ronsound Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I recently brought a 40w 2ch amp from local (SA) Richard McDonald. Amp is called the "Quasimodo". Using a Yamaha V663 for HT. Found at higher volumes the yamaha combined with my main Standmount with Ribbons are a bit bitey at the higher freqs (especially with lower quality videos e.g. older Music videos). Now with the "Quasimodo" running the Main L & R things are more organic, analog and smoother. The "Quasimodo" is very tube-like. Enjoying the journey ..... Yamaha V663 pre-out L R > Quasimodo 2ch amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juicester Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 no surprises there! been doing it myself for ages. nothing in an AVR will touch a 2 channel integrated. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacewise Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Yep +1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolster Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I was a great defender of quality AVRs producing good music until I also saw the light. You are treading a well-worn path, Ron. Congrats on the purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoggieHowser Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Totally agree On another thread, there were discussions regarding a CE AVR vs one with better amp modules but shaky HDMI implementations. I'd always go with the CE unit with preouts and use external stereo preamps with HT bypass or direct to good power amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emral Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 I also went down this path a while ago, such a big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockandorRoll Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 The 663 is a dog sounding AVR though, i found the same when i went to a dedicated 2 channel using the same avr if you spend a bit more on the AVR they can get pretty close to a good 2 channel sound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Yes.......but if you spend a bit more, you can get an even better 2 channel amp! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronsound Posted December 22, 2012 Author Share Posted December 22, 2012 I will focus on the Centre channel next ......... Maybe another Quasimodo amp!!! Liking the tube-like amp combined with Ribbons. Also, down the track - using an AV Pre ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 OK, I'll bite. What's this Quasimodo gear? Where's it from and is it any good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronsound Posted December 22, 2012 Author Share Posted December 22, 2012 The "Quasimodo" is made and designed by a SA local - Richard McDonald. I have found the Quasimodo very dynamic, detailed, smooth and Tube-like midrange. Very happy Chappy!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewbacker Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 OK ill bite Does the Quasimodo have a hump/trans/bump on the back ? Chewie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 OK ill bite Does the Quasimodo have a hump/trans/bump on the back ? Chewie Nah. only in the mid bass 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 I will focus on the Centre channel next ......... Maybe another Quasimodo amp!!! Liking the tube-like amp combined with Ribbons. Also, down the track - using an AV Pre ..... i had an old Pioneer valve amp that had an output for a centre channel. Sadly, it died a terrible death! Was a great sounding amp PP EL84's. Fair bit of distortion but made the music sound very exciting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve M Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 And to get SURROUND SOUND from your favorite two channel stereo amplfier, you need this device: If it does what it is purported to do, then it will be a breakthrough product for many normal homes that do not have a dedicated 7.1 channel Home Theatre room. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub Sonic Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I was a great defender of quality AVRs producing good music until I also saw the light.You are treading a well-worn path, Ron. Congrats on the purchase. I never went down the AVR path. Heck, I've never even owned a TV! Cheers! SS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mello yello Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 oh sigh Im an integrated stereo amp trapped in an AVR's body do you really even need a centre channel ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emesbee Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 I've been doing this for years too, works well. Good thing is that for playing music you can just use the stereo system without even switching on the AVR. For HT, the system is more dynamic sounding with both amps as compared to the AVR alone, probably because the AVR only has to concern itself with powering the centre and surround speakers. As for the centre channel, I'm personally not convinced that its strictly necessary. (Opinions will differ on this, of course.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 combined 2ch and ht system here as well. goodness of the 2ch amp driving the mains also helps the ht side Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mello yello Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 ok so let me get this straight, you guys are still decoding audio via the AVR but using the pre-outs on the AVR for L and R only, feeding a 2 channel amp which has the mains hooked up to it. You then simply leave the AVR off when listening to stereo ? hmmm, wonder if i can get a Marantz Pearl Lite past The Gatekeeper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacewise Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Mello yello, yep that's the way I'm doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mello yello Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 (edited) oh ok, I didnt think you could split up the speakers like that, I knew you could pre-out, but I wasnt aware your rears and centre, for example, would still run off the AVR. Nifty ;-) I had plans of simply losing the AVR altogether and just running 2.0 decoded at the source into a (nice) integrated amp. Proper imaging would take care of any dialogue, wouldnt even need a centre (in my set-up) edit: if a demo of 2.0 moviewatching proved satisfactory Edited January 30, 2013 by mello yello Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emesbee Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 ok so let me get this straight, you guys are still decoding audio via the AVR but using the pre-outs on the AVR for L and R only, feeding a 2 channel amp which has the mains hooked up to it. You then simply leave the AVR off when listening to stereo ? Spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mello yello Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 (edited) thanks gents, sounds like the way to go ;-) Edited January 30, 2013 by mello yello Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacewise Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 I've been thinking that the ht bypass idea could be used to set up an intimate two channel, by using the rears of a 5.1 setup with a suitably sweet integrated. Just for a different listening option. Could even plonk a TT on top for the dark side lads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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