Yamaha R-N602 to drive Dali Oberon 5?
Discussion
Hi,
I’ve currently got a Sony STR-DB930 driving some new Dali Oberon 5 floorstanders and mostly use a Chromecast Audio with Spotify via optical as the input.
The Sony is an old AV Receiver, but was apparently well regarded when new.
I’d been curious about using a Stereo amp rather than AV Receiver to improve quality, as that seems to be the general recommendation online.
There’s nothing wrong with it now, but was hoping to improve things further and possibly reduce power consumption as I guess the Sony uses a fair amount.
I found the Yamaha R-N602 fairly cheap on Richer Sounds so have placed a back order, but am wondering if it was the right thing to do - power output is lower than the Sony for one thing.
Has anyone got any thoughts? Anyone else gone AV to Stereo amp and found huge difference?
Unfortunately with shops shut I can’t go and listen.
I’ve currently got a Sony STR-DB930 driving some new Dali Oberon 5 floorstanders and mostly use a Chromecast Audio with Spotify via optical as the input.
The Sony is an old AV Receiver, but was apparently well regarded when new.
I’d been curious about using a Stereo amp rather than AV Receiver to improve quality, as that seems to be the general recommendation online.
There’s nothing wrong with it now, but was hoping to improve things further and possibly reduce power consumption as I guess the Sony uses a fair amount.
I found the Yamaha R-N602 fairly cheap on Richer Sounds so have placed a back order, but am wondering if it was the right thing to do - power output is lower than the Sony for one thing.
Has anyone got any thoughts? Anyone else gone AV to Stereo amp and found huge difference?
Unfortunately with shops shut I can’t go and listen.
Using an AVR for music, and I do too, is a compromise for a variety of reasons - best to run it in direct/source direct/whatever terminology Sony use, but the biggest compromise currently to me from what you said is the use of Spotify as a source (if you have the CCA's high dynamic range turned on and connected via optical instead of 3.5mm that is) it isn't a patch on a CD or CD quality stream, never mind hi-res streams - cue people coming along and saying tests have determined people can't tell the difference, I most certainly can in dynamics/space/imaging/soundstage, all of them became noticeably improved when I tested CD/Tidal/Qobuz against Spotify last year - it's fine for out and about/in the car/kitchen/finding new music etc, but for discerning listening it doesn't cut the mustard (for me!) Might be worth jumping on a free trial of Qobuz/Tidal and see if it's as apparent on your system?
And yes, I was/am considering moving to a stereo only amp as I think I watched as many films in the last year as I used to watch in a weekend - I was considering getting an amp with a home theatre input that would run the stereo pair on it's own for music but be controlled by the AVR for movies, but I'm unsure what route to take until I move to my new place at some point this year. And I've had enough of the constant changes in audio/visual formats...
And yes, I was/am considering moving to a stereo only amp as I think I watched as many films in the last year as I used to watch in a weekend - I was considering getting an amp with a home theatre input that would run the stereo pair on it's own for music but be controlled by the AVR for movies, but I'm unsure what route to take until I move to my new place at some point this year. And I've had enough of the constant changes in audio/visual formats...
I think will sound really nice. Years ago I had a Yamaha 750SE home cinema amp with some mission M73 floorstanders. Because of the room lay out I thought they were OK. The day I was selling them, I rearranged them and the set up came alive in terms of clarity and stereo image. If those items sounded good, the new Yamaha will sound brilliant. Particularly if you get the placement right.
Also, I have a pair of dali zensor 1s and have used them will all different amps. They are excellent with whatever you drive them with. I used a Topping VX2 initially which is a little T class amp and when I test 3 or 4 pairs of similar speakers, they were the best. The Topping was clear but a little gutless. It had a bass boost which made them sound a bit Muddy but the Dalis masked it very well.
Good. Luck, let us know how you get on.
Also, I have a pair of dali zensor 1s and have used them will all different amps. They are excellent with whatever you drive them with. I used a Topping VX2 initially which is a little T class amp and when I test 3 or 4 pairs of similar speakers, they were the best. The Topping was clear but a little gutless. It had a bass boost which made them sound a bit Muddy but the Dalis masked it very well.
