AV Receiver recommends


I started researching receivers last year. The only place I could actually audition any of them was at the Magnolia room (Best Buy) and they tend to push you towards the Pioneer D Class Amps. Not that anything is wrong with them I actually like the Pioneer SC-91 that just came out.

I wanted to get the boards consensus though before going that route. I think the AV receiver is my next purchase.

Again, I am running a 5.1 system with B&W CM1's all around, Sony XBR-55HX950 TV, JBL-150 (pending upgrade) and my 15 year old Yamaha AV.

Are there other recommendations outside the Pioneer D Class series? I'm sorta an Apple guy so iPhone, iTunes, Apple TV integration is always a plus.
thx-333

Showing 4 responses by knownothing

Thx-333, the CM1s are nice speakers, but not very efficient. I would go for more power to drive them. I doubt 100 watts is produced with 5 channels driven.

kn
Other posts have answered your questions pretty thoroughly. I would add just a few comments. The Marantz web site claims the SR5010 can handle low impedance loads, so if the CM1s dip much below 8ohms, that may not be a problem. At under 23 lbs and delivering over 70 watts x 5 into 8 ohms and capability to handle low impedances tells me this is likely a switching amp rather than more classic AB type. Switching amps are getting much better sounding, and I have heard the CM1s sound very good with 500W per channel Rotel switching amp. That is in part why I like more power for these very inefficient speakers. Ultimately it depends on the size of your listening space and the volumes you prefer, but I can envision circumstances for rock or classical music performances, or a large dynamic shift during a Blu-Ray where more amplifier headroom would be appreciated. Just saying...

kn
I ended up with Arcam AVR400. Using with Monitor Audio speakers, but demo 'd it with B&W M1 and PM1 mini monitors and it just killed comparably priced NAD or Marantz IMHO. Sounded absolutely terrific with the revealing PM1's. I have longer term experience with Onkyo and Pioneer, with no reliability problems to report with either. Would steer towards more audiophile solutions listed above (Anthem, Arcam, Cambridge, NAD) if that is your priority. Big Japanese brands have lots of bells and whistles if that is more important.

kn