Receiver Upgrade Question

[squire23]

I have an older lower end Denon receiver from 2001 and am trying to determine if it’s worth upgrading to the Denon 1508, which is a 2007 lower end receiver. My connections would pretty much remain the same (optical for HDTV and 5.1 analog for Blu-ray). Aside from some newer features, does the quality of receivers improve with time? Could I potentially notice improved audio going with a newer model?

Thanks for your thoughts? I have I Best Buy gift card that I’m trying to determine what to do with.

[Slec]

If you aren't having any issues with your current receiver and the 1508 doesn't offer a significant upgrade, then stay with what you have. Use that as the basis for upgrading to a receiver that is different. Or, you can spend the gift card on all the great blu's coming out this month! What is your old receiver? Do you know the model #?

[squire23]

Originally Posted by Slec

If you aren't having any issues with your current receiver and the 1508 doesn't offer a significant upgrade, then stay with what you have. Use that as the basis for upgrading to a receiver that is different. Or, you can spend the gift card on all the great blu's coming out this month! What is your old receiver? Do you know the model #?

Thanks for your comments. My current receiver is the Denon AVR 1601.

[Brian Cash]

how much is the new receiver that your thinkin of getting? the reason I ask is maybe we find u a better receiver that is worth upgrading for in that price range

[squire23]

Originally Posted by Brian Cash

how much is the new receiver that your thinkin of getting? the reason I ask is maybe we find u a better receiver that is worth upgrading for in that price range

Around $300. That is what the gift card is for. The 1508 is regularly $350 but there is an open box for $275. Best Buy does not appear to have the best selection (no Onkyo's). The gift card is that inbetween amount...not enough for a quality big ticket item and too much for smaller items.

[Brian Cash]

yeah the only reason i would upgrade to the new denon is because of the hdmi but if you have no need for that i wouldnt even bother and buy 300 dollars worth of blu ray

[squire23]

Originally Posted by Brian Cash

yeah the only reason i would upgrade to the new denon is because of the hdmi but if you have no need for that i wouldnt even bother and buy 300 dollars worth of blu ray

I've never considered running video through the receiver. Always just used it for audio only. Any benefits to running HDMI through the receiver for video opposed to going directly to the TV?

Thanks again for your comments.

[Brian Cash]

some receivers upconvert which is nice but your bd player well already do that so you wouldnt need that for dvds i like the hdmi cause its one cable and can get pcm tru hd and dts ma but they way you have yours hooked up you should be able to get it with out the hdmi because ps3 does not have the outputs for that

[Brian Cash]

Also im just learning all of this myself i know alot of stuff when it comes to audio but new with all the frequencys and stuff the person you should talk to is CrackinHedz

[Slec]

Originally Posted by squire23

I've never considered running video through the receiver. Always just used it for audio only. Any benefits to running HDMI through the receiver for video opposed to going directly to the TV?

Thanks again for your comments.

As brian said, the main benefit is 1 cable, nice and neat. HDMI can transmit HD audio formats as bitstream and PCM. The video signal stays digital through the entire process (most receivers simply pass the video on to the tv). Going into a receiver allows for switching as well, whereby the receiver really acts as a control for all your gear. Hit DVD and it switches to the audio and video inputs. Hit DTV/CBL and it switches to those inputs. You can plug a cable box, blu-ray player, CD player, DVD player, X-box and other things into the receiver with only 1 plug going to your tv (instead of several for each box in use).

and Crack is the man...

[squire23]

Thanks gentleman.