Help with new receiver - Blu-ray Forum

Metalheadisme · 01-18-2008, 04:02 PM

Well, it's about that time... I'm looking to upgrade my receiver for HDMI compatibility, and while I am tech savy, trying to do side-by-side comparisons and find out all the flaws and features has been rather daunting. I'm willing to spend around $600, but of course the cheaper the better.

Here's my setup:

Sony KDF-E42A10 TV
HK avr-135 receiver
HK 6.1 speakers (came in CP15 with avr-135)
PS3
Cable box w/ HDMI
XBOX that I use for emulation of all old school games (ya for mods)

I'll be looking to upgrade to a 1080p TV eventually (that one is 720p native), but I'm not sure if finding a receiver with 1080p upconversion is necessary as a good TV will do a better job of it perhaps. Maybe some advice here... And while I may not need upconversion to 1080p, I definitely would like ALL inputs to be output via the HDMI to the TV.

I would like HDMI 1.3a for the potential of using the new codecs, even though I realize the PS3 cannot bitstream them. It's good to be a little future-proof though.

I also would like PCM 7.1 capability. I know some receivers handle PCM 5.1, and I only have 6.1 speakers, but here's the hitch. For the time being, my room can really only have 6.1 speakers because of the setup. As far as I know, 7.1 receivers should be able to make proper use of 6.1 speakers with the 7.1 audio info, right?

3 HDMI inputs would also be nice, but not too necessary.

I love my HK, but it's time to move on. Thing has superb sound - especially for music. I looked at the latest HK models, and their features just don't do it for me, plus I've heard some issues with poor manufacturing. If HK has plans to come out with receivers with the features I'm looking for I'd be willing to wait (plus they look slick).

That being said, the brands I hear a lot about or know to have great sound quality seem to be HK, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, and Pioneer Elite. Sound quality matters the most to me, and I know this does not equate to rated power (like in the case of HK's).

Thanks a lot for any advice guys.

Getus · 01-18-2008, 04:24 PM

Well,

I had the harman avr 330 and up-graded to the onkyo 705. i don't know the prices in the usa, so can't help you on that.

But i recommend the onkyo 705 or 605

seto · 01-18-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Getus

Well,

I had the harman avr 330 and up-graded to the onkyo 705. i don't know the prices in the usa, so can't help you on that.

But i recommend the onkyo 705 or 605

Those are excellent recommendations at that budget.

gearyt · 01-18-2008, 04:26 PM

Yep, the 705 will fit your bill

Metalheadisme · 01-18-2008, 05:29 PM

Thanks for the suggestions... the 705 has been at the top of my list for a while now. I was wondering though, what are the key differences between the 705 and 805? Also, does anyone know how well the 705 handles 6.1 speakers?

One other question... I'm really leaning toward the 705 over the 605, but what are the critical features that the 705 has over the 605?

I already have an idea of these answers, but it's really good to have other opinions since there's a lot that can be missed in spec sheets.

Thanks again

blu-backer · 01-18-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalheadisme

Thanks for the suggestions... the 705 has been at the top of my list for a while now. I was wondering though, what are the key differences between the 705 and 805? Also, does anyone know how well the 705 handles 6.1 speakers?

One other question... I'm really leaning toward the 705 over the 605, but what are the critical features that the 705 has over the 605?

I already have an idea of these answers, but it's really good to have other opinions since there's a lot that can be missed in spec sheets.

Thanks again

I just bought the 605 from TigerDirect. The biggest differences between the 705 vs 605 that I see are:

3 HDMI ports on the 705 vs 2 for the 605
100W for the 705 vs 90W for the 605
705 comes with a learning remote while 605 does not
Phono input on 705

There are other differences, but the other big difference for me was price. Got the 605 for $389.99 total from TigerDirect. 705 is on sale at CircuitCity.com for $649.99 plus tax and shipping. That's $260 more for features that I didn't really need.

Metalheadisme · 01-19-2008, 11:08 PM

Thanks for the input guys... but I think I'm just going to wait it out for Harman Kardon to put out new receivers with HDMI 1.3.

I went to a Circuit City to check out the Onkyos and wasn't all that impressed with the sound compared to my older HK, particularly with music. Plus, the damn things almost burned my hand from getting so hot.

