I have the R9’s along with the RVOX cc , R3s and RIs in my "A" system and the RX1s in my "B" system, so I know the REGA brand well
if you really want to take the R9s to a new level , replace the receiver (any receiver...) with a top-shelf 2-channel integrated amp for 2-channel audio with a direct pass-through for HT use along with a standalone AVR processor/preamp and separate power amps for HT.
Why?
i had the very top CAMBRIDGE 7.1 AVR and CAMRIDGE Bluray player strictly for HT ... an expensive AV unibox and standalone BDP.... it was "okay" But ...... it had its frustrating limitations.
So I went to separates as the key to break through that ethereal performance limiter / damper .
= now I have a 2-channel audio / 7.1 HT system as follows:
-- the REGA OSIRIS integrated amp and REGA ISIS Valve cdp paired to the R9s with an all-NORDOST FREY array loom for 2-channel. The OSIRIS has the necessary direct pass-through to drive the R9s for 7.1 HT
-ARCAM Bluray player strictly for HT
- NuForce AV18 preamp/ 7.1 processor for HT (it is the eventual disposable as the CODECS change )
- a pair of same model AUDIO REFINEMENT power amps: a 2 channel and 3 channel power amps to drive the Rears and RVOX / R1 surrounds respectively. AR also has it as one 5-channel model FWIW.
-VANDERSTEEN subwoofer strictly for HT
in brief:
NOW (emphasis added) the REGA R9s were unlocked now and they finally performed at their maximum .... a whole big step up from anything the AV receiver could ever muster up .... not even close.... full stop.
Your takeaway:
(1) AVR alternative: Stick with the YAMAHA , its good enough. it’s a yeoman performer independent of pricepoint. Even if you step up to the near $3000 price strata in AVRs like I did, you are not going to get even close to audio OZ with any AVR when compared to separates.
The unibox is built to its pricepoint with significant audio performance compromises and warts predicating speaker yeoman performance.
(2) COMPONENT SEPARATES : I’ve highlighted my hands-on experience above.
The audio performance for both 2-channel and 7.1 HT speaker audio performance improvement ( including inter alia clarity / dynamics/ slam / soundstaging ) was stark and. dramatic ...Not even close.
IMO....
(1)!If are looking for another AVR as the silver bullet or the Holy Grail to a new audio nirvana for your R9s , don’t bother...it just ain’t there in my hands on trials and tribulations.
(2) it gets distilled down to dollars .... full stop .... We all have budgets for sure.
= You now have a Hobson’s Choice facing you going forward
Best of luck
if you really want to take the R9s to a new level , replace the receiver (any receiver...) with a top-shelf 2-channel integrated amp for 2-channel audio with a direct pass-through for HT use along with a standalone AVR processor/preamp and separate power amps for HT.
Why?
i had the very top CAMBRIDGE 7.1 AVR and CAMRIDGE Bluray player strictly for HT ... an expensive AV unibox and standalone BDP.... it was "okay" But ...... it had its frustrating limitations.
So I went to separates as the key to break through that ethereal performance limiter / damper .
= now I have a 2-channel audio / 7.1 HT system as follows:
-- the REGA OSIRIS integrated amp and REGA ISIS Valve cdp paired to the R9s with an all-NORDOST FREY array loom for 2-channel. The OSIRIS has the necessary direct pass-through to drive the R9s for 7.1 HT
-ARCAM Bluray player strictly for HT
- NuForce AV18 preamp/ 7.1 processor for HT (it is the eventual disposable as the CODECS change )
- a pair of same model AUDIO REFINEMENT power amps: a 2 channel and 3 channel power amps to drive the Rears and RVOX / R1 surrounds respectively. AR also has it as one 5-channel model FWIW.
-VANDERSTEEN subwoofer strictly for HT
in brief:
NOW (emphasis added) the REGA R9s were unlocked now and they finally performed at their maximum .... a whole big step up from anything the AV receiver could ever muster up .... not even close.... full stop.
Your takeaway:
(1) AVR alternative: Stick with the YAMAHA , its good enough. it’s a yeoman performer independent of pricepoint. Even if you step up to the near $3000 price strata in AVRs like I did, you are not going to get even close to audio OZ with any AVR when compared to separates.
The unibox is built to its pricepoint with significant audio performance compromises and warts predicating speaker yeoman performance.
(2) COMPONENT SEPARATES : I’ve highlighted my hands-on experience above.
The audio performance for both 2-channel and 7.1 HT speaker audio performance improvement ( including inter alia clarity / dynamics/ slam / soundstaging ) was stark and. dramatic ...Not even close.
IMO....
(1)!If are looking for another AVR as the silver bullet or the Holy Grail to a new audio nirvana for your R9s , don’t bother...it just ain’t there in my hands on trials and tribulations.
(2) it gets distilled down to dollars .... full stop .... We all have budgets for sure.
= You now have a Hobson’s Choice facing you going forward
Best of luck