2. amps-preamps
  3. 1135921439

Better buy: old flagship or new tier 2 AVR

I have recently upgraded my Athena F1 fronts to Martin Logan Aerius I's and need to drive them. I need a new AVR with some guts. I have read the reviews and countless forums (I know....seperates).

I can get an old flagship, B&K AVR202 or Yamaha DSP-A1 delivered for under $600. Or for that price I can get a tier 2 AVR Denon 3805 or Yamaha RXV2500. I cannot spend more.

My listening is 90% HT. I have a 5.1 set-up. Room EQ and features are nice, but my priority is sound quality. My main concern with an older flagship AVR (pre-2000) is that sound benefits i would gain by a superior amp section would be offset by dated technology, older DACS etc.

If you were in my shoes, what would your choice be?
bakammer
bignerd100
515 posts
 
Receivers do not work well with ML speakers. Even the more powerful ones just don't have the guts to drive them. Plus the few that can drive them as well as separates are as expensive as separates.

My favorite budget set-up for ML's is to use an AVR for processing (entry level new usually has the same processing cappabilities as the flagship new) and external power amps to drive the speakers. Power amps do not get outdated as quickly as processors.

Just a less expensive step towards separates.

Good luck!
bakammer OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for the response, If my current AVR had preouts I would have an easier decision, unfortunately I have to start from scratch.

Anyone with ML have success with an old flagship type AVR? I have read that the B&k AVR 202 is a Ref 20 and AV5000 in one box, same transformer, caps, etc.

I understand that these speakers come alive with quality power, but currently I have to go for best bang for the buck.

I do have a smaller room and do not play movies or music very loud (my wife does not share my passion for loud HT and music).
reubent
7,043 posts
 
Bakammer,

I previously owned 2 B&K AVR-202s. It is a very good HT receiver. It has excellent build quality and more available umph than you will generally find with most receivers. I would still own it today, except I hated the ergonomics. I couldn't figure out how to use it most of the time! I think the issue was that B&K used an off-the-shelf programmable learning remote to control the receiver and the application just didn't make sense to me. It was made even worse on the second one I bought because they changed remotes and stuck "updated" loose pages into the instruction book.

Overall, I liked the B&K AVR-202 and I think it would drive your speakers as well as about any other receiver. If you can figure out the ergonomics of controlling the darn thing, you would have a fine receiver for $600.

Enjoy,

TIC
bignerd100
515 posts
 
IF you put something like this...

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1141146469

...with an AVR you will have ample power for FL/FR while freeing up some power for the C/SL/SR.

Good luck!
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