Yamaha vs pioneer amp

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Loismustdye

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#262010 29-Dec-2019 20:39

The wife has giving me permission to start building a HT system for the lounge which has the rear speakers wiring already in the walls.
Currently considering the Yamaha rx-v685
https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/audio/blu-ray-and-home-theatre/av-receivers-and-audio-components/yamaha7.2-channel-wifi-av-receiver-en.html

And the pioneer vsx933
https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/audio/blu-ray-and-home-theatre/av-receivers-and-audio-components/pioneer-7.2-channel-wifi-av-receiver-en-3.html

Both are similarly specced but with a big difference in price on special.
Speakers won’t be purchased until I’ve saved a bit more money later in the year, but this is likely to be in the region of 2-2.5k tops.
Anyone able to recommend one brand over the other?
I’ve no experience with either so looking for people who either if the two brands or the amps themselves.

My other option was to just get the Samsung q90 Soundbar and be ready from the get go. My brother has this and it does work quite well.
https://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/audio/blu-ray-and-home-theatre/sound-bars/samsung-7.1.4-channel-soundbar-wireless-rear-speaker-wireless-subwoofer.html
TIA

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#2382663 29-Dec-2019 21:27

I have a Yamaha stereo receiver and the performance is excellent, but Musiccast leaves a lot to be desired. I have problems with it cutting out when playing Tidal and, to a lesser extent, with Airplay. It also doesn't support Airplay 2 which I think is highly desirable for future proofing.

dafman

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#2382670 29-Dec-2019 22:17

"My other option was to just get the Samsung q90 Soundbar and be ready from the get go."

Don't do it! I had a 5.1 set up (Yamaha receiver and Energy speakers) but moved house and had to get a soundbar (Sony HT CT800) as the new house did not permit the 5.1 set up.

A soundbar cannot replicate the immersion, depth and separation from a true HT set up. You are on the right track, buy the receiver now and speakers later on. Don't compromise with the soundbar.

I can't comment on Pioneer, but I have owned two Yamaha HT receivers and have been extremely happy with both.

Dunnersfella

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#2382690 29-Dec-2019 23:06

alasta:

I have a Yamaha stereo receiver and the performance is excellent, but Musiccast leaves a lot to be desired. I have problems with it cutting out when playing Tidal and, to a lesser extent, with Airplay. It also doesn't support Airplay 2 which I think is highly desirable for future proofing.

If it's cutting out when playing Tidal, then it will be down to its network connection - are you running WiFi or ethernet?

What router do you have?

Airplay seldom causes anyone issues now-a-days... is the aerial intact on the back of the amplifier?

Dunnersfella

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#2382692 29-Dec-2019 23:09

To the OP.

The decision to go with a sound bar over a cinema setup with 5.1 speakers is quite common.

Ultimately though, the only reason I'd ever recommend a sound bar when either can be put in a room is that you just don't have the space.

I would recommend the AVR + speaker approach 99 times out of 100.

driller2000

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#2382712 30-Dec-2019 07:19

Have had several Pioneer amps over the years and have found them to be powerful and reliable with one lasting 20 years so far.

Only recently purchased a 2nd hand Yamaha (older model) - and it seems to do the job - perhaps not as grunty despite the specs? I know they were marketed as being more musical back in the day - if that means anything to you.

Probably best (as always) to just audition both of them with material you like/know (ideally with the speakers you have in mind) and make a decision based on that. (Noting that even an "hour" long session in a demo room - is not the same as at home, in your room, over many days/weeks/months/years...)

wazzageek

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#2382724 30-Dec-2019 08:53

I really like the Yamaha that I have currently - it's a little long in the tooth now (still supports "vTuner") -

Check the cabling that's in place too - I went to some decent cables for the speakers, the sound was infinitely better (I've bi-wired the front speakers ready to go to bi-amp when I step up)

Looking over the specs of the two, I would consider if you are an Apple or Android household (Yamaha is airplay, Pioneer has the chromecast)

The soundbar would give you better sound that the TV - if you're buying the amp now, but no speakers - what's your plan until you can get the speakers? (You are probably better off getting some decent second hard front speakers in the meantime than going with a sound bar)

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alasta

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#2382756 30-Dec-2019 09:57

If you do go down the soundbar route then you would be better off getting the Bose 500 or 700 so that you still have expansion potential later.

