intergrated stereo amp, pioneer SX20 any good?

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cameron999

17 posts

Geek

#195549 23-Apr-2016 20:46

hey am looking to buy a integrated stereo amp for some floor standing speakers large.

was hoping for around 100w rms per channel 8ohms. for under $1000

i have found this

http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/blu-ray-and-home-theatre/av-receivers-and-audio-components/pioneer-stereo-av-receiver.html

100w x2 8ohm pioneer amp.

seems cheap compared to other models such as NAD.

any reviews or ideas on this amp.

ive done a whole lot of reasearch on amps and my conclusion is the power output ratings mean nothing anymore.

people say their 40w x2 amp blows them away

i have a pioneer receiver which claims 100w per channel but understand av receivers are way under-powered from what they claim

im just worried about this amp as systems like those Sony muteki 1million watt monstrosities claim massive wattage but sound like crap

i just dont want to under power my speakers and end up with worse than my reciever

thanks for any help

cheers, confused guy

tangerz

662 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 199

#1540931 24-Apr-2016 00:08

What model is your receiver? If it's fairly decent you may not see much/any improvement as the SX-20 seems to be a fairly basic entry level stereo amp.

cameron999

17 posts

Geek

#1540951 24-Apr-2016 07:02

Pioneer vsx 521k some manuals say80wpc.

I have read slot of reviews that say AV receivers don't perform up to their numbers cause they have so much to do.
And stereo amps have only 1 job so they do it well.
I have also been looking and Nad amps too but can't justify spending over 1k for an amp. Nz Dosnt seem to have much of a market for this type of gear.

I'm just worried that the pioneer sx20 falls into to catagoey of
" customer Dosnt know anything so we will just bump up the numbers to sell"
Like those Sony 9.2 systems.

My floor standing speakers have 2 8 inch woofers in each so need bit more power. Infinity reference 61 mk2.

Current recieved goes ok but my other budget old stereo seems to go way harder. (Old Mac rg660)

geekiegeek

2513 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 625
Inactive user

#1540952 24-Apr-2016 07:25

Have a look at Yamaha in the budget space. They review pretty well. Either the A-S501 or A-S701 (if budget permits). I used to have an A-S2000 and it was a fantastic amp.

Also, don't be fooled by watts. You need to look at speaker sensitivity as a high sensitivity speaker is very easy to drive and anything over about 80w will probably be fine unless you have really low sensitivity speakers.

A dedicated stereo amp will definitely blow away a AVR in my opinion.

cameron999

17 posts

Geek

#1540955 24-Apr-2016 07:51

I have had a look at some Yamaha amp but they seem to say 8 ohm up wards on the units. I will have a look at those models.

My speakers were 90db but the woofers were replaced with 89db. From what I see that's Average plus.

Dunnersfella

4100 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 887

#1540976 24-Apr-2016 09:14

Here we go - as mentioned above the Yamaha is 100W @ 8ohms 20Hz-20kHz 0.019% THD.

Yamaha AS701

The Pioneer seems a little 'light' for the money. The 100 Watt power rating is 20Hz-20kHz @ 8ohms (cool) but with 1% Total Harmonic Distortion (boooo).

If you need a radio tuner, you'll need to look elsewere... but the Yamaha will work well with your speakers and should last nicely.

cameron999

17 posts

Geek

#1540987 24-Apr-2016 09:29

Cheers. I was looking at a Nad c 325 bee. 50wpc but reviews say it's been tested to get 80wpc. I'm not worried about a tuner.

It seems stereo receivers go cheaper than interstates amps

Would rather go second hand so looking on trade me.
Cheers for help guys.

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ilovemusic

1469 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 307

#1541542 25-Apr-2016 11:12

don't get hung up on watts.

sound quality should take precedence.

historically some of the best amps ever made have been in the 50-60watt range.

Dunnersfella

4100 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 887

#1541550 25-Apr-2016 11:23

Buying second hand makes that tricky... if you can audition, do!