Any Amps/Receivers with excellent stereo sound and HDMI with ARC?

[Mollybendium]

I'm keen to try an ARC enabled amp between about $2k and $5k.  Inputs will be TV, HTPC, and maybe Oppo.  I don't mind how many channels it can drive, but I'll only be driving stereo to Canterbury SEs.

 

Any suggestions for something awesome?

[Guest]

If you want to buy an HTR for music, then buy a NAD. With your price range, you can buy a very nice one indeed. A T787 sounds better than quite a few dedicated stereo amplifiers at the same price. Arrange an in home trial if you can - you'll be blown away.

 

A couple of years ago I was talking to a mate I'd lost touch with for ten years (a former sound engineer employee of mine) who told me he stopped listening to music since it went digital. I enquired further and found out he was running a Yamaha pre/power combination and a Yamaha CD player with his beloved Tannoy Super Reds. The hard part was convincing him that the real culprit was the Yamaha gear. I got him to try a second hand NAD T773 HTR (paid $500 for it) and let the NAD do the digital decoding. One listen and he gave the pre/power combo the flick and hasn't looked back. He and his partner (also a former recording engineer) have rediscovered their joy of listening to music and it hasn't worn off a couple of years later.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Guest

[Mollybendium]

Great - thanks for the tip.  I'll look into the NAD gear.

I ran a NAD amp about 20 years ago - I forget the model but it was a neat little unit.

[LHC]

I'm keen to try an ARC enabled amp between about $2k and $5k.  Inputs will be TV, HTPC, and maybe Oppo.  I don't mind how many channels it can drive, but I'll only be driving stereo to Canterbury SEs.

 

Any suggestions for something awesome?

AFAIK there are no product on the market that combines all the useful digital processing capabilities (ARC, multiple hdmi decoding) of a home theatre receiver (HTR/AVR) with a quality two channel stereo amplifier. The NAD 390DD is a step in that direction, but it does not give you everything. So I see that people generally couple a dedicated AV processor with two channel power amps (or how many channels you fancy), and that would be a good compromised solution.

 

If you want to go for a traditional AV receiver, I would suggests you audition a range of brands within your price range, and not just NAD receivers. AVRs are built to a price point and they all faced the same compromises, NAD gears are not somehow special in that regard. Like you, I also owned a NAD 3020B amp 20+ years ago, and loved their sound. But a decade later when I auditioned NAD AVR against similarly priced receivers from Harmon Kardon and Sony, my family all found the Sony to sound distinctively more musical. It was a surprise but we bought the Sony. So, please do audition a wide selection of amps to see which has the best synergy with your speakers, Anthem, Arcam to name a few, and also the NAD. What you find may also surprise you. 

[Kaynin]

If you want to buy an HTR for music, then buy a NAD. With your price range, you can buy a very nice one indeed. A T787 sounds better than quite a few dedicated stereo amplifiers at the same price. Arrange an in home trial if you can - you'll be blown away.

 

A couple of years ago I was talking to a mate I'd lost touch with for ten years (a former sound engineer employee of mine) who told me he stopped listening to music since it went digital. I enquired further and found out he was running a Yamaha pre/power combination and a Yamaha CD player with his beloved Tannoy Super Reds. The hard part was convincing him that the real culprit was the Yamaha gear. I got him to try a second hand NAD T773 HTR (paid $500 for it) and let the NAD do the digital decoding. One listen and he gave the pre/power combo the flick and hasn't looked back. He and his partner (also a former recording engineer) have rediscovered their joy of listening to music and it hasn't worn off a couple of years later.

The T787 is an excellent suggestion because it has two toroidal transformers. I have bi-amped my fronts with the T787 and it seriously makes them sing. It's bang on the OP's guidelines. As always, worth listening to other products, but the T787 is a superb start.

[bjc]

Most avr's these days have either HT Bypass or Pure Direct mode which makes a world of difference to the sound.

As LHC has said, let your ears be the judge (if you get the chance!) and also look for the all the features you would want and also what sounds chips the avr is using. At a $5k max price point you could go separate pre and power amp combo...

[Guest]

Yes, NAD went through a lean period when it was owned by AudioNord, who were really a distribution company and had no real interest in developing the NAD brand. NAD has been on the rise since Lenbrook bought NAD in ~1998 and set up new research and development labs. The Simmonds Family, who own the private company Lenbrook, made a special point of appointing Dr. Martin L. Borish, the founder of New Acoustic Dimension which became known as NAD, as Chairman of the new NAD company to make sure that NAD was reminded of the reason for its existence - music first!

