For Digital Music: Panasonic SA-RX50 or JVC RX F10 with JBL?

dman777 · « **on:** 28 Feb 2005, 04:04 am »

I was originial going to buy a Sony ES str-da2000es but someone suggested that I save the cash and get one of the completely pure digital amplifiers instead. I liked that idea and decided to go for it. I have narrowed my choices down to two choices: ethier the Panasonic SA-RX50 or the JVC RXF10. This is mainly for music, in which the reciever will be hooked up to my soundcard on my computer useing the digital connects. I also will be useing these speakers:

http://www.jbl.com/home/products/product_detail.asp?ProdId=E50BE&SerId=NRE&sCatId=BFSI

I live in apartment, so most of the time I will be lestioning to it at normal levels, with only a vary occasional loud jam when I think the neighbors aren't home. So, which one would be best for me?

P.s. Why doesn't the JVC site have the RX F10? Is it actually OEMed from another company?

pekar · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Feb 2005, 01:53 pm »

Please consider the JVC RX1 ESL, the F10 has been hyped here more, but some prefer the other model for music. I do NOT recommend the Panasonic for music listening.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Feb 2005, 02:32 pm »

Only the Panasonic is PURE digital.

It can take a digital signal in and keep it digital through the entire signal path.

The JVC receivers use D/A convertors

dman777 · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Feb 2005, 03:47 pm »

Quote from: Wayne1

Only the Panasonic is PURE digital.

It can take a digital signal in and keep it digital through the entire signal path.

The JVC receivers use D/A convertors

The majority seems to agree that the JVC is better for music lestioning, so would it be correct in assumeing that pure digital is not the best choice for music lestioning?

allears · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Feb 2005, 05:37 pm »

Why is the Sony 2000ES not considered "pure" digital?

From what I've read, the 2000ES, 3000ES, 5000ES, and 9000ES all process and amplify digital input signals entirely in the digital domain - i.e. no analog stages.The 1000ES is not pure digital as it contains an analog power amplifier stage.

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/STRDA9000ES_TWP.pdf

The biggest knock (and it's a big one) against the 2000ES, 3000ES, and 5000ES is that the noise floor seems to increase as they increase the voltage to their output drive stage. At -20 dB the noise is minimal, but at 0 dB, the noise is arguably unacceptable.

I own both a Sony 3000ES and a Panasonic SAXR50. Although the Sony cost more, it has quite a few more features. I consider them to be in the same ball park value-wise.

dman777 · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Feb 2005, 05:52 pm »

Well, I just ordered a JV RX-F10 so I'll see how that goes. If I don't like it I'll just send it back and probably go with the Sony Str2000ES. I used to have a Nakamichi receiver and it had a really great sound but the high's were always a little to harsh, so I was reluctant to get the Panasonic XR50 from reading of it's 'bright sound'. Could you tell me, between the Sony you have and the Panasonic for lestioning to 2 channel music from digital connections, how they differ in sound? Is the Panasonic slightly more harsh than the Sony?

Thanks,
-Dman

allears · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Mar 2005, 01:28 am »

I've never compared the SAXR50 to the 3000ES using the same set of speakers. I have $3,000 dollars worth of Magnepans hooked up to the Sony 3000ES and only $200 worth of NHTs hooked up to the Panasonic SAXR50. The 3000ES is so smooth it made an all-digital believer out of me. On the other hand, the SAXR50 has brought levels of bass out of my NHT SuperOne's that I didn't think was possible - much better than my 7 year old Pioneer Elite receiver could do. The SAXR50/NHT combo is nowhere near as smooth as the 3000ES/Mangnepan combo, but I assume most of the difference is is due to the speakers.

AphileEarlyAdopter · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Mar 2005, 03:30 am »

allears,
Would it be possible for you to try the NHTs with the Sony 3000ES ? I am curious to know the results. Before buying the XR50, I went and listened to the 3000ES in Good Guys. It is really smooth. To some extent, for me, it was 'too smooth'. Since I am not sure I like the sound of SACDs, and the Sony reminded me of that sound, I went with the Panny, also the price was much lower and so the risk was less.
After some non-invasive tweaks, I am really enjoying my Panny. One tip for you, the Panny does not like jitter in its digital input. If you can feed it quality digital input, the sound is very good. Still some CDs sound harsh, and some CDs (like Yo-Yo-Ma's Silk Road) sound very good, with out any harshness. I put my cd player on cones and got a new digital cables (Zu Ash) to dial in this sound. Let me know either way, more of your opinions about the xr50.