HD audio question

[victimsofadown]

I'm looking for a budget reciever that does lossless audio, and I was wondering...

the primary player is the PS3, which I know can decode the HD audio and then send the decoded signal to the reciever....

Is there a way to HEAR the HD audio, without having a reciever that decodes the 2 HD audio formats?

I guess what I mean is... is there a reciever that can recieve lossless audio from the PS3, but not have the 2 HD audio format stamps, thus making it a cheaper reciever?

Thank you!

[crackinhedz]

Sony STR-DG720

7.1 PCM

[BIslander]

These days, most new AVRs that can process PCM over HDMI also have HD decoders. It seems to have reached the point where you aren't paying a premium to get TrueHD and dts-MA decoding. Receivers like the Onkyo 606 and the Yamaha 663 come with full decoding for less than $400.

[victimsofadown]

That's awesome! Thanks! So I need to look for something that is "PCM" ? You = lifesaver!

Is there any reason I should be worried about NOT getting a reciever which supports the 2 HD audio formats? My setup is my PS3, 360, and Digital Cable box... and I can't think of any other devices I'll be getting in the next 2-4 years that will take advantage of the two formats (but I could be overlooking something)

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by victimsofadown

Is there any reason I should be worried about NOT getting a reciever which supports the 2 HD audio formats?

well, if ever one day you decide to get a player that sends bitstream Lossless you might want the decoding capability.

[victimsofadown]

Originally Posted by BIslander

These days, most new AVRs that can process PCM over HDMI also have HD decoders. It seems to have reached the point where you aren't paying a premium to get TrueHD and dts-MA decoding. Receivers like the Onkyo 606 and the Yamaha 663 come with full decoding for less than $400.

I cannot find either of these recievers for less than $450

[victimsofadown]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

well, if ever one day you decide to get a player that sends bitstream Lossless you might want the decoding capability.

Are there players that cannot decode the audio themselves?

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by victimsofadown

Are there players that cannot decode the audio themselves?

Yes, although player decoding is becoming increasingly common these days.

[daniel56]

hello,

i am sorry,

i tried figuring out but did not come up with any result.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by victimsofadown

I cannot find either of these recievers for less than $450

Newegg has the Yamaha for $380. With a little patience, you should be able to find the Onkyo for less than $400, too.

[crackinhedz]

Yeah prices for these receivers fluctuate...if you patient, as BIslander mentioned, you can find good ones (Onkyo, Yamaha etc) for under $400.

[SatinKzo]

I'm sure the prices will fluctuate a bit while the new lines are brought out. But to re-affirm, keep an eye on the ones mentioned. I picked up a 606 for $349 shipped last year and finally upgraded the secondary HT setup.

[orean101]

I did alot of searching and was patient, I just last week picked up my pioneer 1018 for 349.00 at my local BB, still dont have a clue how to work everything but I have it.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by victimsofadown

I'm looking for a budget reciever that does lossless audio, and I was wondering...

the primary player is the PS3, which I know can decode the HD audio and then send the decoded signal to the reciever....

Is there a way to HEAR the HD audio, without having a reciever that decodes the 2 HD audio formats?

I guess what I mean is... is there a reciever that can recieve lossless audio from the PS3, but not have the 2 HD audio format stamps, thus making it a cheaper reciever?

Thank you!

Definitely, there are a lot of good receiver options you can choose from that have HDMI audio but don't include built-in lossless decoders. Since the PS3 is my primary player, I too was after a good receiver without built-in decoders. Right around Christmas I bought the Yamaha HTR-6080 (same as the RX-V863) for $278 brand new shipped. It retailed for $999 when released in 2007, but it dropped a ton after it's replacement, the HTR-6180 (RX-V863), was released last year with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA decoders built in.

[BACsader]

Out of the receivers listed, if you could get this one I would definitely recommend it more than the yamaha and the onkyo. It has the best internal amplifier of the three and by far the best calibration. I am personally not a big fan of the yamaha or onkyo. They look clunky to me and their features aren't too great. The yamaha's remote control is wierd.