Receiver upgrade advice

[JaphyRyder]

I’ve been using an old analog HK twin amp to run JBL Jubels. We mainly stream digital music through an audioengine B1. We also play play vinyl as well, though not as frequently. I want to upgrade to something newer that will drive the JBLs. We don’t really need all the home theater “stuff” but I don’t care if it has it either if the stereo part is good. Here are four that I could get today and the asking price for each. As you can see there’s not a lot of consistency to these. Any can’t misses here?

Denon AVR988-$100
Yamaha TSR-7790 $400
Onkyo TX-NR708-$225
and a little older: Yamaha RX-V2095 $100

thanks!

 

[swechsler]

Those old HKs are pretty good, and shouldn't have a problem driving the Jubals. Which model receiver do you have? Also I'm not convinced that an AVR will sound better, nor play significantly louder. What do you think your system is lacking?

 

[JaphyRyder]

Thanks, sch

Those old HKs are pretty good, and shouldn't have a problem driving the Jubals. Which model receiver do you have? Also I'm not convinced that an AVR will sound better, nor play significantly louder. What do you think your system is lacking?

Thanks, Swechsler. The HK has an issue with the left channel and my partner wants to explore more modern solutions-I’m hoping this can be a middle-ground solution. I was thinking that 30 years of tech advances would make up for the AVR piece, but maybe not.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Thanks, sch


Thanks, Swechsler. The HK has an issue with the left channel and my partner wants to explore more modern solutions-I’m hoping this can be a middle-ground solution. I was thinking that 30 years of tech advances would make up for the AVR piece, but maybe not.

Good chance the HK only needs cleaning to work like new again.

Baring that take a look at the offerings from Parts Express, great prices and customer service second to none.



Something like this Yammy with this phono stage and you're ready to go.



Happy listening

 

[swechsler]

Thanks, Swechsler. The HK has an issue with the left channel and my partner wants to explore more modern solutions-I’m hoping this can be a middle-ground solution. I was thinking that 30 years of tech advances would make up for the AVR piece, but maybe not.

My recommendation, since you said you're not interested in surround sound, would be to search for a Dolby Pro-Logic (DPL) era, top of the line receiver from the early 1990s. Once you start getting into the AVRs you mentioned, manufacturers were trying to cram as many features as they could into a single component. I'm not saying that they necessarily sound bad, just that in most cases, top sound quality wasn't the primary goal. Also, they are pretty much impossible to repair* if you have a problem.

One example of the sort of equipment I'm talking about is the Pioneer VSX-D1S. This one actually commands somewhat of a premium these days, since it's gotten pretty well known and is of high quality, but there are many others of the era that can be gotten much cheaper, since DPL is considered obsolete, and they typically sell for pennies on the dollar.

* Technically anything can be repaired, but it will typically cost significantly more than the item is worth.

 

[JoeESP9]

Good chance the HK only needs cleaning to work like new again.

Baring that take a look at the offerings from Parts Express, great prices and customer service second to none.

View attachment 2885881

Something like this Yammy with this phono stage and you're ready to go.

View attachment 2885884

Happy listening

Both of those items are available on Amazon. The receiver is $50 less.

I hooked up a neighbor up the block with that receiver. It's paired with Dayton B-652 Air's, a powered Monoprice 8" Subwoofer, stands for the speakers and a Panasonic (forgot model) DVD/CD player. The whole schlemiel was less than $400. He's very happy with the sound quality.

FWIW: There is a Yamaha HT receiver in my bedroom.

 

[StimpyWan]

Check Accessories4Less. They have the Yamaha R-S202 for $139. A4L also has the Yamaha R-N303 for $299. That receiver offers a built-in DAC, and networking for streaming, plus a phono input if needed? A4L is a good company that's an authorized dealer for all the brands they sell. I've never had issues with any purchases.

Good luck.

 

[PianotunerNJ]

If you’re running literally just 2 channel stereo, I would like for an integrated amp. Receivers generally tend to be a downgrade from integrated amps in terms of amp build. Plus, modern digital receivers will digitize your analog signal for bass management, eq and room correction and so on, then convert back to analog for the output. The work around is “pure direct” mode or something like that, but now you’re listening to a lower quality amp in many cases. If you want your analog sources to be unconverted, as well as the already decoded analog from your external DAC, then you might want to avoid a receiver and look for a decent integrated.

If the plan is to have video switching or sub outputs or something like that, then you’re better off in receiver territory. But, for simple 2 channel full range stereo, I would avoid any digital prioritized components to maintain a purely analog path. If you’re receiver is digitizing the input, you’re not listening to analog sources anymore.