Two Channel Stereo with an AVR?

In the past few years, AV receivers have become real options for enjoying true HiFi stereo. I discuss some that I recommend.

[@redkh2017]

I totally agree, I have a dedicated 2 channels amp, and a denon 4500 avr reciever, and tried running 2 channel stereo using an Ifi dac/amp as a preamp connected to an AMC 2100 200 watts poweramp against using just the denon 4500 while streaming tidal mqa and hifi music and found that using the denon was more immersive, the sound was cleaner and more precise.

[@Shawn-fu3mp]

I believe that newr AVR's have better DACs these days and IMO, is the biggest component in affecting music quality. I suggest a model with the DAC you prefer for music...ie Burr Brown or ESS Sabre..

[@arena_rock_man9030]

That NAD is a dollar short of $3,200 for a 9.2 AV receiver! We have options from Pioneer in their elite series for half that price at 11.2 system that can be reconfigured to 7.2.4. For $3200 you can get an Outlaw home theater processor unit and home theater power amplifier and still have money to spare. The NAD brand name commands too high a price than what they have to offer.

[@afelcandy]

And NAD has reliability issues related all over the web 😬😬

[@darrinfyfe7728]

all the AVR's I bought all had 2 channel mode and the ability to turn off auto EQ/calibration. Maybe you mean the low cost versions? I usually budgeted $1200 when I bought them every 10 years or less.

[@BFArch0n]

You can just run a dac into the reciver aux in and using an amp means you can have surround for everything and then a good 2 channel through the same system with that dedicated dac

[@ekimandersom4478]

Then you would need 2 sets of front speakers

[@iamthewalrusking]

How are you able to use the AVR as a stereo AND surround sound? If you have 5.1 setup how do you shut off the surrounds to listen to only 2 channel music? Thank you!

[@Trph]

I own an x3800h and apple tv. When Denon detects i am listening to the music in Apple Music it will switch to stereo mode automatically. This will then use only the two front speakers. When music is a Spatial Audio it will switch to atmos automatically too. This will then use the front L+R and the surround L+R

[@PaulMrPKcom]

Hi thanks for this video. I own a 20 years old NAD 7 channel power amp. Its huge and heavy Not sure IF I should keep it and add a modern av pre/pro ? Or instead buy a New Av receiver like the Denon you mention ? I have feeling that new amps Are not as good as old like mine :)

[@hifihometheater]

hard to say. plenty of those older amps still sound just as good as the newer ones, some not as much. I think if you like how your amp sounds, keep it and buy a preamp or AVR that can act as a preamp with the features you want and try it out

[@PaulMrPKcom]

@@hifihometheater thanks and sorry for my spelling ha ha.. phones... Yeah I think the amp i have is even better than many new. Off it's heavy it is good in most cases. :) I will probably be looking for a modern pre amp.. thanks

[@calibre00]

I have the x3700h and think its really the sweetspot price wise, it has almost all of the benefits of the x4700 except -20w and no Auro3d personally these weren't enough to justify +$500 as i run external amplification anyway, imo it sounds fantastic with super clean pre-outs and represents better value imo. 2c

[@BFArch0n]

Love my 3600

[@bdsattern]

Is a $90K/$200K/$1M system a relevant comparison?

[@redkh2017]

@P T creating a phantom image is mostly correct speaker placement, even the cheapest speakers and avr/amps achieve that

[@redkh2017]

@P T I am sitting in front of my desktop computer with a pair of speakers from creative, 2.1 connected directly to my pc (using the pc's own poor dac) and getting a perfect precise phantom image and great sound stage, so I can't imagine that it depends on quality of the system. I just placed the speakers a bit far apart, aiming towards me thus creating a triangle with my seating position.

[@justinbyrne5736]

I just add my Arcam SA20 Stereo Amp, to the Front Left and Right Preouts of my AV Receiver, Arcam Stereo Amp has Processor Mode so can Bypass the Volume of the Stereo Amp use AV Receivers Volume for Movie's. I then turn off AV Receiver, just add Music Sources to Arcam Stereo Amp for better more enjoyable music playback, gives me best of both worlds, bonus being able to use same set of front Left & Right speakers for Movies and Also Stereo Music

[@hotrod5853]

My friends NAD has been out for repairs more than he has listen to it! Don't know if he just got a lemon, I told him to demand a new unit, this is the 3rd time it's been out, and there not cheap.

