Input wanted re: upgrading a Yamaha RX-460 on a budget

[mimoser]

Since 1992 I run a Yamaha RX-460 into Monitor Audio 7 speakers,
since 2004 I upgraded my Vinyl section through various DUALs ans a Linn LP12 to a Heybrook TT2,
sometime along the way the phono section of the RX-460 "lost" against a Trichord Dino.
Due to digital sound through a MacMini, a dedicated mono/shellac setup, a tape deck and a CDP inputs have become too few, the phono input obsolete due to the Dino …
Upgradeditis asks for a better amp with min. seven inputs and two, better three tape outputs,
listening habits of wife and I like a crisp, detailed and controlled sound (remember the MA7s),
a remote will be beneficial,
budget is limited around EUR 100,– max – at least for the time being, two kids are expensive
;-)
any recommendations are welcome to broaden my approach, maybe get me to stretch the budget come summer 2014
many thanks in advance
Michael

[StanleyB]

Your requirements are way outside of anything that I have ever seen or heard about. Amplifiers with three tape outputs were extremely rare. Two outputs was about the limit on even the big amps. Remote control and seven inputs again points to a big amp. At £100 I give you less than 1% chance of picking up a suitable item in good working condition.

[Gordon Steadman]

The alternative is to get a switchbox, either a commercial one or make one yourself. On my Musical Fidelity A100, several of the inputs are a bit noisy and as I have a box I made many years ago, I just plugged it in and find it doesn't effect the sound to any degree, I have eight inputs and two tape outs, one of which I use for the headphone amp.

When I am using the OTL, its even more essential as there is only one input.

No remote but thats just laziness anyway init?? Could be the way to go if you like the sound of your present amp.

[walpurgis]

Here's a high quality input switching box:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GOLDPOINT-SW4-STEREO-INPUT-SWITCHING-CONTROL-RCA-W-GOLDPOINT-SELECTOR-SWITCH-/161186270544?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item2587734d50#ht_575wt_1132

[mimoser]

anybody got experience with one of those:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251405080802?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
?
four inputs would not bust my budget and the added volume pot might be an asset …

[walpurgis]

anybody got experience with one of those:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251405080802?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
?
four inputs would not bust my budget and the added volume pot might be an asset …

That only has two inputs, meaning you'd only gain one more. I would be inclined to keep an eye on eBay vintage tape equipment listings, multi recorder switching boxes do appear on there. I know because I sold a three recorder box on there myself.

[istari_knight]

It might not be a popular idea but if it were me with your requirements I'd be looking at legacy top end surround sound amplfiers... The likes of:

Denon AVC-A1D / AVC-A10SE
Sony STR-VA333ES / STR-VA555ES
Pioneer VSA-E07 / VSA-E08

All sound quite good in stereo [will be much better than your current Yamaha IMO] have 8+ analogue inputs, 4+ digital inputs, 3 or even 4 tape loops, are all remote controlled and can be found for around £100.

You know it makes sense :eyebrows:

[istari_knight]

FWIW Arcam AVR100 / AVR200 only go for around £70 now...

[mimoser]

Arcam sound interesting, what i am sceptical about AV-Receivers is their cooling fans, do they hum?
*clueless*
Michael

[istari_knight]

I've owned all of the models I listed at one time or another & none have had a noisy fan... Most are linked to a thermostat that starts the fan when the amplifier gets too hot, running in stereo that never happens [remember they are designed to blast out star wars at very loud levels on five separate speakers.]

The Arcam might be more appealing as its an audiophile brand but the aforementioned Denon/Sony amps have much higher performance & build quality IME - But the Arcam's are alright for the money [especially the AVR200] and have more pride of ownership I guess.

[Beobloke]

It might not be a popular idea but if it were me with your requirements I'd be looking at legacy top end surround sound amplfiers... The likes of:

Denon AVC-A1D / AVC-A10SE
Sony STR-VA333ES / STR-VA555ES
Pioneer VSA-E07 / VSA-E08

All sound quite good in stereo [will be much better than your current Yamaha IMO] have 8+ analogue inputs, 4+ digital inputs, 3 or even 4 tape loops, are all remote controlled and can be found for around £100.

You know it makes sense :eyebrows:

I'd add the Yamaha DSP-A1 and DSP-A2 to the list. Monstrous things but sound surprisingly good.

[istari_knight]

Not heard them but they were very popular back in the day... for good reason I'm sure !

[mimoser]

thanx for the input, started some lateral activity in my head …
;)
Michael

[synsei]

anybody got experience with one of those:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251405080802?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
?
four inputs would not bust my budget and the added volume pot might be an asset …

Hi Michael. Anthony at BTE built me a custom passive pre-amp for a very, very reasonable price close to your limit, he will furnish it with as many inputs as you like (within reason). Read from here (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?10732-The-Long-Way-Home/page69) if you would like to know more (from post #688). Incidentally, Anthony at BTE is a top bloke to deal with so drop him a PM on ebay and pop onto his website (the link is in his ebay listing) to get a handle on how talented he is. The pre-amp he built for me has three inputs and two outputs, one fixed and one variable and sounds absolutely sensational ;)

[mimoser]

[…] Incidentally, Anthony at BTE is a top bloke to deal with so drop him a PM on ebay […]
@dave: did that and am awaiting build and delivery …
… I hope to input the fixed output into my existing system and later toy around with the variable output and some T-amp or such …
;-))
… or the other way around; promises some listening fun anyway.
:-)
Michael

[mimoser]

latest develoment the TT2 feeds into the BTE through a trichord dino,
an unattenuated output feeds into the RX-460 to Monitor Audio sevens
an attenuated output feeds into a NAD 912 to a second pair of Monitor Audio sevens
an interlude of an APPJ was not entirely to my tastes …
the NAD has as much detail and transients as the Yamaha, but a lot more bass and foundation
… where do I go from here?
:rolleyes:
the Yamaha receiver is very comfortable with remote and all, but the NAD sounds not bad either …
Michael

[mimoser]

current state of affairs:
- replaced bte
- replaced dino
with a Yamaha CX-2-pre and the NAD 912 power-amp
the phono input of the CX-2 is on par with the dino and the 912 adds a little bass foundation; all with remote control, just grabbed a TX-590 tuner sh locally.
lots of inputs for two TTs, CDP, Tape, Macmini etc.
:-)
Michael