Stereo Receivers

[cannon_fodder]

On 12/29/2007 my Onkyo receiver passed away.  It was a 5 channel receiver with 2 independent main speaker channels and an isolated bass channel delivering 1200 Watts in the 20-40,000 Hz range.  It will be dearly missed.

That said, it has become clear that i the 10 years or so since I bought it things have changed - AND that I have no clue about them anymore.

So what do I need?  Dolby Digital, DTS, THX?  What's worth a damn and what's not wanted for the extra money?  I don't need the latest greatest but it powers my home stereo system as well as for surround sound.  When I bought the thing the surround option you had was Dolby (whatever was before 5.1)...

If anyone has a clue what surround format is worth a damn let me know.  I don't plan on spending the $1000+ I did on this one (but man it took some abuse in those short 10 years), so brand opinions are welcome also.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

On 12/29/2007 my Onkyo receiver passed away.  It was a 5 channel receiver with 2 independent main speaker channels and an isolated bass channel delivering 1200 Watts in the 20-40,000 Hz range.  It will be dearly missed.

That said, it has become clear that i the 10 years or so since I bought it things have changed - AND that I have no clue about them anymore.

So what do I need?  Dolby Digital, DTS, THX?  What's worth a damn and what's not wanted for the extra money?  I don't need the latest greatest but it powers my home stereo system as well as for surround sound.  When I bought the thing the surround option you had was Dolby (whatever was before 5.1)...

If anyone has a clue what surround format is worth a damn let me know.  I don't plan on spending the $1000+ I did on this one (but man it took some abuse in those short 10 years), so brand opinions are welcome also.

It is just Dolby Pro Logic II?  What a piece of trash.  Just get a good Dolby 5.1 system...almost everything supports that.  Some people swear by DTS but really I can't tell a difference.  To get the next big leap in surround you'll need to go 7.1 and that will require wiring more speakers.

My Yamaha YSP-800 is all digital and will basically take in all of those formats and spit them out.  If you have a symmetric room you should look into a YSP or maybe a Bose 3.1

[Wilbur]

I have a Denon and love it, but I will disagree with Inteller and tell you that you should at least get DTS capability.  I can absolutely tell the difference when I rent a movie with DTS.  The THX capability would be nice, but you will pay for that handsomely.

If you have any interest in Internet radio, some of the new Denons have that capability as well.

And if you truly want your receiver to control everything, make sure you have several HDMI connections.

If it's been ten years since your last purchase, you will be amazed by the difference your new unit will make.  All the digital technology of late has really made newer receivers sound so much better.  You'll even be able to tell the receiver how far each speaker is from your favorite seating position so sound from each speaker gets to your chair at the correct time.

I've been eyeballing the Denon AVR3803CI

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3510.asp

but it's going for about $1200 on various Internet sites.

[sgrizzle]

You will want to get a Dolby Digital/DTs receiver.  If you want to keep your existing speaker setup, get a 5.1 receiver if you can. 6.1 receivers require a new rear speaker, 7.1 requires 2 more. THX is nice but it isn't a discreet audio signal like DTS is. Keep in mind that not many DVD's even have a DTS track but most receivers come with DTS anyway, so you might as well have the capability.

The main thing you should look for in a receiver is inputs. Many of the lower end receivers only allow you to hookup 1 or 2 really high end devices. If the back of the unit looks like it was magnetized and dragged through radio shack, you're probably good.

If you have an HDTV get a receiver that upconverts to component or, preferably, HDMI. It simplifies hookups and gives you the best video quality, no matter what your source. HDMI is the current highest level. My TV, (HD)DVD player and even my DVR from Cox use HDMI for video.

Do NOT buy your cables at the store or the extended warranty. If you buy a Yamaha, Onkyo or Denon the paperwork will be faded before it needs service. You can always get the cables for much cheaper on-line as well.

[inteller]

throw away your speakers:

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=556968&CTID=5001100

[FOTD]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

throw away your speakers:

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=556968&CTID=5001100

Interesting....doubt my albums would sound very righteous on those yammiehaws.

I have been very pleased with the numerous sounds and uses on my Denon 5803 and its ability to power my entire house efficiently from one hand held device.

[BKDotCom]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle
THX is nice but it isn't a discreet audio signal like DTS

Apples and oranges.  THX is a completely separate "certification."  there are THX certified DTS systems.   THX means that the manufacturer payed George Lucas to put the THX logo on their system...  That it has good signal-to-noise, etc.

wikipedia

quote:The THX system is not a recording technology, and it does not specify a sound recording format: all sound formats, whether digital (Dolby Digital, SDDS) or analog (Dolby SR, Ultra-Stereo), can be "shown in THX."

