Home audio & video: Which A/V receiver do you recommend?
Which A/V receiver do you recommend?
by Dragon06 - 10/27/07 10:03 AMI've tirelessly read through posts of this forum and other forums on the net about reviews and preferences for entry/mid level A/V receivers. I hear a lot of praise for Denon, Onkyo and Yamaha. Heading the advice of the regulars in this forum, I saved up some dough and will spend it on what I think will be some good speakers (KEF 3005). I move around a lot and I will not be able to buy towers; I need smaller speakers to conserve space and also the Wife Approval Factor. Now, I'm trying to decide which receiver to get. I want to keep the price below $500, preferably $350-450. I see some deals on last years models, but I'm interested in future proofing my home theater system. I want HDMI hook ups, I will upgrade to a LCD later. I currently have a Sony 36" HD Wega. It's a beast in terms of weight, but I like the picture quality. Your thoughts?
Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha
by Roman Lord - 10/27/07 10:38 AM In reply to: Which A/V receiver do you recommend? by Dragon06With your price range and companies, I'd suggest the Onkyo Sr605. Its got the sound quality, "future proofing" you want, bery good set of connections, and a great track record. However, it has some shortcomings, like not being able to apply Prologic IIx to 5.1 PCM and TrueHD, sources. This means it can't matric lossless sound from 5.1 to 7.1. If this isn't important for you, since i think you wanted a 5.1 KEF system, buy it. But if you really want a quality future-proof with hardly any cons, consider the Sr705, one model up. Yes, it costs $650-ish, but hey, it has 3 HDMI ports as opposed to 2 in the 605, full matrixing abilities like 5.1 to 7.1, apply THX sound, and has all the future proofing you could want. Sorry about long post, hope this helps/\.
I agree
by RustyDallas - 10/27/07 10:53 AM In reply to: Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha by Roman LordI've got the TX-SR605 and can't find a thing wrong with it, unless you are going to try to use it to upconvert video, and it's right in your price range. I bought mine at JR Music World for 399.00 when they first came out but I don't know what the price is now. I'd like to have the third HDMI connection of the 705 but I really don't think it's worth the differance in price.
Rusty
...
by Roman Lord - 10/27/07 1:55 PM In reply to: I agree by RustyDallasTo each his own.
Also the price difference is more than the extra HDMI input:
THX Select2 Certification, meaning you get THX Sound capabilities
Pre-outs
Full Matrixing Abilities
Read lower post for full specs
In addition to the Onkyo information, consider Denon.
by NM_Bill - 10/27/07 11:08 AM In reply to: Which A/V receiver do you recommend? by Dragon06I don't sell anything, but am high on Denon by virtue of my personal experience of the past several years. Onkyo is the champ for value. I feel Denon has a bit higher overall performance & reliability. The C/NET reviews of Denon compared to Onkyo bear out that feeling.
Yeah, you'd always like to keep the money factor in line. That's in accord with 90 some % of us.
Take a look at the Denon 1908, $600 msrp. It has true HDMI siwtching including audio. Then on to my real target: the 2308CI, $850 msrp. It offers HDMI upconversion to 1080p with Faroudja scaling. Also offers dual zone/dual source.
The KEF selection is indeed a fine long term pleasure solution. Even waiting a bit to loosen up af ew more bucks for a Denon 2308CI would also be a fine many year investment type solution. Yes, earlier, deeper discounts are likely for Onkyo. Denon is the market leader in the mid to upper segment for reasons justifiable by its performance solid reputation of the past decade. Your decision obviously. I would make a case for a bit more money for Denon. Everyone makes their own decision. tend to occasionally buy up or what I feel more strongly about. Some folks drive a Toyota Corolla; some a Lexus. Same company, different market segment. Worth more? Yes, but surely not directly proportionate with the price difference. Different strokes, ya know...
