Best receiver...

[nrx789]

I'm new to home theatre and just starting to acquire equipment.
I have just bought an OPPO BDP95 and I'm now looking for a complimentary receiver.
I bought the OPPO specifically for its sound processing ability so I obviously would like to utilize its analogue outputs (all 7.1).*
From my limited understanding the OPPO seems to do excellent video processing as well. I plan to run one HDMI output from the OPPO straight to my projector for video, and then 7.1 analogue multi output to the receiver.
The OPPO also streams music (and connects via wi fi).
So I'm more interested in the power and quality of the receiver than its processing ability of amount of extra functions).
I want the OPPO to do all my audio and video processing so I need to ensure the receiver is capable of simply passing the audio signal straight through with no further processing. Do you think the OPPO will do a good enough job of video processing?
Can someone suggest an appropriate receiver? I've been looking at an ARCAM AVR400.
Is my idea a good one, is there a better way to do it, or any issues with my proposed set up?*
Sorry, one more silly question...where does equalization fit into all this? Can I 'equalize' the analogue signal using the receiver after it is inputted via the OPPO. I assume the receiver would have to convert the analogue signal back to digital to adjust the levels then covert back to analogue via the receivers DAC (which I obviously don't want to do, it would render the OPPO DAC useless).
Do I need to use any sort of equalizers provided my room is set up correctly and sound deadened?
I'm not fussed with room correction, AUDYSSEY etc. The OPPO offers*bass management, so you can do that in the player by simply designating your main speakers as "small" in the player's Speaker Conguration submenu, and the low frequencies will be redirected to the subwoofer output. It also provides speaker distance/delay and trim-level settings. Oh and one more (again sorry) ... does the DOLBY lossless bitstream HAVE to be converted (either by the player or receiver) to LPCM before converted to analogue for output to speakers, or can it be simply converted directly to analogue (in the same way SACD DSD bitstream can either be converted to PCM before being converted to analogue, or just directly converted from bitstream to analogue)?
I'm aiming for a nice 'small' but professional set up.

My budget for a receiver is about 3-4k

Thanks guys

[sandman922]

Originally Posted by nrx789

I'm new to home theatre and just starting to acquire equipment.
I have just bought an OPPO BDP95 and I'm now looking for a complimentary receiver.
I bought the OPPO specifically for its sound processing ability so I obviously would like to utilize its analogue outputs (all 7.1).*
From my limited understanding the OPPO seems to do excellent video processing as well. I plan to run one HDMI output from the OPPO straight to my projector for video, and then 7.1 analogue multi output to the receiver.
The OPPO also streams music (and connects via wi fi).
So I'm more interested in the power and quality of the receiver than its processing ability of amount of extra functions).
I want the OPPO to do all my audio and video processing so I need to ensure the receiver is capable of simply passing the audio signal straight through with no further processing. Do you think the OPPO will do a good enough job of video processing?
Can someone suggest an appropriate receiver? I've been looking at an ARCAM AVR400.
Is my idea a good one, is there a better way to do it, or any issues with my proposed set up?*
Sorry, one more silly question...where does equalization fit into all this? Can I 'equalize' the analogue signal using the receiver after it is inputted via the OPPO. I assume the receiver would have to convert the analogue signal back to digital to adjust the levels then covert back to analogue via the receivers DAC (which I obviously don't want to do, it would render the OPPO DAC useless).
Do I need to use any sort of equalizers provided my room is set up correctly and sound deadened?
I'm not fussed with room correction, AUDYSSEY etc. The OPPO offers*bass management, so you can do that in the player by simply designating your main speakers as "small" in the player's Speaker Conguration submenu, and the low frequencies will be redirected to the subwoofer output. It also provides speaker distance/delay and trim-level settings. Oh and one more (again sorry) ... does the DOLBY lossless bitstream HAVE to be converted (either by the player or receiver) to LPCM before converted to analogue for output to speakers, or can it be simply converted directly to analogue (in the same way SACD DSD bitstream can either be converted to PCM before being converted to analogue, or just directly converted from bitstream to analogue)?
I'm aiming for a nice 'small' but professional set up.

