If you are in the market for a NICE AVR, check out your local BB.

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Seems like the Sony Credit Card deal I signed up for is going through as originally advertised ($200 off any $349+ purchase) rather than the bait and switch deal ($200 off a SonyStyle.com purchase of $349). I do really want a new projector, but I'm not in a position to spend $2500 for the kind of models I want now. A new pre-pro / receiver like one of these is much easier to afford though.

I've been trying to think of something worthwhile to spend $349 on, but nothing has been jumping out at me. I thought about a netbook, but I only have one worthwhile foreseeable use for that, and I could borrow my gf's for that I assume. After that use, it would probably end up just sitting on a shelf somewhere.

I think that the Onkyo 885 from shoponkyo might be the winner. Essentially it will be $599 - $200 = $399.
Based on a $400 price, it seems unlikely to me that the feature set I'm looking for will be available often. Considering that I have to spend $349 on something within the next 30 days, it's tempting to buy this one.

Maybe I shouldn't have stopped researching the difference in performance from the SC-05 / SC-07 and 885 / 9.8 earlier.

EDIT:

Well bummer, I think the 885's stretching of 4:3 content and the incorrect color space issue with the video processing enabled is enough to make me hesitate on buying this.

Looks like there are a ton of firmware versions out and I don't know if any of those address the issues.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I think I might have a case of too much AVSforum.

Can someone who hasn't spent hours hunting through forums looking for problems give me an opinion on whether or not a $400 Onkyo 885 refurb is too good to pass up?
Considering that the few audio complaints are regarding analog inputs (which I will not be using), it's probably what I should be getting.

At this point I feel like I know what the shortcomings of the 885 are, and the main ones are in regard to when HDMI processing is enabled... and they may have even been resolved at this point with firmware? Anyone know for sure?

I don't know what the bugs are with the SC-05 / SC-07. Anybody research that yet?

 

[spidey07]

yoyo - I don't trust refurbs. I've been burned way too many times over the last 20 years.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

About half my stuff as been used / floor model / refurb.

A Mack extended warranty might be in order though... 3 yrs for $85
http://tapeworkstexas.com/extended_warranties.html

This is something I will probably end up getting for my next projector (from Mack or elsewhere)

 

[spidey07]

Refurb is different than used/floor model. Refurb has been repaired and you should know what happens when you damage equipment.

I'm just saying you roll the dice. If you're wanting a deal then do it, but understand the risk you take. I think I've been into audio/video longer than you've been alive so take it for what's it's worth.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Refurb is different than used/floor model. Refurb has been repaired and you should know what happens when you damage equipment.

I'm just saying you roll the dice. If you're wanting a deal then do it, but understand the risk you take. I think I've been into audio/video longer than you've been alive so take it for what's it's worth.

Some of them have certainly been returned for repair, but others might be floor models as well... at least according to this
http://www.shoponkyo.com/suppo...aq.cfm?detail=1&id=254

I agree, certainly a roll of the dice though. I guess I'm feeling lucky

EDIT: oh, and spidey07, I was looking around a little bit about ICEamp tech and found some very interesting info on AVSforum.

One of my bosses at work has been researching amp choices for his future Magnepan upgrade so I sent this to him earlier today to check out:



I know your amplification search is a difficult one, so I'll throw one more thing your way... another 500w into 8-ohm / 1000w into 4-ohm option.

B&O's ICEamp technology has been circulating around to different manufactures and has same very impressive specifications.

A couple name brand implementations / reviews

Rotel's implementation
http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/index.htm?cat=112
Reviews:
- This one uses Magnepan 1.6s and 20.1s as review speakers
http://www.rotel.com/content/r...s/rb1091_tas_dec06.pdf
- Another, with test results that double down for power ratings
http://www.rotel.com/content/r...091-hifinews-may06.pdf

Bel Canto's implementation
http://www.belcantodesign.com/prod_Ref1000MKII.html
Reviews:
http://www.positive-feedback.c...8/belcanto_ref1000.htm
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/eone2/1000.html
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/belcanto_ref1000.htm

Here's one place that AVSforum mentioned to go for ICEamps
http://www.d-sonic.net/
For example, they have a 3-channel amp (Magnum 1500-3) using three of the 500w / 1000w amp modules for $1975
OR
a 7 channel amp with 3x500/1000 up front and 4x250/500 for the surround/rear for $3175

Maybe you mentioned these already to me and I just didn't know what they were referring to. Did you look at any ICEamp options yet?

