2. amps-preamps
  3. 134128-2198

Integrated or Receiver?

That is the question.

As my luck would have it, my near 30 year old Denon PMA520 integrated amp is apparently on its way out.  I've already spent $150 to fix one problem only to have one channel all but vanish (can hear some high end audio but it is faint) and the other channel cuts in and out.  Since I had the unit cleaned just a few weeks ago and the noise that had cropped up in deep bass, I would have to believe this is another problem and would require additional servicing at additional cost.

The way I see it, this is throwing good money after bad.  Will probably scrap this thing and will buy something new.

Since my budget is going to be under $400 right now thanks to a slew of other expenses that take priority, I am wondering if I should just settle for a basic entry level amp like the Yamaha 301 or Onkyo 9050 or purchase a Receiver from Yamaha or some other company that is fairly inexpensive and use that for a couple of years until I can buy a better integrated amp when I should have more money to budget for it.

Any thoughts on this?
will62
will62 OP
177 posts
 
Thanks for the added info on the subject of running four speakers.  Got away with it on the Dayton amp but won't even think of trying it now with the real amps.

Oddly enough, I just got home from work and plugged in my headphones into the Denon PMA520 and started to play a cassette tape.  Suddenly it is functioning perfectly again.  Last night and yesterday afternoon I lost one channel but the other worked and then later in the evening I lost both channels.  No audio at all.  But now this evening it is working perfectly.  

Weird.  Will still shop for a new integrated or receiver but will hope in the meantime this Denon will last at least a few months.  It would allow me to save more money and budget more for a better amp.
helomech
1,735 posts
 
Yes, I am looking at the new Yamaha stuff now.

One problem I am running into is trying to find a amp or receiver that will allow me to Biwire my 6 ohm Mirage OM 10's.  Every amp or receiver I've looked at can't handle the lower impedance except when the OM 10's are not Biwired.  My Castle's are 8 ohm and don't present that problem

The Yamaha can handle it. I've used both sets of terminals to bi-wire 4 ohm speakers and it didn't break a sweat. In fact, you want to leave the impedance switch in the 8 ohm position when running such a configuration. 

Check out this video:

http://www.audioholics.com/audio-amplifier/impedance-selector-switch-1

And this one:

http://www.audioholics.com/amplifier-reviews/yamaha-a-s801-amplifier-review

BTW, the amp section is essentially the same between the 501 and 801.
will62 OP
177 posts
 
helomach.  Thanks.  

I've read a number of reviews where people claim the newer Yamaha amp's sound bright.  What is your opinion of this?

Mesch mentioned Cambridge Audio but upon review and reflection from a previous Cambridge amp I owned, it was too clinical for my taste.  A bad matchup with the Mirage speakers.  The sound was not really neutral and grated on my ears every bit as bad as the Yamaha A500 and Klipsch Heresy combination I had in the 1980's.  

I would prefer to find a neutral or slightly warm amp vs. one that is either bright or clinical sounding.  A wee bit bright probably would not present an issue but one that is heavy on the bright sound won't work.  
will62 OP
177 posts
 
Just checked the manuals of a couple of Integrated's.  Looks like Onkyo amps need at least an 8 ohm speaker for bi wiring.  But Marantz says  a 4 ohm or higher will work.  Same with Yamaha.  That is good news.

Will hope the Denon can last a few months until I can come up with enough money to get a pretty good integrated.  Should be able to spend over $400 if I don't have go and get one in the next month.
helomech
1,735 posts
 
@will62 

I can't speak for older Yamaha units. I have the A-S500 (501 sans the DAC) and would characterize it as mostly neutral with a sweet top end. It will be mellow with mellow speakers and bright with bright speakers. I've used it with Klipsch Heresy IIIs, Vandersteen 1Cis, Spendor 2/3s, Monitor Audio Silver 8s, Epos Epics, and Stirling LS3/6s ($5500 speakers) just to name a few, and it played well with all of them. It never once got hot. I currently use it to drive a pair of KEF LS50s in a bedroom system. It was surprisingly smooth with the Heresy IIIs, but those are are nothing like the ones of old. Honestly, any SS amp that's warmer than the Yamahas will likely be veiled. There's always a trade off and that's the price for the mellow sound of something like the lower end NADs. I've had a Parasound Halo Integrated in house that was more fatiguing than the Yammy. The Yamahas do take time to break in - about 50 hours before they sound best. 

Here's a review and measurents of the A-S500, which is the same amp, just without the built-in DAC.

http://i.nextmedia.com.au/avhub/australian-hifi_reviews_2014_2014-02_yamaha_as500_amplifier_review_and_test_lores.pdf


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