The HT gurus on here will tell you, probably quite rightly, that 'real' HT will outperform anything from Bose but if you really have to do the soundbar thing then this is not a bad option.

robbon44

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#2382837 30-Dec-2019 11:24

I agree

I use the Bose soundbar and sub combination for everyday tv viewing but for movies or major events we drop the big screen, switch to projector and the full HT amp driven 7.1

The Bose soundbar and sub do a pretty good job. The soundbar also has Alexa so doubles up as our radio source in the mornings or when the PlayStation is on...😀

Edit - to add I used to have pioneer amps and whilst they were pretty solid I switched to marantz and have never looked back. Great with music, movies and connectivity. They are also affordable.

Dunnersfella

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#2382852 30-Dec-2019 12:23

The Bose bar + sub are okay if you go for the 700 series.

The sub 500 (the lower spec'd unit) is a bit of a lightweight though.

Having said that, if you're looking at bars, then there's far more options out there other than lifestyle only companies like Bose.

Again, I'd go for an AVR.

Out of the two listed by the OP, the Pioneer has been replaced by the VSX934... but the feature specs are relatively similar.

The financial future of Pioneer home audio is in doubt now that the main part of the business (Onkyo/Integra) has announced cuts and a desire to exit the AV industry in favour of OEM car and getting their brands badges slapped on the front of suitable appliances (tablets / phones / microwaves... you know the drill).

Onkyo Pioneer Corp cuts

So will the Pioneer have backup in the future?

I think the brand with the most stable financial base / backup capability will be Yamaha, followed by the Sound United brands (Denon/Marantz)... but even then there's talk about the future of Marantz under Sound United after they gassed their long time spokes person and have re-branded HEOS under the Denon flag...

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#2382912 30-Dec-2019 12:59

I just got myself the yamaha rxv 685 myself yesterday! So far I love it. Just need to move a couple of my rear speakers to put on the ceiling for dolby atmos and dts x!

tukapa1

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#2382972 30-Dec-2019 16:55

I'd be including this in your considerations as well....

I've had Pioneer and Marantz (currently) and both have been good.

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FineWine

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#2382981 30-Dec-2019 17:26

I have the Yamaha RX-V1085 which I got for $1800 in July this year. I see HN have them, now, for $1830. I went for this slightly higher spec as I wanted more control on the 2nd Zone outside stereo speaker setup.

I am very happy with it, except, occasionally, especially with Netflix, there is an audio lag when I use HDMI eARC. Just every so often. It often corrects itself.

Note: Just discovered both models have software updates dated 2019-12-10. Will have to check my machine.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Loismustdye

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#2382983 30-Dec-2019 17:28

Wow, some pretty good replies there, thanks all.

Im going from the old HTIAB setup, hence Ive had to bide my time with the wife till the appropriate sales etc have arrived.
Judging the responses the yamaha would be the winner of the two AVRs, I do like the idea of a sound-bar however like some have said the sound wouldnt really be as good.

Initially i would prolly just get a cheap 5.1 speaker setup (like the old classic bose cube speakers or similar, as these can be picked up cheap and would likely be fine till i saved some $$ up).

However until @tukappa1 linked that marantz amp I had thought I had made my mind up, that looks like the gear and would play friendly with our apple based household.
Guess i better go read some reviews now lol.

Again, thanks all for the advice, appreciate the thoughts from those that know a bit more about this sort of stuff than myself.

FineWine

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#2382984 30-Dec-2019 17:33

The above update brings:

This firmware includes

To bring Amazon Music and 3PDA (enhanced Alexa Voice Control) functionalities.

PS: the Yamaha plays very nice in our TOTAL Apple household

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Loismustdye

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#2382995 30-Dec-2019 18:25

FineWine:
The above update brings:

This firmware includes

To bring Amazon Music and 3PDA (enhanced Alexa Voice Control) functionalities.

PS: the Yamaha plays very nice in our TOTAL Apple household

Does the yamaha support “airplay 2”?
Saw online somewhere that a firmware update was meant to address this.

Edit: scratch that, they do support AirPlay 2.

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