2 Channel or Home Theater for best HiFi?

[pixelthis]

Ron, from a Vietnam vet, Grateful Thanks for your service flying your 60.

If you get a chance can you send somethying nice to Pixelthis (one of our mentally challenged members). Perhaps a carton of balut or maybe some nice chocolate coated camel spiders. Something for him to munch on while he is watching his new Vizio LCD.

I am more for a complete 5.1 system for HT and music (with Onkyo receiver). The midline receivers like the 706 include the Music Optimizer which improves the quality of compressed audio such as MP3. The digital 9555 does not have this. A friend who has a lot of MP3 scratch says the similar circuitry on his Yamaha receiver makes a significant improvement in the sound of MP3. The Onkyo's have a pretty fine amp for a receiver. I'd bet a six pack of San Miguel you couldn't hear any difference from that digital Integrated amp. Just some food for thought. However, it looks like you might already have a decision made. Good luck.

RR6

(for Pixelthis, is that the singer above they call Pink?)

Now all we need are pictures of the scorpions.
Nope, that is too conservative for pink.
AT YOUR REQUEST;

[pixelthis]

Ron, from a Vietnam vet, Grateful Thanks for your service flying your 60.

If you get a chance can you send somethying nice to Pixelthis (one of our mentally challenged members). Perhaps a carton of balut or maybe some nice chocolate coated camel spiders. Something for him to munch on while he is watching his new Vizio LCD.

I am more for a complete 5.1 system for HT and music (with Onkyo receiver). The midline receivers like the 706 include the Music Optimizer which improves the quality of compressed audio such as MP3. The digital 9555 does not have this. A friend who has a lot of MP3 scratch says the similar circuitry on his Yamaha receiver makes a significant improvement in the sound of MP3. The Onkyo's have a pretty fine amp for a receiver. I'd bet a six pack of San Miguel you couldn't hear any difference from that digital Integrated amp. Just some food for thought. However, it looks like you might already have a decision made. Good luck.

RR6

(for Pixelthis, is that the singer above they call Pink?)

I have heard of these "equalization" circuits, they sound like painting a twelve year old house trailer.
I have seen a lot upgrading their current "receiver", nothin wrong with that.
But what ever happened to an "upgrade" path?
Is a receiver playin crappy MP3'S over midline speakers what you aspire to?
I am currently on an "upgrade" path, and yes I GOT SIDE TRACKED.
But if I BUY A NEW RECEIVER THAT WOULD BE A STEP BACK.
So I will concentrate on getting a prepro, my current receiver will be the amp until I can get one of those.
I had decided to put this off, but with the purchase of his amp,
Rich is father along towards a serious HT than me.
This slap in the face by the b##ch of reality has spurred me on.
I am back on the upgrade path.
Or an old age spent eating alpo while I watch the "motel" sign outta the window.
Wonder what time the title loan place opens....

[RoadRunner6]

I helped a friend buy and set up his HT system last year. He's actually a musician and has a pretty decent ear. He and his wife have huge collection of MP3 music (I have zero) and wanted to be able to play it. So I found a Yammie receiver that had the music expander or whatever they call it. He got the Yammie MP3 accessory for the receiver. All I know is that he said it definitley made an audible inprovement.

Yeah, I knew that was Maria. I've just never seen her look so delicious, especially in pink!

I think if I was going to upgrade my receiver soon, I (being a big bamg for the buck guy) would seriously look at that new Onkyo pre/pro (brother of the Integra 9.8?..can't remember the exact models numbers now). It to me looks like an excellent unit and actually a better bargain than either the new Rotel or Marantz (8003) which are both tested in the current issue of Home Theater.

The Emotiva, XPA-5, 5 channel amp gets my motor running. Wow, what a buy.

RR6

[RoadRunner6]

I think it might be the Integra DHC-9.9/Onkyo PR-SC885P. Also, that Outlaw 997 that Nightflier posted looks very interesting.

[02audionoob]

Mariah has her moments when looking delicious.

[RoadRunner6]

Sorry, I left off an "h". That must stand for hot!

[Rich-n-Texas]

I think it might be the Integra DHC-9.9/Onkyo PR-SC885P. Also, that Outlaw 997 that Nightflier posted looks very interesting.

Parasound Halo. Give them a good hard look!

[dblarano]

There are many high end audio store in manila, especially in Makati district. DVDs are of high quality. I am from Laguna ,Philippines.

[nightflier]

I think it might be the Integra DHC-9.9/Onkyo PR-SC885P. Also, that Outlaw 997 that Nightflier posted looks very interesting.

