Choosing a new Receiver (but with space limitations)
-- Sun, 01/25/2009 - 09:05
I am looking to purchase a new AV receiver that will handle all of our entertainment - music (from computer), tv, dvd, etc...
We just recently purchased a new piece of furniture that all of our equipment will fit in (small house in city - limited room - everything visible...). At the largest, the receiver would be asked to fill a room with sound that is 16x16 with hardwood floors and 8 ft. ceilings. I currently have a Definitive Technologies setup with Gems all around and a Supercube II sub.
I need to purchase a smaller receiver and with the times, my budget is smaller than I'd like it to be - I am looking to spend less than $700 - preferably less than $600. I don't feel that I need all of the bells / whistles, but want good sound. Right now - I am considering a Cambridge Audio Azur 340R and a Sony STR-DG920. The critical size piece is the depth as both of these are only about 13.5" deep...
Would you suggest either of these or do you have another suggestion to make?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
It sounds like u only need a sound bar. Go to your local Costco and buy a Sony or Yamaha sound bar .
Here I said it, Soccer is the REAL football..
Although a soundbar is a good solution for many systems, they don't deliver the same experience as an AVR driving five separate speakers and a subwoofer. I'm not familar with the depths of various AVRs, but you should add Onkyo to your short list.
The new TacT Ambiophonics processorr can deliver true binaural-like 360-degree localization in the horizontal plane with just two relatively closely spaced pairs of loudspeakers (one in front and one pair directly behind) and never needs a center speaker to play 5.1 media. Go to:
www.tactlab.com/Products/Ambiophonics/ambiophonics.html
Also try
www.noachsw.com
and click on demo. Then listen to how two dinky PC speakers can deliver a stage of up to 180 degrees for these three movie clips, the last of which, Ice Age II has to be heard to be believed. This is a Norwegian site selling a new VST plugin that is similar in function to what is now included in all the latest TacT products. If you put another two speakers, close together, behind the viewing chair, you can get the full 360 degree circle of sound from movies that have a true rear stage. Or you can play the SACD 4.0 recordings from Chesky Records, like Dr. Chesky, etc. that really have side imaging and things going around in circles.
Eventually, other such products in all price ranges will be available or you can always do it yourself if you really like PCs.
If you are technical, you can read all the details and see pictures at
www.ambiophonics.org.
Ralph Glasgal
Ralph Glasgal
www.ambiophonics.org
Sun,
One receiver I would definitely put on your "short list" would be the Onkyo TX-SR607 (12.94" deep, MSRP $599). Here's my reasoning:
1) As you have already discovered, it's tough to find AVRs that meet your shelf depth requirements. This one does.
2) This AVR uses Onkyo's signature WRAT amplifier technology, which has a good track record for delivering sound with a good measure of natural warmth--not the sterile, edgy, "overwrought" sound that some AVRs produce.
3) The Onkyo supports the latest HD codecs--specifically Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. If you are into Blu-ray, or headed in that direction, you will want support for these codecs
4) The Onkyo incorporates Audyssey 2EQ technology (the simplest form of Audyssey room/speaker EQ technology, which--far from being one of those "gongs and whistles" features--really does work well.
Another receiver to consider might be the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K (13.75" deep, MSRP $499). Technically, this Pioneer is too deep for your shelf, but not by much (and it's a hair less deep than the Sony you were considering). This is the top model of Pioneer's regular AVR lineup--the last stop before you get to the Elite models. But for your purposes this one would be better, because even the smallest Elite AVR (the VSX-01TXH) is much deeper (in fact, a little over 17" deep--yoicks!). The Pioneer offers:
1) Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio support.
2) Pioneer's very good and easy-to-use Advanced MCACC room/speaker EQ system.
3) An interesting "standing wave control" function that can potentially help tame bass "bumps" in your room.
4) Some very interesting "works-with-iPhone" features (if you happen to be an iPhone user).
What about the Sony: As near as I can tell, Sony appears to have discontinued the STR-DG920 (it comes up listed as "This product is no longer available for purchase" on the www.sonystyle.com Web site). Also, the Sony is, according to its online specifications, a little bit deeper than your shelf depth allows--13.88" deep. The Sony does have a an automated speaker setup function, though one that does not provide quite the same level of functionality as the Audyssey system offered in the Onkyo or the Advanced MCACC system in the Pioneer.
What about the Cambridge Audio: If Cambridge Audio runs true to form, it's probably a safe bet that the Azur 340R will sound good. However, the Azur 340R does not support the latest HD codecs (no Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio support). The Azur 340R also does not provide automated speaker setup or speaker/room EQ functions of any kind, so far as I am aware. However, the 340R would fit on your shelf with room to spare: it is 12.2" deep.
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
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