2. amps-preamps
  3. 1135921439

Better buy: old flagship or new tier 2 AVR

I have recently upgraded my Athena F1 fronts to Martin Logan Aerius I's and need to drive them. I need a new AVR with some guts. I have read the reviews and countless forums (I know....seperates).

I can get an old flagship, B&K AVR202 or Yamaha DSP-A1 delivered for under $600. Or for that price I can get a tier 2 AVR Denon 3805 or Yamaha RXV2500. I cannot spend more.

My listening is 90% HT. I have a 5.1 set-up. Room EQ and features are nice, but my priority is sound quality. My main concern with an older flagship AVR (pre-2000) is that sound benefits i would gain by a superior amp section would be offset by dated technology, older DACS etc.

If you were in my shoes, what would your choice be?
bakammer
bakammer OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for the response, If my current AVR had preouts I would have an easier decision, unfortunately I have to start from scratch.

Anyone with ML have success with an old flagship type AVR? I have read that the B&k AVR 202 is a Ref 20 and AV5000 in one box, same transformer, caps, etc.

I understand that these speakers come alive with quality power, but currently I have to go for best bang for the buck.

I do have a smaller room and do not play movies or music very loud (my wife does not share my passion for loud HT and music).
reubent
3,587 posts
 
Bakammer,

I previously owned 2 B&K AVR-202s. It is a very good HT receiver. It has excellent build quality and more available umph than you will generally find with most receivers. I would still own it today, except I hated the ergonomics. I couldn't figure out how to use it most of the time! I think the issue was that B&K used an off-the-shelf programmable learning remote to control the receiver and the application just didn't make sense to me. It was made even worse on the second one I bought because they changed remotes and stuck "updated" loose pages into the instruction book.

Overall, I liked the B&K AVR-202 and I think it would drive your speakers as well as about any other receiver. If you can figure out the ergonomics of controlling the darn thing, you would have a fine receiver for $600.

Enjoy,

TIC
bignerd100
515 posts
 
IF you put something like this...

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1141146469

...with an AVR you will have ample power for FL/FR while freeing up some power for the C/SL/SR.

Good luck!
kgturner's avatar
kgturner
601 posts
 
what are you using now? perhaps it would be a better idea to purchase an amplifier and run it off your current receivers preamp outputs. that would be my first thought.
a4or3s
6 posts
 
I would say buy the old flagship if you are planning to have it drive the Aeriuses. Just be aware you will need a good power amp down the road if you are keeping the MLs. Although a new tier 2 has all the new processing modes, you definitely need power to make the MLs sound their best.

I have ML Aeriuses (non-i) for my fronts and drove them for a little while with my Yamaha RX-V1. Good sound, but not great, and the quality of the bass was sub-optimal. Didn't really like listening for long periods of time. I do about 85% music, only 15% movies.

Bought a Parasound 1205A when funds allowed, even before I filled in the rest of the HT system. The V1 is now just a preamp. I now have Magnepan MMG Ws for rears and the MMG C center. Planar sound on a small budget, and they integrate well together. All of these speakers love high current amps, and the Parasound has done well for movies.

Best of luck in your search!
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