AV Receiver Reviews

Mark seeing how you reviewed all the Avrs I'm looking at can you tell me your favourite out of the bunch, I'm looking at the elite sc-61, cambridge 551R, Yamaha rx-a1020, Arcam 360 and an Anthem MRX, I don't listen loud my speakers are book shelves with a 86 sensitivity, with you hearing all of those would love your input.

I am in the market for a new AVR, and I didn't have this one on the list. Amplifying the above comments, I would love to see the Denon AVR-3313CI and the Marantz SR 7/6007 comparison. Thanks for helping to illuminate these great products.

I just bought this AVR.a week ago. Have been loving it, upgrading from the Elite VSX40. Pushing DefTech ProCinema600 system. This review is the EXTRA cherry on top.

I could be wrong but AIR Studios tuned Pioneer's second generation ICE Power amps too.

I just got the Pioneer Elite BDP-62 blu ray machine, and it seems like an ideal mate to this AVR (currently, I'm stuck in the stone ages with my VSX82-TXS, but I'm not feeling any compelling reason to get a new AVR). I downloaded that remote control app, and it's awesome, even for the limited use the bdp can take advantage of. It looks like an Elite AVR would be awesome to control with it.

Still, in the BDP's owner's manual, there may be a lot of slick, synergistic features that owners of both this AVR and my BDP could take advantage of. It would be interesting to read a review of this combo.

I have the Pioneer SC-1222, in nearly all respects the same as the SC-61, and I concur with Mark's review. Its a fine sounding AVR and seems to be well mated with our classic ADS 710 4 ohm speakers. The Sc-61/1222 handle 4 ohm speakers with no difficulty.

The iControl AV2012 app works very well on my Android phone FYI. The receiver also plays Ogg Vorbis files when the DirectShow codec has been installed in Windows and Windows Media Player "sees" and plays Ogg Vorbis files. No luck with Opus yet, haven't found a good codec for Opus for WMP.

Mark notes the MSRP of $1,100, same for both the SC-61 and 1222, but you can get the SC-1222 on Newegg for $550-600. I got ours for $550, no shipping charge, which for a receiver of this quality is a genuine great value.

Recently I purchased an OPPO BDP-103 unit, and with an initial run through of its features and performance, I can unquestionably say that this OPPO player is up to the Professional audio requirements and value for its money paid. It’s practical to have the added connection option of two HDMI outputs, one for my Projector and the other for my Plasma TV. The HDMI inputs are provided for connecting my Blu-ray, Set-Top Box and other HDMI equipped source components that can take advantage of the BDP-103's video processing and up-scaling abilities.

OPPO is the very few that definitely does not scrimp on connections, such as the inclusion of a set of 5.1/7.1 channel analog audio outputs for use with compatible older Home Theater receivers that may not have latest decoders. This 5.1/7.1 channel analog audio outputs connection option actually has been removed from almost all other Blu-Ray disc players in the market. This high quality audio playback features 2D/3D Blu-Ray disc, DVD, SACD, DVD Audio and CD playback. It also, has a built-in network connectivity which can access media content from both the internet and DLNA connected PCs and other devices.
Alphonso Soosay
www.alphonsosoosay.com

A speaker system that is solid, smooth and polished as the sculpted marble that houses it. The NOrh Marble 9.0 Stereo Loudspeaker System is different from every other speaker system I have ever worked with, and you will notice that difference the
moment you see it, it’s housed in a single block of sculpted marble in the shape of a traditional Thai drum.
It is the quality of the marble (or rather, its resonance) combined with its shape, and the electronics, that has made the NOrh Marble 9.0 the amazing phenomenon that it is. Despite the pure marble (all 72kgs of it.), the high performance drivers, the unique acoustic design, and the sheer elegance it exudes in any living room, it compares with some of the best high-end systems I know and it costs a lot less. I must admit I was a little sceptical at first. The loudspeaker industry is full of smart systems that look better than they sound and for a moment I wondered whether marble was just another “look good” gimmick. As an audio recording engineer, I have always tended to believe that while speaker housings do matter, one has to consider other key factors such as the combination of audio speaker components and the crossover itself. Let’s face it, we all know that the finest recordings encoded on the most advanced home storage devices (Blu-ray, DVD, DAT or CD) that is played back through a top grade, high current amplifier can sound dreadful if the audio system is hooked up to a poor quality speaker system.
The speaker system produced a very balanced stereo image with negligible harmonic distortion. The dynamic range was overwhelming again; vocal performance
was remarkably natural with low coloration. I noticed that male voices had
extra definition, which made diction more precise; it gave the music a quality of
vitality and excitement, well balanced and fatigue-free.
The bright side was that the better the recording (Blu-ray concerts, SACD & DDD), the more realistic it sounded. Also, it was equally responsive while watch a movie on Blu-ray disc to quiet sounds like rustling leaves, dripping water, clinking jewellery and rustling paper. Effects you expect only in cinemas are now available in your own home when watching a Blu-ray and DVD movies.
The imaging on 9.0’s is spot on to an extent that I could point my finger to where the actor, musician and singers were standing. The sense of detail was accurate.
Alphonso Soosay
www.alphonsosoosay.com