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Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

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dukeden
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I'm new to this so I apologise for what might be a obvious answer.

I'm looking to put my first system together, it will be my main source of music, plus used for cinema surround when watching blu rays. I've already decided on B&W MT-50 speakers and a Panasonic DMP-BDT220 blu ray player.

Now for the item that has given me sleepless nights.....the AV Receiver

I had initially decided on the Yamaha RX-V473, then decided the RX-V673 would be a better option. Having looked on-line, for similar money I could buy a Yamaha RX-A810 £449, or pay a extra £400 for the Yamaha RX-A820 £719 [with Airplay] or Yamaha RX-A2010 £849 [without Airplay]. Here's my stumbling point, I wish to stream my music wireless from my iphone 4 and MacBook Pro. I know the current models above have Airplay, but neither the RV-A810 or RX-A2010 offer this feature. Should I choose the RX-A810 or RX-A2010 are there ways of streaming my music wireless? Would a Apple Airport Express be a good stable option? Are the RX-A820 and RX-A2010 worth the extra £300/£400? I have a maximum budget of £850.

I'd really appreciate your advice.

 

Many thanks.

 

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Sony KDL-32EX703, RX-A2020, RX6, A40 Centre, Sony BDP-S790, Sky+HD, QED Silver Anniversary XT, Audioquest Pearl HDMI, Braun Oral B Wink

bigboss
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RE: Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

For your speakers, I would recommend a minimum of RX-A1020 / RX-A1010 / RX-A2010 / RX-A2020. The next option would be the RXA820 / RX-A810. I wouldn't go for your other options.

What about Denon AVR-3313, which is currently available at a good discount, and has AirPlay?

http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/p/denon-avr-3313av-receiver?gcl...

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My Home Cinema  Pioneer KRP 500A, Yamaha RX-V1900, MA Radius R225HD LCR, R90HD rears, AW12 sub, Panasonic BD60, PS3, Boxee Box, Sky HD, Boxee Box, Logitech Harmony One, Logitech PS3 Adapter, Sonos ZP90

Bedroom Samsung UE32C6510, PS3 slim white, Apple TV, Sonos S5, Sonos ZP90, Audioengine 2, Oppo OPDV971H

Miscellaneous: Synology DS212J + 2 X WD Red 2TB drives, WD 1TB NAS, Sonos ZoneBridge, BT HH3 as modem & AirPort Extreme router

dukeden
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RE: Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

Thanks for that, seems to have everything I'm after. I'll look into getting a demo. I guess the reason I went the Yamaha route was because all the entry level models get great reveiws. Being a novice I can only go on what I read on-line and in the magazines.

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Sony KDL-32EX703, RX-A2020, RX6, A40 Centre, Sony BDP-S790, Sky+HD, QED Silver Anniversary XT, Audioquest Pearl HDMI, Braun Oral B Wink

bigboss
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RE: Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

I found the Denon to sound quite similar to Yamaha when I demoed 3 years ago. Demo & compare to see what you think.

You can always connect an Apple TV if your receiver doesn't have AirPlay:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33199_7-57449017-221/should-you-care-about-...

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My Home Cinema  Pioneer KRP 500A, Yamaha RX-V1900, MA Radius R225HD LCR, R90HD rears, AW12 sub, Panasonic BD60, PS3, Boxee Box, Sky HD, Boxee Box, Logitech Harmony One, Logitech PS3 Adapter, Sonos ZP90

Bedroom Samsung UE32C6510, PS3 slim white, Apple TV, Sonos S5, Sonos ZP90, Audioengine 2, Oppo OPDV971H

Miscellaneous: Synology DS212J + 2 X WD Red 2TB drives, WD 1TB NAS, Sonos ZoneBridge, BT HH3 as modem & AirPort Extreme router

dukeden
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RE: Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

Interesting reading, I'll have to decide on the RX-A2010 plus apple tv or possibly the Denon you suggested and RX-A820. I can get demos on the last two but not the RX-A2010

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Sony KDL-32EX703, RX-A2020, RX6, A40 Centre, Sony BDP-S790, Sky+HD, QED Silver Anniversary XT, Audioquest Pearl HDMI, Braun Oral B Wink

bigboss
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RE: Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

Demo the RX-A2020 & see if you can appreciate the improvement over others. You'll get an idea of what to expect with the 2010.