My budget for a receiver is about 3-4k

Thanks guys

ive never heard an arcam but the have a great reputation , a denon 4311 or onkyo 3009 would also be a great choice .
i would hook up the oppo via hdmi for movies and for stereo use the analog section with the oppo you can use both .

[nrx789]

Thanks for replying
Any particular reason you would run audio via HDMI for watching BLU rays?

[sandman922]

Originally Posted by nrx789

Thanks for replying
Any particular reason you would run audio via HDMI for watching BLU rays?

yes if you run it thru hdmi for movies you get the benefit of audyssey or what ever calibration system the receiver uses along with bass management, big daddy has some post on it very good information . for 2 channel music i prefer the analog inputs .
i have a bdp93 and love it the bdp95 is supposed to be incredible

[repete66211]

The 95 is more for those who have receivers that can't handle lossless audio or who don't like sending audio via HDMI for whatever reason. Personally, were I starting from scratch, I would have bought the Oppo 93 and spent the extra $500 on either a good receiver or a prepro/amp setup that can handle audio via HDMI.

You can send your video directly from the Oppo to your TV or you can send it and the audio both to the receiver/prepro via HDMI. If the latter I wouldn't have the receiver/prepro alter the video signal in any way.

I've heard good things about Arcam (the 600 mainly), but I have no direct experience myself. I think you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in output between any of the higher end models from Onkyo/Integra, Denon/Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc. The differences among those are mainly the version of room EQ (i.e. Audyssey) and feature sets.

[callas01]

If you want to use the analog outs on the Oppo 95, then my suggestion would be to go with something like the Parasound P7 and a Parasound Classic 5125. For your budget, this seperates setup will keep you happy for a while.

[BigAl87]

Been owning the AVR400 for nearly a year now and it's been nothing but great in terms of sound, it does not have all the bells and whistle other would suggest in that price range but the Dynamics are oustanding and you can read the review of the AVR400 and the AVR360 on the HT magazince website and you will see what they can and can't do and it's will be up to you to decide if thats the receiver you want, for me music is as important if not more important to than HT so I needed the musicality and dynamics of the Arcam receiver. FYI, you will see they fail in most HD upscaling test so i strongly recommend you to use bypass mode for picture as it does fail from time to time if I try to upscaling. Who wants to use upscaling nowadays as your BDP is astrait 1080p, you TV signal is either 720p or 1080i, so what.

I paired my front speakers with a Bryston amp so now my recever has plenty of headroom to drive the surronds and center. What speaker are you planning to drive with the receiver?

[pichechunc]

I've heard good things about Arcam (the 600 mainly), but I have no direct experience myself. I think you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in output between any of the higher end models from Onkyo/Integra, Denon/Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by callas01

If you want to use the analog outs on the Oppo 95, then my suggestion would be to go with something like the Parasound P7 and a Parasound Classic 5125. For your budget, this seperates setup will keep you happy for a while.

Agreed +1!!! You should be looking only at seperates with your budget!!!! Especially if power and clarity are your major concerns!

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by pichechunc

I've heard good things about Arcam (the 600 mainly), but I have no direct experience myself. I think you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in output between any of the higher end models from Onkyo/Integra, Denon/Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc.

I just can't tell you the difference between the 400 and the the higher end models from other manufacturer, I think you have to hear it to really understand where the difference stands, All I can say is I heard the 600 also and it's whole different beast with the rail switching, this puppy can push some of the most demanding speakers out there such as B&W 800D.

Going seperates is another great alternative, Look found myself a used amp for $1400 plus $2500 for the receiver for a total of $3900, mainly your budget

[PBR]

I've had a Arcam AVR600 for a few months now and used to be a lover of Denon for many years and they make great equiptment. However if you have the budget I'd say go for the Arcam, reason being its the best audio and video I've seen from a reciever.
Listen to one if you have a chance. It does depend on your speakers and how matched they are to the reciever you buy.
I just rebuilt my system and I'm really happy with my choices but I could have bought a new car with what I spent on it but like I tell my friends I don't drink smoke or do drugs so it's what I spend my money on.
View it as an investment. That's what I keep telling myself lol!