New Receiver Recommenations

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sbowness

225 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#243637 22-Dec-2018 09:12

With the sales around the corner and my Christmas bonus in my pocket, I'm looking to replace my receiver and would be grateful for recommendations, please.

I currently have an Onkyo TX-NR609 which is running a Wharfedale Diamond 10 5.1 speaker set. Connected to it is a Samsung 55" Series 6 from 2011 which does have 3D (and which does get used), a Fire TV, Chromecast and a Panasonic Blu-Ray. It's mainly used for home theatre but does get some work with music, particularly church choral music, which does require clarity.

I'm after something which will bring me up to date with streaming options and device compatibility (although the current one has no problems with what I currently use it for). I'm not looking to change the speaker set up any time soon and Atmos isn't really a consideration. The TV is mounted on the wall, so with current furniture I'd like to have it on the middle shelf of my AV unit so that I can put the speaker on the top shelf, directly beneath the TV. The height of that shelf is 20cm, so it would need to be less than that to allow for ventilation. Something that doesn't run too hot (like the Onkyo) would also be helpful. Or, I could change the furniture...

Budget - up to $1500-ish.

I've had a quick look through some reviews and the Denon AVR-X2500H and Marantz NR1609 seem to fit the bill. I've seen one comment that the Marantz might find the speakers a bit of a challenge as the output is only 50W per channel. The big speakers have a sensitivity of 89dB.

Any guidance or alternative recommendations that you can give would be very gratefully received.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#2149318 22-Dec-2018 15:25

Your speakers aren't overly low sensitivity-wise, however they are 6ohm nominal... again, not overly demanding on a receiver.

BUT how low does the impedance drop to under load? The newer Diamond 220's drop to 3.3ohms, which could potentially cause the likes of a slimline Marantz to go into protection mode.

I'd not go for a slimline receiver on any of the Wharfedale range if you can help it. They tend to be paired that way in stores these days though as the distributor for Denon/Marantz and Wharfedale are the same... so they sell them to retailers as bundles. I don't believe any decent HiFi store would spec them as such though.

What part of the country are you in? I could point you to a retailer or two if need be... ones who actually have the amps setup so you can use their remote / app and see how they run.

cshwone

1070 posts

Uber Geek

#2149326 22-Dec-2018 15:35

I am a great fan of Yamaha receivers and have had various over the last 30 years. This might future proof you a wee bit

https://www.listeningpost.co.nz/Brands/Yamaha/Yamaha-RX-A780-Network-Receiver-__I.232184__C.27268__N.27183

Slightly above your budget but the sales may throw up a better price.

sbowness

225 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#2149351 22-Dec-2018 16:21

Dunnersfella:

Your speakers aren't overly low sensitivity-wise, however they are 6ohm nominal... again, not overly demanding on a receiver.

BUT how low does the impedance drop to under load? The newer Diamond 220's drop to 3.3ohms, which could potentially cause the likes of a slimline Marantz to go into protection mode.

I'd not go for a slimline receiver on any of the Wharfedale range if you can help it. They tend to be paired that way in stores these days though as the distributor for Denon/Marantz and Wharfedale are the same... so they sell them to retailers as bundles. I don't believe any decent HiFi store would spec them as such though.

What part of the country are you in? I could point you to a retailer or two if need be... ones who actually have the amps setup so you can use their remote / app and see how they run.

Thanks for this. I'm in Lower Hutt.

sbowness

225 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#2149359 22-Dec-2018 16:48

cshwone:

I am a great fan of Yamaha receivers and have had various over the last 30 years. This might future proof you a wee bit

https://www.listeningpost.co.nz/Brands/Yamaha/Yamaha-RX-A780-Network-Receiver-__I.232184__C.27268__N.27183

Slightly above your budget but the sales may throw up a better price.

Falls into the "-ish" bit. Thanks for the suggestion.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#2149360 22-Dec-2018 16:48

Aside from the standard Harvey Norman options, head into town and check out Listening Post.
Probably the best knowledge.

sbowness

225 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#2149361 22-Dec-2018 16:49

Dunnersfella:

Aside from the standard Harvey Norman options, head into town and check out Listening Post.
Probably the best knowledge.

Thanks for that. My preference would be to avoid Harvey Norman anyway unless I know exactly what I want.

Mod Edit MM: Read the FUG - refer to companies by their correct name.

sbowness

225 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#2151274 28-Dec-2018 07:27

Thanks for the recommendations so far. Sadly, the Yamaha hasn’t come on special during the sales and the Listening Post in Wellington is closed over the break. However, I have been in Auckland and paid a visit to AV World (as you do). They have the Marantz SR5013 on special. I didn’t get a chance to listen to it but does anyone have any thoughts, please?

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robbon44

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2151281 28-Dec-2018 08:23

I have had a couple of marantz units and pioneer. I still have the sr5007. I use it for stereo music and home theatre with a 5.1 surround but it’s capable of 7.2 and 4k. I have found it more than capable and the sound much more inviting than the pioneer. I would be surprised if the 5013 was anything less.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#2151329 28-Dec-2018 09:47

If you want to get a cheaper price on the Marantz, just e-mail OnLine HiFi... they are the distributors and do some pretty wicked deals that undercut retailers. They just finished their Boxing Day sale, but it's definitely worth playing them off against AV World!