pre-amps, amps, and receivers...HELP

[resmonkey]

I just want to know how this all works. Say I have an HDTV and a BD player, a DVD player, and a game console. Where do pre-amps, amps, and receivers come in play?

I assume receivers are the hub of where the BD player, a DVD player, and a game console come together.

[jermwhl]

Originally Posted by resmonkey

I just want to know how this all works. Say I have an HDTV and a BD player, a DVD player, and a game console. Where do pre-amps, amps, and receivers come in play?

I assume receivers are the hub of where the BD player, a DVD player, and a game console come together.

pre-amps, and amps don't worry about. If you buy a receiver (AVR) you'll be fine. Generally receivers have amps built-in.
I would recommend searching on these forums for good AVR's. It also depends greatly on your budget. I'm buying one around christmas time, and going to be spending up around 1,000 bucks.

[resmonkey]

Buying pre-amps and amps are for the 'real' enthusiasts who have money, I'm guessing...hehe...

What receiver do you have in mind?

[jermwhl]

Originally Posted by resmonkey

Buying pre-amps and amps are for the 'real' enthusiasts who have money, I'm guessing...hehe...

What receiver do you have in mind?

Kinda funny you asked. I was just searching for various receivers when I read your post.
I'm leaning towards the new pioneer elite VSX-91TXH. It has HDMI 1.3...I won't worry you with that, but they are nice receivers. I'm also considering Denon's. Haven't quite decided, i've got a couple months

[ottscay]

A reciever is a preamp/processor and amplifier in one box. Since rather obviously you have to make design sacrifices to fit them all in one package, recievers are not as good at maintaining audio fidelity as "separates" are (that is, using a separate amp and pre/pro).

Although some recievers are very good, and if you don't have $5,000 speakers, it probably won't make a huge difference anyways. Since separates are only made for audiophile who obviously have money (since they just dropped a used-car worth of money on their speakers) they tend to be expensive, precision-made electronics (or, occasionally, tubes). If you have really nice speakers and want a sort of entry-level separate setup, look into Outlaw Audio, who sells separates with good price-performance. Otherwise, enjoy your reciever and don't worry about it

[Dadds]

The Sony STR-DG810 is around (or less )$350 and it has 3 HDMi 1.2 pass-throughs. It works really well I it doesn't cost $$$$. How much are you looking to spend on one?

[Pilam69]

You can go really nuts on this if you want but if you are just wanting a nice clean sound with lots of inputs/outputs and good surround you can accomplish it for WELL UNDER $1,000. Sony makes a "Home Theater in a Box" system with HDMI passthruogh and an upconverting DVD player for less than $600. This includes a powered sub, speakers for all 5 channels of surround, and plenty of in/outputs. Some people will rail against the "box" solution but it is the simplest and fastest way to quality sound. Is it going to take FULL advantage of Blu sound? No. Can you tell? Doubtful. Most trained ears could tell but could you or I? I am betting no. Also, what kind of room are you using? If you don't have a good acoustically designed room then why spend thousands of dollars trying to make it sound good, it won't work.

Seriously, pre-amp and the like is way overkill for most of us. I doubt, based on your post, that you are a guy who needs pre-amps. That's not a knock on you, just saying I think it would be overkill based on the post you left here.

One thing I highly recommend is that you get a reciever with HDMI passthroughs. It effectively adds another HDMI input to your TV.

I run a Sony setup in my home that came out of a box and then I upgraded the reciever. I think it sounds great. When I watch movies my neighbors think it sounds great too!! I can run my DVD player, PS3, Wii, and cable through my reciever with no problems.

Hope this helps!!

[resmonkey]

Originally Posted by Pilam69

You can go really nuts on this if you want but if you are just wanting a nice clean sound with lots of inputs/outputs and good surround you can accomplish it for WELL UNDER $1,000. Sony makes a "Home Theater in a Box" system with HDMI passthruogh and an upconverting DVD player for less than $600. This includes a powered sub, speakers for all 5 channels of surround, and plenty of in/outputs. Some people will rail against the "box" solution but it is the simplest and fastest way to quality sound. Is it going to take FULL advantage of Blu sound? No. Can you tell? Doubtful. Most trained ears could tell but could you or I? I am betting no. Also, what kind of room are you using? If you don't have a good acoustically designed room then why spend thousands of dollars trying to make it sound good, it won't work.

Seriously, pre-amp and the like is way overkill for most of us. I doubt, based on your post, that you are a guy who needs pre-amps. That's not a knock on you, just saying I think it would be overkill based on the post you left here.

One thing I highly recommend is that you get a reciever with HDMI passthroughs. It effectively adds another HDMI input to your TV.

I run a Sony setup in my home that came out of a box and then I upgraded the reciever. I think it sounds great. When I watch movies my neighbors think it sounds great too!! I can run my DVD player, PS3, Wii, and cable through my reciever with no problems.

Hope this helps!!

Could you guide me to which is the best?

EDIT = I don't know why, but it says (for most of those receivers) "HDMI up to 1080i." What about 1080p?

Thanks

[buckshot]

i'd suggest, if you want something now, to go and listen to some of the home theater in a box systems. get one of those, then spend some time (I spent about 18 months) researching, looking for what I needed/wanted/could afford then started replacing what I had with what I wanted when they came on sale. I just re ordered the onkyo tx sr605 receiver after cancelling my order when it was out of stock. that's the last piece I need to som time.

[Waiterguy]

In response to "Home Theatre In A Box" . I purchased the Sony High end home theatre unit with HDMI, and 5 disc changer. I have it hooked up to my 60" SXRD, PS3, and a few other things and it sounds fantastic!!! It even has an output for you to plug in your MP3 Player (no matter what kind) I live in an apartment with lots of space, and I never feel im losing any quality of sound. I agree with earlier postings, unless you are a real audiophile, and have a great space and unlimited funds....go for the all in one unit and maybe upgrade your tv for now, other wise save your money on all the expensive equipment you really don't need right now.

[Pilam69]

Originally Posted by resmonkey

Could you guide me to which is the best?

EDIT = I don't know why, but it says (for most of those receivers) "HDMI up to 1080i." What about 1080p?

Thanks

Glad you found this helpful. If you want 1080p then currently you can't use a passthrough that I am aware of. There may be a high end reciever ($1,000+) that has 1080p passthrough, I don't know.

I did the exact same thing as the other guy posted here, I bought the Sony setup with the DVD Player in a box, then I upgraded the reciever after about 6 months to a 7.1 unit and I added two more speakers to complete my media room. I have an odd room and it's not a real great setup for surround sound but I cannot complain about the quality of sound that I am getting out of it. I suppose that some people would be offended by my poor sound quality but I don't know anyone that stuck up or with that good of hearing to be honest with you.

My recommendation is to follow your ears. Buy a good setup from a well known company (i.e. sony, denon, pioneer, jbl, harmon kardon, infinity) and you will be fine. Once you set it up, if you decide you need more of something then you can upgrade a peice at a time as you can afford it.

I wish you the best, without good (great) sound you are truly missing half the picture.

Regards.



Edit--I forgot, currently the only thing I have capable of 1080p is my PS3 so I run it direct to the TV and I run my cable and DVD through my reciever passthrough.

[resmonkey]

So the AV Receiver in your case has everything but the console's video output, since it's 1080p. The sound from the PS3 is still through the AV Receiver.

I get it now, thanks!