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I prefer a receiver over an integrated...am I a freak?

Interesting. I have a JVC R-S33 Super A receiver that probably shares a little of the design of the 55 integrated which is more powerful. That 55 is at least 70 watts x 2. The 33 (40 x 2).

In any case. Surprisingly, the JVC receiver sounds "superb" with my Polk Monitor 5s...a liquid pairing. So, I am surprised that you don't like the JVC integrated. But "synergy" can be a factor.

For example. I don't much like my Dynaco A25s with my Marantz but they sound fabulous on the HK 430 that arrived "today"!

As said above. Too many variables to make blanket statements here. For example. The HKs have Twin transformers and caps that do a wonderful job for "stereo" sound separation and clarity!

cnh2
 
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I own only one receiver which I've had since 1977. Everything else are either integrated amps or separate preamps, power amps and a tuner.

I like to have the ability to mix and match different separates to create different sounds.

In the end it all comes down to what sounds best to you. Some day you may find a different integrated amp that you like as well or better than your receiver.
 
We all have our favorites. I own a Hitachi SR-303 and it's a nice little receiver, I use to it drive some outdoor speakers in the summertime (not now of course :)). Found it for like $6 or something in perfect shape, no issues. Does the job.

I have no experience with any JVC integrated amp. In general I prefer integrated amps over receivers though. Simpler design and I think HD radio (with all its warts) has some merits, so when I listen to radio prefer an HD tuner connected to an integrated to what your typcial stock vintage receiver has for FM. A newer tuner like the little Sony HD beats out any vintage receiver tuner. Integrated amps can also include more features like phono loading you won't find on receivers. Whether or not they are worth it is debatable, more knobs to play with I guess. Personal preference.

All you need to remember is the the amp that sounds better to you is the one to listen to. If a piece of gear causes you to not want to listen to music, throw it away and move on! I've done it a few times, not worth worrying about. The stuff is cheap.
 
When my Yamaha CR2020 and Yamaha CA1010 were both going I couldn't tell any discernible difference between the two.They both sounded great.I have mainly receivers because that's what has presented itself to me and I'm ok with it.
 
superdog said:
When my Yamaha CR2020 and Yamaha CA1010 were both going I couldn't tell any discernible difference between the two.They both sounded great.I have mainly receivers because that's what has presented itself to me and I'm ok with it.
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It is like Marantz 1060 and 2030, you cannot tell the differences :D


I like receiver better, due to the look :D
 
I went from receiver to separates with no noticeable difference in sound quality except for the tuner.Now I'm back to receivers.
 
I love my receivers, but I've heard some awesome integrated amps. Not all are created equally. Sample more then compare again.
 
charles 1973 said:
I've seen some high end vintage sansiu recievers with masive dual mono power supplies. I wouldn't be surprised if they shamed some well known seperate power amps and Integrated's. They probably cost's a bunch more than a lot of those power amps and Integrated's too though.

That said, IMO most brands keep their best sound for their Seperate and Integrated amps, more for marketing reasons than because of energineering limitations. No doubt the equivalent Sansui Seperates of the day were outstanding too.
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I agree with most everybody that it's wrong to make blanket-statements like "Integrateds are better than receivers" or vice versa (not that the OP is making one. He's really-not.

I would assume that in most cases, an integrated is usually a better performer than it's receiver equivalent by the same maker, however, I do love my Sansui 2000x, and it does seem to outperform several much-more-expensive integrated amps I've heard since buying it, however this is probably more of a case of "They just don't make 'em the way they used to) than anything else. Although, I remember someone saying that his 2000x sounds better with headphones than his Sansui integrated, but I don't know all the details on that and I haven't compared the headphone-out on my 2000x to any Sansui integrateds yet (Besides, I'm pretty-sure that the speaker-outs on the equivalent-powered early '70's Sansui integrateds perform better than their receiver counterparts, including my 2000x). Whatever the case, I LOVE the sound of my 2000x.... Love it, and there are several modern-day integrated amps that I would not trade for it (Well, I might do it, sell the integrated, and then buy another 2000x and get an old Sansui integrated, a few pairs of speakers, and whatever else I can get with the money left over... :D).
 
Some low-powered receivers sound surprisingly very good. So, I don't think you are a freak.

I had both separates and receivers, to my ears there are no sonic differences. But separates allow you to choose what tuner and amplifier you want. Back in the late 80's, I once had an Onkyo Integra 8087 Integrated amplifier matched with a Sansui tuner TU-77AMX with AM stereo which was not available in not too many receivers.
 
When I worked for Franklin Lakes Stereo in NJ during my college days we had an old Kenwood Eleven receiver hanging around the shop. Most of us employees thought that receiver was as good sounding as any of the high end 'Audiophile' gear(Krell, Threshold, Audio Research) that we sold at mega dollars, and the FM tuner out performed all seperates we had.....You are OK! I would not worry about what you hear, just enjoy the music.
 
Some people like separates, some people like integrated amps and some like receivers.
There is no "correct" one to have. Receivers do have the advantage of taking up less space than separates do and have less of a power draw as well.

But remember the important thing that you have discovered, it's all about the sound.
Do you listen to your stereo or do you listen to the music. I read that a few weeks ago and it makes a lot of sense. Sometimes I do one or the other and other times I do both. That's the fun of this hobby.

And lastly sound quality is so subjective. What sounds good to me may sound like crap to you. Since all of our ears are not built exactly alike things will sound different. I really miss the audio store listening room when the audio store would let you demo equipment before buying it. For me, that was the best way to shop.
So if you have a receiver and are happy with the way it sounds you should have a deep feeling of satisfaction!
 
I prefer a receiver because it spares me on of my pricey interconnects, which I have to factor into the price I am paying.
 
No you are not.
I waited over 4 years to get my Luxman R-1120 receiver fixed.
In the mean time I used a host of various integrated's and straight amps.
Now my Luxman receiver is back and though the FM tuner is superb as is the phono section, it is the amp section which is what I mostly use daily fed from another preamplifier.
Yes, it's a "receiver" and big and heavy but there is nothing else in this house that sounds as good as that receiver so I use it.
 
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