Stereo Receivers/Network players Vs. Integrated amplifier

[shibashis]

All in one types appeal, but better to avoid. SQ does get impacted. Same happened to me initially and i too was liking that idea, however not any more. I had checked 603 but sq was ok, not that great.

Also remember, networking / shariing solutions appeal but they rarely work smoothly due to network issues. U will experience glitches / hanging / buffering etc and not let you enjoy music. Also in such cases your focus will get diverted to selecting the song via the limited display rather than playing and enjoying.

This actually is an important point in my opinion. I have felt at a certain point you do get involved to such an extent in troubleshooting and keeping the system going that it can ruin the pleasure of music. Although with these devices one expects things to be much smoother than before.

 

[shibashis]

I think you meant Onkyo TX-8050, last I heard on this forum was around 35k in India but way cheaper in US but with the voltage difference. I think FM Nikhil of Hyd was using it or might still be using it. He had opened a thread detailing his experience and it was great read for somebody looking at this receiver.

Thank you for suggesting the Onkyo manniraj, I looked up the thread by FM Nikhil and that indeed has a very detailed description of his experience with the Onkyo, answers almost all of your questions. I like what he says there, I am only put off a little by the fact that he has to turn the volume up to 40-45 to get any life into the music. He was driving Wharfedale and PSB towers, I am only looking at bookshelves though.
I have considered Onkyo (as one considers all options), there is the 8020 and 8030 available for lesser which should mimic the bigger 8050 in terms of SQ with less power in the bank.
This ventures into another direction, the Onkyo integrated A9030 is available at for only Rs. 25000 at snapdeal (just an idea of the price), with 65W at 8 Ohms and at 0.08% THD is good on paper, is not it?
I should give them a listen and see if I like their sound signature, I have never heard an Onkyo before. Any suggestions on how they fare with classic rock and blues and Indian classicals?

 

[shibashis]

I do not know how much Onkyo NR 2050 currently costs but there are some good reviews of it even on this forum.

Thank you for bringing Onkyo in the mix. Saikat Da have you heard Onkyo? If you did how did you like their sound signature, specifically for classic rock, blues and Indian classicals?
Promises should be able to give me an audition, I will try to do one, could be difficult at this point because of all the puja shopping and gifts to be given and received.

 

[amit11]

@Zendya

In a way yes. However both are suited for different requirements.
Marantz NR1504 AVR -> This is more for movies
PM 6004 -> For hifi stereo music

In my opinion, we appreciate hifi music more when listening to stereo, as compared to watching movies. Hence a dedicated stereo amplifier with no special features is justifiable in case of stereo listening and such amplifier is preferred. However for AVR for movies, we can be less stricter if we are planning to use it for movies mainly and one can think of buying a reasonable all-in-one kind of AVR. Just my thoughts.

 

[shibashis]

There is a third option in digital stereo receivers - the NAD D3020
It sells for $500 in Amazon, so it might just fit into your budget in India

It comes with a USB DAC and Bluetooth AptX, but no WiFi or media playback functions

Thank you for bringing the D3020 in the mix, it might be difficult to listen t it here, but I am looking forward to it, especially after reading the reviews.

 

[haisaikat]

Thank you for bringing Onkyo in the mix. Saikat Da have you heard Onkyo? If you did how did you like their sound signature, specifically for classic rock, blues and Indian classicals?
Promises should be able to give me an audition, I will try to do one, could be difficult at this point because of all the puja shopping and gifts to be given and received.

I have not heard the 8050 but I have heard several onkyo AVRs at promises from time to time and they were just okay for music but better for movies with Onkyo AVRs having two major traits that their volume has to be cranked high (say 12 o clock) to get yourself into the movie but then again this might also be a non-liner volume pot implementation by purpose that I cannot state with certainty to be a amplifier drawback. I recommended the 8050 only based on FM feedbacks here.

I guess another option will be to buy a dedicated stereo amp of your choice and add a raspberry pi (model B+) with a plug and play music OS like volumio or rune and get similar features minus the radio and the display panel and a dedicated remote (for network capabilities). Later on add a dedicated USB DAC for upgrades. Since model B+ has 4 USB ports you can also plug in a pen drive for offline music playback

 

[shibashis]

Reviving an old thread here, I have reasons to do so.

Everywhere you look the Marantz keeps turning up, it is one eye-candy system to look at.
Will this review from quite a reputed source be able to persuade some of us?

Marantz M-CR603: a compact solution packed with performance | gramophone.co.uk

 

[haisaikat]

Shibashis, I think this M-CR603 is a very attractive proposition which has DAC, CDP, Stereo Amp and network capabilities all bundled into one. You can definitely consider this as a value buy but ensure speaker matching. May be ushers can be a better candidate for matching. However note that theoritically a separates route (CDP + Amp) might have just one advantage which would be having separate power supplies unless there is some innovation built in to counter that in all-in-one solutions. Does SQ affect? I cannot say.

Also I do not know if Marantz can be serviced in Kolkata for any problems.

 

[shibashis]

Shibashis, I think this M-CR603 is a very attractive proposition which has DAC, CDP, Stereo Amp and network capabilities all bundled into one. You can definitely consider this as a value buy but ensure speaker matching. May be ushers can be a better candidate for matching. However note that theoritically a separates route (CDP + Amp) might have just one advantage which would be having separate power supplies unless there is some innovation built in to counter that in all-in-one solutions. Does SQ affect? I cannot say.

Also I do not know if Marantz can be serviced in Kolkata for any problems.

I think as a bedroom setup this is just ideal, attractive little piece, takes little space and hopefully the user interface is intuitive and simple for lets say my wife to operate.
I am quite taken by it! May just go for it, I have been suggested a similar Onkyo (CRN-765), but it is difficult to go beyond this Marantz!
For my main Ushers I think I still will look for something 'beefier', if you know what I mean. Ushers deserve that. The point is all this calls for quite some cash, so things will have to go slow but I like it.

 

[Naturelover]

I have been using the M-CR503 for few years now in my bedroom with Dali Zensor 1 speakers. Very good stuff, indeed.