Help a broke student get a decent receiver set up

[ngkf7]

I have a nice big TV and a PS3 that I use to play my blus. Sooner or later I'm going to want to spend on a receiver and speakers to get by for the next few years. Unfortunately, I'm a student with little income but some pocket change to throw around (my 56'' TV isn't 4 months old). That being said, I'm looking for a decent system to just enjoy in my apartment. I don't want a crazy theater room system, just one that I can go all in (speakers + receiver) for no more than $550. I also don't care if it's 5.1 vs. 7.1, because the room I have the TV in will not be given an extra boost from 2 extra speakers. Three in the front and two in the back are plenty.

If we can keep it below $500 even better, because I still have to get wire and shelving. Right now I have been eyeing the Yamaha RX-V465BL for $329.99 and the Yamaha NS-SP1800BL (5.1 speaker set) for $133 (both through Amazon) so the final price would be about $463 with free shipping. I'm not too familiar with how decoding works, so some general explanation on that would help (although I realize the PS3 does do the decoding so this receiver could just pass through).

Thanks in advance for the recommendations!

[DonRSD]

you want one with an HDMI REPEATER....not 'pass thru' (for your receiver)

here is a solid setup with 5.1/7.1 capability AND a solid polk audio set

ONKYO 507 for $344

POLK RM6750 $229 w/FREE shipping

youre looking at $573 total

and for speaker wires, hdmi wires, etc
www.monoprice.com


let me know if this is within your budget

[ijokr]

look for a used receiver just one in good conditions, it can be the onkyo 605 a yamaha 663 or whatever. Look for one in here, most people in this forum take good care of their systems and many are upgrading. I bought mine here used, is a 605 and it works perfectly for $250.

For speakers try the polk that DonRsD listed, they´re cheap and I´ve heard some good reviews about them.

[kpkelley]

Onkyo HT-S6100

Just slightly beyond your budget, but this system is one of the best you can get for the money.

[ijokr]

or the onkyo 5200, although it won´t get you lossless audio but fits your budget.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882120141

[ngkf7]

that 5200 is very tempting. I'm literally an audio illiterate, so what kind of sound difference would I be expecting between the 5200 and 6100 (mostly around the lossless issue)?

[ansat]

Best bet would be to find something in the onkyo 600 series. Any will do. If you have speakers outside the 600's will give you a zone 2 for those. Pay it off then reassess your budget.

[ansat]

Originally Posted by ngkf7

that 5200 is very tempting. I'm literally an audio illiterate, so what kind of sound difference would I be expecting between the 5200 and 6100 (mostly around the lossless issue)?

I personally wouldnt go with anything thats not lossless. The biggest advantage of the PS3 is the fact that all you need is a reciever that can handle 7.1 pcm and your PS3 will send the best audio every time.

[jkwest]

I thought you were pulling a caliblue and asking people for money...

[ijokr]

well it makes difference but only if you are really into home theater sound or if you plan to be. If this upgrade you´re planning is because you´re starting to get into the home theater world then I would say a lossless receiver is worth it because that´s 50% of Blu-ray potential. People think that it´s only picture quality but if you ask anyone in here they would say it´s only half. Now, if this upgrade is only because you want good speakers for your tv instead of hearing your tv´s speakers, then 3200 will work for you. The problem here is that if you buy the 3200 and then want to upgrade then you'll have to buy anoother receiver which can be pretty expensive and meaningless.

Here´s the 6100 which is one model before 6200. The receiver is great and future proof and this is $499, the problem is that its sold out, maybe if you can wait but it can take a while.......

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...e-BLACK/1.html

[ijokr]

Originally Posted by jkwest

I thought you were pulling a caliblue and asking people for money...

jajajajaj me too, I was thinking when I saw the name of the thread "the nerve on this guy, almost everyone on this site is saving for upgrades"

[ijokr]

Originally Posted by ansat

I personally wouldnt go with anything thats not lossless. The biggest advantage of the PS3 is the fact that all you need is a reciever that can handle 7.1 pcm and your PS3 will send the best audio every time.

Thats´s true, I´m not very familiar with the ps3 but from what I understand, you only need a receiver with hdmi pass-through....am I correct ansat? that means you can get a cheaper model

[ngkf7]

So in terms of a great receiver that can handle pcm (since the PS3 will do the rest), what should I be looking for? I'm digging these package systems people have been recommending, but if I have to buy speakers separately, I will.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by ijokr

Thats´s true, I´m not very familiar with the ps3 but from what I understand, you only need a receiver with hdmi pass-through....am I correct ansat? that means you can get a cheaper model

Not pass-through, but accepts LPCM over hdmi. Most of the new models that accepts audio over hdmi also decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA, but for a while the cheapest receiver to pair with the PS3 was the Sony 720 which could accept LPCM but didn't decode the hd audio codecs.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by ngkf7

So in terms of a great receiver that can handle pcm (since the PS3 will do the rest), what should I be looking for? I'm digging these package systems people have been recommending, but if I have to buy speakers separately, I will.

Any receiver that accepts audio over hdmi should be good. For onkyo that is the 605 series an onward/upward or the Sony DTR 720.

For your best deal getting a recertified unit from a place like accessories4less.com can be a great audio investment.

[ijokr]

Here´s the sony 720 for $200 but I´ve never heard this site before, maybe check around

http://www.gosale.com/4947768/sony-s...-71-channel-av

[ngkf7]

See the problem with the 605 is that it's too expensive for my budget to add speakers too. I may just have to settle for the 5200 (the whole package for < $500). Question though, would I get lossless through the 6100?

[Grevlin]

Here is another possibility:

http://www.compusa.com/applications/...783&CatId=3419

[ngkf7]

Yeah I've been browsing at that 5200 but everyone's been telling me about the whole lossless thing.

[Steve]

Yes, you would get lossless through the 6100. The 6100 includes a more fully-featured receiver than the 5200. Onkyo speakers aren't the greatest, but they aren't terrible either. I started with the Onkyo HT-SP908, which was the predecessor to the 6100. It was the same speakers, but an older model of receiver. I've replaced the speakers, but I'm still using the receiver today.