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Thread: Confused: stereo receiver or avr

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    16

    Default Confused: stereo receiver or avr

    As I wait for my Sierra speakers, I am planning my other gear and am confused and would appreciate some help.

    My primary use case is movies and music 70/30. With good speakers, music might go up. I am not interested in surround sound. I don't have a ton of devices connected to the TV -- just PS4. I want to get to 2.0 with the Sierra speakers and eventually add a sub.

    With this minimal setup, is there any benefit to getting an AVR which seems to be an overkill? My TV also has a bunch of HDMI inputs -- so even if I want to add more devices other than PS4 to it, TV can support the switching. So is there any value for AVR?

    Can I make do with a stereo receiver? Or integrated stereo receiver? (Now I wonder if they are the same thing).

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    SouthWest of Cleveland
    Posts
    1,924

    Default Re: Confused: stereo receiver or avr

    Questions:
    1. Do you wish to watch TV/DVD's/games with the Sierra's for the sound?
    2. What is you source for music?
    Ed

    * Sierra-2EX's W/V2 crossover upgrade
    * (2) Rythmik F12's
    * Parasound Halo P6
    * Audio by Van Alstine DVA-M225 Monoblock Amps
    * MiniDSP 2x4HD For Sub calibration
    *World's Best Cables Canare 4S11 speaker cables

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: Confused: stereo receiver or avr

    1. Yes. I want Sierras to replace the TV speakers.

    2. The source of music will be mostly streaming from sources like Spotify, Youtube Music.

    2a. I have CDs that I use in car but haven't gotten anything to play on speakers yet. I also have an old collection of cassettes. I haven't even researched this but if there is a way to get the sound on speakers, that will be great but that is a lower priority since most of them are available on online sources.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    165

    Default Re: Confused: stereo receiver or avr

    If you are integrating a sub I’d go with an avr. I’m not too familiar with integrated amps but not all of them have bass management.

    I’d go with something like a Denon 3500. They are on close out pricing right now and would offer good room correction for a sub and obviously bass management as well. Only $550.

    If you ever decide to run a 3.1 or 3.2 the avr would also be a better choice. For movies I prefer a center. My Horizon was a game changer.
    Last edited by diesel79; 02-15-2020 at 06:19 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Confused: stereo receiver or avr

    I would go with a stereo receiver. Mine is Onkyo. I use it to play music that I download from Tidal with a Tidal converter. Working seamlessly.
    Last edited by kelseyj; 11-04-2020 at 10:12 PM.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    NW Pennsylvania
    Posts
    696

    Default Re: Confused: stereo receiver or avr

    I think either option would be fine. I wouldn't worry about unused channels. 5, 7, and 9 channel receivers are very popular and probably have the best features for the money spent. Nicer 2 channel amps are more of a specialty item and are priced the same or higher.
    Nate

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Confused: stereo receiver or avr

    I was in the same situation as you, just wanted a 2.0 system and so I purchased an Integrated amp with a built in dac, this way you can hook up your tv to it.
    I have a Cambridge Audio CX A80 hooked to my tv running Ascend Sierra 1nrt speakers and dual Svs SB 2000 subs.
    The integrated doesn't have bass management that an Avr would give you, but this setup works tremendously well.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    194

    Default Re: Confused: stereo receiver or avr

    As the OP is only using 2 channels, I would put serious consideration to picking an external DAC. You can expect a noticeable sound quality improvement compared to using a receiver. The main drawback unlike choosing a receiver is the necessity of needing amplifiers, which an external DAC doesn’t come with. In the case of a stereo system either a stereo amplifier or 2 mono block amplifiers will work.

    As far as using a subwoofer you can connect it to an RCA output on the DAC, and use the DACs balanced XLR outputs to the amplifiers XLR inputs to your speakers. If not using a subwoofer, you can use either the DACs RCA or XLR outputs to your amplifiers inputs. It’s better to use XLR if you have the option to for your speakers. If you go balanced, your speakers can enjoy the benefits of XLR interconnects.

    I personally have foregone using subwoofers tho due to their degradation of sound. They only sound good at lower frequencies, the Sierra-2s also go low enough to negate the need for subs when run full range. Unfortunately the rumble of a sub below that point is more distracting to me than not, so yeah.

    Hopefully this made sense.
    Last edited by choirbass; 12-17-2020 at 12:07 PM.

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