Any good?

[family man]

Anyone have any experience of the Pioneer VSX-C300 slimline Amp?

AAnyone have one and have any opinions? Anyone point me to a review?

I know something like the Marantz 4200 is a better Amp but space is an issue and I have the Pioneer 444 and they sure would look purdy together!

[Justin]

Originally posted by family man
Anyone have any experience of the Pioneer VSX-C300 slimline Amp?

AAnyone have one and have any opinions? Anyone point me to a review?

I know something like the Marantz 4200 is a better Amp but space is an issue and I have the Pioneer 444 and they sure would look purdy together!

Its on par with a all in one like the Pioneer NSDV88 for sound, depending on what speakers you use. Little underpowered, but sound wise pratically identical to the VSXD510.

Might be worth pointing out that Both Yamaha and Panasonic have slimline receivers due mid April to compete, looks like "slim" is in thanks to pioneer:)

Probably best if you get a demo of the VSXC300 first though...

[MikeK]

Originally posted by family man
Anyone have any experience of the Pioneer VSX-C300 slimline Amp?

AAnyone have one and have any opinions? Anyone point me to a review?

I know something like the Marantz 4200 is a better Amp but space is an issue and I have the Pioneer 444 and they sure would look purdy together!

You said it yourself really - the VSX300's major attractions are it's small size and it's aesthetic match for the Pioneer's slimline players.

It's not really possible to build a beefy 5x100W amp into a case that small - the transformers and PSUs are too big, and heat dissipation would be a big issue (nowhere to put large heatsinks, and there's little space on the small back panel - it's already crammed).

So if you want small size, you have to accept fairly low power and reduced headroom compared to similarly priced conventional sized amps.
That said, I'm sure many people would find it acceptable - far, far better than a surround TV for instance (assuming you used decent speakers)

I would just make sure that you pair it up with high sensitivity speakers (88 or 89dB at least, higher if poss and they still sound good) to make the most of the limited power reserves available.

[family man]

Thank you both for the response!!

I have a pair of B&W 602's, will they do?

I realise that I may suffer because its only 30w per channel but what are the benefits of having a 70W or a 100W? I probably wouldnt need it all that loud (with the kids in bed an all)