Sony STR-AV1070....just wiped the floor.....with my Onkyo TX-4500

[vinyldavid]

First, a little history on this receiver...


When I was 2, my father bought a stereo system, consisting of a Sony linear tracking turntable, Pioneer CLD-M90, Sony TC-K670 3 head cassette deck, sony 27" TV, a VCR of some sort, and Bose 10.2 speakers. I figured out how to use this system (most of it, that is), when I was about 2 and a half. I could play records, CD's, radio and tapes. That's as far back as I can remember....

We moved from the house when I was 5, and my father gave the speakers away, and tried to give the remaining components away (linear TT died, probably from me, and I remember taking it apart once it was dead and figuring out how belt drive worked), but I put up such a fuss that he stored them in my grandmothers basement. I got them back when i was 9, after bugging my mother to go get them. Used them for a long while, until 7th grade or so, when I wrangled a somewhat working Pioneer SX-780 away from a friend. Was using some crap no name speakers that I later blew.

Last time I used this receiver, it was through Panasonic SB-1600 thrusters.

So I got it back from my friend, and put it in my closet. This morning, I did not have to help teach at my sunday school, so I thought that I'd pull it down for a test. Hooked up New large Advents and ProJect 1 Xpression III with Sumiko Oyster cart....put on Placido Domingo's Perhaps Love (side 2).

*eyepop*

Turned me into a little puddle into my listening chair. I then put on Growing Up In Hollywood Town (Lincoln Mayorga and Amanda McBroom)....and was treated to the best soundstaging and detail I have ever heard in my home.....the only thing I have ever heard better was the McIntosh demo that I went to a few months ago, and that was with 300w tube monoblocks, line arrays, tube pre and the McIntosh MT10.....


This thing sounds great!

I had my mother come in to my room, to make sure that it wasn't my ears deceiving me, and she didn't notice the extra receiver (she hates gear), and said that everything sounded amazing, lifelike, and true..... It's far more open and extended on both ends of the frequency range, and far more dynamic.....

Specs:
120wpc, both channels driven, no more than 0.015% distortion....*devil*

It gets really warm, though....

[MacGyver]

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SONY/STR-AV1070X1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SONY/STR-AV1070X2.jpg


ah, the SONY STR-AV1070X. i had a fascination with this model for awhile, there. i much prefer the PIONEER VSX-D1S though, a lot more bang for your buck. i had always liked the 1070's RM-P311 remote though, i have one, in fact. that remote always reminded me of the very first 1980's era, billion-button programmable remote i had ever fell in love with, attached to the stereo receiver outlined here... http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=953

[MacGyver]

[Ihttp://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/VSX-D1S1-1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/vsxd1s.jpg

the PIONEER VSX-D1S. this model is rated at 130w @ 8ohms, or 70w @ 6ohms, with 0.005% THD. it consumes 670w from the tap. the 1070, as i recall, consumes around 300w or thereabouts, and outputs 120w. how is it possible for a receiver that draws half the power to output nearly the same wattage as one that consumes twice as much? does anyone know? it has boggled my mind for quite some time now, if anybody has any clue, please chime in!!!!


the D1S gets quite warm as well. that is normal for a high-powered amp...

[vinyldavid]

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/STR-AV1070X1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/STR-AV1070X2.jpg



ah, the SONY STR-AV1070X. i had a fascination with this model for awhile, there. i much prefer the PIONEER VSX-D1S though, a lot more bang for your buck. i had always liked the 1070's RM-P311 remote though, i have one, in fact. that remote always reminded me of the very first 1980's era, billion-button programmable remote i had ever fell in love with, attached to the stereo receiver outlined here... http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=953

I don't have a remote with this one...and $100 is too much to pay, so there will be no remote for me......

But yes, I do like the remote.

Looks wise against your Pioneer, I have to say that I like the looks of mine better, I cannot comment about the sound, tho.

I did look around for the rest of the XX70 line, and found the 2070 and 3070. They both seem to share the SAME everything as the 1070, as they are rated the exact same in everything except DSP facilities......which I would never use anyway, so basically, this is the perfect receiver out of that line for me....*reelspin*

If only it had a few more tape loops...


The 1070 draws 265w, I have always assumed that to be IDLE power, versus maximum power draw. The IHF power of this sucker into 4ohms is 250w+250w, and that does NOT = 265w total, so I think that they are stating idle power....no idea why.

Also, do you know what the Pioneer Retailed for vs. the Sony? The sony retailed for $465, but I have heard of some paying $550...

[vinyldavid]

Regarding Bang-For-The-Buck....

According to the user manual in mine, Music Power is 185w+185w into 8 ohms, and 250w+250w into 4ohms, while you state that your RMS power drops to HALF into SIX ohm loads......I do not have figures for rms power into 6 or 4 for my Sony, but I think that music power will be sufficient to prove my point.

