Help me pick one...(avr)

beardog03

Okay guys,

Help me pick one..

Whats the best bang for buck...deal...unit for me


http://www.ecost.com/Detail/Receivers/Sony/STRDG1100+REF/41807062.aspx?navid=155441533

I`m sure there is another Sony available on this website also...



Here are the Denons to choose from
I was looking at the 688 & 788


http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/showcaseb/default.asp?showcaseb=denon2&SubShowcase=avreceivers

This way I get a deal and can use my BB cards for movies !!!

disneyjoe7

I would buy a Pioneer Elite, but that wasn't your choice. But not a Sony. Perhaps a Onk?

thsmith

If all you want is HDMI switching I guess they would be OK. If you want HDMI and HD AUdio Codecs look at the Yamaha 663, call 6ave and mention you are an AVSforum member.

leroyjr1

Onkyo 805 may be an option as well.

beardog03

thsmith wrote: »

If all you want is HDMI switching I guess they would be OK. If you want HDMI and HD AUdio Codecs look at the Yamaha 663, call 6ave and mention you are an AVSforum member.

I was thinking of going straight to the TV from the BR, so the sound (I guess) is what the AVR is for

Maybe not...I don`t really know..

Not a big Onk fan....for some reason

maybe they make some okay stuff...I really don`t know

I guess it is an option though

disneyjoe7

Onk's make a nice Pro / Pre if you go that route in the future, I would see if the AVR you buy a least offers that.

beardog03

I will eventually get a multi channel amp ...

You know I can`t resist !!

That Yammie that was just recommended looks good

dkg999

The Yamaha AVR's have always had great pre/processor sections, but the amplifier sections have been from bad to good. I have a HTR-5660 in my bedroom HT that has a great pre/pro, but the amp section just sucks. Used with an Adcom 7605 amp it makes a great HT. I have an HTR-5790 that has a pretty good amp section in it, good, but not great.

Make sure the Yamaha AVR you get has pre-outs, and you'll be good to go!

javygonx

Im not sure if that Sony thas TrueHD and DTS-MA. Skip that Sony and go for at least Onkyo 706. I test it and its great for music, but way better for Movies. Or jump to Onkyo 806. Other excellent options are Denon 789/1909 or if you got the money jump to Denon 2809. I red Yamaha 663 is very good, but I've never test it. Skip Onkyo 606, its nice, but doesnt have Preamps., for a few bucls more can get 706. But want a cheap Marantz?
Got to 6ave.com, add only the maratnz you want and put the code "aflaud25' in checkout, and automatically you will get 25% discount

thsmith

if you call 6ave and tell them you are an AVSforum member you might be able to beat the 25%

beardog03

Thanks guy`s !!

I`m going to make a move soon

I appreciate all the help !

The main thing is that I am going to get an external amp (or two), so i mainly need the unit to have all the new sound capabilities.
I have spotted a 3ch amp that I am just about to pull the triger on, so....

I will be calling 6ave.com to get the Pre/pro...that`s a no brainer

shack

I don't like the sound of the Yamaha's I've heard, I would not buy a sony AVR because I just don't think they are very good, I'm not a fan of Onkyo either, I haven't owned any Pioneer gear since the 80s and the HK stuff I owned never worked very well. That leaves Denon. My current HT AVR is a 6 year old Denon that has worked perfectly since day one and sounds great. I would not hesitate to buy another. I like NAD AVR's too but they aren't on your list and even a refurb would be significantly more.

I'd definitely vote for the Denon AVR 788 you mentioned.

ND13

H/K or Denon. I've never had issues with either. I personally prefer H/K over Denon for their amp sections, but I'd guess you won't be using them for long if at all. Both are excellent products and iirc, BB still carried H/K. Pioneer Elite gear is quite good, too. Steer clear of Sony(ES series is supposed to be better) and consumer brand Yammies(they make a higher end receiver series, but are quite salty). For reasonable $$$s, the H/Ks and Denons are likely your best choices...All my opinions.

beardog03

Shack dady, & Noel...