[@Rob9mm]

Been hearing this way too often.

[@afelcandy]

NAD products have been bashed for their reliability issues, unfortunately...

[@ekimandersom4478]

They all have that problem. NAD is not reliable

[@thor7564]

Modern NADs suck in build quality and about all AVRs suck on 2ch. stereo. Use AVRs for surround sound and use 2ch stereo for….stereo. It's that easy.

[@alexpal1495]

Do they have room correction built in?

[@hifihometheater]

most of them do. the ones I have used all do

[@bikdav]

My two receivers have them.

[@michaelburke5750]

What's your opinion regarding the Marantz cinema 60?

[@hifihometheater]

I’m sure it’s a nice AVR, I just don’t like the Marantz house sound. I prefer the Denon versions

[@webman1956]

@@hifihometheater What are your thoughts on the Sony STR-DH190?

[@hifihometheater]

​@@webman1956 Ive never used it but it looks like a nice receiver and I like Sony. If it fits your needs and budget, I say go for it

[@xxxXXXCH04XXXxxx]

Why not bypassing?

[@nonametofame]

The NAD 778 has been the only AVR that has gotten close to a dedicated 2ch separates system in terms of sound quality. I found most AVRS out of the box, have a muddy, and collapsed soundstage, with poor center imaging. It typically requires the room correction to fix a lot of its problems, even in a fully treated space. I'm hoping we see better performance in future models, as I do feel they are starting to bridge the gap, but some manufacturers do save their best parts and components for their flagship processors.

[@Godschildjesus]

Me: Marantz AV 7005 pre, Yamaha M85, Marantz CD6006, SVS sb12, Sunfire D-10, Wharfedale EVO 4.2's, I haven't heard anything better yet, stay separates, stay gold pony boy!

[@quebecforce111]

Onkyo AVR for music in 2 channel are very good to

[@ekimandersom4478]

Just buy a good stereo integrated amp with HT pass through. That way you can play from your avr or use the 2 channel for music on the same speakers.

[@duranarts]

I personally never understood the separation. AVRs are just too convenient for the general consumer, whereas Stereo receivers just feel limiting (no room for expansion). I guess the same goes for DAC/amp separates and bi-amping (which is much more technical). You have to wonder how many audiophiles are enough enthusiasts where price and hassle (to some degree if you don't mind tinkering) is not a problem. I have a suspicion that all in ones will slowly win the race.

[@arena_rock_man9030]

What separates offer is eliminating signal noise out of the pathway of the original signal. When you have all of the components inside a single box, you are highly likely to introduce noise to the pathway which the audio signal travels through. Separates remove all the possible interference into the original signal source and preserve and maintain that original signal. This creates a clarity and a air of separation to all the individual instruments and vocals within a song file.

[@Keith-ux9ku]

I disagree. My Denon avr doesn't have nearly the features my 1974 Yamaha intergrated. I need tone and a balance control for my listening space and there's no balance control on the Denon.

[@hifihometheater]

Your Denon doesn’t have channel level adjustment or graphic EQ? What model is it?

[@dizzle1119]

I just bought one of the Emotiva pretuners with a home theater bypass. Is it perfect? No. Is it better than nothing? Yep. Wasn't all that expensive either. EDIT: NAD gear costs a fortune because it says NAD on it. That's that...

[@cpg8000]

No

[@hifihometheater]

not even a maybe?

[@cpg8000]

@@hifihometheater alright….you broke me down! :) Maybe… I guess what I find is that we are in an age of AVRs now that certainly sound “very acceptable”, in 2ch compared with maybe 10yrs ago where that was harder. The issue for me is that when you hear a finer 2-ch system, it spoils you completely by comparison. Then again, isn’t that the truth with just about everything is life?