Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Yamaha R-N803 Adeqaute for M80HPs?

I'm gearing up to buy what will likely be my last set of speakers, this time for the living room. I probably don't need the M80's, but dammit, I've always wanted a pair. On the other hand, I really don't want to spend a lot on amplification, or have a receiver/amp combo in the living room. (Wife has ok'd the speakers, but would not be thrilled about amp complexity.)
So, to the main point, has anyone used a R-N803; or if not, do you guys think it'd drive the M80's adequately?
Oh, I will not be using a sub. This'll be a music-only and set-up and I don't think I need to go that low.

What is the size of your room, how far away will you be listening from and what music do you listen to?

If you are building a forever setup buy forever components.

No, that amp is not one I would tell someone to buyfor a forever setup. Look into something with real power, looks, feel and quality. Forget mass market stuff. My opinion anyway.

A bryston integrated would come to mind or similar. Hegel etc...

The used market is your friend.

Hi Cork
Your Yammie should do just fine. 2 channel stereo receiver, 100 wpc, nice piece. Good luck to you!

2x6 and Trevor are both right. I guess it comes down to budget. As a “ forever “ setup I’d throw in there , does the Yamaha have all the features and connections you want? Is it “ future proof “ enough for you? Check the specs for 4 ohm power rating, I’m sure it is spec’ed to 4 ohms but have a look.

On a basic level, yes I’d say your Yamaha is fine. It will drive the M80’s. Have you considered the HP version if not getting subwoofers?

FYI I’m using an old Yamaha receiver (85 watts x 2 ) with original m60ti in a 750sq foot room with 8 foot ceilings. It goes loud and is clear and enjoyable. But after a year with this system I can see the need for better quality amplification. Not to go louder but to have better quality and clarity and detail and imaging.

Room size and preferred listening level and genre ( genre to some degree but is less important) really matter. Your Yamaha might be enough for your needs and wants.

Edit: Looks like a nice receiver. And fairly future proof too.

Thanks to all for the replies and info.
The living room is 2500 cf and is open to the dining room, kitchen, and a foyer which adds another 2500 cf.
I will be sitting reasonably far from the speakers, about 14 ft (and they'll be separated by 8 ft).
I listen to classic rock, blues, jazz, and classical.

The looks of the Yamaha are fine for me as I came of "audio age" in the 70s and it has that kind of throw-back look. I confess I've also been eying up an Anthem MRX 520, but I don't need 5 channels and they're discontinued. And I'm not crazy about their new model.
The only features I need are a network connection (I play from a NAS) and the ability to play flac files (and enough power to do the M80's justice); so a pretty low bar there, I think.

The Bryston site just ticks me off, like they want to show me just little glimpses of their product - I'm a show me the specs and the front and back kind of guy. The Hegel looks interesting, but at 3K is a bit pricey. Worse, it doesn't seem to be rated for 4 ohms. FWIW, I won't buy used electronics. Used speakers are okay; but not in this case.

Oh, and I'm almost sure I'm going with HPs, just because. (I don't really think I need much low end for music, but I like the idea of the curve being smoother.)

I have the same problem as you with the Bryston site, and in general, all their electronics. They shouldn't listen to me though. I'll never buy because it's just too expensive.

Based on the published M80 sensitivity, at 14 feet away and 1 Watt input, the M80s will push out somewhere around 83dB of sound pressure. That Yammie is good somewhere between 120W to 160W. That gives you about 21dB of headroom allowing the M80s to get pushed to peaks of 104dB. Of course how your room is damped and how loud you like to listen matters but 21dB gives you good headroom. I consider 83dB to be a moderate nominal listening level so even if you listen 6dB higher you'll still have 15dB of headroom.

I am not at all sure the analysis above holds for M80s with HP drivers. You really need to consult with Axiom about that.

Which Hegel are you looking at? They support to 2ohms stable.

I hear you on the old gear. I still have my Dad's setup from when I was a kid. Works great but needs a little TLC. Have original receipts from 1979. He paid over 700$ back then for his amp. Lotta Cheddar. He even built his own speakers. I didn't stand a chance. LOL.

Yes, the Yamaha is adequate.

https://ca.yamaha.com/en/products/audio_visual/hifi_components/r-n803/specs.html#product-tab

100 W + 100 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.019% THD)

But......

You should be looking for 150W min. into 8 ohms and an amp that hits near 300W at 4Ohms if so. The Yammie does not and is not great even at 4ohms.... 160W at 1khz (I'm guessing burst.) It is an AVR....

BTW, in Canada Solen.ca is a good site to check out the Bryston line.

https://solen.ca/?s=bryston&post_type=product

A used Classe Amp would be really nice.

A Cambridge Azur 851A would be nice too. https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/can/en/products/hi-fi/851/851a

Cambridge is kind of the everyday mans high end. Great value IMO.

The most dynamic 2.0 system I ever heard was a pair of mono Devialet class D 800W amps into Focal Sopras. Just nutty. and Nutty expensive.

Yep it does not say all channels driven either...