Who makes and what is the best audio video receiver that also has the lowes THD?

Answer 1

High end separates (amp, preamp, tuner) will cost much more than a receiver but deliver much better sound. As for receivers the best has to be the Lexicon RV-8 ($7000.00). Lexicon is a true high-end company and for them to make a receiver is a step down. The second best must be the Denon AVR-5805. Anyone who does not believe that higher end components make a big audible difference has to listen to these two pieces. They sound amazing when used with good speakers. If you are just looking to know which mid-fi receiver you should get you can't go wrong with Denon or Onkyo.
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Update -- Robert (below) is right. I forgot that NAD does make some receivers, not just separates. These receivers would be outstanding. Additionally, Rotel used to make receivers and Outlaw Audio currently does. Both are good, high-end brands.

Answer 2

This is an odd question in that your question poses the assumption that you are all about quality- not price point, then the word "receiver" pops up.

Many of the other responses here are correct- if you are looking for quality- go investigate separates in your price range/ musical taste (they sound different from one another too).

If you are buying a receiver, whether it's a $500 one or a $5000 dollar one- you should be considering other specs besides THD.

Besides, if you go to some of the hardcore a/v forums, people will debate you on how much THD is good or bad in a system. Some argue that distortion of any kind is unwanted- others will debate that some THD is wanted to give a warmer sound- too "distortion-free" can sound mechanical.

Answer 3

THD, just like other tehcnical specs, have little bearing on the sound. Some old tube amps, with terrible specs, sound much better then some "low distortion" mass produced japanese look-like-thyey-made-on-the-same-conveyer electronics. Or Quad speakers... But since you asked...

The lowest THD is claimed - and rightfully so - by an Australian company HALCRO Logic (www.halcro.com). It is a very expensive true high-end company. Like most high end companies, they dont make recievers, but you can buy a processor and multi channel amp.

The suggested retail prices of the processors - SSP100 and SSP80 are $9,990 and $7,990 respectively. MC50 5 channel amp is about $5,000.

British companies Rotel and Arcam make great separates and recievers. I am not up on the latest prices - lat time I cheked they ranged from $2k to $6k, but you can check www.arcam.com and www.rotel.com.

And then there is an old American company MCINTOSH - still makes great stuff,and just came out with a new controller/multi-channel amp combo for about $15k.

Ohter companies to look at is Mark Levinson, Classe, Lexicon - as suggested in other responses, and many others.

Answer 4

Hi. I would say NAD make the best Audio /Video Receivers.



Their top model consists of a separate Surround Sound


Preamplifier (S 170i) which can hook up to any of their Multi-


Channel Power Amplifiers ( S 250 5- Channel Power Amplifier.....CI 9060 6- Channel Power Amplifier....CI 9120 12- Channel Power Amplifier.)




This arrangement allows NAD to employ high quality audio circuitry in their amplifiers which can be used as a stand alone audio amplifier of excellent quality.I do not know of any other A/V amplifier that has better sound . The price of these units are lower than you would expect considering the flexability available to match various components.

Incidentally , Total Harmonic Distortion of less than 0.1 percent is meaningless.It cannot be detected by the human ear. More important are other types of distortion such as "Transient Intermodulation Distortion " (TIM) and "Crossover Distortion " which the ear is sensitive to.

Hope this has been of some help,

Cheers.







Have a look at the following links :


http://207.228.230.231/info/S170i_data.pdf



http://207.228.230.231/info/NAD_S250.pdf


http://207.228.230.231/info/CI_9060.pdf


http://nadelectronics.com/products/custom-installations/CI9120-Power-Amplifier/details

Answer 5

THD is on spec that people latch onto and is meaningless if not weighed against other factors. My favorite set up is Krell (no receivers) awesome sound and as a sci fi nutt I like the fact that Dan named his company for the people of unlimited power from the fifties movie forbidden planet. Otherwise Denons 5805 is the one to get I have it and love it.

Answer 6

Denon, Marantz & Onkyo are all excellent. I have a Denon, which I really like, but if I had it to do over, I'd buy Onkyo. Easier to set up & use.
Avoid Sony.

Answer 7

here are the top reciever's - Onkyo (my personal favorite, Denon, Yamaha those are the top dogs.

Answer 8

Also Adcom and Sunfire...