Thanks for your input

I have a Denon 3802 (3?) in the main rig , for the family to use, but this is my office rig that I will using all the time....Since the idea was to move me into my office permanently !!

I want a budget minded system, but you know me...I can`t leave well enough alone !!

I have a full set of RTi`s and a full set of Lsi`s to work with...except for the Lsi center

I have found a good deal on a 3ch amp, and can get a 2ch later, or save up and get a 5ch later.

I have;
A Philips DVD player
A Toshiba HD-A2 DVD Player
A Sony BDP-S350 BR Player
A Belkin PF-60 Power Center
The speaks mentioned above
A Samsung 32" LCD_HDTV
And will probably be using AQ Type 4 cables ...but have not started the cable search yet


So my objective is to put together the ultimate budget minded Surround System

Funds are short, but expectations are high !!

I have used Yamaha in the past and liked them, but when I started using Denon and saw how "bright" yammies were, I decided to stick with Denon....but am open to all possibilities
Thank everybody for thier input, and I am taking it all into concideration......I am trying to cover all bases, and welcome all thoughts and input


I looks like BB is not the best choice, so I have already put together $400 to get started with...

I also have the SVS PC-Ultra to work with, but may be looking into another for either the 2ch or the AV system....HSU on the AVS forum got my attention !!

Ron Temple

Of the one's I've tried...sound quality, not features...HK>Denon>Pio(10xx serie)>Onkyo

beardog03

Thanks Ron..

HK?
Really ?

Ron Temple

beardog03 wrote: »

Thanks Ron..

HK?
Really ?

The Denon was the closest (2307CI) and I liked it fine for HT, maybe preferred it, but the HK in direct mode just sounded sweeter, no edge, more my kind of sound. All of them did the job, but I was going to keep the Denon and sell the HK which I was swapping out at the time...until the new HK got back. One listen and the Denon went back.

shack

If all I had was 400 to spend....this is what I would buy...$379 and free shipping...

NAD T744

For $120 more (and free shipping)...

NAD T754

I really like the NAD gear and for a small room you might find even the T744 will drive what you have as loud as you need with excellent SQ. I have bought a couple of NAD refurbished pieces from Spearit Sound and they have worked flawlessly.

beardog03

I have never owned NAD gear...

Is it a good choice for HDMI ?

shack

Neither of the ones I linked to is HDMI capable. That is not an issue with me because I don't use HDMI for video. I tried it and found no advantage over component cables running straight from my DVD player to the TV. Some of the NAD models up the line are HDMI capable but we are again talking more money and probably beyond your budget. Others who use HDMI may be of more help than I.

beardog03

If I use a HDMI cable straight from the DVD player, does the AVR need to be HDMI capable ?

polkatese

nope. You need it if you want more HDMI devices than you have (either on the TV or source). Running is straight is the way to go.

shack

No. I tried the HDMI cable straight from my Denon DVD to my TV and it worked just fine. I just felt my component cables worked just as well. I think the advantage running to the AVR is for video switching via the receiver. I think the audio may be able to run from the HDMI cable as well. Again I don't use HDMI so I don't know for sure. I do know that I would have to run run two sets of cables either way. HDMI from the DVD to the AVR then to the TV...or as I have now...from the DVD to the TV for video and DVD to the AVR for audio.

beardog03

shack wrote: »

No. ...from the DVD to the TV for video and DVD to the AVR for audio.

I think that is the way I`m going to go...

I can get a switch of I need more options

I have a couple of amps that I have my eye on, so I just need to get the killer sound that the new formats offer....I think

thsmith

beardog03 wrote: »

If I use a HDMI cable straight from the DVD player, does the AVR need to be HDMI capable ?

No but if you ever plan to get a BR player you will most likely want to take advantage of the HD audio codecs which the AVR will need to process.

beardog03

thsmith wrote: »

No but if you ever plan to get a BR player you will most likely want to take advantage of the HD audio codecs which the AVR will need to process.

I just got a BR player

Hence the new system

disneyjoe7

I use a HDMI from DVD to AVR to TV, making it a nice an easy 1 wire connection.

dorokusai

I'd pick up a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR706 or 806 from accessories4less.com or Club Onkyo.