New AV Amp for B&W MT25 speaker package?

fizzy

fizzy

fizzy

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Hi All,

(reposted in Home Cinema section as more relevant)

I've an onkyo 608 AV amp which I've had for a few years, and whilst it's generally been ok it's got a few issues.

Firstly the fan is quite loud and noticeable, and there also appears to be a bug in the video signal processing where there is visible artifacts/ghosting in the darker colours. Thought it was my telly but direct connection is fine. There is also occasionally a frame skip/jump which is a known issue apparently. Managed to update the firmware on it to the latest via an audio cd and digital connection, but not made any difference.

I'm looking to replace it with something that will go well with my b&w MT25 5.1 speaker package.

Quite like the idea of a compact amp, but given I've lived with the onkyo for a while big amps are fine.

Main criteria are sound quality and a quiet fan (or no fan at all ) and a good match for the B&Ws.

Not too concerned about media streaming and the like since connected devices will do that. Used for bluray, pc (audio via hdmi?) and satellite.

Quite a few on the market now - any suggestions?
 
Ahhh B&W MT25, is that the one with the AS2 subwoofer or PV1?

I had the setup with the AS2 sub and a Denon midrange receiver for the time. Brilliant compact setup.

What's your budget? I'm totally unfamiliar with onkyo amps, I've had Denon and Yamaha recently, can vouch for their qualities and differences.
 
1Deep said:
Ahhh B&W MT25, is that the one with the AS2 subwoofer or PV1?

I had the setup with the AS2 sub and a Denon midrange receiver for the time. Brilliant compact setup.

What's your budget? I'm totally unfamiliar with onkyo amps, I've had Denon and Yamaha recently, can vouch for their qualities and differences.
Click to expand...

The sub is actually an ASW608? It's the one that came with the package - original release. Think they revised it a year or so ago.

Had a yamaha natural sound AV amp many years ago and did like it a lot. Also had a Sony(930QS I think?) - great amp, this one was actually very over engineered but pre-hdmi days.

Probably looking around the 500 or so mark max. Been checking out the marantz compact AV amp which looks good, but not sure if there is a compromise on sound quality with it. Got room for a "big box" amp anyway.

Never had a denon or marantz amp before, generally heard good things about them.
 
That's even better with the ASW608, better sub that the AS2.

The compact Marantz amps are fine for small rooms, and would drive the MT25 setup fine I would expect. Of course you would get more headroom out of a full size receiver so would get one if space isn't an issue.

Marantz typically sound very good for music/2 channel sources especially against similarly priced peers. If you like the sound of Yamaha I would think you would prefer a neutral to warm sounding receiver, in which case Yamaha/Marantz for certain, Denon used to be warm but my last one, an X4000 which I used with a b&w MT60 setup was a bit sharp and clinical. Cannot comment on their recent receivers however.

The best receiver on a budget that can do all the latest and greatest is the Denon X2200. Good on a budget but wouldn't get the best out of your speakers. Seen it online for around £330

If you like the sound of Yamaha, could get something like this is what I would consider if sound quality is most important:

http://www.hificonfidential.co.uk/y...currency=GBP&gclid=CKznnJjg98wCFeQp0wodtWUL3g

I've got a Yamaha rxa2050 and absolutely love it, cannot fault it. The above is the cheapest aventage range yamaha.

Ideally if you could pop into your local dealer and demo a bunch of receivers sub £500, that would be best. Everyone's tastes are different.

Hope this helps, I do tend to over write.
 
Thanks, some good advice there. Think I'll check out the yamaha RXA range and see what they offer. :D
 
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