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by BKDotCom

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle
THX is nice but it isn't a discreet audio signal like DTS

Apples and oranges.  THX is a completely separate "certification."  there are THX certified DTS systems.   THX means that the manufacturer payed George Lucas to put the THX logo on their system...  That it has good signal-to-noise, etc.

That was my point. You're not going to run into a DVD or an audio track you can't play if you don't have THX.

[TUalum0982]

I personally am running the Harman Kardon AVR645.  I had been told previously by several people that their receivers were pretty good.  It might not be the most watts per channel, but its definitely loud enough.  Its 7.1, has all the inputs in the world you would need, including 3 HDMI's.

Here is a link from their website:

http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&prod=AVR%20645&sType=C



Like the guy above said, never buy a cable from the store.  I personally shop from www.monoprice.com for my cables.  A 8' HDMI cable is around 7 dollars shipped via USPS Priority Mail. They ship either same day or next day also.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by TUalum0982

I personally am running the Harman Kardon AVR645.  I had been told previously by several people that their receivers were pretty good.  It might not be the most watts per channel, but its definitely loud enough.  Its 7.1, has all the inputs in the world you would need, including 3 HDMI's.

Here is a link from their website:

http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&prod=AVR%20645&sType=C



Like the guy above said, never buy a cable from the store.  I personally shop from www.monoprice.com for my cables.  A 8' HDMI cable is around 7 dollars shipped via USPS Priority Mail. They ship either same day or next day also.

oh, and if you buy a digital cable (optical, HDMI) from Monster you are an idiot.

[sgrizzle]

An example of how they make Monster look impressive:
http://www.gizmorepublic.com/accessories/monster-hdmi-cable-scam-830

I'm using monoprice.com cables as well.

[cyndezu]

My electronics seem to get zapped every year or so. Yamaha is my fav, had onkyo, Denon and Sony(overpriced)
It works well with my other components and has been superior in sound and quality.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by cyndezu

My electronics seem to get zapped every year or so. Yamaha is my fav, had onkyo, Denon and Sony(overpriced)
It works well with my other components and has been superior in sound and quality.

The Yamaha passed the wife test (she could tell a difference in sound quality) and with the YSP you can point all of the sound to a point in the room so they can listen to it as loud as they want and you don't have to listen to the latest drivel on Lifetime (within reason)

[cannon_fodder]

Well thank you for the input boys.  

1. 7.1 was not possible really, as my dining room and living room is one open space (No where for side speakers) and I didn't see any real value in 6.1

2. I chose NOT to throw away my Infinity Studio Monitors nor my Kenwood surrounds, center, or 200 Watt independent sub.  Those Infinities are the best speakers I've ever heard in a house (very clear, omitting some base channel on the EQ they perform tops at even extreme volume).

3. The world said go all in but don't bother with THX for the price.  Other decoders are marginal costs so go for it.

4. Brand names: Onkyo is still really good, but you will pay.  Yahama mid-rang have gone downhill.  Danon is good, but pricey.

So... I went with:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8258501&type=product&id=1170289629617&ref=06&loc=01&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=8258501

An audiophile from Iowa called me back and was talking up the Harman-Kardon's of the past few years.  The wattage comes from independent amplifiers and is considered under-rated.  The distortion coefficients are among the lowers available.  And they are priced cheap (relatively).

Biggest two complaints on the unit is the wattage is too low to push the system (I run monitors with an independent sub, so not an issue) and that it fails to process HDMI audio (pass thru to monitor and then back).  Since I don't use HDMI for anything but output from my computer that stands as a current non-issue.

I'll play with it more tonight and let everyone know how it goes.

NOW... I need a good place to get cables.  Like hell I'm spending $60 for a 4' optical Conster Cable.

[cannon_fodder]

Sound is great. The Dolby Logic, DTS, and other features are slick.  Popped in Phantom of the Opera on 5.1 DVD and it split the channel really well.  Bumpin' some old school steel Warren G style as we speak to play with the digital EQ (actually works better than my high dollar mechanical EQ).

I will say that it is certainly NOT over powered.  I can't blow my speakers even should I desire too.  I could split my 4 channel main from my Onkyo 3 additional ways with no loss of power (switch), no such luck here.  BUT, with my low-watt monitors there is no problem.

Also, it seems to channel bass better to my sub.  Not sure why, just sounds more crisp and harder hitting (perhaps filters out a more firm range?).

So far, so good.

Now where do I get those digital cables?  The thing detects analogue connections and mocks me for them with "Video 1, Analogue" displayed from my DVD player!