Please explain to me how an amp that retailed for $1500 (according to a quick google search), loses almost 1/2 it's power into 6 ohms is superior in bang-for-the-buck to an amp that goes up in power into 4 ohm loads, and retailed for $550 (MAX, bluebook stated $465). I'm really very interested to know.

You can have your opinions, and I respect them, but check your facts first before starting in on someone else's gear.

[MacGyver]

I don't have a remote with this one...and $100 is too much to pay, so there will be no remote for me......

But yes, I do like the remote.

Looks wise against your Pioneer, I have to say that I like the looks of mine better, I cannot comment about the sound, tho.

I did look around for the rest of the XX70 line, and found the 2070 and 3070. They both seem to share the SAME everything as the 1070, as they are rated the exact same in everything except DSP facilities......which I would never use anyway, so basically, this is the perfect receiver out of that line for me....*reelspin*

If only it had a few more tape loops...


The 1070 draws 265w, I have always assumed that to be IDLE power, versus maximum power draw. The IHF power of this sucker into 4ohms is 250w+250w, and that does NOT = 265w total, so I think that they are stating idle power....no idea why.

Also, do you know what the Pioneer Retailed for vs. the Sony? The sony retailed for $465, but I have heard of some paying $550...


did you know that the 2070 and 3070 are VERY, VERY rare? crazy, huh? anyway, you can get the remote for quite cheap on the bay! i'll show you...


http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=RM-P311&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[vinyldavid]

did you know that the 2070 and 3070 are VERY, VERY rare? crazy, huh? anyway, you can get the remote for quite cheap on the bay! i'll show you...


http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=RM-P311&_sacat=See-All-Categories

I knew about the 2070, but had never heard of the 3070 until today while researching.

Thanks for the link.

[MacGyver]

I knew about the 2070, but had never heard of the 3070 until today while researching.

Thanks for the link.


the 2070 and 3070 appear to be identical from the very few pics i have been able to find throughout the years. i have no idea why those two are so incredibly rare, though. anyway, i truly apologize for the incedent up above, i never really thought about that before. it's quite strange; the manual states that the in the receiver's two impedance modes, MODE A and B, that MODE A is at 8ohms 130wL/R, 40w each for center channel and surrounds, and at MODE B is 6ohms, 70wL/R, 70W center, and 50w each for the surrounds. it also states that dynamic power is 260w into 4ohms, and 280w into 2ohms. STEREO REVIEW claimed that they actually measured 175w L/R @8ohms, but you are right, those don't really sound like very good specs. i guess i don't know as much as i thought. anyway, again, i apologize. i got my facts wrong...

[vinyldavid]

the 2070 and 3070 appear to be identical from the very few pics i have been able to find throughout the years. i have no idea why those two are so incredibly rare, though. anyway, i truly apologize for the incedent up above, i never really thought about that before. it's quite strange; the manual states that the in the receiver's two impedance modes, MODE A and B, that MODE A is at 8ohms 130wL/R, 40w each for center channel and surrounds, and at MODE B is 6ohms, 70wL/R, 70W center, and 50w each for the surrounds. it also states that dynamic power is 260w into 4ohms, and 280w into 2ohms. STEREO REVIEW claimed that they actually measured 175w L/R @8ohms, but you are right, those don't really sound like very good specs. i guess i don't know as much as i thought. anyway, again, i apologize. i got my facts wrong...

That's perfectly OK, and consider it a learning opportunity for next time. Specs DON'T say everything, though, so don't think that equipment is crap because the specs aren't perfect/really good.

As far as I can tell, from the sony manual, the 120wpc into 8 is constant, while adding 15wpc for the rear and 30wpc for the center channels when you go into surround mode. I cannot verify that, so I will not state it as fact, but that seems logical to me.....

[MacGyver]

i wonder if the 1070 routes and combines the center/surround amps with the L/R amps in stereo mode? that could explain those high specs...

[vinyldavid]

i wonder if the 1070 routes and combines the center/surround amps with the L/R amps in stereo mode? that could explain those high specs...

No clue on that one...


I doubt that I'd ever try out surround, so I don't know what would happen....

