the Video side or Audio side?
2. If you meant both, then the TX-SR876 is the one. Mate this with the XPA-3 for a dynamite system (always good to give your three front speakers the same power from the same amp for a better overall balance and homogenity from the front soundfield).

3. Or about the new Pre/Pro from Emotiva coming soon, plus the XPA-5, also on sale.

As you can see, you have many options here. And your budget to consider, plus your room dimensions and listening habits.

 

[Samas]

Bob - I meant both. Yes, I am specifically looking at buying the Emotiva XPA-3. Just trying to determine the best match for it. I had come to the same conclusion regarding the TX-SR876, I was just hoping to find the same sort of audio and video processing power in a unit with less power output.

Sort of like having a dedicated amp for power, I was looking for a dedicated unit for A/V processing. The 876 is great, but it comes bundled with a bazillion watts per channel that I don't really need.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Bob - I meant both. Yes, I am specifically looking at buying the Emotiva XPA-3. Just trying to determine the best match for it. I had come to the same conclusion regarding the TX-SR876, I was just hoping to find the same sort of audio and video processing power in a unit with less power output.

Sort of like having a dedicated amp for power, I was looking for a dedicated unit for A/V processing. The 876 is great, but it comes bundled with a bazillion watts per channel that I don't really need.

But you do need it to power the rest of your speakers. Nothing's wrong with having too much power than not enough, right?

I own the 876, and I like it a lot. If you get the Emotiva XPA-3 with it, you'll be in heaven. :bigsmile:

Cheers,
Bob

 

[jakjak]

^ fftopic2: ^

Hey Justin (OP), since you live in a condo, you don't need to spend $1,000 on a receiver with your SVS MTS speaker system.

1. I think this is all you really need: http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...r607-7.2-channel-Homr-Theater-Receiver/1.html

2. Or this one is a nice too (more money though): http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...ruehd-/-Dtshd-Master-Audio-Av-Receiver/1.html

* The #1 option is an excellent value, and will do just fine in your condo.
The #2 option is also excellent, with a refined sound, and will look exceptionally examplar in your condo.

Cheers,
Bob

Sorry for the late response .... I have been traveling for work.

Yeah I know I don't need all that much power, but it seems to me that the only way to get music streaming to the receiver via a network cable is through spending $1,000 on a receiver. Are there any lower budget receivers that have this capability?

 

[eugovector]

If you're looking for music and other media streaming, you'll be much better off with an external device like the Popcorn Hour or WD TV than anything built into an AVR.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi Justin,

Marshall is absolutely right, you can easily get a very inexpensive separate Music streamer (does the Roku at only $79 does that?).

* And from my knowledge, the cheapest receiver to do that is the Onkyo TX-NR807, which have Network features with its Ethernet port. It is selling for only $699 at Accessories4Less. Or check here at The Shack for price and warranty, plus you get excellent service from the staff.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Jon Liu]

I agree, it would be better to get an external device to handle your streaming and music because even some of the best A/V Receivers or Pre/Pros have only the basic features you would want from streaming and it doesn't perform THAT well. My personal favorite device is a Squeezebox by Logitech. They are amazing and if you ever delve deeper into audiophile-land, there are plenty of modifications to improving the sound of an already amazing sounding device.

 

[recruit]

If you're looking for music and other media streaming, you'll be much better off with an external device like the Popcorn Hour or WD TV than anything built into an AVR.

I have just bought a Popcorn Hour A110 and it is a great little piece of kit, was going to go for the C200 but the A110 ticks all the right boxes and very reasonable money too...and agree that best off with devices like these for streaming, the squeeze box ones are very popular also.

 

[jakjak]

Hmm you guys bring up an excellent option. I never even considered having a separate unit to take care of the streaming music. Now I have to go back and factor in that into my decision. I am traveling for work until the end of December so I have all that time to figure out what I want to buying when I get home.

I know everyone here likes Onkyo lines but how do you guys feel about the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K?

 

[tonyvdb]

Nothing wrong with Pioneer, They build a solid receiver. Several members have Pioneer and like them.