Phono inputs, or external Phono amp

[transmaster]

I am replacing my defunct Onkyo TX-NR709 with a Yamaha AVR. The two that I am looking at are the RX-A840, or the RX-A1040, with all of the discounts they are about $200 dollars difference in price. The RX-A1040 as a bit more power. But it has a phono input where as the RX-A840 does not. I don't presently have a turntable but I may add one in the future. Would I be better off getting a dedicated external phono amp when I add the turntable, or get the RX-A1040 that already has one. I guess the real question is, is the built in phono amp on the Yamaha going to be as good as a dedicated external amp.

 

[seminole54]

Buy what you need now and an external phono later.

 

[jasonsong86]

Why not Marantz?

 

[transmaster]

Buy what you need now and an external phono later.

That is the direction I am leaning it seems the dedicated external amp's are more capable anyway.

Why not Marantz?

The best thing to do is the read up on them the engineering that goes into the Aventage models is impressive. They are built like some of my old boatanchor radios. I particularly like the design of the power deck on these AVR's
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/aventage/

One of the unique things about Yamaha is they manufacturer some of the finest musical instruments in the world, I have played some of them. They have a small bore professional grade Trombone I have used in the past to play Glenn Miller's Big Band music, it sounds very much like the Palatino Trombone Glenn Miller actually played. The musical instrument division has always had input in the audio-visual division.

 

[ETI_5000]

I guess the real question is, is the built in phono amp on the Yamaha going to be as good as a dedicated external amp.

Short answer: yes.:thmbsp:

Long Answer:
The (MM) phono preamp inside the RX-A1040 is about as good as you'll find, without spending....a lot. There aren't many around which will beat it.:thmbsp: So I'd say go for that, rather than buying the cheaper receiver and a separate phono preamp. The phono specifications are:

MM input (47kΩ resistance load) - sensitivity 3.5mV, signal to noise ratio 95dB or more (IHF-A weighted, input shorted, 5mV input), RIAA equalization ±0.5dB, THD less than 0.02%, channel separation more than 75dB (1kHz)/60dB (10kHz).

 

[dmag]

A Hagerman Bugle2 is a great choice for short money, and can be configured for different loading for MM or MC.

 

[jhtstone]

An external amp is more adjustable. You also have the option of moving it to a different amp in the future IF that were a consideration. With the built in, one less box and one less set of wires.

 

[rothwellaudio]

A phonostage amplifier isn't necessarily better just because it's in an external box. There are good and bad external phonostages. There are also good and bad internal phonostages.
Of course, having an external phonostage gives you more flexibility.

 

[grottyash]

As we're talking about an AV receiver, go with the built-in phono amp. If you have a good turntable and speakers, the AV amp won't be able to get the best out of them anyway. There are exceptions, in that the Arcam AV line is meant to beexceptionally good for music.

 

[for_p1]

Gett higher model. Even if you do not need phono preamp now, you may need it later. If it is good, it will save you $200-300 (that is what similar external phono costs). Also less wires is usually better.

 

[Wuss]

As we're talking about an AV receiver, go with the built-in phono amp. If you have a good turntable and speakers, the AV amp won't be able to get the best out of them anyway. There are exceptions, in that the Arcam AV line is meant to beexceptionally good for music.

+1 The Arcam AV line is exceptionally good for music IMHO