Finally upgrading!

ryanjoachim

So, went and got my new TV from Frys today (B7000 55" Samsung LED). I have yet to hook it up since all the HDMI connections are on the side of the TV opposite of my audio tower...but a bit or rearranging is all it takes there.

Here's my dilema. Check out my current speaker setup (in my sig). I feel (and have been told) that my Onkyo 605 doesn't put out enough wpc to push those speakers the way they want to be (especially the RTi10's).

Can someone suggest a good receiver with at least 4 HDMI inputs that can push these speakers? I could care less about the other features (THX, pre-outs, etc). I need to stay below $500, although I was planning on selling my 605 here for around $200, so there's some headroom there.

Oh, and I do around 95% of HT usage with movies. Music is a far second consideration.

nguyendot

Purchase a power amp...then you don't have to change anything. Your money will go much farther in a used power amp than it will into a receiver for $500. There isn't going to be a receiver $500 or less that will be much of a step up from yours in consideration to power.

comfortablycurt

nguyendot wrote: »

Purchase a power amp...then you don't have to change anything. Your money will go much farther in a used power amp than it will into a receiver for $500. There isn't going to be a receiver $500 or less that will be much of a step up from yours in consideration to power.

Solid advice, except the 605 that he has doesn't have pre-outs.

An Onkyo 805 would be a nice improvement. It's got a much beefier amp section than the 605 had. It also has pre-outs, to allow connection of an external amp. If you're looking for more power, odds are you won't find it by simply upgrading your AVR.

wutadumsn23

+1 on what Curt said. If you really want to get more power to your speakers, the best way to do that is with an external amp, not an AVR. Most AVR's will not put put out anywhere near the power an external amp will, and spending $500 on a new AVR with no pre outs will put you right back to where you are now, IMHO. Use what you have for now and save up the cash to get an AVR with pre outs and an external amp, you will thank yourself in the long run, just my $.02.

-Jeff

packetjones

+1 on the previous comments.

I would go with a AVR that has preouts. I have a HK 254 with preouts and am currently saving for an external amp. You can get the 254 at a great price online. Check out the HK ebay store for some refrub models, they are currently going for approx $250. You could almost swap the 605 for the HK and use the $500 for an amp.

Sherardp

Bro I know your budget is 500, but if you could swing the extra 100 clams you could swing a Pio elite. Excellent sound and will drive those speaks no problems. You may find it cheaper at www.valueelectronics.com (ask for Rob). Even if you decide to go another brand give him a shout anyway. I'm willing to bet he can make your call worth the time. He offers outstanding deals.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/EliteReceivers/ci.VSX-23TXH.Kuro

nguyendot

Oops, didn't realize his receiver has no pre-outs. I keep forgetting the lower end units have eliminated that feature.... My lowly Denon 787 has pre-outs but all the newer ones do not...

coolsax

take a look at this too.. Amazon has it on sale right now, its a regular pioneer but with essentially Elite innards.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-9040TXH-7-Channel-Amplification-Receiver/dp/B002USVKFY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265648064&sr=8-1

ryanjoachim

That Pioneer you linked looks real nice coolsax, and is on sale for $505. How does it compare to the Onkyo 805 or a Pio Elite like sherard mentioned??

Edit: Pulled this from their site - Elite receiver sales limited to a 250 mile radius of our store

Since they're located in NY, I guess that won't work for me.

coolsax

the pio VSX 9040 according to the one of the reviews is the canadian version of the pio elite VSX 21 so the 23 is probably a little better..but i don't know by how much. don't know much about the onkyo though so can't help you there.

dvran

Personally, I would get the Onkyo 707 since you get the new features. Also, it comes with pre-outs. Then, add an external amp if the 707 is not enough.

I have the 607 and its great for Home Theater and gaming. Got it for $300 HHgregg.

Sherardp

dvran wrote: »

Personally, I would get the Onkyo 707 since you get the new features. Also, it comes with pre-outs. Then, add an external amp if the 707 is not enough.

I have the 607 and its great for Home Theater and gaming. Got it for $300 HHgregg.

What new features do you speak of? Are we talking height channels?

ryanjoachim

What brand(s) are most accurate with their wpc?

ryanjoachim

Hmm...I think I broke my speakers! (not really though).

I moved my audio tower to the other side of the TV last night, and removed the bi-amp wires I'd had going to my RTi10's. Now...I don't get sound out of anything except for my 10's and sub.

What the heck did I do?

EDUBAG

Congrats on your new tv, samsung rocks. If your budget is 500 then i think a good choice for you would be the marantz sr5003 (499.99 at accesories4less.com). Talk to larry.

Hometheatermag did a bench test and it put out more watts than the onkyo sr806, 876. And it is full 7.1 preouts so you could upgrade later on.

I hope some of the guys agrees with this option.

Good luck

Ern Dog

Hey, it's good to see another Polkie for Oregon on the forum.

Being that your interest is 95% HT, I would consider doing nothing. I had Rti's 10's hooked up to a 90wpc AVR and they performed well.

They did perform better with a separate amp, but for HT it is not as big a deal as it is for a music rig.

Is there something you aren't liking about how they sound with your current set-up?