Well I am probably the only one here who will say it, but I actually have the Onkyo 9555 and I am not too impressed with it. What's a real downer on that model isn't so much the sound or the performance (more on that below), but rather the less-than-well-thought-out feature set. For example, you can't put the darned thing in standby more from the front controls (you need the remote to do that). On the other hand, the remote is also full of other features not found on the front (I hate that), but to add insult to injury, the most useful features (IMO) are actually not on the remote - I'm thinking of speaker A/B selection, Pure-Audio mode, etc. The thing also lacks a 12v trigger, which considering it doesn't have a tuner, is a bit odd. The 9555 also doesn't do so well with heavy loads, like what you'll see with 4 ohm speakers, where it quickly runs out of steam. Got 2 sets of 4 ohm speakers? Too bad, the amp will balk at it. That all wouldn't be so bad if it actually had pre-outs, but it doesn't. I read the positive reviews as well but it's really misleading when people keep comparing it to units costing 2-3x as much. Yes, it comes in at a bargain basement price, but frankly, Onkyo cut a lot of corners to get that low down into the barrel.

Now onto the sound, it's OK, but nothing to scream about either. Yes, I like the fact that it's a class-d switching amp and that it runs cool, but it doesn't sound very good. The best way to describe it is that it sounds lifeless. And the phono section? Fuhgetaboutit, it's bested by the least expensive external units from Pro-Ject and Cambridge. So while at $600-ish I suppose it's an OK buy, for my money the NAD C355 is a better value (I have the C325BEE and I think even that one sounds better at just $250). If you must have class-d switching, a second hand PS Audio GCA-100 would be the way to go - much better quality all-around and oodles of amperage / power. I've auditioned both that one and the GCA-250, and kept the latter because it was a great value, especially considering the convenience / feature-set.

But getting back to your original question, there is no reason you can't have both a 2-channel and a 5.1 system on the same rack. Just make sure the integrated or preamp has a HT bypass option. That way everything works together.

Anyhow, that's just my 2c, before this becomes another unbridled 9555 adulation thread.

[RoadRunner6]

Yeah, I have not had too strong of a hunch about those relatively low priced D amps in receivers or int. amps, especially with heavier loads to drive. I tried to say as much without being offending in his other post about the speakers. I included some quotes from a Stereophile review which hinted at the problems.

Personally I would go for the conventional amps in one of those midpriced Onkyo AVR's (706 thru 875) or conventional integrated amp versus that amp in the 9555.

Appreciate your honest comments, Nightflier. I respect someone who can give constructive criticism of their own equipment. Many rave about everything they own, regardless.

Thanks,

RR6

[Turbota]

Folks ... I appreciate your honesty. If we are just going to 'sugar coat' everything written here, we would be doing each other a deservice ... especially for the novice like myself.

As someone wrote, there A-9555 was having trouble driving 4 speakers of 4 ohms each. There is a Caution on the back of the A-9555 stateing that the minimum ohms of the speakers need to be 8 ohms when driving 4 speakers (A/B).

Something interesting is that the Asia / Oceania version of the A-9555 is rated at 100 w/ch @ 8 ohms continuous, while the US version is rated at 85 w/ch @ 8 ohms continuous.

Anyway, the cheapest I can find the Asia version of this amp over her in the Philippines is 28,000 pesos ($602 USD) ... Again, my options are fewer than what you people living in the US have.

Ron,

[Turbota]

There are many high end audio store in manila, especially in Makati district. DVDs are of high quality. I am from Laguna ,Philippines.

I am living in Bacolod City (Negros island)

BTW, that price of 28,000 pesos was from Pure Digital Concept / Pioneer Service Center on West Avenue in Quezon City (Owner ... Peter Falcis)

Audio World (Joey Lim) also in Quezon City has good prices on the Onkyo amp.

[pixelthis]

BACK to more important matters...

[pixelthis]

Well I am probably the only one here who will say it, but I actually have the Onkyo 9555 and I am not too impressed with it. What's a real downer on that model isn't so much the sound or the performance (more on that below), but rather the less-than-well-thought-out feature set. For example, you can't put the darned thing in standby more from the front controls (you need the remote to do that). On the other hand, the remote is also full of other features not found on the front (I hate that), but to add insult to injury, the most useful features (IMO) are actually not on the remote - I'm thinking of speaker A/B selection, Pure-Audio mode, etc. The thing also lacks a 12v trigger, which considering it doesn't have a tuner, is a bit odd. The 9555 also doesn't do so well with heavy loads, like what you'll see with 4 ohm speakers, where it quickly runs out of steam. Got 2 sets of 4 ohm speakers? Too bad, the amp will balk at it. That all wouldn't be so bad if it actually had pre-outs, but it doesn't. I read the positive reviews as well but it's really misleading when people keep comparing it to units costing 2-3x as much. Yes, it comes in at a bargain basement price, but frankly, Onkyo cut a lot of corners to get that low down into the barrel.

