Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories (DBT-Free Forum) › Opinions on the Panny SA-XR55S Dig Receiver?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Opinions on the Panny SA-XR55S Dig Receiver?

post #1 of 16
11/27/06 at 12:29am
Thread Starter 
Amazon's got a nice deal on a Panny SA-XR55S, selling for $170. I've been looking to replace a Kenwood VR-407 for awhile now, and think this might be a good candidate.

Any opinions, reasons not to pick one up at that price? I'll be using it mainly for music (via speakers) and 5.1 HT, with some occasional time on my DT770/80's thrown in for good measure. In all of the above, I loves me a detailed sound with some bite.
Reply
post #2 of 16
11/27/06 at 2:31am
from what i remember reading it's one of the best budget recievers out there and for $170 you should be happy
Reply
post #3 of 16
11/27/06 at 6:11pm
It'll be great for HT and 2-channel speakers, but don't plan on using its headphone output for any real music. It really is bad.

However, when I bought my XR55, I only paid like $190 from J $ R, and that's when it just came out. $170 doesn't seem like a screaming bargain for a discontinued receiver..
Reply
post #4 of 16
11/27/06 at 11:32pm
Thread Starter 
Hmmm. The headphone out issue is a killer. I've got my computer amped and have been relying on my receiver for non-computer duty. Ah well.
Reply
post #5 of 16
11/28/06 at 12:00pm
i concur... headphone out isn't great... but the sound is fantastic for the money. i set my father-in-law up with an XR55 and a pair of Athena bookshelves, and i couldn't believe how great it sounded for $300 total. clear, silent, detailed, punchy.

$170 seems like a good price to me.
Reply
post #6 of 16
11/28/06 at 12:32pm
Yeah aother vote here. It's a clean receiver for the $$.
Reply
post #7 of 16
11/28/06 at 3:25pm
I have a similar one (75 maybe?) Same thing though, these are Class D amps. I actually like it pretty well in its position of bedroom HT amp. I agree with the other comments about headphone out.

Good at what its supposed to do.
Reply
post #8 of 16
11/28/06 at 6:39pm
No idea about the headphone out, as I only use mine for HT/2-channel purposes. But for use with speakers, it's pretty good for the price.
Reply
post #9 of 16
11/28/06 at 11:54pm
Powering speakers, IMO, there is nothing better for the price. I LOVE mine. If you want to go the speaker route, this receiver kicks MAJOR butt.

I tried the HP out, and while it is not terrible, it is nothing compared to a dedicated HP amp.
Reply
post #10 of 16
11/29/06 at 1:53am
Thread Starter 
Gah, the worst of all possible responses: "It's great!...except for this one niggling detail that will slowly drive you crazy."

Maybe I can live with it. Or maybe -- most likely -- seeing this "deal" will spark a two-month research/indecision binge ended only by the purchase of a unit costing three times as much. Time will tell.
Reply
post #11 of 16
11/29/06 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nugget View Post
Gah, the worst of all possible responses: "It's great!...except for this one niggling detail that will slowly drive you crazy."

Maybe I can live with it. Or maybe -- most likely -- seeing this "deal" will spark a two-month research/indecision binge ended only by the purchase of a unit costing three times as much. Time will tell.
well if it makes you feel any better, i haven't heard a headphone out on any receiver that's worth writing home about. you're always going to be best off with a dedicated amp.
Reply
post #12 of 16
11/29/06 at 1:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by VicAjax View Post
well if it makes you feel any better, i haven't heard a headphone out on any receiver that's worth writing home about. you're always going to be best off with a dedicated amp.
NAD's headphone out is very nice, PPA like quality.
Reply
post #13 of 16
11/29/06 at 1:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chesebert View Post
NAD's headphone out is very nice, PPA like quality.
really? which model? i've heard the headphone out of an old 350 (i think?), and i wasn't terribly impressed.
Reply
post #14 of 16
11/29/06 at 2:02pm
2020 and 2040 were great.
Reply
post #15 of 16
11/30/06 at 11:52am
I own two of these, and think they are fantastic. Far and away the best sounding receiver I've heard with digital sources. Very natural, full detail. Also, makes it easy to integrate a sub. I have only used it with 2 channel, and it is just great. As for the headphone out, I have not tried it. I really should just so I can comment on it. I have it hooked up to some older b&w 302 speakers and an inexpensive Dayton sub in my family room, and was just AMAZED at how good it sounds. Highly highly recommended. BTW, I don't think it's a discontinued model. Digital amps are going to take over the audio world. They are that good. This is a steal at $170. It sounds far better than my much more expensive and highly rated Marantz receiver. No comparison really.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Cables, Power, Tweaks, Speakers, Accessories (DBT-Free Forum) › Opinions on the Panny SA-XR55S Dig Receiver?