Good v. Very Good Receivers - can you hear the difference?

[hrow]

I know that there are lots of reasons for choosing one receiver over another other than sound quality so let's keep this at the very simplest level....

With all other factors being equal, does the jump from say a $500 Yamaha RX -V663 to a $1200 Yamaha V1900 actually result in significant improvement in sound quality when listening to CD in a 13 x 17 room at normal listening levels?

The speakers being used are Paradigm Studio 40s in the front and center. A
Paradigm Seismic 12 subwoofer and a pair of big assed Klipsch floor speakers for my rears. (Yes, I know it is kind of a weird combo but it really works out well.) The ears that are listening to this are 57 years old.

[Scooby Blu]

Short answer yes. The more you spend the better the sound. However, like you mentioned it is your ears that are the judge. So if you can do a side by side comparison and see how they sound to you.

The 1560 just came out this would be a very good receiver !

http://www.rotel.com/NA/Products/Pro...ils.htm?id=471

[hrow]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

Short answer yes. The more you spend the better the sound. However, like you mentioned it is your ears that are the judge. So if you can do a side by side comparison and see how they sound to you.

The 1560 just came out this would be a very good receiver !

http://www.rotel.com/NA/Products/Pro...ils.htm?id=471

The problem is that it is getting harder and harder to find places where one could do a valid comparison as the big boxes have driven so many of the small and medium guys out of business.

The question really derives from how much have the improvements over the last 6 years improved sound quality? Is the sound quality of a $600 receiver the equal to a $1000 receiver from 2001?

PS. I know that this whole question is really subjective so...

[DavePS3]

There is, without a doubt, a difference between regular and high-current receivers. You don't realize how much a unit strains, until you hear one that doesn't. But... they're more expensive. Look at Cambridge Audio. Sweet stuff.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by hrow

The problem is that it is getting harder and harder to find places where one could do a valid comparison as the big boxes have driven so many of the small and medium guys out of business.

The question really derives from how much have the improvements over the last 6 years improved sound quality? Is the sound quality of a $600 receiver the equal to a $1000 receiver from 2001?

PS. I know that this whole question is really subjective so...

Try out this store locator. http://www.rotel.com/NA/Dealers.htm

And this one: http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1426

The sound quality to me has improved vastly. We are involved in a rather expensive hobby where the sky really is the limit on price, that Rotel piece runs 2,700

[hrow]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

Try out this store locator. http://www.rotel.com/NA/Dealers.htm

And this one: http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1426

The sound quality to me has improved vastly. We are involved in a rather expensive hobby where the sky really is the limit on price, that Rotel piece runs 2,700

Looks very nice but it is out of my range right now. I am heavily into high-end digital photography and I must save my pennies for a new Leica.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by hrow

Looks very nice but it is out of my range right now. I am heavily into high-end digital photography and I must save my pennies for a new Leica.

Ahh.......I see now. Two expensive hobbies !

Well, best of luck !!

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by hrow

I know that there are lots of reasons for choosing one receiver over another other than sound quality so let's keep this at the very simplest level....

With all other factors being equal, does the jump from say a $500 Yamaha RX -V663 to a $1200 Yamaha V1900 actually result in significant improvement in sound quality when listening to CD in a 13 x 17 room at normal listening levels?

The speakers being used are Paradigm Studio 40s in the front and center. A
Paradigm Seismic 12 subwoofer and a pair of big assed Klipsch floor speakers for my rears. (Yes, I know it is kind of a weird combo but it really works out well.) The ears that are listening to this are 57 years old.

Absolutely! Yamaha improves all of their internal componentry when stepping up from the 663 to the 1900, including better DACs, amps, and the addition of anti-jitter circuitry. You can hear the difference.

[callas01]

I could only go by what I have heard and I have to say that yes there is a difference. I used to have a Sony 710 $179 and it was OK, when I got my Sony 920 (paid $350 lists @ $599) I have now a better sounding receiver, sounds seem like they get held onto longer and don't fall out early, the receiver is brighter and more clear sounding at both high and low levels. Highly intense scenes don't sound like a garbled mess, they sound like there are independent nuansses(misspelled).