Denon Line
by Dragon06 - 11/9/07 9:33 AM In reply to: In addition to the Onkyo information, consider Denon. by NM_BillBill,
It appears Denon has two different lines. I see the 1708, 1908, 2308 and then the 588, 688, and 888 respectively. I checked their website and I can't see any major differences. Is one line catered to independent stores, while the other line is catered to the big box stores? Just curious. I was looking at the Denon 888 and I found it for $650. It seems pretty similar to the 2308. I was looking at the Onkyo 705 and saw it for $700, but with the Denon at $650, it seems like a good deal.
Thanks.
Yep, Denon 4 digit model nos. for A/V stores; 3 digit for
by NM_Bill - 11/9/07 10:11 AM In reply to: Denon Line by Dragon06big boxes & others.
In all honesty, it seems the Onkyo 705 is most comparable (Denon-wise) to the 2808/988 model. As always, a price edge to Onkyo.
I am a Denon fan, but don't bad mouth Onkyo. Totally reliable Vann's is selling the Onkyo 705 @ $610.
the 705
by jostenmeat - 11/9/07 12:08 PM In reply to: Denon Line by Dragon06-can apply matrixing to hi-def PCM if you care for rear surrounds.
-can handle bitstreams for DD Plus, TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio
-HDMI v1.3
-has 3 HDMI inputs
-the best consumer version of Audyssey MultiEQ XT
-not sure, but it *might* have Ultra2 for rear surround de-correlation
gee, I wouldn't give up all that for $50. sheesh.
if that is really $700, then go for the 805 for a hundred more. Double your amperage (arguably the most important thing about any amplifier). And no doubt about Ultra2.
or just ignore the above.
Roman Lord's
by jostenmeat - 10/27/07 11:52 AM In reply to: Which A/V receiver do you recommend? by Dragon06point about the PCM matrixing would be very important to me.
Another future-proofing thing the 705 has is pre-amp outputs in case you ever wanted to add an outboard amplifier. Will you need one? If your room will always be modest, volumes moderate, with smaller satellites that will x-over'd high enough... most likely not.
However, again I sure would want them.
And the 3rd hdmi plug is a nice little bonus I suppose.
Hey Josten
by RustyDallas - 10/27/07 12:33 PM In reply to: Roman Lord's by jostenmeatExplain the matrixing to me. I thought that expanding 5.1 to 6/7.1 was what Dolby EX was all about and the 605 has that. I've got a 6.1 set-up and certainly get sound to my back center speaker. Sometimes when I'm watching a video, it sure sounds like some effects (helicopter etc.) are moving from one side of the room to the other and behind me using all three speakers. Am I missing something?
Rusty
Matrixing
by Roman Lord - 10/27/07 1:03 PM In reply to: Hey Josten by RustyDallasThe 605 can matrix all dolby and dts soundtracks up to 6/7.1 with the exception of lossless formats on BluRay and HDDVD
Lossless formats:
Uncompressed PCM
Dolby TrueHD
DTS HD Master Audio
Prologic IIx and EX on the sr605 cannot matrix these formats from their native 5.1 to 6/7.1. I believe the sr605 has a weak DSP Processor that is unable to matrix the High-Def formats, which is a big NO-NO! for me. I mean you are buying a future proof receiver shouldn't it be able to matrix 5.1 high def sound to 7.1. Thats why i suggest the sr705, which has 3 hdmi, pre-outs, THX sound, much much stronger DSP processors, more wattage, and better heat maintenance.
Just my 2 cents,
Roman
Idon't know Roman
by RustyDallas - 10/27/07 3:18 PM In reply to: Matrixing by Roman LordMy instruction manual says for both True HD and Master Audio: "Designed to take full advantage of additional storage space offered by the new Bu-ray and HD DVD disc formats, this DTS format offers up to 7.1 discreet channels of digital audio with 48/96 khz, up to 5.1 channels with 192 khz sampling rate". Don't Blu-ray and HD-DVD have a sampling rate of 96 khz thus giving you up to 7 channels anyway?
