Help Me Decide on my First Stereo Amp/Receiver - Blu-ray Forum

Disionity · 12-18-2016, 06:16 AM

Hello, I'm currently building my first stereo system and settled on a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers, but still need help on deciding which way I want to go with an amp/receiver. Currently I own a vintage JVC R-S33 receiver that I recently inherited from my grandfather. It seems to function well enough, but definitely needs the controls cleaned, and probably needs some of the capacitors replaced to bring it back up to factory spec. (There's also a slight hum coming from the transformer, but it currently hasn't had any effect on performance). I currently have no experience restoring audio gear, but am confident that I can change out the two dozen or so caps in this thing. I'll also have to buy some tools (namely a soldering iron) for this job, as I don't have any on hand. I understand the costs and risks of such a procedure, which tempts me to just splurge on a new integrated amp. I can only afford to spend around $350, so my options are kind of limited. From what I can tell my JVC outputs 40WPC at 8ohms and can drive anything as low as 4ohms at 0.007% distortion. Anything else new in my price range (like the entry-level Yamahas and Onkyos) have a little more wattage but also more harmonic distortion. To sum it up: Should I take the risk and repair the JVC or just buy an new amp? A new amp is more convenient and reliable, but the JVC just might sound better and ultimately be a good bit cheaper to fix up.

FreddieFerric · 01-23-2017, 01:42 AM

My advice would be to scour Craigslist, eBay, Audiogon, etc. For your $350 you can pick up a nice amp that cost probably 3 or 4 times what you ultimately pay buying used. There's a lot of great used gear floating around out there.

Krelldog1977 · 03-09-2017, 03:13 AM

Yes- You can land a very nice used AVR off Ebay for $350. Since you are only using stereo, new features will not be needed and your cost will be fractional of the original prices. Maybe a 7 year old Yamaha with 120watts per channel would do perfect....should sound much better than your JVC. Enjoy the tunes my friend!
Cheers,!
Brian

Dwayne · 03-09-2017, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disionity

Hello, I'm currently building my first stereo system and settled on a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers, but still need help on deciding which way I want to go with an amp/receiver. Currently I own a vintage JVC R-S33 receiver that I recently inherited from my grandfather. It seems to function well enough, but definitely needs the controls cleaned, and probably needs some of the capacitors replaced to bring it back up to factory spec. (There's also a slight hum coming from the transformer, but it currently hasn't had any effect on performance). I currently have no experience restoring audio gear, but am confident that I can change out the two dozen or so caps in this thing. I'll also have to buy some tools (namely a soldering iron) for this job, as I don't have any on hand. I understand the costs and risks of such a procedure, which tempts me to just splurge on a new integrated amp. I can only afford to spend around $350, so my options are kind of limited. From what I can tell my JVC outputs 40WPC at 8ohms and can drive anything as low as 4ohms at 0.007% distortion. Anything else new in my price range (like the entry-level Yamahas and Onkyos) have a little more wattage but also more harmonic distortion. To sum it up: Should I take the risk and repair the JVC or just buy an new amp? A new amp is more convenient and reliable, but the JVC just might sound better and ultimately be a good bit cheaper to fix up.

You mentioned an Integrated Amp, my question is will you mainly be listening to music or are you interested in the Home Theater aspect as well.

Dwayne · 03-10-2017, 06:47 PM

As the others stated, yes can find a great deal on e-bay and other trustworthy sites that can give you a great deal on used AVRs, Integrated amps, for whatever your listening pleasure may be. You can not go wrong with the Big-5 brands, Onkyo,Denon/Marantz,Pioneer,Yamaha. For $350.00, it can be done, just takes some time searching. I myself and I'm sure others will keep our eyes open for something that might interest you. Good luck.

Dwayne · 03-12-2017, 08:34 PM

Fry's and I believe Best Buy this week 3-12-17 has the Onkyo TX-NR 656 AVR on sale for $349.00. Will not produce the audio quality that a two-channel Integrated Amp will, but at least you will be ready for a Home Theater set up later, if you so choose. I have owned 3 Onkyo AVRs and their ability to play two-channel music have actually sounded quite good.

12-18-2016, 06:16 AM	#1
Disionity Member Member since:Nov 2015 Blu-ray collection:58 DVD collection:271	Help Me Decide on my First Stereo Amp/Receiver Hello, I'm currently building my first stereo system and settled on a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers, but still need help on deciding which way I want to go with an amp/receiver. Currently I own a vintage JVC R-S33 receiver that I recently inherited from my grandfather. It seems to function well enough, but definitely needs the controls cleaned, and probably needs some of the capacitors replaced to bring it back up to factory spec. (There's also a slight hum coming from the transformer, but it currently hasn't had any effect on performance). I currently have no experience restoring audio gear, but am confident that I can change out the two dozen or so caps in this thing. I'll also have to buy some tools (namely a soldering iron) for this job, as I don't have any on hand. I understand the costs and risks of such a procedure, which tempts me to just splurge on a new integrated amp. I can only afford to spend around $350, so my options are kind of limited. From what I can tell my JVC outputs 40WPC at 8ohms and can drive anything as low as 4ohms at 0.007% distortion. Anything else new in my price range (like the entry-level Yamahas and Onkyos) have a little more wattage but also more harmonic distortion. To sum it up: Should I take the risk and repair the JVC or just buy an new amp? A new amp is more convenient and reliable, but the JVC just might sound better and ultimately be a good bit cheaper to fix up.

01-23-2017, 01:42 AM	#2
FreddieFerric Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Mar 2008 Location:NOLA Home Theater Gallery:146 4K collection:14 Blu-ray collection:238 Blu-ray reviews:7 Trading Score:1	My advice would be to scour Craigslist, eBay, Audiogon, etc. For your $350 you can pick up a nice amp that cost probably 3 or 4 times what you ultimately pay buying used. There's a lot of great used gear floating around out there.

03-09-2017, 03:13 AM	#3
Krelldog1977 Senior Member Member since:May 2009 Home Theater Gallery:17 Trading Score:1	Yes- You can land a very nice used AVR off Ebay for $350. Since you are only using stereo, new features will not be needed and your cost will be fractional of the original prices. Maybe a 7 year old Yamaha with 120watts per channel would do perfect....should sound much better than your JVC. Enjoy the tunes my friend! Cheers,! Brian

03-10-2017, 06:47 PM	#5
Dwayne Expert Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Blu-ray reviews:1	As the others stated, yes can find a great deal on e-bay and other trustworthy sites that can give you a great deal on used AVRs, Integrated amps, for whatever your listening pleasure may be. You can not go wrong with the Big-5 brands, Onkyo,Denon/Marantz,Pioneer,Yamaha. For $350.00, it can be done, just takes some time searching. I myself and I'm sure others will keep our eyes open for something that might interest you. Good luck.

03-12-2017, 08:34 PM	#6
Dwayne Expert Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Blu-ray reviews:1	Fry's and I believe Best Buy this week 3-12-17 has the Onkyo TX-NR 656 AVR on sale for $349.00. Will not produce the audio quality that a two-channel Integrated Amp will, but at least you will be ready for a Home Theater set up later, if you so choose. I have owned 3 Onkyo AVRs and their ability to play two-channel music have actually sounded quite good.

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