Yup, it never hurts to take your time to sleep on it.
Move From AVR to Integrated?
I know this topic gets thrown around a lot, but I recently bought a pair of Ascend Acoustic Sierra 1s I love and a Hsu VTF2 MK5 subwoofer. Right now, I'm using a Denon AVR-X2600H to power them.
I hear a lot of chatter that I'm not getting the most out of my speakers using the AVR. The drawback is my room is not treated, and I like having the bass management.
It seems difficult to find an integrated with 100wpc+, ability to stream things like Tidal, that also has ability to at least EQ the low bass, and have the ability to connect to digital sources like a PS4/5. I do like the idea of a better built power source, and I will never go past 2.1 or 2.2. Most of what I do is music and TV.
Any suggestions? Ideally I'd like to stay under 1200.
I hear a lot of chatter that I'm not getting the most out of my speakers using the AVR. The drawback is my room is not treated, and I like having the bass management.
It seems difficult to find an integrated with 100wpc+, ability to stream things like Tidal, that also has ability to at least EQ the low bass, and have the ability to connect to digital sources like a PS4/5. I do like the idea of a better built power source, and I will never go past 2.1 or 2.2. Most of what I do is music and TV.
Any suggestions? Ideally I'd like to stay under 1200.
Showing 11 responses by 213runnin
Those Sierras are great speakers, I had 2 pairs of them. 85 sensitivity is also fine, there is more than one way to get to musical bliss. At one point I had 250 wpc on them and they were fine, but I didn’t go crazy on the volume, :) I’d recommend an internet direct company for an integrated, more bang for buck just like the Sierra. Outlaw Audio sells one for 1K or so. 110 wpc, has a dac and a phono section, and it’s entry level audiophile. Check out the Stereophile review. It is worlds better than an avr. Actually it has a tuner section as well, but just read the review. The Sierras are an easy load, btw. A benign phase angle and a pretty steady 8 ohms, so you don’t have to worry about expensive speaker cables. |
The problem with using your sub crossover and sending the full range signal to the speakers is this. Trying to blend the speakers manually can lead to nulls in the frequency as the sub’s output cancels the speakers low end. Bass management in the pre or integrated amp that crosses over the speakers as well as the sub is considered superior. |
I just checked, and the Parasound Zpre puts out more voltage than unity power of the Outlaw, so you'd be fine there. There question is, will the Zpre be a good match with the Outlaw amps. Good vs poor synergy. This is where an integrated option guarantees good synergy because it's all in one box. Although I suspect that at this end of the budget spectrum, synergy is less of an issue. |
I forgot to mention, it has sub output with bass management too, plus some kind of internet radio and wifi. Here’s a link: https://outlawaudio.com/shop/index.php?id_product=56&rewrite=rr2160mkii-stereo-receiver&cont... |
Coolhandluke, I’m a fan of separates, but with your budget it would be tough to get a decent preamp with those outlaw monoblocks. BTW, I think their price is back up to $399 each, which leaves bery little $ for a used pre. With all of the features you are looking for, an all in one component makes more sense, because of your budget and desired feature set. But if you are getting more interested in separates, the Schiit Audio Vidar amp would be an option. I wouldn’t recommend their preamp Saga because as a passive pre, it lacks the dynamic sound of an active pre( I had 2 Sagas before I bought the Freya +). |
The Zpre3 is well thought of around here, the Erik poster thinks it's better sounding than the Parasound P5. I had the P5 at one point and found it too compromised for the money. Those Outlaw monoblocks look like a great option. You'll want to find out what their unity power requirements are, and if the Zpre puts out enough voltage drives them to full power. |
213runnin Does the Outlaws bass management work both to limit low frequencies to sub and also so only those above go to mains? Yes, it crosses over the mains as well as the sub. Being that you've got bookshelf speakers(albeit very good bass response for a standmount), having a sub is essential to hearing anything below about 40 hz. I happen to have a HSU sub in my 2 channel rig as well as one in the theater, they are superb at their price points. To me the best thing about the P5 pre from Parasound was it had this sub crossover feature. It was the best blending of my Totem Rainmakers that I'd heard. I don't mean to try to push the Outlaw on you, just that it's good to know all of the pros and cons of any option before you decide. |
Coolhandduke, I'd say you'll be a winner either way. By the way, Outlaw Audio was founded by Peter Tribeman about 20 years ago, and he's the driving force behind it today. He was with Nad when they released the ground breaking 3020 in 1978. Wiki thinks its one of the most important components in the history of audio because it's price was so low and it's performance was so high. Outlaw Audio was one of the first audio companies to do the internet direct business model. |
Sorry cool, I’m not sure of the capabilities WRT a phone. Here’s a link to their forum where this is discussed. It sounds like an app may be coming for this. One poster suggests he can connect his ipad with the cck cable. http://saloon.outlawaudio.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=99114#Post99114 Other than that you may want to call Outlaw directly. |