Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,898 |
Trey - I think Steve is just pointing out that the sound difference you'll notice in most formats when going from 5.1 to 7.1 is minimal. (and I agree, though I do have 7 channels also)
If you wanted a new receiver for reasons other than the decoding (say you wanted the nice GUI, network streaming, or some other feature that you could only get in the Denon 3808 or any other replacement receiver). If that was the case, you might get more bang for your buck by getting a new receiver first.
However, if you're upgrading solely for the ability to play 7 channels from the HD-audio formats, then I agree, you'd be better off upgrading to the 7.1 sound first, due to the limitations you mentioned with the HD formats.
It's a personal choice, just realize that the differences of matrixing 5.1 sound to the extra 2 channels is pretty subtle. If you ever do 7-channel stereo listening though, the difference is a bit more apparent as the QS8s do really sound nice from all angles of the room when running in that mode.
Jason
Epic 80-800: HG Cherry
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Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 313
devotee
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devotee
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 313 |
I have two yamaha receivers (vsx-680 I think) and I just bought a pioneer VSX 1018 for 499$ CDN at bestbuy.
It's 130w/channel and it has 3 hdmi -in port. One of the good thing about it is that is upconvert signals to HDMI. So I can hook my ps3 (hdmi), wii (component), xb360 (component) and I only need to use 1 hdmi cable for output. If the signal is 480i, it will be upscaled by the faroujda upscaler and if it'S >= 720p it will send the signal directly to the hdmi output.
Supports TrueHD and all the cool stuff.
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Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19
frequent flier
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OP
frequent flier
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 19 |
Appreciate all the feedback.
My final decision was to buy a Panasonic DMP-BD55K BluRay player for $329. Since it decodes all HD formats and has 7.1 analog outputs, I'll just keep my Yamaha 659 for now. Can't wait to hear Transformers, The Matrix, Iron Man, etc in TrueHD !!!!
Will let you know how it works out.
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Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,843 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,843 Likes: 13 |
In that smaller room, you may find you don't need 7.1 if your side surrounds are placed correctly.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467 |
I don't really like HK receivers. I do really like Yamaha Receivers. IMO you cannot go wrong with one of them.
M22s|VP100|QS4s|HSU STF2
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Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7
regular
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regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7 |
I bought a Pioneer Elite VSX-01 several months ago when they came out and I've been really happy with it. It should meet all your needs and you should be able to get it for well under the MSRP of $750. I admit to having a Pioneer bias though, as my last 2 receivers have also been Pioneer. My dad still has his Pioneer hi-fi receiver from the 70's and it runs like a champ.
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Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,236
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,236 |
I'm going to thread-jack a little here. Still somewhat on topic, but with different parameters...
Looking for a receiver with the following:
1) Ethernet for streaming mp3's from pc. 2) superb video upscaling to 1080p 3) able to decode/receive SACD via hdmi 4) built in decoder for latest blu-ray audio codec (Dolby, DTS)
These three things are essential. Any added bells and whistles would be gravy.
I was really sold on the new Newcastle R-972, but I don't think it has the ethernet capability I want.
A brief look online brought up the Denon 3808, Onkyo NR-906, and the Yamaha RX-V3900.
Anyone got any dirt on these options? Do they all cover my requirements?
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Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Well Craig, you've listed four requirements and then said that three are essential, so we don't know which one to drop. Be that as it may, of those units listed I'm most familiar with the 906, and it'll even do all four. In particular, you might note that its Reon video processor does a superior job of upscaling.
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,236
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5,236 |
oops...I added the blu-ray audio codecs afterward... That Onkyo does sound dang good.
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Re: Receiver Suggestions: PLEASE HELP!!!
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
Considering the pricing of the Onkyo 906, you should be looking at the Denon 4308 which gives you WiFi connectivity and HD radio etc, much closer to the same features of the 906, but if you have standard def inputs and want the best upscaling then the Onkyo is clearly the one to buy.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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