My thoughts on the SA-XR25

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After reading some of the posts here last night, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I picked up a SA-XR25 (only model Best Buy had).
I can say that contrary to what CNET says, the unit is not underpowered.
I did find it to have the following weaknesses however:
1. Poor instruction manual.
2. Auto input sensing(analog/digital)does not work as expected.
3. No on screen display. I may upgrade to the 45 just for that.
In its favor:
1. Extremely hight cost/performance ratio.
2. Component video switching ;-)
3. DPL II and DTS Neo:6
The Panasonic unit replaced a Marantz SR7000 and Adcom GFA-555 mkII Amplifier.
I tried the Panasonic with a Paradigm Titan/Atom combination as well as a pair of Magnepan MMG's. It drove the MMG's surprisingly well given how inefficient they are. I would venture to say, in terms of SPL with the Magenepans that it drove them as well as the Adcom. With the Paradigm Titan/Atom combo, I was >=100db in my listening room listening to music in DPL II. My listening room is L-shaped, but the area I sit in, is probably 20x10.
As to the sound...I am not one of those to wax on about how an amplifier sounds. I will say this, I find it to be different than the Marantz/Adcom combo. Only time will tell whether I prefer it.
BTW, my digital front end is a Pioneer 45a (attached via digital coax). I also tried it with digital and analog cable as inputs as well as XM Satellite Radio.

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Topic - My thoughts on the SA-XR25 - Tony 05:14:06 12/17/03 (4)

Re: My thoughts on the SA-XR25 - ka7niq 06:11:53 12/17/03 (2)

Re: My thoughts on the SA-XR25 - Tony 16:02:06 12/17/03 (0)

ka7niq, what did you pay for the 25? - Goyescas 13:37:50 12/17/03 (1)

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