help with receiver

noplayer101

Hiya Guys

Well I not sure if this is the correct place to post this .... sorry if it's int the wrong topic .....

Well I am sort of new to this whole audio thing .... but I just bought some speakers and had no idea what receiver to buy ..... I think I bought good speakers (at least one of one friends said so) ....

I bought:

RTi8 for front
Csi3 center
Fxi3 surround
Rti4 rear
PSW110 subwoofer

Well are they good? .... Anyways I have no receiver to go with them .... and really have no idea what specs to look for expect for looking for 7.1 and high watt output (above 100 per channel ?) ....

Thank you very much! ... and I appreciate any help

cfrizz

Welcome NoPlayer!

You have bought some excellent speakers. It would be best if you could hear multiple receivers matched with the speakers you are getting.

Otherwise, look for any receiver that has all of the bells & whistles that you want it to have. Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo, are good brands.

Just make sure that it is a receiver that has preamp outputs so that you can add external amplification later on down the road.

xandra

I have the Onkyo TX-SR705, and Love it, (it's a little underpowered for the RTi10's that I bought - but should be ok with the RTi8s - tho you might want to consider going to the next model up which has slightly more power).

It's a great 1st 7.1 system, cuz the interface is excellent - really easy to use - excellent manual. Great bang for your buck: features galore (including abovementioned preamp outputs in case you ever decide to upgrade), seems very well built, mucho inputs and outputs.

but cfrizz is right, if you can find somewhere that still has your RTi series on the floor, it would be great to listen to them with various Amps.

Good luck

noplayer101

Thanks a lot.

I will check out the Onkyo TX-SR705 ...

however with pre-amp outputs, does it mean I don't need to consider the output watts of the receiver since I can just later on add an external amp to meet the full potential of the speakers?

cfrizz

Well yes & no. It basically depends on how long it will take you to get the external amplification. If it is going to take too long, you still want to be able to enjoy your system without having to worry about it going into protect mode from being pushed too hard, or simply sounding strained.

But focus more on making sure it has all the features that you want in it and has a sound that is pleasing to your ears.

Some people say that the combo of RTI's with a Yamaha receiver leads to a very bright sound. (The tweeter can be very tiring on the ears after a long time listening) Now you just might happen to love it this way. I personally would not.

noplayer101

well initially I was think something like $300-400 .... but after looking around the web at prices it seems unrealistic .... I see the Onkyo one from above for $650 so I think perhaps $600-700 though I'm not opposed to spending a little more if it means getting a much better receiver .....

I not sure what the important features are ... like some have "pass-thru" HDMI which means you need a separate audio cable, is HDMI the best for audio or is a separate optical input just as good? .... also I guess I should look for one that has all the different hi-def audio formats decoding?

Thanks

acsubie

circuit city now has the onkyo 805 for $699 ! same price as the 705 they have listed, going to CC in a bit to get my $200 back, purchased it for $899 3 weeks ago

reberly

I really like my Onkyo 805. I haven't found a bell or whistle that's missing for a receiver under $1500.

noplayer101

it looks like the price is back up to $899 for the Onkyo 805 at Circuit City (checked online) ... given that the price I see for the Onkyo 705 and 805 is about $200 difference (about 600 compared to 800) ..... as I was previously thinking $600 was a bit much for me .... is the 805 worth the extra $200

Is their a particular "old model" worth checking out? Also, is there a nice place to check for used or refurbed receivers, besides eBay?

acsubie

noplayer101 wrote: »

it looks like the price is back up to $899 for the Onkyo 805 at Circuit City (checked online) ... given that the price I see for the Onkyo 705 and 805 is about $200 difference (about 600 compared to 800) ..... as I was previously thinking $600 was a bit much for me .... is the 805 worth the extra $200

Is their a particular "old model" worth checking out? Also, is there a nice place to check for used or refurbed receivers, besides eBay?

the onkyo was listed as $699 on the circuit city website for a very short time, i think it was a mistake, luckily i printed out the page as soon as i noticed and went to CC yesterday to get my $200 refund, the employees there were stumped as to why the site posted that price, and said it was an error but they honored that price and i went home $200 richer

xandra

is the 805 worth the extra $200

The difference that might make it worth your while:
The 805 has 130 watts (as compared to 705's 100w) - which MIGHT just be enuf to skip adding an amp (which would add a heck-of-alot more than $200)

however... you might wanna check with Polk directly if the 805 is TOO powerful for your surrounds (they recc' 20-125w for your RTi4's) doubt a problem but worth checking.

now if only acsubie would post a PDF of Circ City Ad...

---

As to HDMI-pass thrus: I'd stay away, (I'm a pig when it comes to ins/outs) IMHO: The more connection options you have, the better.

PS: like you, I started looking in $300 range, to me a receiver is possibly your most important purchase. It determines what you can connect, and how easy (& pleasant) your viewing/listening experience will be. If anything, I wish I'd gone higher... Just my opinion.

cfrizz

Xandra, there is no such thing as too much power when it comes to amplifying speakers. All of my speakers are powered by a 405wpc amp, & they sound great! Not just loud, but clearer, especially at lower volume.

That is why most of us are fans of separate amplification & recommend receivers that have preouts.

So get the receiver that has a sound you like as well as all the bells & whistles you want & save for a separate amplifier later on down the line.

xandra

there is no such thing as too much power when it comes to amplifying speakers

Great to know - was concerned about this when looking for Amps - thanks

cfrizz

Your ears will give out before the amp does damage to the speaker forcing you to turn it down.

