Denon AVR-1312 vs Sony STRDH520

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Denon AVR-1312 vs Sony STRDH520

arnies

525 posts

Ultimate Geek

#105229 29-Jun-2012 16:42

Hi there,

Just bought some Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 bookshelf speaker and now need an Amp/Receiver to use them with.

I'm thinking of going the receiver way due to upgradability, but could go standalone amp too.
I have a few inputs, so I could input them all into my TV and then use the Aux out in the TV to go to an amp. How much would this reduce sund quality?

Out of these two receivers, which one is best do you think?

Cheers

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#648461 29-Jun-2012 21:05

For music, a standalone amp will sound better than a home theatre receiver...
Personally, that's the way I've gone - as music is faaaar more important to me than movie soundtracks.

Re: amp comparisons.
The Sony offers slightly more power (90 Watts versus 75 watts on the Denon), but the distortion is higher. So it's probably a tied game there.
The Sony is a 7.1 amp, so it can run two more speakers, but it doesn't appear to be a multizone amp (so you can play two different things into two rooms at the same time). Do you plan on running 7 speakers in your room?

I'm not sure about the power delivery of the Sony though, as the Denon has fully discrete amplification, meaning you get even power to all 5 channels. I doubt the Sony could offer that to all 7 channels at the typical buy price... but am happy to be proven wrong.

In regards to brand performance.
Well, Sony are mainly a 'display' company who focus on TV's / tablets / cameras etc. Their top of the range amps (the ES range) are really quite well specced, but are unfortunately under represented in NZ.
Denon, on the other hand, have been producing audio kit for over a century, and don't make TV's / e-readers... just amps, CD players, stylus etc.
I prefer Denon - but that's a personal thing.

Personally, I run a 2 channel integrated amp, with a DAC directly in, MySky directly in (both via RCA) but I can also loop out the back of my Panasonic plasma...
For MySky, I simply don't care about sound quality, as the sound on Sky is horrible compared to what I get off my DAC or turntable anyway.

arnies

525 posts

Ultimate Geek

#648466 29-Jun-2012 21:12

A few notes.

The speakers are 6 ohm, and the Denon receiver actually produces 110W @ 6ohm so is that a plus for the Denon receiver?

My budget is probably only up to about $600, so which amps would you reccommend?
I kinda wanted to get a receiver just so I could upgrade to a full 5 channel setup at some point, but maybe that's not the best option.

I'll have a look at different options on sunday

I think I'd like the option to upgrade to a home theatre kit with sub etc and still have decent sound quality. So it's about finding the best sound receiver that also can be upgraded to 5.1 once I buy the speakers

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#648482 29-Jun-2012 21:44

Don't worry about that.
There are different ways to quote speaker / amp ratings, and this is just one...
A 110 watt receiver measured at 6ohms, will be the same as a 75 watt receiver measured at 8ohms.
Same receiver, different way in which they're measured.

The speakers 6ohms rating is merely the nominal impedance, no doubt they'll drop and rise above the listed 6ohms. However, what I would say, is that if you're looking to get 5.1 Wharfedale Diamond 10.6's for the front, then I'd suggest investing a little more in your receiver. Something like a Denon AVR1912... or similar power from Sony. At the right time in year (around now, just before the new amps land), I think you could pay another $300 than you've budgetted, and you will have a receiver that is truly 'future proof'.*

*I hate that phrase

arnies

525 posts

Ultimate Geek

#648484 29-Jun-2012 21:55

Hmm not sure if I could afford $1k on a receiver at this stage...

I can get the Denon AVR-1312 for $500, or there is other options (second hand) like this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=487892240 or this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=487776490

Or do you think (given a hard budget of $600) I should get a new one, on sale, and keep it going until its time for another upgrade with new floorstands?

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#648787 30-Jun-2012 21:05

Those amps you've linked to aren't exactly spring chickens...
If I was choosing, I'd grab a new receiver.

nickb800

2715 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#648802 30-Jun-2012 21:27

I'm a big fan of just an amp running off the audio output from your tv, with your tv doing the switching duties. I would do it with a topping tp10 and fiio DAC. The topping has plenty of power to drive a pair of 10.1s. All for sub $200. No surround tho

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#648810 30-Jun-2012 21:57

Topping 10... that'll struggle to drive a speaker like a Diamond 10.1.
The Topping 20 will be on its edge to run a 10.1, as the sensitivity of the speakers is at 86dB... whereas the less powerful Topping 10 will really be pushing its limits.
I'd keep on looking personally.

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arnies

525 posts

Ultimate Geek

#648815 30-Jun-2012 22:19

So what do you recommend for a $500~600 budget??