 

When I first met Dr Borish he was nearing 80 and about to retire, but still had an influential role. Lenbrook also retained or re-engaged Bjørn Erik Edvardsen, famous for the original 3020 giant killing amplifier. Neil Wilson, an Australian from Sydney and former worldwide sales director for KEF, became NAD's international sales and marketing director and still is. Neil was the driving force behind NAD creating the Masters Series under the technical direction of Greg Stidson and Neil and I had many conversations about the Masters Series over the years and I share Neil's pride for how far NAD have come.

 

By the early 2000s, NAD was consistently producing fantastic sounding products across the whole range, although there were inevitable quality control issues (mostly affecting AVRs) as a consequence of a small company doing a lot of things really fast. I think the QC issues are behind them now, but I have been working in professional audio for the past few years and have lost touch. Anyone with a bad experience from the 10-20 years ago should give NAD another go. They really *are* special IMHO. No other manufacturer that I know of offers such commanding and musical performance from AVRs in the sub $5k price range. IMO NAD AVRs often outperform similarly priced stereo amplifiers for 2 channel music reproduction quality.

Edited October 6, 2014 by Guest

[Mollybendium]

Thanks guys - I've been reading reviews of the NAD amps (T787, 390DD, M2, etc.) and a few other AVRs. It's hard to arrange in home trials, or even comparison trials of a decent range of gear, in Perth. I basically have to rely on expert reviews and as many opinions from people such as you to make a considered opinion and purchase.  There seems to be a bit of a gap in the market for an AV amp with high quality stereo.  Anyway - again, thanks. I'll be considering all the suggestions, including the HT bypass which could be an simple solution.

[Guest]

Frank Prouse was quite a large NAD dealer in Perth when I owned a hi fi shop last decade. Being a long established family business, if you get to know them I am sure they would be very helpful.

[Mollybendium]

Good thinking - I'll check out Frank Prowse.  Actually, I bought my first Opp from them - the 83SE.  I thought they didn't sell NAD gear but maybe they do.

 

Seems a lot of good reviews for the Pioneer SC-79 also.  I'll have to see if I can find somewhere to audition at least a few things side by side.

[Kaynin]

Seems a lot of good reviews for the Pioneer SC-79 also.  I'll have to see if I can find somewhere to audition at least a few things side by side.

 

That would be an ideal way to go about it, also with in home trials (often harder as you mentioned) but SNA may help out with many excellent members on your side of the country.    Your budget is pretty healthy to get what you're looking for, good luck!

[Juicester]

better off spending about $900 or so on an AVR with preouts and $4000 on an integrated amp with HT bypass. Better sound quality for music - sure your box count is one higher, but the system is also more flexible too.

[Black Orange]

better off spending about $900 or so on an AVR with preouts and $4000 on an integrated amp with HT bypass. Better sound quality for music - sure your box count is one higher, but the system is also more flexible too.

 

 

^ Completely agree 

 

Another option:

 

Have a look at the Oppo 's 103 and 105.

 

I believe they have 2 HDMI inputs. 

 

As you are just driving 2 channels, you could get an Oppo and connect the HDMI sources

to it and then use the stereo pre outs from the Oppo to connect to a good 2 channel amp. 

Best of both worlds...

[Mollybendium]

^ Completely agree 

 

Another option:

 

Have a look at the Oppo 's 103 and 105.

 

I believe they have 2 HDMI inputs. 

 

As you are just driving 2 channels, you could get an Oppo and connect the HDMI sources

to it and then use the stereo pre outs from the Oppo to connect to a good 2 channel amp. 

Best of both worlds...

 

Hmm - that sounds like a great idea.  Just read some reviews of the Oppo and it supports ARC.  Also, I've used Oppo 83SE and 95 and they've both been excellent. Might be a silly question, but does the 105 have volume control?  One issue I have at the moment is that my old school amp doesn't have any remote control, so if I were to stick with that amp I would have to connect ARC from TV to Oppo, Oppo to amp, and control volume through the Oppo.

[Benje]

Yes, 103 and 105 have volume control. Also do bass management if you so choose - feed a sub and also feed a power amp.

