INTERACT FORUM

Devices => Sound Cards, DAC's, Receivers, Speakers, and Headphones => Topic started by: jmone on October 27, 2016, 03:26:30 am

Title: Compact AVR or Amp?
Post by: jmone on October 27, 2016, 03:26:30 am

I'm kitting out a guest room and looking for something physically smaller than a traditional sized AVR to take input from a HTPC (NUC) out to a TV (HDMI) and drive 5 x 175w max speakers (no sub).  Needs to look "good", be unobtrusive, and have a remote.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Nathan

Title: Re: Compact AVR or Amp?
Post by: mattkhan on October 27, 2016, 03:30:48 am

marantz have some slimline AVRs - http://www.marantz.co.uk/uk/products/pages/productdetails.aspx?catid=hometheatre&subcatid=avreceiver&productid=nr1607

the amp sections are generally lower powered though (less than 175w for sure but then most AVRs are less than that anyway)

something like http://www.optoma.co.uk/audioproduct/avp18 might be another option though requires a separate amp (which I imagine could be a good or a bad thing depending on the space constraints)

Title: Re: Compact AVR or Amp?
Post by: jmone on October 28, 2016, 12:16:31 am

Thanks, apparently what I want does not exist ... ended up with (another) Yami AVR.

Title: Re: Compact AVR or Amp?
Post by: astromo on October 28, 2016, 06:44:10 am

Quote from: jmone on October 28, 2016, 12:16:31 am

Thanks, apparently what I want does not exist ... ended up with (another) Yami AVR.

Spec?

Interested to know what your go to unit is.

Title: Re: Compact AVR or Amp?
Post by: jmone on October 28, 2016, 05:06:16 pm

I'm just get the Latest Yami (as I'm familiar with them and they seem to always score well).  Got the new RX-A3060 (http://au.yamaha.com/en/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx-a3060/?mode=model) for a good price (for oz) yesterday (20% off RRP).  This will become my new main amp (ready for 4K when there is a TV I want to buy), and the old one (A3000) will go to the games room etc.  I'll just use a cabinet under the TV to hid the stuff as usual in the Guest Room (AVR, Center Speaker, HTPC).

Title: Re: Compact AVR or Amp?
Post by: RoderickGI on October 28, 2016, 06:45:45 pm

It does seem like a shame to pay for all the extra functionality that will be provided by MC and the HTPC, doesn't it? I will have the same dilemma when I upgrade my AVR. I would rather pay for a Yamaha AVR (or similar) without all fancy stuff, but with support for all the latest standards, and had the power per channel. Although maybe the MusicCast feature is the answer to whole house synchronised audio, since MC still has issues with that.

I see the RX-3060 has HDCP 2.2 pass through. A must have for 4K. It is a very nice AVR.

Title: Re: Compact AVR or Amp?
Post by: jmone on October 28, 2016, 07:09:15 pm

They have also re added Air Play to their lineup which is what I'm using for Whole House at this stage

Title: Re: Compact AVR or Amp?
Post by: RoderickGI on October 28, 2016, 10:02:32 pm

I have an Airplay Server (receiver) running on my HTPC to receive audio and video (https://www.airserver.com/) but don't have an Airplay transmitter in my setup, so that could be useful. Airserver also receives Google Cast and Miracast, so it is a versatile receiver. Worth the investment. It is always handy to have options.

I assume that MusicCast is either a Miracast clone, or Google Cast. Probably Miracast, as it uses Wireless Direct.