It might just be the brand loyalist in me, but HK just seems to put out the best sound for the price in mid range receivers. If I had the money, I'd probably get the Pioneer Elite vsx-94th, but alas I am a poor graduate student.

The avr 247 looks good, but has hdmi 1.1, upconversion issues, and a couple other reported issues. Is still sounds damn good though.

Now, if only HK can get off their asses and put out 7.1 receiver with HDMI 1.3, decoding of all the new codecs, matrixing of 5.1 pcm to 6.1 and 7.1 pcm, and decent video upconversion - I would be all over that.

01-18-2008, 04:02 PM	#1
Metalheadisme Active Member Member since:Jan 2008	Help with new receiver Well, it's about that time... I'm looking to upgrade my receiver for HDMI compatibility, and while I am tech savy, trying to do side-by-side comparisons and find out all the flaws and features has been rather daunting. I'm willing to spend around $600, but of course the cheaper the better. Here's my setup: Sony KDF-E42A10 TV HK avr-135 receiver HK 6.1 speakers (came in CP15 with avr-135) PS3 Cable box w/ HDMI XBOX that I use for emulation of all old school games (ya for mods) I'll be looking to upgrade to a 1080p TV eventually (that one is 720p native), but I'm not sure if finding a receiver with 1080p upconversion is necessary as a good TV will do a better job of it perhaps. Maybe some advice here... And while I may not need upconversion to 1080p, I definitely would like ALL inputs to be output via the HDMI to the TV. I would like HDMI 1.3a for the potential of using the new codecs, even though I realize the PS3 cannot bitstream them. It's good to be a little future-proof though. I also would like PCM 7.1 capability. I know some receivers handle PCM 5.1, and I only have 6.1 speakers, but here's the hitch. For the time being, my room can really only have 6.1 speakers because of the setup. As far as I know, 7.1 receivers should be able to make proper use of 6.1 speakers with the 7.1 audio info, right? 3 HDMI inputs would also be nice, but not too necessary. I love my HK, but it's time to move on. Thing has superb sound - especially for music. I looked at the latest HK models, and their features just don't do it for me, plus I've heard some issues with poor manufacturing. If HK has plans to come out with receivers with the features I'm looking for I'd be willing to wait (plus they look slick). That being said, the brands I hear a lot about or know to have great sound quality seem to be HK, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, and Pioneer Elite. Sound quality matters the most to me, and I know this does not equate to rated power (like in the case of HK's). Thanks a lot for any advice guys.

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01-18-2008, 04:24 PM	#2
Getus Active Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:The Netherlands	Well, I had the harman avr 330 and up-graded to the onkyo 705. i don't know the prices in the usa, so can't help you on that. But i recommend the onkyo 705 or 605

01-18-2008, 04:26 PM	#4
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	Yep, the 705 will fit your bill

01-18-2008, 05:29 PM	#5
Metalheadisme Active Member Member since:Jan 2008	Thanks for the suggestions... the 705 has been at the top of my list for a while now. I was wondering though, what are the key differences between the 705 and 805? Also, does anyone know how well the 705 handles 6.1 speakers? One other question... I'm really leaning toward the 705 over the 605, but what are the critical features that the 705 has over the 605? I already have an idea of these answers, but it's really good to have other opinions since there's a lot that can be missed in spec sheets. Thanks again

01-19-2008, 11:08 PM	#7
Metalheadisme Active Member Member since:Jan 2008	Thanks for the input guys... but I think I'm just going to wait it out for Harman Kardon to put out new receivers with HDMI 1.3. I went to a Circuit City to check out the Onkyos and wasn't all that impressed with the sound compared to my older HK, particularly with music. Plus, the damn things almost burned my hand from getting so hot. It might just be the brand loyalist in me, but HK just seems to put out the best sound for the price in mid range receivers. If I had the money, I'd probably get the Pioneer Elite vsx-94th, but alas I am a poor graduate student. The avr 247 looks good, but has hdmi 1.1, upconversion issues, and a couple other reported issues. Is still sounds damn good though. Now, if only HK can get off their asses and put out 7.1 receiver with HDMI 1.3, decoding of all the new codecs, matrixing of 5.1 pcm to 6.1 and 7.1 pcm, and decent video upconversion - I would be all over that.

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