My 2 cts worth,

Buying used is all about timing .. do u find tis model appealing, sonically? It shld have more 'muscle' than wat u are used to.. Do u need de xtra juice?
Do u need the 2016 functions you mentioned? If so, then you already answered your own question..

For me, a more upmarket model is always better than a newer model budget amp..

To me..
D

Do you absolutely need HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2? I mean, do you have a UHD TV or 4k Projector? If you do, then are you going to invest in 4k BD players? And again, IF you do, are you going to invest in buying UHD BDs?

I know "UHD" and "HDR" is the it thing now. If you're going to advantage of HDR, is your UHD TV capable of doing HDR in the first place? Everyone wants it, but many don't understand why they actually do.

Then the other features like Atmos or DTS:X. Are you planning to do either format anytime soon? Even if you are, the 481 will be tied to 7 channels processing only. So your only choice is 5.x.2, is your room size too big as to render the heights useless? These are things you have to figure out.

If I were you, I'd get the A1020 without a hint of a doubt.
With the A1020 you get better components, you get a better power supply, you get a better transformer in there, you get things that the Aventage line have where the "V" series doesn't, all for roughly the same price.

Can't really say much about the sonic appeal coz I have listened to it with some nice PSB speakers for a while but not with my Tannoys. Can't really say that I can make out any difference in terms of sound quality.
My current AVR drives the Tannoys well but I have no idea whether a better AVR with more power will make a noticeable difference.
Compared to my current AVR which has no network function/on-screen display, this Aventage seems good with LAN port and OSD. Wireless & bluetooth is lacking but i guess I can live with that. The main drawback is that newer 4k hdmi standards are not supported.

If I get a 2016 model AVR, I will get the full 4k hdmi support and probably wireless support as well but the power will be less.

I was also having the same thought as you to get a more upmarket amp. What do you think about the price? Does it seem reasonable?

On paper,

A double pwr [watts] will only give a 3 db gain - all tings considered but tats outrite power not de small nuances a better power generates on your spkr - de only way to knw is to plug it in n hear for yourslf - personally l tink itll be a little difference only..

I cant answer for you but if l were to upgrade my avr now [ 7002 ] , l would be looking for an atmos/dts X capable one..
N since l am used to my ol ones sound - l guess a budget one is out of d question..

Price for d used yammy .. hmmnn, how much was it, new? Shld at least be half price - less is better cos if anyting goes wrong.. well.. it all adds up..


D

FWIW,

I got tis :


JBL in-ceiling spkrs

l tried em by substitutin it for my fronts [ plugged in de fronts red/blck bananas ] ; it was all for a  little while so l guess its not a real honest to goodness trial but it sounded tinny - l suspect its lack of bracing and box contributes to tis..
For wat its intended for [ overhead spkrs once ; if ever ; l do go atmos route..] , l guess it wont be too shabby..
But l wont go tis route for proper boxed spkrs for surrs - l prefer to know exactly where my sound is coming from boom/bang bass included..


D

FWIW,

I got tis :


JBL in-ceiling spkrs

l tried em by substitutin it for my fronts [ plugged in de fronts red/blck bananas ] ; it was all for a  little while so l guess its not a real honest to goodness trial but it sounded tinny - l suspect its lack of bracing and box contributes to tis..
For wat its intended for [ overhead spkrs once ; if ever ; l do go atmos route..] , l guess it wont be too shabby..
But l wont go tis route for proper boxed spkrs for surrs - l prefer to know exactly where my sound is coming from boom/bang bass included..


D

I would never compromise the front. I am using B&W for the front and mid and a audiopro 12" for the sub.

I am just think if the surround or atmos can be ceiling mounted

I hv a frnd who has B&W ceiling spkrs as surrs in his Media Room n .. to me, its a compromise, at best [all for WAF.. l guess]..
as it isnt half as gud as my own 4 SBS-01 surrs.. I went from Jbl Control 1's to tis n it gvs a much fuller comprehensive sound then satts [size does count, in the end]
So.. to me unless WAF or aesthetics play a pivotal role in your decision, l'd avoid ceiling spkrs as surrounds.. too..


D

I hv a frnd who has B&W ceiling spkrs as surrs in his Media Room n .. to me, its a compromise, at best [all for WAF.. l guess]..
as it isnt half as gud as my own 4 SBS-01 surrs.. I went from Jbl Control 1's to tis n it gvs a much fuller comprehensive sound then satts [size does count, in the end]
So.. to me unless WAF or aesthetics play a pivotal role in your decision, l'd avoid ceiling spkrs as surrounds.. too..


D

There are so many brands. It depends on preferences?

A lot of brands buy drivers from China anyways. They design their own crossovers (which is the most time consuming part), the cabinet design, bracing, size, port if needed and sometimes the amp if its an active speaker or a sub.

The drivers aren't expensive, it's the R&D which is the actual bulk of the cost that consumers pay for when buying speakers (other than the snake oil of course )

The tricky part is how to get it cheap........ 

Not tricky at all - http://www.parts-express.com/cat/pro-woofe...nge-speakers/31
They're easy to get, they're cheap to buy.
If you have a knack for good worksmanship, you can build your own speakers and subs. Warranty lifetime, everything lifetime. You pay considerably less money because you don't have to deal with bullshit marketing and whatever else.

Best of all? You build your own speakers, you have your own sound. You know what they say right? What sounds best to you is what's most important, nothing else is.

I have a Jamo HCS S626 for about 6-7 months now...pairing with HK receiver

Somehow, feels a bit lacking in oomph...

Is it common to always want a better HT?

its never ending upgrading

I have a Jamo HCS S626 for about 6-7 months now...pairing with HK receiver

Somehow, feels a bit lacking in oomph...

Is it common to always want a better HT?