AV Receiver?

harold280z

I'm looking to upgrade my 5 yoear old Sony receiver which runs my bedroom sounds system. I like Sony and have looked at their STRDA 3200ES. I think this receiver will warm up my RTi8's. I want good power but no need to over power the bedroom. I've also looked at Pioneer's VSX 81TXV I like that one also.......which is better?

My bedroom sounds

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/closeup.php?userid=73547&pic=331_4_big.jpg

Sony Bravia 40XBR1
RM202 center
RTi8 fronts
T20E backs
PSW10 sub

ND13

I don't think I'd put any Sony AVRs in the WARM sounding category...that's just from my experience with Sony gear. If you're looking to WARM up your RTis, I'd look more in the line of HK, Marantz or Denon.

harold280z

ND13 wrote:

I don't think I'd put any Sony AVRs in the WARM sounding category...that's just from my experience with Sony gear. If you're looking to WARM up your RTis, I'd look more in the line of HK, Marantz or Denon.

I've never given the receiver's any thought maybe I'll give the a look

Thanks

MSALLA

If it is just for music I would stay with a straight two channel stereo reciever.
AVR's don't seem to have the same sound quality for music as a good stereo reciever.

harold280z

MSALLA wrote:

If it is just for music I would stay with a straight two channel stereo reciever.
AVR's don't seem to have the same sound quality for music as a good stereo reciever.

I need the AVR's for my system, movie's, TV, I-pod & CD's. I'm really looking for one with 2 HDMI inputs & 1 output for under 800.00. Has to warm up the RTi8's

bobman1235

harold280z wrote:

I need the AVR's for my system, movie's, TV, I-pod & CD's. I'm really looking for one with 2 HDMI inputs & 1 output for under 800.00. Has to warm up the RTi8's

HDMI in a receiver is pretty cutting edge, good luck finding that for 800 bucks without stooping to another Sony lower level thing. I'd say go used but anything more than a year old isn't going to have the inputs you're looking for.

zombie boy 2000

Run, don't walk...

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4097700&JRSource=googlebase.datafeed.HK+AVR445

Better yet, wait for used and get it cheaper.

Warm presentation.... check.
2 HDMI inputs.... check.
1 HDMI output.... check.
"The Bridge" (an input specific to an IPod docking station, also made by HK)... check.

All for under 800 ducets.

harold280z

zombie boy 2000 wrote:

Run, don't walk...

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4097700&JRSource=googlebase.datafeed.HK+AVR445

Better yet, wait for used and get it cheaper.

Warm.... check.
2 HDMI inputs.... check.
1 HDMI output.... check.
"The Bridge" (an input specific to an IPod docking station, also made by HK)... check.

Only 65 watts pch....hummm might sound nice how about more watts 120 to 130 pch...I know I'm asking a lot
Thanks

zombie boy 2000

Trust me on this one...

HK watts will bowl over 150 watts from Sony any day of the week.

Someone back me up on this:)

MikeC78

harold280z wrote:

I need the AVR's for my system, movie's, TV, I-pod & CD's. I'm really looking for one with 2 HDMI inputs & 1 output for under 800.00. Has to warm up the RTi8's

I don't really understand this?? You want something to "warm" up the RTi8's?? There is really no answer for this with electronics, unless you change the speakers.

You can sure make the 8's sound better, no doubt about it, but to change the overall signature tone of the speakers is not going to happen.

MikeC78

ZB,

Yes... I'd take HK watts over anything Sony on any day of the week!:)

ND13

The HKs 65 watts will be more than enough. You need to be looking into how much current is being delivered.

zombie boy 2000

All electronics have a sonic signature. Demo the same speakers on an Onkyo and then a Harman Kardon and this will become very apparent. As far as warming up the Rti8's -- many have tried and many have failed:D But with my experience, HK's generally have a warmer presentation. Some people actually find it to be too soft or laid back. I disagree, but to each their own.

ND13

To warm them up, he may need to throw one of those MF tube buffers inline somewhere.

bobman1235

harold280z wrote:

Only 65 watts pch....hummm might sound nice how about more watts 120 to 130 pch...I know I'm asking a lot
Thanks

As others have said, H/K measures their wattage way more conservatively than someone like Sony. 50 watts out of an H/K is equal to probably twice that from a Sony or Pioneer.