[MacGyver]

i just reread the posts and yes, these two receivers in question are indeed almost identical in output specs. the D1S draws 680w VS the 1070's 250. other than that, yes, the D1S' street price was (depending on where you bought it) at least $250 more than the 1070's. what did that extra money buy you? several features; BASS/MIDRANGE/TREBLE tone control, (the 1070 uses a built in EQ for tone control) 11 inputs (including four tape loops and a auxillary front panel input) a DIRECT function (bypass all tone control) a VIDEO ADAPTOR loop (for a video line doubler, Etc.) four S-VIDEO inputs (including two loops) a PHONO input with variable gain, a coaxial antenna in option, full muting, (the 1070's MUTING is a 20db attenuator) JOG dial control, seven DSP modes (the 1070 has three) and a programmable remote with a 226 button memory (or one program for each of the 72 keys in three control modes; AUDIO,VIDEO, and AUX, for a 226 learnable key total) so, in the end, yes, the VSX-D1S IS a better bang for your buck, (that is, if you're looking for an A/V receiver with just about every possible feature) anyway, i again apologize if i come off as a dick or something, i'm honestly not trying to create a pissing contest here, i merely have been wanting to compare these two receivers that were pretty much equivilents to each other back in their day (1990/1993 D1S, 1990/199? 1070) back to back for several years now and you suddenly provided me with the perfect opportunity, Dave...

[vinyldavid]

i just reread the posts and yes, these two receivers in question are indeed almost identical in output specs. the D1S draws 680w VS the 1070's 250. other than that, yes, the D1S' street price was (depending on where you bought it) at least $250 more than the 1070's. what did that extra money buy you? several features; BASS/MIDRANGE/TREBLE tone control, (the 1070 uses a built in EQ for tone control) 11 inputs (including four tape loops and a auxillary front panel input) a DIRECT function (bypass all tone control) a VIDEO ADAPTOR loop (for a video line doubler, Etc.) four S-VIDEO inputs (including two loops) a PHONO input with variable gain, a coaxial antenna in option, full muting, (the 1070's MUTING is a 20db attenuator) JOG dial control, seven DSP modes (the 1070 has three) and a programmable remote with a 226 button memory (or one program for each of the 72 keys in three control modes; AUDIO,VIDEO, and AUX, for a 226 learnable key total) so, in the end, yes, the VSX-D1S IS a better bang for your buck, (that is, if you're out for mucho features) anyway, i again apologize if i come off as a dick or something, i'm honestly not trying to create a pissing contest here, i merely have been wanting to compare these two receivers that were pretty much equivalents to each other back in their day (1990/1993 D1S, 1990/199? 1070) back to back for several years now and you suddenly provided me with the perfect opportunity, Dave...

Nice readup on the specs of a very nice receiver.

Do you have a way to post up the SNR specs for the line inputs and phono inputs?

Spec sheet tells me
Phono: -87/79db (A, 2.5mV) quiet!

Normal line inputs are -105/85(A, 150mV) db

I would think that a 7 band EQ is far more useful than a bass, mid an tone control, and each of the 7 bands has a + or -12db range.

personally, I never use anything that you mentioned in the way of sound fields or tone controls. Only thing I would ever use is the -20db muting on occasion.....otherwise I put nothing in the path of the audio, besides what has to be there.....

This has 3 video inputs, 3 tape loops, cursor control of the functions, 30 AM/FM presets, likeyou said, 3 sound fields, 10 sound presets (each of which can remember what surround settings you had, like real delay and rear/center level, combined with each of the 5 dolby modes, and EQ settings, basically comprehensive sound settings), video/audio dub, a provision for a second zone, powered from the real channel amplifiers, with an accessory box that plugs into the back of the amp.

That about sums it up about what I know of this amp....

[MacGyver]

SPECIFICATIONS - PIONEER VSX-D1S


PHONO MM - 82db (A,2.5mV)
NORMAL LINE - 98db (150mV)
BASS/MID/TRE - +/-8db
LOUDNESS - +6db (100hz) +3db (10khz)
DAMPING FACTOR - 100 (1khz @8ohms)

[vinyldavid]

SPECIFICATIONS - PIONEER VSX-D1S


PHONO MM - 82db (A,2.5mV)
NORMAL LINE - 98db (150mV)
BASS/MID/TRE - +/-8db
LOUDNESS - +6db (100hz) +3db (10khz)
DAMPING FACTOR - 100 (1khz @8ohms)

DBFB (bass boost)=+10db at 70hz
Damping Factor=50
EQ: +/- 10db (my bad on the earlier spec) at 63hz, 160hs, 400hs, 1Khz, 2.5kHz, 6.3kHz, 16kHz

[vinyldavid]

Been listening to the tuner on this for hours...........WOW!!!!!!

Sounds far better than any CD I have ever heard on my system. Soundstaging is amazing, and so is the freq response.

This has my Onkyo beat straight to hell!


Bruce Hornesby and the Range's That's The Way It Is prerecorded sounds damn good, too, and that's a very overplayed tape!

[Web Police]

It is always nice to know that you can still be surprised by different components every now and then in the audio world. You think you know what you like and you think you have the best sounding equipment, then you make one change and a whole new world open up. I'd swap them back and listen and make sure it was just the component or not the connections though.

I guess the onkyo is now available for Target practice? :-?

[vinyldavid]

I guess the onkyo is now available for Target practice? :-?

Nah.

