6 replies to this topic

[fredcazjack]

hi guys new to the forum here so be kind lol. been doing some research on these 2 and not sure which one to get. both are around my budget but this zone 2 thing has me worried. from what i can read in the manuals they both wont send a digital source to zone 2. what is classed as digital i understand hdmi but will it send audio via airplay? i have a server and would like to stream my data to zone 2 is that digital? cant find anything in the manuals to say 100% that it will work. my idea is to have the kids in the cinema room and watching a movie 5.1 and us oldies out the back on pool deck and being able to select what we want via ipad or ipod. will these 2 do what i want and which one is recommended. would love to spend some more but wifes pulling the strings on this one and wont budge.

thanks for your help guys and cant wait to go through some older threads to learn some more.
fred.

[steve3]

The Yamaha App is more versitile than AirPlay but both work well. Base you purchase on how well the receiver matches the speakers rather than connectivity and apps as that can be addressed later. The Pioneer is a fairly "bright" sounding receiver and suits laid back speakers such as Mission, older KEF's etc. The Yamaha is more neutral and would suit speakers such as Paradigm, Focal, or the majority of US designed speakers (with the exception of Klipsch).
As far as value for money goes, the Yamaha RX-V871 would be the best buy as it's sonically identical to the 1071 but doesn't have the fold down flap at the front. It can be had for $890 if you search around.

Edited by steve3, 13 May 2012 - 10:43 AM.

[euro73]

I can tell you that I own a 1067 which was the model before the 1071 you're considering,  and have an Apple TV attached to it. I can stream Apple content from my iTunes library to the Apple TV and even though the Apple TV is connected to my AVR via HDMI, I can send the digital source to Zone 2 because the 1067 offers a feature called "Party Mode".  The 1071 has Party Mode also, so would work the same.  However, Party Mode requires that Zone 1 has to be on and using the same source, so you get audio in both zones. You can control each zones volume independently, but you cant have a different source using each Zone while Party Mode is on.  So this wouldnt allow you to "have the kids in the cinema room and watching a movie 5.1 and us oldies out the back on pool deck and being able to select what we want via ipad or ipod"  

However, there's a very easy alternative, as long as you're willing to use DLNA streaming instead of Airplay streaming. The Yamaha networked receivers ( every model from 671 up) have DLNA streaming which works similarly to Airplay, and Yamaha has a fantastic free app called AV control which does allow you to stream audio via DLNA to Zone 2 or Zone 1 independently, because its inbuilt and is not considered a digital input/source by the AVR, so it does allow you to have a DVD inside and music outside.  The app works on both android and apple phones and tablets, so its actually more widely convenient than Airplay.  The only potential issue is that if you are an Apple man who uses a Mac and iTunes exclusively, you probably dont have DLNA streaming capability.  There is a very easy fix for that issue, though. Just install Twonky Media on your Mac and you'll have DLNA.  If you already store your music on a NAS with DLNA capability or use a PC, there's no issue.  The Yamaha app will pick up your NAS or If you have a PC, you can just point your Windows Media Player to the same audio files that iTunes accesses and that will be picked up by the Yamaha.

While typing this Ive just picked up my ipod, opened the Yamaha app and selected zone 1, which is on in my living room and playing Foxtel.  Ive then selected zone 2 and selected my NAS and selected a song and pressed play.  I have music playing on my deck right now, whilst Foxtel is playing in my living room - so I can confirm the independent zone streaming works just fine.

With the Pioneer you have the luxury of both airplay and DLNA, but you might not prefer its sound to the Yamaha. If you do, great. Buy it and enjoy.  But if you prefer the Yamaha sound, you'll just have to use DLNA instead of Airplay. Believe me though- the Yamaha DLNA streaming is every bit as good as Airplay, so you're not going to lose out in any way. Whichever way you go its easy to have a music streaming solution that gives you what you want.

Edited by euro73, 14 May 2012 - 03:46 AM.

[euro73]

Oh- and there's a Yamaha RX A1000 on sale @ Eastwood Hifi for $890

Edited by euro73, 14 May 2012 - 03:34 AM.

[fredcazjack]

^{thanks euro this is all i needed to know i have dlna capability and use a nas sounds like it will do what i want will go and have a test in store with both amps and see which has the better sound for my liking.}

[Vieira4]

I would go the Yammie as I think this pioneer does not have pre-outs.

[euro73]

You could look at this deal too... http://www.excelhifi....au/prod873.htm

The 671 doesn't have Party Mode like the 1071 does, but that's irrelevant because it's still a networked receiver so you can still stream with DLNA to either or both zones.  The 671 offers plenty of power and HDMI connectivity too. All its really missing is Party Mode and 1080P processing.

But with this deal, you also get a handy Micro System which you could use in a bedroom or  Study or Kitchen as a CD player,DAB radio and ipod/iphone dock, and if you wanted to , you could add an Airport Express to it to create an Airplay zone.  But even if you just used it as a portable cd/ipod/dab player, for $799 it's a great package.

Edited by euro73, 15 May 2012 - 02:12 AM.