Hello ,
So I am officially a Yamaha owner with purchase of TSR 7810 , 7.2 Chanel receiver.
Details and specs are at the following Yamaha Website :
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/tsr-7810/index.html
Background: I have 2 excellent 2.1 / stereo systems 1) One with Emotiva gear - DAC, PRE Amp and 2 Nos 1000 W mono blocks and PSA subwoofer + Tekton Pendragon speakers .
2) An all tube 2.0 system - Yaqin tube integrated amp 80 W and a Yaqin Tube buffer bet source and the integrated amp + Tekton M Lore Speakers . Modest budget system but sounds great and can apply all the audiophile jargon to describe the listening experience.
Initially when we started with the Emotiva 2.1 system,the intention was to expand it to a HT and also purchased a 5 ch , 200W/Ch power amp ( which is lying unused) .
The only item remaining was a AV pre amp . AV pre amp receivers considered: Emotiva - 2 models and Nuforce - AVP -18 . All of them are shy in features compared to those found on commercial AVR’s
Had been for a while following on a Marantz AV pre Amp for the last year but is not around anymore .
Is there a Need: Although we like to see movies, but are not die hard movie buffs and the need for an HT was not really there. The 2 ch system was more than adequate however same could not be part of a HT due to WAF. The Pendragons are huge , standing 54 inches tall and along with the power amps will lose big living room real estate .
Now watching a movie with the family with pop corn and jumping at the scary moments is priceless. And lately when we saw Bahuballi 1 and 2 on sling TV , felt a modest HT in the living Room can do the trick . More so, there are many Blue ray rentals like Family Video and Kiosks at Walmart etc to take advantage off.
A thought many enthusiasts endorse : A good dedicated 2 Ch system for music and an average HTIB with receiver for movies does the trick . Concur on this & decided to follow suit .
So with this in mind and with quick approval from the wife , the living room can now have small HT .
The Search : The theme was Cost Vs features . I have a bias for Marantz .
One major advantage with going with the commercial AVR's is the tech that is provided . The TSR 7810 was by far the best option amongst what was available and at a great price . $399 + tax . Great Cost Vs Features and AVS forum has good reviews and satisfied users.
The Set up :
-Fronts : Polk T15 bookshelves as fronts (spare laying around) , decided to make a HT around these. $100 in 2013 .
-Center Speaker : Polk T30 Center speaker : Best buy - $64+ Tax *- Arrived and in use .
-SUBWOOFER : Klipsch SW R-12SW : B and H - $ 224 *– Shipped, yet to Arrive.
Atmos speakers: Searching .Like the inbuilt Front and Atmos speakers. May be next Black Friday as the prices have doubled now.
Surround speakers: Searching .
Blue Ray Player : Sony budget streaming player- $ 49 + Tax *.
Television source : Dell Desktop PC for TV - USE Sling TV for Indian television .
DAC- Emotiva PT- 100. Connected to the Dell Desktop.
Television : LG UHD, 4k , 60 Inch .
Cables : Amazon basics. Affordable and good quality.
*Note : All the above prices are black Friday ones and the costs have been revised now .
Last weekend , set up and connected the receiver.
TSR 7810 : Limited time trial . Below are initial impressions:
Packaging:Came in a single card board box but was wrapped with plastic cover. Usual Styrofoam packing with bubble wrap.
Accessories - YPAO microphone , FM/AM antenna, Remote with batteries, no user manual .
Yamaha Cast : Easy setup but initially struggled as the user manual is available on line only . But figured it out. Like the facility of naming rooms and you can also take pics of the same. Used WPS on the WI-Fi router for the first time
Internet Radio: Good choice of preset stations and can listen to Internet radios from a list of stations around the world. Can also add additional stations.
HDMI Switching : Yes there is a delay. To a point you feel something is wrong.
HDMI Pass through:This is new feature learnt. With the receiver powered off/ Standby mode, the receiver will allow HDMI from the last source played to connect to the TV .
HDMI ARC : Complicated. Struggling to set this up . Will update.
VIDEO Normal viewing: Upscaling: Sling TV thro Dell PC connected via HDMI : Found enhanced clarity . CNN is as is great, but now through the receiver looked even better.
Sonic performance: With Output set to 7.2 CH and with the Polk Bookshelves + Center speaker :
For TV : The performance is average when compared to stock output from LG TV. In fact LG is better at times with its built in sub and sound optimization.
For Music Played thro DAC : This where the things get interesting. The Bookshelves + Center spkr provide an interesting listening experience, to a point, say enjoyable. Chevelle’s “Envy” and MJ’s “Beat it” sounded clear and detailed . One could hear the between quick breaths etc. Can’t complain.
For Music Played thro USB : MP3’s- Not good .
For Music played thro Internet radio : Similar to that played thro DAC . Quite enjoyable.
Awaiting to rent a BD and check the receiver’s full potential. Will update in the coming days as we discover the receiver more . Some pictures attached.
Thanks,
