AV amp on way out, recommend new please

Oxide™ · 4 Apr 2020 at 13:36

My trusty Denon 1909 seems to be on the way out. I've had it around 13 years but now frequently goes into protection mode.

Not been in the game so not sure what to look out for. Any recommendations for a new amp that is future proof that won't break the bank, supports bi-amping front speakers and 5.1 that I can look into please?

hornetstinger · 4 Apr 2020 at 13:40

Yamaha, for reliability.

3t3P · 4 Apr 2020 at 16:03

Bi amping AVRs never heard of that. Good luck with that one!

hornetstinger · 4 Apr 2020 at 16:12

It's pointless as using the same power supply for all four channels.

Now if you have two separate , two channel power amplifier, or four monoblocs that's another matter.

Plus avrs sound crap, so any benefit of bi amping is lost from the crappy amp.

I'm vertically biamping my hifi system. Using a two channel amp for left, and another two channel amp for right.

Oxide™ · 4 Apr 2020 at 18:30

Currently looking at the Denon AVR-X2600H and will see where it takes me

Radox-0 · 4 Apr 2020 at 18:46

I went for the Sony STR-1080, similar price brand new and got no issues with mine a year on, working solid and sounds great. But doubt you can go wrong with either

the shadow · 4 Apr 2020 at 19:08

lucid · 4 Apr 2020 at 20:39

Oxide™ said:
Currently looking at the Denon AVR-X2600H and will see where it takes me

Current Denons have a reputation for running very hot. That's not so good for reliability. Not that good with music, either.

The Yamahas are better with music. The Sony is a solid performer. Those would be my shortlist contenders.

Oxide™ · 4 Apr 2020 at 21:48

Also looked at the Sony however the Denon looks to be more future proof albeit falls just short on music

hornetstinger · 4 Apr 2020 at 22:09

Av isn't about future proof, standards change. My old good but av pre is out of date, it still works but it doesn't have any eq, nor does it have HDMI, audio playback, web control, Bluetooth, networking, internet radio, or any HD audio from Blu-ray.

If you want future proof, buy a regular hifi stereo system. My stereo pre power is as relevant today as it was 15 years ago. And you can insert it into a modern av system.

FurryLemon · 4 Apr 2020 at 22:58

Unless the 2600 has dropped down to 299 new, avoid.

Buy a used one from a previous generation. They're basically all the same anyway, bar some minor updates to warrant a new model every year (minus HEOS).

lucid · 5 Apr 2020 at 00:13

Oxide™ said:
Also looked at the Sony however the Denon looks to be more future proof albeit falls just short on music

What features do you feel you need for futureproofing that the Denon provides and that the Sony doesn't?

Doobedoo · 5 Apr 2020 at 09:54

Another vote for the Sony had mine 2 years now and it’s been faultless.

brakeinup · 7 Apr 2020 at 12:23

lucid said:
Current Denons have a reputation for running very hot. That's not so good for reliability. Not that good with music, either.

The Yamahas are better with music. The Sony is a solid performer. Those would be my shortlist contenders.

My 2400H used to run hot. I rigged a 120mm PC fan into the USB port and cool air flows across the top of the amp. This isn't an elegant solution but works for me (AVR is in a cupboard) but it keeps the amp cool.

I had 2 Yamaha AVR's previously - can't fault them and only replaced the later one due to 4K and Atmos and the one before that for HDMI. I'm not running major speakers so my investment is small compared to some (Mission MX3 fronts, Mission MXC2 centre, JBL Control1 surrounds, Monitor Audio Atmos in ceiling, BK P12-300SB with B8 OLED, ATV, XB 1 X).

3t3P · 8 Apr 2020 at 23:10

My Sony 1050 had hdmi board failure, luckily I got richer sounds supercare, nearly didn't as got the 1050 EOL for only £300.

Anyway got that money back and went to RS to audition in a completely different league of AVR.

Denon top of the line Vs Yamaha.

Denon to me had brittle treble with poor timbre in an Everest test scene. That's just my ears plenty of people happy with Denon. It arguably has better EQ too. The Yamaha is in a totally different league build wise to the Denon.

It is massive, heavy and does not cook your toast like a Denon does. Though it gets warm of course!

hornetstinger · 9 Apr 2020 at 09:20

3t3P said:
My Sony 1050 had hdmi board failure, luckily I got richer sounds supercare, nearly didn't as got the 1050 EOL for only £300.

Anyway got that money back and went to RS to audition in a completely different league of AVR.

Denon top of the line Vs Yamaha.

Denon to me had brittle treble with poor timbre in an Everest test scene. That's just my ears plenty of people happy with Denon. It arguably has better EQ too. The Yamaha is in a totally different league build wise to the Denon.

It is massive, heavy and does not cook your toast like a Denon does. Though it gets warm of course!

How come didn't go pre power rather than flagship avr?

3t3P · 9 Apr 2020 at 18:41

No room for such a setup tbh. As it is i've done well for a UK lounge, floostander based 7.2.4 system with 113'' screen

something to think about in another house/time though

hornetstinger · 9 Apr 2020 at 18:51

The Yamaha av Amos have lousy power I was considering one, but the £2500 flagship model gave out 45w all channels driven. What a load of crap!

So bought ATI power amps instead 200w7.

brakeinup · 13 Apr 2020 at 09:10

hornetstinger said:
The Yamaha av Amos have lousy power I was considering one, but the £2500 flagship model gave out 45w all channels driven. What a load of crap!

So bought ATI power amps instead 200w7.

Would you mind sharing your setup please?