Here's an AVSforum thread about d-sonic specifically.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=855660

I haven't read through it, but at this point, I think this might be a very hard to beat price/performance option. I don't know what the return policy is for these from d-sonic.

From looking at the thread briefly, it seems like the amp modules all these manufacturers use is identical and even has the power supply built in. The difference is in the external case work, speaker terminals, and internal wiring. The amp performance itself should be virtually identical from unit to unit since they source the complete amp modules from the same place.

 

[s44]

You should check out the Wyred4Sound thread on AVS too. They claim to do more custom touches for the connectors, internal wiring, etc.

I like how D-Sonic offers the 2 power cord (!) option... That's a lot of amp power. Enough to blow out your ears, I think.

Also, Mark Seaton uses ICEpower modules as internal amplification for his active, individually tri-amped, digital crossover Catalysts. This makes a lot of sense, and I think we'll see more and more of this at least on the high-SPL home theater side.

 

[Denithor]

What kind of speakers do you guys use with these $$$ receivers?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Denithor
What kind of speakers do you guys use with these $$$ receivers?

I'm using AV123 Onix Rockets for the speakers and SVS for the subs

Front RS850 with a DIY sig crossover upgrade
Center RSC200 with a DIY sig crossover upgrade
Surround RSS300
Rear RS550 MKII

Dual cylinder subs
20-39 PC+ was first, then I found a PC-Ultra for a good deal too, so they're mismatched

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Denithor
What kind of speakers do you guys use with these $$$ receivers?

If I wind up getting one I'll probably hook it up to my martin logans just to hear the amplifer beg for mercy before it shuts down at just -10 on the volume.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: Denithor
What kind of speakers do you guys use with these $$$ receivers?

Bose. Lots of Bose.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Denithor
What kind of speakers do you guys use with these $$$ receivers?

If I wind up getting one I'll probably hook it up to my martin logans just to hear the amplifer beg for mercy before it shuts down at just -10 on the volume.

Sounds like you're in the market for a two-power-cord D-Sonic

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: s44

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Denithor
What kind of speakers do you guys use with these $$$ receivers?

If I wind up getting one I'll probably hook it up to my martin logans just to hear the amplifer beg for mercy before it shuts down at just -10 on the volume.

Sounds like you're in the market for a two-power-cord D-Sonic

And two dedicated 20A circuits to feed the beast

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Originally posted by: Denithor
What kind of speakers do you guys use with these $$$ receivers?

Bose. Lots of Bose.

With Monster cables.

 

[EvilYoda]

Man, D-Sonic's got the right idea...those ASC ICEpower modules are pretty damn cheap. Throw on an enclosure and some nice connectors and voila, hundreds in profit per amplifier.

If you really are serious about the ICEpower amps, I would spend some time on DIYaudio - batches of the modules pop up all the time for very reasonable prices. As Yoyo said earlier (i think it was him), the PS is on the same module, so it literally is a matter of soldering an IEC outlet, fuse, and some input jacks.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Man, D-Sonic's got the right idea...those ASC ICEpower modules are pretty damn cheap. Throw on an enclosure and some nice connectors and voila, hundreds in profit per amplifier.

If you really are serious about the ICEpower amps, I would spend some time on DIYaudio - batches of the modules pop up all the time for very reasonable prices. As Yoyo said earlier (i think it was him), the PS is on the same module, so it literally is a matter of soldering an IEC outlet, fuse, and some input jacks.

A quick search turned this up:

DIYaudio 1

DIYaudio 2

DIYaudio 3

Note that there are different types of modules - some do NOT have the PSU on board (they are designed to be used as the opposite channel in a stereo setup with an ASP module. Once again, read through B&O's white papers/spec sheets.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Man, D-Sonic's got the right idea...those ASC ICEpower modules are pretty damn cheap. Throw on an enclosure and some nice connectors and voila, hundreds in profit per amplifier.

