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Just Curious - About using a AV Receiver as main unit

Just curious about something.

I know it is preferable to use a Integrated Amp or Pre-Amp+Amp combo as your main unit in the system but sometimes I see used AV's receivers see from manufacturers who make really good high end 2 channel equipment and these receivers sell for less then say a 2 channel component from the same manufacturer (units from say Rotel, Anthem, Arcam, Marantz, etc). Also, since we are talking about AV Receivers, I guess it's fair to compare them to SS Amps. If your into Tubes, then that is whole different story.

I wonder sometimes if you start a build using one of the AV receivers instead of the 2 channel component, would that be a good system to build off of.

I will say for myself, I started with a Denon AVR-5700 (which I still have and was a beast in it's day) and I think it was an excellent piece of equipment and had a great 2 channel section.

Last year I bought a Integrated amp but honestly, I could have easily stayed with the Denon and build off of that.

Sure, these AV's receivers wont compare to components that are way up there in the thousands but if your budget is bit tight I think these components would be great to start with and I am not talking about your $400 dealer receiver from best buy, I mean AV's receivers that were top of the line in their day and now can be had for much cheaper. 

Well just curious and my opinion.

Thanks
128x128jay73
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
They sell for 10% of original price for a reason: nobody wants them. Nobody wants them for one very good reason: they are crap.
When money is tight the absolute last thing you can afford to do is throw it away on crap.
Pennywise, pound foolish. Think about it.
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,181 posts
 
I don’t think AVRs are all that bad.
+1

Marantz SR-14 and SR-18 are my favorite, you can use it as power amp just remove the jumpers.

jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
Thanks for all the suggestions

This was just a thought experiment, as I stated I already have a Integrated Amp that I use.

At Millercarbon,

I have to say, I can’t imagine they are all crap. I get that if a person can start off with a 2 Channel Component from the get go, that is the ideal way to go but some of the more higher end AVR’s that are now cheaper (money wise) I just can’t believe they are crap and that they can not perform strictly for 2 channel music.

For example, the older Denon 5800 or even the slightly older Yamaha CX-A5100 (preamp) and MX-A500 (Amp), which I see for much cheaper now. One benefit I see of these components is that they have so many inputs available.

And how about using the AVR as just a pre-amp and adding a really good 2 channel amp to it, if power is a issue in the AVR?

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
This was just a thought experiment
I can’t imagine they are all crap
Well then thanks for letting us know this is all in your mind. Would have been nice to know before wasting our time. But whatever.
If you do at some point decide to quit just making stuff up and venture out into the real world, there you will discover the reality that AVRs are indeed all pure crap. Whether you can imagine it or not.
Reality. What a concept.
And how about using the AVR as just a pre-amp and adding a really good 2 channel amp to it, if power is a issue in the AVR? 
Nope. Sorry. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 
Miller,

Actually, in my original post, I stated "Just Curious" and I also stated, " I will say for myself, I started with a Denon AVR-5700" and also, " Last year I bought a Integrated amp but honestly, I could have easily stayed with the Denon and build off of that."

So I think I was pretty str8 forward with the intention of this post, if you feel this was a waste of time for you, that's on you.

And I was under the impression forums were a place to gain knowledge, share ideas and thoughts. Something popped in my head and I thought I would come here to talk about it.

And I am not making stuff up, I was trying to have a conservation with the community and I very much live in the real world.

Conversation:  a talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged.

Wow, what a concept.
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