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My Home Cinema  Pioneer KRP 500A, Yamaha RX-V1900, MA Radius R225HD LCR, R90HD rears, AW12 sub, Panasonic BD60, PS3, Boxee Box, Sky HD, Boxee Box, Logitech Harmony One, Logitech PS3 Adapter, Sonos ZP90

Bedroom Samsung UE32C6510, PS3 slim white, Apple TV, Sonos S5, Sonos ZP90, Audioengine 2, Oppo OPDV971H

Miscellaneous: Synology DS212J + 2 X WD Red 2TB drives, WD 1TB NAS, Sonos ZoneBridge, BT HH3 as modem & AirPort Extreme router

dukeden
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RE: Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

I now have a demo booked for Tuesday, will let you know how it goes. The guy in the shop reckons the yams are the way to go for the MT-50's, be good to see for myself.

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Sony KDL-32EX703, RX-A2020, RX6, A40 Centre, Sony BDP-S790, Sky+HD, QED Silver Anniversary XT, Audioquest Pearl HDMI, Braun Oral B Wink

bigboss
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RE: Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

Strangely enough, quite a few dealers don't recommend Denon. I raised this question sometime ago:

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/av-receivers/why-are-denon-receivers-unpop...

Can you ask your dealer the reason when you go for demo on Tuesday?

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My Home Cinema  Pioneer KRP 500A, Yamaha RX-V1900, MA Radius R225HD LCR, R90HD rears, AW12 sub, Panasonic BD60, PS3, Boxee Box, Sky HD, Boxee Box, Logitech Harmony One, Logitech PS3 Adapter, Sonos ZP90

Bedroom Samsung UE32C6510, PS3 slim white, Apple TV, Sonos S5, Sonos ZP90, Audioengine 2, Oppo OPDV971H

Miscellaneous: Synology DS212J + 2 X WD Red 2TB drives, WD 1TB NAS, Sonos ZoneBridge, BT HH3 as modem & AirPort Extreme router

dukeden
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RE: Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

My dealer said in his opinion the Yamaha and Pioneer are the better receivers currently. He also said that he wouldn't be at all suprised to see the Denon and Onkyo back up the top when they release their next models later in the year. So from this I got the impression that he wasn't bias.

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Sony KDL-32EX703, RX-A2020, RX6, A40 Centre, Sony BDP-S790, Sky+HD, QED Silver Anniversary XT, Audioquest Pearl HDMI, Braun Oral B Wink

dukeden
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RE: Which Receiver to Buy and Wireless Streaming

I've now had a demo with the Yamaha RX-A1020 and B&W MT-50's. Great for watching movies,  not so great for music, and this will be my main music source. I listened to some porcupine tree [prog rock], the MT-50's sound great with just acoustic guitars and singing. But couldn't really keep up when the tracks started getting a little heavy. The chap in the shop suggested using the MT-50 for the centre and two rear speakers plus sub when using 5.1. Replacing the front left and right MT-50's with floor standing speakers. What would you suggest for a budget of £650.

Having had a quick look I could get Q Acoustic 2050i for £396, they won best speaker up to £700. Or Monitor Audio bronze BX5 or at a stretch BX6. Anyone out there have any of these speakers?

Would really appreciate advice on this

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Sony KDL-32EX703, RX-A2020, RX6, A40 Centre, Sony BDP-S790, Sky+HD, QED Silver Anniversary XT, Audioquest Pearl HDMI, Braun Oral B Wink