Now onto the sound, it's OK, but nothing to scream about either. Yes, I like the fact that it's a class-d switching amp and that it runs cool, but it doesn't sound very good. The best way to describe it is that it sounds lifeless. And the phono section? Fuhgetaboutit, it's bested by the least expensive external units from Pro-Ject and Cambridge. So while at $600-ish I suppose it's an OK buy, for my money the NAD C355 is a better value (I have the C325BEE and I think even that one sounds better at just $250). If you must have class-d switching, a second hand PS Audio GCA-100 would be the way to go - much better quality all-around and oodles of amperage / power. I've auditioned both that one and the GCA-250, and kept the latter because it was a great value, especially considering the convenience / feature-set.

But getting back to your original question, there is no reason you can't have both a 2-channel and a 5.1 system on the same rack. Just make sure the integrated or preamp has a HT bypass option. That way everything works together.

Anyhow, that's just my 2c, before this becomes another unbridled 9555 adulation thread.

EVER THINK IT MIGHT BE THE CLASS "D" AMP?
I love my Integra. I too was pissed at lack of some controls on the remote, then I found a button that goes from stereo to "direct" to "pure".
Anyway, are you ever gonna step up to the plate and go real
HT with a pre-pro amp combo?
Just curious

[RoadRunner6]

the minimum ohms of the speakers need to be 8 ohms when driving 4 speakers (A/B).

Something interesting is that the Asia / Oceania version of the A-9555 is rated at 100 w/ch @ 8 ohms continuous, while the US version is rated at 85 w/ch @ 8 ohms continuous.

That is a standard warning on most amps or in the owner's manual.

Same amp, just rated under different tolerances. There are a lot of games played listing the power output.

For example (just rough figures pulled out of my head but the idea is accurate).

500 watts per ch @ 1ch/driven, 10% distortion, at 1kHz, peak power.
250 watts per ch @ 1ch/driven, 1% distortion, at 1kHz, peak power.
200 watts per ch @ 1ch/driven, .1% distortion, at 1kHz, peak power
175 watts per ch @ 1ch/driven, .05% distortion, at 1kHz, peak power.
125 watts per ch @ 1ch/driven, .05% distortion, at 1kHz, RMS power (continuous).
100 watts per ch @ 1ch/driven, .05% distortion, at 20-20,000Hz, RMS power
75 watts per ch @ 2ch/driven, .05% distortion, at 20-20,000Hz, RMS power

(note, I didn't list an impedence but these rating might all be into 8 ohms. At 4 ohms the wattage will theoretically be double but in the real world will be 25-75% more or so. The closer to double the tested wattage into 4 ohms versus 8 ohms the stronger the amp. Some cheap amps will actually measure lower at 4 ohms than 8 ohms, sign of a very weak amp. An amp that tests at 75 watts/8 ohms and 130 watts/4 ohms is better than one that tests at 75 watts/8 ohms and 100 watts/4 ohms under the same tolerances. Some amps will be listed at 6 ohms and also peak power at 3 and 2 ohms).

These are all the exact same amp with specs listed using a different set of progressively more demanding tolerances. The last line is the traditional strict way to rate amps but most manufacturers know that many people just look at the numbers believing all watts are created equal and are tempted to use a rating (within industry guidelines that can differ per country) that gives a higher number of watts.

RR6

[RoadRunner6]

BACK to more important matters...

Mariah and I videotaped our date last month when she wore that dress. I think I'll title it, Deep Purple.

The instrumental "Deep Purple" became so popular in sheet music sales that Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1938:

When the deep purple falls over sleepy garden walls
And the stars begin to twinkle in the sky—
In the mist of a memory you wander back to me
Breathing my name with a sigh...

RR6

[nightflier]

EVER THINK IT MIGHT BE THE CLASS "D" AMP?

As you know, I've been a fan of class-d for a long time, but I still have some alternatives to play with, too: Adcom, Monarchy, PS Audio Classic, B&K Ref., and Outlaw. Maybe not at the same price-point as my class-d gear, but they all have their own character, I suppose. I've also had better amps in-house, including Krell, Aragon, Densen, Arcam, Pass, and Threshold, but they are now gone. Don't get me wrong, class-d can sound good, but it takes a lot of engineering (read: $$$), to get something usable with quality sound. Someone recommended the Onkyo to me and I got a great deal, but it hasn't been a good experience. It certainly does not compare to gear 2-3 times as much, as the trade-rags like to suggest. At $600 for the Onkyo, that would be an integrated in the $1800 range like the class-d GCC-100 used, or something from the entry lines of Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Densen, and Naim, new. And I really don't consider the Onkyo on par with these brands.