If you want true 120-130 wpc, you're going to need an external amp or a 2500 dollar receiver.

zombie boy 2000

ND13 wrote:

To warm them up, he may need to throw one of those MF tube buffers inline somewhere.

Now we're cookin' with oil:D

harold280z

ND13 wrote:

To warm them up, he may need to throw one of those MF tube buffers inline somewhere.

Ok I'm going to tweeters & listen I know they carry Yamaha I'll also look at the HK's

Thanks for your help!

zombie boy 2000

Well.. keep in mind that Yamaha is probably the worst possible choice you could make if you're looking to "warm up" the Rti8's. But they're your ears, so good luck and happy listening at Tweeters!

harold280z

MikeC78 wrote:

I don't really understand this?? You want something to "warm" up the RTi8's?? There is really no answer for this with electronics, unless you change the speakers.

You can sure make the 8's sound better, no doubt about it, but to change the overall signature tone of the speakers is not going to happen.

Maybe warm up is the wrong choice of words to use. I think I need more power at lower volume while playing music from a CD or from my I-pod. Well as I said my AV receiver is a Sony & its over 5 yrs old not a ES. With that said I'm open to looking at more.

Thanks for the help

MSALLA

harold280z wrote:

Ok I'm going to tweeters & listen I know they carry Yamaha I'll also look at the HK's

Thanks for your help!

I like Yamaha and own Yamaha, but if you want to warm up your Rti-8's stay with Denon or H/K. The Yamaha's run alittle brighter then some. If you can move up to the 1000.00 to 1200.00 range you will have alot more to choose from.
Listen to the Yamaha, don't take my word for it, but from my experiance this is how I feel.

zombie boy 2000

I'm not bustin' on Yamaha... trust me. My Dad's swears by Yamaha for HT and it does have a lot of "punch", so to speak. "Bright" is another word that comes to mind....

Anyway, how much are you going to be using your set-up for music vs HT?

ND13

Bright sonic signatures=Yammie, Oink, Sony, Pioneer
Warm sonic Sigs=H/K, Denon, NAD, Marantz, B&K

Haven't heard the outlaw yet.

harold280z

Ok Pioneer EliteVSX81TXV 110 watts 2 HDMI inputs 1 HDMI output Price 550.00 plus 79.00 for 1 HDMI cable from Tweeters. Enough power for my system?

MSALLA

harold280z wrote:

Ok Pioneer EliteVSX81TXV 110 watts 2 HDMI inputs 1 HDMI output Price 550.00 plus 79.00 for 1 HDMI cable from Tweeters. Enough power for my system?

Plenty of power, but I can't comment on the sound as I have never had one.

harold280z

zombie boy 2000 wrote:

I'm not bustin' on Yamaha... trust me. My Dad's swears by Yamaha for HT and it does have a lot of "punch", so to speak. "Bright" is another word that comes to mind....

Anyway, how much are you going to be using your set-up for music vs HT?

Should be about 90% HT after all this set up is in my bedroom 10% music. Humm bright could be good!

bobman1235

harold280z wrote:

Ok Pioneer EliteVSX81TXV 110 watts 2 HDMI inputs 1 HDMI output Price 550.00 plus 79.00 for 1 HDMI cable from Tweeters. Enough power for my system?

Please don't spend that much on an HDMI cable. Ther'es no reason they should be more than, oh say, 20 bucks

harold280z

bobman1235 wrote:

Please don't spend that much on an HDMI cable. Ther'es no reason they should be more than, oh say, 20 bucks

Thanks for the link!

MikeC78

Check out MonoPrice also, good prices there as well.

MSALLA

harold280z wrote:

Should be about 90% HT after all this set up is in my bedroom 10% music. Humm bright could be good!

Bright is the opisit of warm.

Polkersince85

Trust these guys on the HK stuff, I have an older AVR-85 that will sling a pair of Monitor 10's against the wall.

harold280z

Well i got the AV receiver Pioneer Elite VSX82TSX 130 watts pch 3HDMI inputs 1 HDMI output Did the demo made the RTi8's sing. Thanks for your help! I did go over the budget a little 893.00 total cost.