I got it as a present from AK, and I am going to pass it on to another budding audiophile that could use it as a boost. Still a good receiver, just not up to this BPC looking thing

[MacGyver]

Nah.

I got it as a present from AK, and I am going to pass it on to another budding audiophile that could use it as a boost. Still a good receiver, just not up to this BPC looking thing



so, you just got this 1070 not long ago?

[vinyldavid]

so, you just got this 1070 not long ago?

No.....the 1070 has ben in my family and under my usage since I was 2....I got the Onkyo as a present from AK last year.

[MacGyver]

No.....the 1070 has ben in my family and under my usage since I was 2....I got the Onkyo as a present from AK last year.



an old friend! cool!!:-)<-o-o:-)

[MacGyver]

No.....the 1070 has ben in my family and under my usage since I was 2....I got the Onkyo as a present from AK last year.


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/SONY/STR-AV1070X2.jpg





you should get yourself one of those RM-P311s on the bay and complete it!!

[vinyldavid]

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/STR-AV1070X2.jpg






you should get yourself one of those RM-P311s on the bay and complete it!!

I'll work on getting hold of one....I'm so broke that I cannot even buy vinyl and cassettes from the GoodWill anymore...

[MacGyver]

I'll work on getting hold of one....I'm so broke that I cannot even buy vinyl and cassettes from the GoodWill anymore...



MAAANNN!!!! sorry, pal...

[vinyldavid]

Here's the receiver in replay mode from a cassette. It has user assignable input names. A very useful feature.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii298/vinyldavid/IM000849.jpg

And replay from vinyl:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii298/vinyldavid/IM000850.jpg



It's got a LOT of battle scars.....but not as bad as one would expect from a receiver that survived 3 years at a rowdy teenagers house and use at the hands of a child that was 9-12....

[MacGyver]

Here's the receiver in replay mode from a cassette. It has user assignable input names. A very useful feature.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii298/vinyldavid/IM000849.jpg

And replay from vinyl:
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii298/vinyldavid/IM000850.jpg



It's got a LOT of battle scars.....but not as bad as one would expect from a receiver that survived 3 years at a rowdy teenagers house and use at the hands of a child that was 9-12....


an old friend indeed!! you should consider getting another one in good shape with the remote off the bay, and retiring your original old friend there to a special place of honor in still functional condition. a word of warning: PLEASE find another place for that lamp; that receiver has precious little ventilation as is, and it just doesn't need ANY obstructions. you say it gets quite hot there, dave, well that is largely due to it's limited ventilation. the VSX-D1S that i have is one of the very few receivers i have ever seen that has ample ventilation on four sides: top, bottom and either side. as such, despite the fact that it is powerful and runs HOT, it has very efficient convection cooling that keeps it quite cool. point is, your 1070 is underventilated, and needs all the venting it can get. removing that there lamp of yours is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...

[vinyldavid]

an old friend indeed!! you should consider getting another one in good shape with the remote off the bay, and retiring your original old friend there to a special place of honor in still functional condition. a word of warning: PLEASE find another place for that lamp; that receiver has precious little ventilation as is, and it just doesn't need ANY obstructions. you say it gets quite hot there, dave, well that is largely due to it's limited ventilation. the VSX-D1S that i have is one of the very few receivers i have ever seen that has ample ventilation on four sides: top, bottom and either side. as such, despite the fact that it is powerful and runs HOT, it has very efficient convection cooling that keeps it quite cool. point is, your 1070 is underventilated, and needs all the venting it can get. removing that there lamp of yours is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...

If I can ever get some money, I really do want to retire mine and get one in great condition.

I SHOULD have a new stereo rack in a few days, and that will eliminate the need for the amp to have a lamp on it....

I know it's bad.

[MacGyver]

If I can ever get some money, I really do want to retire mine and get one in great condition.

I SHOULD have a new stereo rack in a few days, and that will eliminate the need for the amp to have a lamp on it....

I know it's bad.



excellent!! can't wait to see the rack!!:-)<-o-o:-) i hummed and hawed over my lack of one for quite a while, and suddenly i got my mother's old TV cabinet, plus a PIONEER rack for $5.00 at a thrift, and everything just fit perfectly together! hope it works as well for you!!!!o-o:-)




BEFORE...

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/DSCF0165.jpg

AFTER...

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/LASYSTEM-9-29-08.jpg

[vinyldavid]

Gettin one of these:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=71473-80752-184874B&lpage=none

[MacGyver]

Gettin one of these:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=71473-80752-184874B&lpage=none



ah. should be strong enough. i hope it's deep enough to properly support some of your deeper components...

[vinyldavid]

ah. should be strong enough. i hope it's deep enough to properly support some of your deeper components...

I should have no problems witht at, as I have the smaller version of this for my vinyl. No problems with weight handling, and most of my components pose no problem for this. I'm not worried about a few inches hangin off the back.