And if you don't, you won't care about the damage since you won't be able to hear the speakers anyway!:eek::p:D

noplayer101

well thank you very much everyone for all the suggestions .....

I compared the specs of the 705 and 805 and found basically the 100 W vs 130 W is more or less the only difference (there are other minor things like THX Select2 vs Ultra2 ... but I am too much of a novice to understand the difference) ..... However I just bite the bullet and ordered the Onkyo TX-SR805 .....

I figure $200 more is not so big a deal in the long run and I found in a another forum someone saying that the 805 is better built internally ..... plus with 130 W I figure I can get away without an amp like xandra suggested (or at least stave off buying an amp until much later down the road) ....

So now I have the speakers and the receiver .... I must find away to connect them ..... I know speaker wires come in different gauges and connector types ..... are there particular ones I should use for my speaker/receiver combo? Also are there particular brands to look from?

Only particular brand I know of its Monster but they are very expensive .... though I guess it is not better to go cheap on the wires because then the expensive speakers and receiver are meaningless if not connected good ...

Thanks again for all the help!

KINGSLAYER06

Hello all just bought a new POLK speaker package and the Onkyo 805 and my whole system seems to be so under power its not even funny. Okay I got LSi15 for fronts, LSic, PSW1000, I have LSi9's for surr but changing on thurs for LSi15, I Bi-wired the fronts and they sound great just on stero. This should blow the roof of my house but something just isn't right. I still got a week to return anything so I need some help. Was wondering what does this system need? Any recomendations on an amp?

vonnie123

A low cost 7.1 solution below is for a refurbished Marantz. here's the link:

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR4001

Enjoy your new equipment.:)

sbpolk

KINGSLAYER06 wrote: »

Hello all just bought a new POLK speaker package and the Onkyo 805 and my whole system seems to be so under power its not even funny. Okay I got LSi15 for fronts, LSic, PSW1000, I have LSi9's for surr but changing on thurs for LSi15, I Bi-wired the fronts and they sound great just on stero. This should blow the roof of my house but something just isn't right. I still got a week to return anything so I need some help. Was wondering what does this system need? Any recomendations on an amp?

What does your system need? About 300 watts per channel @ 4ohms....

sbpolk

Oh also, bag going with LSi15s in the rear, and use that towards a really nice, powerful amp for all 5 or 7 speaks...

reberly

noplayer101 wrote: »

well thank you very much everyone for all the suggestions .....

I compared the specs of the 705 and 805 and found basically the 100 W vs 130 W is more or less the only difference (there are other minor things like THX Select2 vs Ultra2 ... but I am too much of a novice to understand the difference) ..... However I just bite the bullet and ordered the Onkyo TX-SR805 .....

According to the Onkyo website the 805 is 4ohm certified and the 705 is not. 805 can do zone 2/3 and 705 just zone 2. It appears the 805 has some advantage hooking up XM and Sirius but it's not entirely clear. Plus of course the extra 30W power. The 805 to me has a nicer front and hides all the extra buttons under a hatch door.

Sherardp

KINGSLAYER06 wrote: »

Hello all just bought a new POLK speaker package and the Onkyo 805 and my whole system seems to be so under power its not even funny. Okay I got LSi15 for fronts, LSic, PSW1000, I have LSi9's for surr but changing on thurs for LSi15, I Bi-wired the fronts and they sound great just on stero. This should blow the roof of my house but something just isn't right. I still got a week to return anything so I need some help. Was wondering what does this system need? Any recomendations on an amp?

You need power bro, check out audiogon for a used amp. Try Sunfire, Parasound, adcom, outlaw audio. I just got into an ICEpower amp from D-sonic. Very neutral sound, check it out www.D-sonic.net Theres tons of amps out there, your lsis will thank you, until then dont play them too hard to prevent damage.


And welcome guys, both of you have started out with some nice gear.

cfrizz

www.bluejeanscable.com

This site has every kind of wire & IC that you will need. They are well made, have excellent fast shipping, & most importantly will not cost you an arm & a leg.

I also like their philosophy when it comes to selling wire. They give a nice tutortorial about what you need as far as wire goes.

Just like everything else in life spending more money on something does not always equal being the best there is. Most times you are simply paying for the name on the product.

noplayer101 wrote: »

So now I have the speakers and the receiver .... I must find away to connect them ..... I know speaker wires come in different gauges and connector types ..... are there particular ones I should use for my speaker/receiver combo? Also are there particular brands to look from?

Only particular brand I know of its Monster but they are very expensive .... though I guess it is not better to go cheap on the wires because then the expensive speakers and receiver are meaningless if not connected good ...

Thanks again for all the help!

xandra

NoPlayer - If you ever regret the $200 extra for the 805, I'll gladly swap my 705 (plus the difference). But alas, think you'll love the receiver. Incredibly well thought out -- be sure to read the surpringsly well written manual - Forgot to mention one FAb thing about the Onkyo's: they retain settings during power outages. A real blessing where I live.

noplayer101

Awesome !!!

There was a price drop last night .... and the 805 is $717 .... called this morning and they price matched :-) ....

only about $100 more for the 805 over the 705 should be well worth it and I'm extremely happy about my decision ....... only problem I see is the the 805 is a monster ... over 50 pounds .... the limit for the shelves on my floating glass stand is 50 so I will have to see about where to put it ......

-Satisfied Customer :-D

P.S.: cfrizz thanks for the link ... I read some of the descriptions and I too find quite nice ...

reberly

Have fun with the 805, I think you'll really enjoy it. I agree the another poster that they did a great job on the manual. I still can't beleive how heavy that sucker is.