Good. Luck, let us know how you get on.
Wondering if changing to the top model for a bit more might be best, £589 with 3 year warranty:
https://petertyson.co.uk/yamaha-r-n803d-network-am...
Currently paid £379 plus £37 6 year warranty upgrade from Richer Sounds (refundable if not used).
https://petertyson.co.uk/yamaha-r-n803d-network-am...
Currently paid £379 plus £37 6 year warranty upgrade from Richer Sounds (refundable if not used).
I made a similar move away from an AVR to stereo amp at the end of 2019 as i wasn't really using my STR-DH540 for TV/movies and had the same queries about audio quality. I had concerns about splashing out too much in case the grass wasn't greener, but I managed to pick up a used Marantz PM-7001 off ebay for a decent price and I haven't looked back. It doesn't have the functionality of the Yamaha kit you're looking at, but the Marantz has been a real improvement over the Sony AVR and has really brought the best out of my Concept 20s. Plus I'm not sure that the power numbers on the AVR tell the whole story for stereo listening, the Marantz is less powerful on paper but in reality I haven't needed to take it beyond ~25% volume to surpass the DH540 at typical listening levels. Looking at the specs and reviews on Richer Sounds for the N602 I don't think you'd be disappointed.
Mattt said:
Wondering if changing to the top model for a bit more might be best, £589 with 3 year warranty:
https://petertyson.co.uk/yamaha-r-n803d-network-am...
Currently paid £379 plus £37 6 year warranty upgrade from Richer Sounds (refundable if not used).
Open box for 519.https://petertyson.co.uk/yamaha-r-n803d-network-am...
Currently paid £379 plus £37 6 year warranty upgrade from Richer Sounds (refundable if not used).
Lovely amps. We're early stages of a kitchen extension and quite fancy one of these to run ceiling speakers.
I’ve got the Yamaha 303D, the base MusicCast model and it’s a very good amp. Probably not as nice a sound as the older NAD amp I replaced it with but it fits my needs very well.
I’ve got a Project turntable through a phono box running into it for analogue sounds. An optical out directly from the TV but mainly listen to Spotify or internet radio. I’ve only got two small rooms but I’ve got a pair of MA Bronze 5s in the living room that the amp can more than drive but never really pushes them, they’re probably comparable with the Dali’s you’re using. I also have a pair of Bronze 2s in my bedroom that seem to run slightly better from the amp despite being on cheaper and overly long speaker wire.
I’ve got a Project turntable through a phono box running into it for analogue sounds. An optical out directly from the TV but mainly listen to Spotify or internet radio. I’ve only got two small rooms but I’ve got a pair of MA Bronze 5s in the living room that the amp can more than drive but never really pushes them, they’re probably comparable with the Dali’s you’re using. I also have a pair of Bronze 2s in my bedroom that seem to run slightly better from the amp despite being on cheaper and overly long speaker wire.
Mattt said:
Now thinking the Audiolab 6000a might be a better bet, retaining my Chromecast Audio with digital out.
The Yamahas would be a better buy as far as i am concerned.I'd bet they are better sounding and you have access to the Musiccast app for multi room audio with the other products (which the Audiolab can't) if required.
tonyg58 said:
The Yamahas would be a better buy as far as i am concerned.
I'd bet they are better sounding and you have access to the Musiccast app for multi room audio with the other products (which the Audiolab can't) if required.
There's an Audiolab 6000a Play version now that has wireless connectivity built in, but it's £800.I'd bet they are better sounding and you have access to the Musiccast app for multi room audio with the other products (which the Audiolab can't) if required.
tonyg58 said:
Mattt said:
Now thinking the Audiolab 6000a might be a better bet, retaining my Chromecast Audio with digital out.
The Yamahas would be a better buy as far as i am concerned.I'd bet they are better sounding and you have access to the Musiccast app for multi room audio with the other products (which the Audiolab can't) if required.
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