I love my Integra. I too was pissed at lack of some controls on the remote, then I found a button that goes from stereo to "direct" to "pure".
Anyway, are you ever gonna step up to the plate and go real
HT with a pre-pro amp combo?
Just curious

If the next pre/pro doesn't measure up I'll have to raise my price-ceiling. That is, unless I get cheap about it and have to fall back on Onkyo again (every time I do, I'm disappointed - you'd think I learn). I've been eying that NAD one, or maybe even their Master Series, but these are still expensive. Outlaw will be offering an introductory $1395 for the new pre/pro with $200 off for existing Outlaw owners. And that new pre/pro has some pretty amazing hardware inside so it's going to be tough to beat. Maybe this will also get the other guys to lower their prices a little - with the economy the way it is, there should be some good deals this holiday season.

I'm currently driving a fantastic PS Audio multi-channel amp (all class-d, BTW) with my current pre/pro, a less than stellar Outlaw. It sounds OK, but no HDMI, no BluRay, no 1080p, no OSD, no upconversion, and wildly different manually-set settings to get decent sound out of each different input. Pretty much old-school but it sounds pretty good with SACD via the analog inputs, though.

Off-topic: Hey Pix, I was asked to put in a picture request for you: who's that pretty young thing in the Vincent Audio magazine ads (e.g. this month's Stereophile)?

[pixelthis]

[QUOTE=RoadRunner6]Mariah and I videotaped our date last month when she wore that dress. I think I'll title it, Deep Purple.

The instrumental "Deep Purple" became so popular in sheet music sales that Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1938:

When the deep purple falls over sleepy garden walls
And the stars begin to twinkle in the sky—
In the mist of a memory you wander back to me
Breathing my name with a sigh...

RR6

[pixelthis]

As you know, I've been a fan of class-d for a long time, but I still have some alternatives to play with, too: Adcom, Monarchy, PS Audio Classic, B&K Ref., and Outlaw. Maybe not at the same price-point as my class-d gear, but they all have their own character, I suppose. I've also had better amps in-house, including Krell, Aragon, Densen, Arcam, Pass, and Threshold, but they are now gone. Don't get me wrong, class-d can sound good, but it takes a lot of engineering (read: $$$), to get something usable with quality sound. Someone recommended the Onkyo to me and I got a great deal, but it hasn't been a good experience. It certainly does not compare to gear 2-3 times as much, as the trade-rags like to suggest. At $600 for the Onkyo, that would be an integrated in the $1800 range like the class-d GCC-100 used, or something from the entry lines of Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Densen, and Naim, new. And I really don't consider the Onkyo on par with these brands.



If the next pre/pro doesn't measure up I'll have to raise my price-ceiling. That is, unless I get cheap about it and have to fall back on Onkyo again (every time I do, I'm disappointed - you'd think I learn). I've been eying that NAD one, or maybe even their Master Series, but these are still expensive. Outlaw will be offering an introductory $1395 for the new pre/pro with $200 off for existing Outlaw owners. And that new pre/pro has some pretty amazing hardware inside so it's going to be tough to beat. Maybe this will also get the other guys to lower their prices a little - with the economy the way it is, there should be some good deals this holiday season.

I'm currently driving a fantastic PS Audio multi-channel amp (all class-d, BTW) with my current pre/pro, a less than stellar Outlaw. It sounds OK, but no HDMI, no BluRay, no 1080p, no OSD, no upconversion, and wildly different manually-set settings to get decent sound out of each different input. Pretty much old-school but it sounds pretty good with SACD via the analog inputs, though.

Off-topic: Hey Pix, I was asked to put in a picture request for you: who's that pretty young thing in the Vincent Audio magazine ads (e.g. this month's Stereophile)?

That "new" prepro is a sherwood clone, which means it should be pretty good, time to put grandma on the street corner.
Dont know who that chick is, bnut with this walkin around who cares?

[pixelthis]

Best I coould do on short notice, sorry.
Dont know the chick you're talkin about, that would require buying
a copy of the mag, and since I can nary afford anything
in there....

[Mr Peabody]

Deep Purple? I thought that was more like Smo.....ke on the wa...ter, a fire in the sky...

[pixelthis]

Deep Purple? I thought that was more like Smo.....ke on the wa...ter, a fire in the sky...

You're right.
Reminds me of a skit I saw on the TV, people singing the wrong lyrics to rock songs.

[nightflier]

That "new" prepro is a sherwood clone, which means it should be pretty good, time to put grandma on the street corner.
Dont know who that chick is, bnut with this walkin around who cares?

Never could get with Simpson. No wonder she's always wearing heels. Wasn't she a brunette, before the whole Latchey-fused rise to mediocrity?

[Mr Peabody]

Now she's all country

[Rich-n-Texas]

Never could get with Simpson. No wonder she's always wearing heels. Wasn't she a brunette, before the whole Latchey-fused rise to mediocrity?

Loser thread.