In Need of New Receiver

[insane4]

OK guys, don't smack me around too much. My budget isn't quite as high as the rest of y'all's seems to be.

I've got a Sony STR-DE825 receiver, that's been working great. Still works great. Got optical from the DVD and PS3 and all that running to it... fantastic.

Until now!! Fox. Sometimes, I just want to smack Fox. They only have English 5.1 in DTS!! How can any sane man watch the Simpsons in 2.1?? The 825 doesn't do DTS, just DD.

Sooo... I'm looking for the following:

• Sony preferably (keepin' it in the brand)
• ~$300-$400 price range (not as rich as I'd like to be)
• DTS, DD, at least 3 optical inputs (2 at the very least). Not planning on piping HDMI from PS3 thru the receiver, just the optical audio.
• Somewhat future-proof

I'm still a bit confused about what TrueHD and and the Master Audio stuff really are, IE is DTS 96/24 Master Audio? TrueHD? PCM?

I was looking at the STR-DG910.

Any takers, and thanks in advance for any thoughts!!

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by insane4

I was looking at the STR-DG910.

well, thats the best sony in your price range...its 7.1PCM...I say get it.

(if you dont mind an Onkyo, the TX-SR605 is $390, and probably a better choice)

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by insane4

I'm still a bit confused about what TrueHD and and the Master Audio stuff really are, IE is DTS 96/24 Master Audio? TrueHD? PCM?

The are Lossless audio codecs. Meaning you will hear the audio exactly as it was intended by the Studios.

The PS3 sends this to the receiver via multichannel Linear PCM through the HDMI connection.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by insane4

Not planning on piping HDMI from PS3 thru the receiver, just the optical audio.

...bad idea.

[insane4]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

The are Lossless audio codecs. Meaning you will hear the audio exactly as it was intended by the Studios.

The PS3 sends this to the receiver via Linear PCM.

But that only works over HDMI, right (for 5.1)?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by insane4

But that only works over HDMI, right (for 5.1)?

yes. HDMI only.

[insane4]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...bad idea.

Reason for that is, I don't want to turn on my receiver every time I want to use the PS3. I often use it w/o sound, and I've heard the whole HDMI passthrough thing differs. If the receiver is off, will it just pass all the data thru to the TV?

[darkpoet25]

I recommend the 605 as well. Onkyo is a well known and respected company. My brother and I have the 805 and I have to say that watching a movie with lossless audio is definetly the way to go. You can run a single HDMI cable from your PS3 to the receiver and one to your tv. Then you can go into the XMB and set the audio to auto and it should send the lossless audio to the speakers.

[AlaskaDon]

+1 to Crackinhedz suggestion on going with the Onkyo. You'll have HDMI and the advanced codecs too. Much better idea than sticking with Sony.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by insane4

Reason for that is, I don't want to turn on my receiver every time I want to use the PS3. I often use it w/o sound, and I've heard the whole HDMI passthrough thing differs. If the receiver is off, will it just pass all the data thru to the TV?

This is why they created the 'Mute' button. Definitely run the audio & video through HDMI! And I also recommend the Onkyo.

[Clark Kent]

As everyone else has said, the Onkyo 605 is better for your situation than the Sony. Frankly Sony receivers are not highly regarded for their sound quality.

[sj001]

I would add my recommendation to the group for Onkyo receiver, very good price for a very well equipped and solid receiver. Though at this point you can't take advantage of the built-in DTS-MA or Dolby TrueHD decoding as the PS3 cannot pass this to the receiver.

[jurassic_pork]

Folks,

Related question about my setup. I currently have the THX Onkyo system given as a gift. It only supports component video and I would like to go with HDMI. It appears the Onkyo 605 is a good affordable option. Does it make sense to just swap out receivers? Although the 605 is not THX is what I gain sound wise using HDMI more beneficial than what I loose with not having a THX certified receiver?

[jtoon]

Originally Posted by sj001

I would add my recommendation to the group for Onkyo receiver, very good price for a very well equipped and solid receiver. Though at this point you can't take advantage of the built-in DTS-MA or Dolby TrueHD decoding as the PS3 cannot pass this to the receiver.

so what you are saying is that you need a stand alone blu ray player to get the trueHD and DTS-MA...what do you gain from getting the onkyo 605 then....just a better encoding for the sound? i was thinking of getting the 605 but if my ps3 doesnt even support the HD audio..then whats the point?

[kpkelley]

THX certification is as good as those stickers your teacher put on your elementary school tests, nice to look at but just costs more.

The only way to get THX certification is to pay for it. There are plenty of good receivers that are not THX certified b/c the manufacturer does not want the added expense.

[Dyana B]

I just received the Onkyo 605 for Xmas. It's a great receiver, but now I'm kind of stuck with a Yamaha RXV661 that was given to me as a gift back in July of this year. I would like to sell the Yamaha, but I'm not sure how to go about this... I would appreciate some great input from my fellow blu-ray members...

[jurassic_pork]

So it sounds like the THX thing is overblown? If that is the case then I'll go with the 605 receiver and go HDMI across the board.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by jurassic_pork

So it sounds like the THX thing is overblown? If that is the case then I'll go with the 605 receiver and go HDMI across the board.

I honestly enjoy the THX optimized sound that is output on ertified receivers. For me it seems to add an extra element of depth to the mix. Look into the Onkyo 805 if it's in your price range and you will not just be getting a good receiver for immediate use, but with the extra HDMI ports on the back you would be futureproofing your setup (eventually your cable/satellite, and other home entertainment peripherals will need to be jacked into the receiver too).

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by sj001

Though at this point you can't take advantage of the built-in DTS-MA or Dolby TrueHD decoding as the PS3 cannot pass this to the receiver.

YES, The PS3 can decode Dolby TrueHD and pass it to the receiver.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Dyana B

I just received the Onkyo 605 for Xmas. It's a great receiver, but now I'm kind of stuck with a Yamaha RXV661 that was given to me as a gift back in July of this year. I would like to sell the Yamaha, but I'm not sure how to go about this... I would appreciate some great input from my fellow blu-ray members...

try selling the Yamaha on the trade threads....it goes for $450-500, so you should easily get around $400 (shipped) for it. It actually has a better DAC than the Onkyo so the sound might even be a little better.

If it doesnt sell on here, go to ebay.