For $4,500US - What To Buy?

[David Meek]

I've been a Yamaha fan for quite a long time. My HT/music system is centered on their RX-V1 (ex-flagship) receiver, which has kept me very, very happy with its sound qualities. I'm looking to upgrade my amplification in a few months to help drive my new 4-ohm rated main speakers. Yamaha has announced its new flagship receiver, the RX-Z9 which has an MSRP of $4,500US. $4,500?!?!?!?! That price elevates it into the separates realm, and not the cheap seats either.

All of which brings me to my question: Is any receiver actually worth that when compared to what else is available at that price point? For that amount of money, I'm looking at the following options:

1. 1) I can almost (within a few hundred dollars) buy a brand new Pass Labs X-250 stereo amp and use my RX-V1 as a pre/pro.
   
   2) Buy a brand new Parasound Halo A-51 five-channel amp and again use the RX-V1 as a pre/pro, and keep $500 in the bank.
   
   3) Buy a used Pass X-250 for $2,500-3,000 on AudiogoN and have $2,000-2,500 to spend on a "new" pre/pro.
   
   4) Add $1,500 and buy a couple of new Parasound Halo JC-1s and use the RX-V1.
   
   5) Buy a pair of used Halo JC-1s on AudiogoN for $3,500-4,000 and use the RX-V1, thus keeping $500-1,000 in the bank.

I'm equally interested in any of these options. One doesn't have precedence over the others. Thoughts? Opinions?

P.S. The one thing the Yamaha RX-Z9 has going for it is the YPAO room correction functionality. That's the one thing that is keeping it in the running - as a distant long-shot, too.

edited for content




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[Andrew Pratt]

You know what I'm going to suggest Rotel 1098 and 1075 combo:yesnod: You're right if you're going to spend that kind of money I wouldn't be buying a receiver no matter what make or model it is.

[George Bellefontaine]

$4500US... YIKES. Is that thing made out of gold ?

I bought the Yammy A3090, back when it was the flagship receiver, for $3500 CDN and I believe the US MSRP was $2500. Man prices have changed. Must be a lot of new goodies on the new flagship receiver.

BTW, the Yammy was intended for use in my HT but that model didn't have 6.1 ability so I went with the Denon 3101. But the Yammy gets a lot of use for my music listening. The A3090 comes very close to separates, in the area of 2 channel music anyway. I love the A3090.




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[Azeke]

David,

I concur with Andrew for $4500.00 you can get the Rotel RSP-1098 and probably the RMB-1095 (negotiaiting necessary here, sorry Andrew).

I was once a Yamaha owner (Yami RX-V3200), went to separates, and now I will never look back.

Just my monies worth,

Azeke

[David Meek]

Oh, I went back and added an option I'd left out - new JC-1's. Ouch.




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[Andrew Pratt]

David I'd at least audition the 1098 with one of the rotel amps before spending that kind of money on a receiver...besides at least with Rotel you know there's top tier support available

[David Meek]

Andrew, the Yamaha is definitely the least desirable choice mentioned. I would definitely look at the Rotel combo if it came to that series of choices.

Hmmm, now where'd I see that Rotel forum? :




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[John Holmes]

David,

Of your options I like #3.

Though, I have to agree with everyone else. If I was spending that kind of money, seperates would be the way. I'm still floored by my old pro-logic setup in the bedroom (which are sperates). Though the gap is much closer than it was between a rcvr vs seperates, I think the cost/upgrade ratio is almost a no brainer any more.

Jusy my opinion of course.




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[Chris D]

Ooh, David, I think you know what my answer would be. As you are aware, there are many RAVE reviews about the Parasound Halo products out there. And if you're really even slightly considering the JC-1 as an option, you're looking at a product that some reviewers have rated as THE best amplifier out there.

But if you want more channels than a pair of JC-1's (I get chills just thinking about how cool that would be) the A51 would just be top notch for you. So I'd advise you to go with the Halo amps, and then if you decided you can't go with a new processor now, use what you choose as a pre/pro, and then when you do buy a new one in the future, the Halo amps will be more than you need to complete a high-end system.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[Gordon Moore]

Yamaha does have amazing DSP's.

For the same cash it looks like Sony is throwing their receiver in the mix with digital amps to boot:






9000ES

7 Ch Digital Amp @ 200 W/ch
Dolby® Digital, Digital EX & more !
Video Up-Conversion to Component !
3 Component video Inputs
i.LINK Input for SACD
2 DVI Inputs/1 DVI Output



SPECIFICATIONS :

Amplifier Section :

7 Channel Power Rating: : 200 Watts Per Channel x 7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, THD .15%)
Stereo Power Rating: : 200 Watts Per Channel x 2 (8 ohms 20 Hz-20 kHz, THD .15%)
Input SENSITIVITY/IMPEDANCE:

Phono: 2.5 mV/50 kOhm
Line Inputs/Multi-Channel Inputs 1&2: : 150 mV/50 kOhm
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 10 Hz - 50 kHz +0.5/-2 dB (w/ Soundfield and EQ bypassed)
Rec Out Level/IMPEDANCE: : 150 mV/10 kOhm
Pre Out Level/IMPEDANCE: : Front: 2 V /1 kOhm
Video Section

Input SENSITIVITY/IMPEDANCE:

Composite In: 1 Vp-p/75 Ohm
S-Video In (Y): 1 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
S-Video In (C): 0.286 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
Component video In (Y): 1 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
Component video In (Pb B-Y): : 0.7 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
Component video In (Pr R-Y): : 0.7 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
Output SENSITIVITY/IMPEDANCE:

Composite Video Out: 1 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
S-Video Out (Y): 1 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
S-Video Out (C): : 0.286 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
Component video Out (Y): 1 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
Component video Out (Pb B-Y): : 0.7 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
Component video Out (Pr R-Y): : 0.7 Vp-p, 75 Ohms
General :

Power Requirements: : AC120V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption: : (Standby): 0.7 W (when POWER SAVE is set)
Power Consumption: : (In Operation): 250 W
Weights & Measures :

Approx. Dimensions (w/h/d): : 17" X 9.4" X 17" (18.9" Deep Including Terminals)
Approx. Weight : 62.83 lbs. (28.5 kg)
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES :

Instruction Manual
FM Wire Antenna
AM Loop Antenna
RM-TP2 LCD Touch Panel Remote Commander
RM-US106 2nd Remote Control (for Multi-Zone)
Size AA Batteries: 2
Audio/Video Control S Cord
Monaural Mini-Plug Cord

"A RONSTER!"

[Andrew Pratt]

Impressive list of specs on the Sony but man is it UGLY

[David Meek]

It looks like an HP DeskJet printer. Sony's styling department kinda stepped on the ol' crank this time.

One thing Sony should get props for is the 2 separate DVI inputs.




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[Chris D]

Yeah, I noticed the most recent Sony receivers in a Good Guys flyer the other day. Looks like they have good features, but yeah, front panel is a little iffy. DVI switching---WOW!!!! 8O




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"