If you really are serious about the ICEpower amps, I would spend some time on DIYaudio - batches of the modules pop up all the time for very reasonable prices. As Yoyo said earlier (i think it was him), the PS is on the same module, so it literally is a matter of soldering an IEC outlet, fuse, and some input jacks.

Why stop at hundreds when you can make thousands?
http://www.dagogo.com/JeffRowland501.html

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Man, D-Sonic's got the right idea...those ASC ICEpower modules are pretty damn cheap. Throw on an enclosure and some nice connectors and voila, hundreds in profit per amplifier.

If you really are serious about the ICEpower amps, I would spend some time on DIYaudio - batches of the modules pop up all the time for very reasonable prices. As Yoyo said earlier (i think it was him), the PS is on the same module, so it literally is a matter of soldering an IEC outlet, fuse, and some input jacks.

Why stop at hundreds when you can make thousands?
http://www.dagogo.com/JeffRowland501.html

Yeah, I know...I was just using the example that was being talked about.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
Man, D-Sonic's got the right idea...those ASC ICEpower modules are pretty damn cheap. Throw on an enclosure and some nice connectors and voila, hundreds in profit per amplifier.

If you really are serious about the ICEpower amps, I would spend some time on DIYaudio - batches of the modules pop up all the time for very reasonable prices. As Yoyo said earlier (i think it was him), the PS is on the same module, so it literally is a matter of soldering an IEC outlet, fuse, and some input jacks.

Why stop at hundreds when you can make thousands?
http://www.dagogo.com/JeffRowland501.html

Yeah, I know...I was just using the example that was being talked about.

I know

I did look briefly to see if there was a dummy's guide to building an awesome ICEamp. I figured that since the power supply was built in, that it might be on the easy side.

I saw this thread though
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1119714
and it seemed like the 1000ASP units were going for almost $500 each.

For a 3 channel implementation, that would put it at $1500 for just the modules without the cost of chassis, connectors, tools, time for research/construction, etc.
Along with the danger of screwing something up of course

With the 3 channel version from d-sonic being $1975, it seemed like savings would be minimal if everything went right with the potential of catastrophic failure (even potentially dangerous).

Of course if modules are available at a significant discount off those prices (as you indicated) that changes the possible cost benefit of the DIY route. From my perspective as someone who's done a little soldering on my crossover installation as my entire DIY experience, the profit margin on the d-sonic units seemed quite reasonable.

 

[s44]

Looks a bit daunting for a beginners' project. The risk of blowing several hundred bucks of B&O hardware every time you screw up is, uh, unpleasant.

Edit: LOL, ninjaed by Yoyo

 

[spidey07]

Well the price is just too good to pass up. I'll probably get one this weekend. More reading on the ICEpower does show they do poorly with low impedance so it will be fun to try and shut it down on my 2 channel system just for fun. But it's for the home theater and that's where it will stay.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: s44
Looks a bit daunting for a beginners' project. The risk of blowing several hundred bucks of B&O hardware every time you screw up is, uh, unpleasant.

Edit: LOL, ninjaed by Yoyo

meh, if people really want them, they can find wiring harnesses - they just have to pay a little more.

Either way, I hope to check out an ICEpower amp in the future, but it won't be anytime soon.

BTW, hate you spidey07.

 

[s44]

And... the Onkyo pre-pro deal is dead. Hope anyone who wanted it got it. Wonder when the 886 will go on sale...

(Meanwhile, the Egg does have the 876 receiver for $900.)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: s44
And... the Onkyo pre-pro deal is dead. Hope anyone who wanted it got it. Wonder when the 886 will go on sale...

(Meanwhile, the Egg does have the 876 receiver for $900.)

Yeah, I'm kind of irritated at myself. I had actually read through most of the official AVSforum thread (127-ish pages) and as I got to the last ones at about 9:50pm central and had decided I was going to get one (especially when they put an additional 10% off). They sold out like 5 minutes before I was going to get one.

Would have been $530 and potentially $200 off that for $330 final price to me. I'm such a moron.

Maybe I'll wait a year and get a 886 for that much if I'm lucky

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Well the price is just too good to pass up. I'll probably get one this weekend. More reading on the ICEpower does show they do poorly with low impedance so it will be fun to try and shut it down on my 2 channel system just for fun. But it's for the home theater and that's where it will stay.

Did you end up ordering one?