It is debatable whether it is the best solution, but it does work. Just make sure you know what you are doing, as sometimes the oppo can be sending full volume to the amp. Be careful after firmware updates or when you first set things up. Turn your amp down if you can.

[Mollybendium]

Ok - thanks for the tips.  I'm just reading through the Oppo 105 manual and it looks like it might be a good solution.  I can control the volume on my old amp for when I have updates or settings changes - just not remotely.  Painful to have to get up all the time to turn the volume up or down!

[wolster]

Good thinking - I'll check out Frank Prowse.  Actually, I bought my first Opp from them - the 83SE.  I thought they didn't sell NAD gear but maybe they do.

 

Seems a lot of good reviews for the Pioneer SC-79 also.  I'll have to see if I can find somewhere to audition at least a few things side by side.

 

My recollection is that Frank Prowse stopped selling NAD AVRs due to reliability issues. But that was a while ago. 

[Guest]

Maybe Frank Prowse has stopped selling NAD. It will not be because it was any less reliable than anything else, it will be because the relationship with the supplier was strained for some reason.

[betty boop]

I'm keen to try an ARC enabled amp between about $2k and $5k.  Inputs will be TV, HTPC, and maybe Oppo.  I don't mind how many channels it can drive, but I'll only be driving stereo to Canterbury SEs.

 

Any suggestions for something awesome?

 

$2k-$5k would buy a lovely 2ch integrated with ht bypass…and can choose one that matches your speakers the best. that is if planning to hook up via analog.

 

otherwise look for something from the likes of arcam, rotel, nad, cambridge audio. all with good solutions avr wise that do music well

[Mollybendium]

Another one that keeps popping up as having all the functions I want is the Lyngdorf TDAI-2170 with an HDMI board installed.  Has good reviews - shame the price is so high!

[Audiotech Canberra]

Either the nad 787 or the cambridge audio 751r v2. Both sound great. The Cambridge is probably the closest thing to going dedicated 2ch. Massive toroidal transformer, 200wrms @ 6ohm 2 channels driven and bi amp capable. Or at the top end of your budget spend $1500ish on receiver and $3500 on 2 channel with ht bypass.

[LHC]

AFAIK there are no product on the market that combines all the useful digital processing capabilities (ARC, multiple hdmi decoding) of a home theatre receiver (HTR/AVR) with a quality two channel stereo amplifier. The NAD 390DD is a step in that direction, but it does not give you everything. So I see that people generally couple a dedicated AV processor with two channel power amps (or how many channels you fancy), and that would be a good compromised solution.

 

 

 

Ok, the OP was back in Oct 2014, and the original poster would probably have found his ideal amp for stereo sound. I posted at the time that there are no product on the market that combines HT digital processing capabilities with a quality two channel amp. Finally that has changed with Arcam releasing a new AVR dedicated to stereo, the SR250. It has streaming capabilities, 4K upscaling, room corrections, digital radio, the key desirable capabilities of a AVR. The amplification is G, meaning class A for much of the time, with the extra grunt of class A/B when action in movies demand it. 

 

https://www.aussiehifi.com.au/arcam-sr250-integrated-amplifier

 

 

 

 

 

This does look like a near prefect solution for those of us with the unique need for a quality two channel amp that could also do HT. The problem is the price, a whooping AUD$5,699! For 5 less channels than the usual AVR the price is triple of what one would normally pay   

[oldrose]

 

 

This does look like a near prefect solution for those of us with the unique need for a quality two channel amp that could also do HT. The problem is the price, a whooping AUD$5,699! For 5 less channels than the usual AVR the price is triple of what one would normally pay   

 

Nice solution for a single room setup if you only want Stereo audio and have a mostly digital setup

[betty boop]

arcams have always been a good choice for av amps with good 2ch LHC, along with nad, rotel, cambridge audio to name a few. some other brands like denon and marantz also get better 2ch as go up the range. get what you pay for....

 

ps as a note even arcam engineers are on record as saying wiht previous flagship avr that about as good as their base model 2ch integrated ! so if wanting 2ch and ht and best of both worlds a different avr partnered with one of their 2ch integrated or pre pwrs for some might be a better option

[betty boop]

ps I notice this arcam is now made in vietnam...probably rolling off the same production line as the anthem cut price new range...which then begs the question why isn't this cheaper like the new anthem range ?