When I compare my 920 to say the sony ES2400, I notice that the specs are the same, 100w 20Hz-20kHz, THD .09%, 8 ohms, I wouldn't think there is a big difference in overall sound, but rather I get more "features" on the step-up model... like a Pre-pro, and rs232 input. the ES 3400 has same sound specs but 2 zone expansion abilities and IR repeater. Then as you go higher within the sony's you get more watts per channel and features.

So I would believe that moreover, most every company has about the same type of deal happening at some point.

[Halcro 1]

Speed costs money ... How fast do you want to go????? The higher priced units have better power supplies and DACs better isolation .....

[ozzman]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Absolutely! Yamaha improves all of their internal componentry when stepping up from the 663 to the 1900, including better DACs, amps, and the addition of anti-jitter circuitry. You can hear the difference.

Here's your answer Absolutely.

Spending 500 then 1200 you would think there would be a little more improvement in the sound.Wouldn't you It only make sense

Now you know, Choose wisely young jeti

Good luck

[Big Daddy]

In addition to better sound quality, more expensive receivers offer you additional options and flexibility such as two HDMI outputs, the ability to use the rear channel amplifiers for bi-amping, the ability to handle low impedance speakers, etc.

[Headphone Czar]

No. there will be sq..Just depends if it's worth the extra cash or not.

[jeff92k7]

Short answer is yes.

The more expensive equipment typically has much better components in them making the sound much cleaner and well balanced across all channels. The lower quality components in some receivers can yield slight power differences across the amplifier channels as well as higher noise floor levels and possibly more THD.

However, the likelihood of 99% of people noticing any of this is slim to none. Of course, we are the last 1%, aren't we.

[Scooby Blu]

Originally Posted by jeff92k7

Short answer is yes.


However, the likelihood of 99% of people noticing any of this is slim to none. Of course, we are the last 1%, aren't we.

Yes, that damn 1% always costs me. I think it is even more like 1/10th of 1%

[hrow]

Originally Posted by Scooby Blu

Yes, that damn 1% always costs me. I think it is even more like 1/10th of 1%

I think you are right that it is only about 1%. Did an extensive listen today between the Yamaha 1900 and the Yamaha 863 and really could maybe, sort of, kind of hear the difference. Could really hear the difference between brands but within the brand they were very, very close.

[-DLS-]

I went from a sony htib to an onkyo 705 with polk monitors and now changed my receiver to a yamaha 6190(rxv1800) this past year and it is a huge difference with the polks. it made me want bigger speakers so i'll be upgrading that too in the next couple of weeks. i think this is just the start ive gotta stop myself - or the wife just has to stop agreeing or ill be in trouble later. well Iguess i shouldn't complain

[gentrycoach]

I have a sort of related question. My brother-in-law has a Yamaha RX-V3000 sitting in his attic. I don't know a whole lot about audio but I think it was a good receiver when released (not sure how old it is). He is thinking about getting a new reciever with HDMI inputs (nothing great, he's a Sony fan boy so probably an 820). Should he just use analog outs (he has a Sony 550)with the old Yamaha or get the new receiver. On another note, he said he would give the Yamaha to me if I wanted it. I would probably sell it. Any idea what would be reasonable asking price?

[Johnny Vinyl]

[QUOTE=gentrycoach;1453045]I have a sort of related question. My brother-in-law has a Yamaha RX-V3000 sitting in his attic. I don't know a whole lot about audio but I think it was a good receiver when released (not sure how old it is). He is thinking about getting a new reciever with HDMI inputs (nothing great, he's a Sony fan boy so probably an 820). Should he just use analog outs (he has a Sony 550)with the old Yamaha or get the new receiver. On another note, he said he would give the Yamaha to me if I wanted it. I would probably sell it. Any idea what would be reasonable asking price?[/QUOTE]

He's gonna GIVE you the Yamaha? And then you go and turn around and sell it to make money? What else would you sell?

[callas01]

If he is a Sony Fanboy, tell him to get the Sony 920.