Happy hunting. Let us all know if you decide on anything or go a different route completely.
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 7 responses by guy-incognito
I still can't find the review with the bench test measurements but per the stereophile review... "Power output: 90Wpc into 8 ohms (20Hz–20kHz, <0.02% THD) (19.5dBW), 125Wpc (21dBW), both channels driven, at 0.2% THD." https://www.stereophile.com/content/arcam-fmj-sr250-stereo-av-receiver-specifications |
Read some reviews on the Arcam if you have any interest. That 90 watt rating is conservative. There is a bench test with measurements that confirms this (that i couldn't easily find right now). My Revel F208 towers don't seem underpowered so I am sure this would easily drive your bookshelves. This route would not be a loss in power compared to your AVR regardless of how the specs are interpreted. This would also be a step up overall from the Parasound classic line in my mind. I am a big fan of the parasound halo stuff though, like a P6/A23+ combo but now you are back up around $3200 new or $2200ish used. |
Check out the now discontinued Arcam SR 250. MSRP was $3600 but Music Direct has it listed for $1499 (trying to clear out stock i would assume). https://www.musicdirect.com/receiver/Arcam-SR250-Stereo-AV-Receiver-2?gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MD_BRCTARIsADXo... |
The Arcam SR 250 is a 2.1 oddity of sorts. You can call it an integrated with HMDI benefits or a 2.1 channel AVR, so it most likely won't win over too many purists around here. I have a similar situation as you. I wanted to move away from an AVR and multi-channel but I am still using this with my TV in the main family room. The Arcam is musical and was a huge improvement over my Marantz AVR with an external amp. It has Dirac room correction and bass management which is miles ahead of any Audessy product I have used. Im using it with my Revel F208 towers and don't feel its underpowered. You still get HDMI switching and it has a built in DAC which I can't say much about as I use an external DAC and streamer for a digital source. At $1499 NIB its a good deal that will be hard to beat IMO. The used Parasound Hint 6 integrated would be my second choice but it will probably cost you more used than the Arcam. |
OP, Since you are under budget with the Outlaw you might think about adding a separate streamer to handle your hi-res streaming. https://www.andoveraudio.com/products/songbird-hi-res-internet-audio-streaming-device I dont have any experience with this Andover Songbird but it was mentioned favorably in another recent post regarding affordable streamers. $129, has analog or digital outs so you can still use the DAC in the Outlaw. Does Tidal, Qobuz and a handful of other streaming services and supports Airplay and dlna. I haven't dug deep into the specs or anything but thought I might point it out for your consideration. |