Thanks for the Advice
by Dragon06 - 10/27/07 6:30 PM In reply to: Which A/V receiver do you recommend? by Dragon06Thanks to all who replied. I've been looking at both the Onkyo 605 and the Denon 1508, 1708, and 1908. Do you think the true HD and other HD formats will catch on in within the next year? Do any of the HD / BR players use those sound processors? I don't own an HD / BR player, but I will probably buy one within the next couple of years.
I noticed with the Onkyo 605 and the Denon 1908 that both audio and video are supported with the HDMI 1.3. However, with the Denon 1508 and 1708 only video is supported with the HDMI. Is there any sound degradation using component audio cables with the Denon 1508 or 1708?
Do you think HDMI 1.3 will be the next standard in the upcoming years? It's difficult to tell these days when new technology comes out every six months.
I noticed some good deals on the Denon 1507, 1707, 1907 and the equilavents (587, 687, etc). They look the same as the current models but without the HDMI. I may be willing to sacrifice HDMI if there's no noticeable difference if using component cables.
Is video upconverting a big deal? Or rather is it substantially noticeable? How are Harman Kardon, Yamaha and Sony receivers? I've noticed a Sony receiver (I believe DG910) that's in my price range. But, the THD is .9. Is lower the THD better? Is there a big difference between .9 and .7? I noticed Yamaha and HK have .7 THD.
I'm starting to get a headache trying to figure which to buy. I appreciate everyone's advice and patience. I'm sure it boils down to being decisive and making a decision.
Still information overload for you at this time, but details
by NM_Bill - 10/27/07 7:49 PM In reply to: Thanks for the Advice by Dragon06will sort themselves out.
I'm one of many who have very worthy gear, but certainly not HDMI 1.3 compliant. A lot of us will be buying an HDMI switcher as a work around.
Indeed HDMI 1.3 is the new standard. Most all beneficial changes are purely potential as there is no content now to come anywhere near to the potential that may or may not develop. HDMI as a standard is subject to change, but as this is a really major step, I can't foresee 1.3 becoming history quickly due to a 1.4 or 1.5. On the other hand, any of todays technology will be lucky to have a decade long run without transition to something newer.
I'm old enough to have seen mass market amplifiers become absolutely several degrees of greater performance and value. Indeed, any 20 year old or so amplifier seems stone age to solid ones readily available today.
I do tend to advocate Denon. That's just my two cents worth of opinion. Do look at fundamental specs like THD. The lower the better by magnitudes. A heck of a difference between a lower price one with THD stated at .1% and a higher price one whose specs for THD are .01%. Big quality difference which is also an indicator of the relativity of other spec differences. All must include a grain of salt (and suspicion) as the specs can be gamesmanship as they are numbers created by the makers themselves.
To fully enjoy things offered by high resolutions, good upconversion is important whether the task be better done by say the TV or the DVD player.
my 2 cents in
by sumant_k - 10/27/07 10:35 PM In reply to: Still information overload for you at this time, but details by NM_BillI am also in the home theater market right now and I did some extensive research on avsforums amazon reviews, cnet reviews and cnet forums and finally decided on Onkyo SR 605..
The pluses ( please correct me if wrong)
1. HDMI SWITCHING (only one cable running to TV, all into Reciever)
2. TRUE HDMI (AUDIO + VIDEO ON SINGLE CABLE)
3. HDMI 1.3 ( NXTGEN STNDRD)
4. UPCONVERSION OF ANALOG SOURCE
5. < $500
6. AWESOME REVIEWS EVERYWHERE
Cons
1. 2 HDMI inputs ( I would love to have 3, but may be 2 are enough)
2. People talking about the matrixing and stuff , which i m uneducated of and may be wont really bother at this point.
So out of all the products I have read about, this one is pretty decently priced and packs a enormous punch for the price
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