Receiver help (budget)

[Ferris]

I do not have a home theatre, and am making my first foray into the Home Audio world. I have done A LOT of reading over the past few weeks. There are a lot of people with a lot of information on here. A lot of people have their opinions brand loyalty, too, and that sometimes sends some threads on a tangent. What I'M looking for (selfish, I know) is a receiver that can give me my list of must haves, with the lowest price.

Here's what I've got:

FiOS HD-DVR (watch some standard def channels too, unfortunately)
Plastation 3 (for gaming AND BDs)
Sony Bravia 1080p TV (v2500)

Receiver MUST-HAVES:
- 3 HDMI inputs (or 2, but can be updated via switch)
- 5.1 (7.1 is fine too, but I won't be using the other 2 as the room is too small)
- Can distribute the DTS-MA from the PS3 to the speakers (LPCM)
- Can upscale the SD video from HD-DVR via HDMI cable to 1080

I'm not too particular on the brands (Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha, Denon). I also don't care about pre-outs for anything. I mainly just need to have a starting point in a particular price range so that I can audition them.

I'm hesitant to provide my budget to all, since I want the help to be focused on my "must-haves".

I appreciate any input you all can provide.

Thanks all.

[SPH]

onkyo 606 is a good starter choice. Thats what i have and it has served me well.

[gochumonster]

what is the budget? I am a big fan of denon and i think the 1909 would suit what you are looking for.

[DiverSpear]

Any of the Sony ES's, the 2400ES and above can upscale or the Sony 820 (doesn't upscale) or the Sony 920 (up conversion) if you can find one.

[Sammy]

This is a hard question to answer without an upper-bound limit.

[Chordata]

I recommend looking at the multitude of other threads floating around here about this.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by SPH

onkyo 606 is a good starter choice. Thats what i have and it has served me well.

606 will only upscale to 1080i, you need the 706 to upscale to 1080p.

OP, you can also bi-amp the front L and R speakers with the additional surround back terminals.

[brett_day]

onkyo 606 has 3 hdmi input and also upscales via it's faroudja chip. it is a great receiver for first timers into home theater, however one thing you might want to consider other than your list of must haves is how different receivers sound

Each brand of receiver is very unique in the sound department. I would strongly urge you to go to a your nearest electronics store and audition the different brands so that you can find one based off sound output as well technical specs

[trekdude]

Pioneer is coming out with a $300 receiver in April that CNET likes.

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-101...rColumnArea1.1

I'm also interested in a budget receiver that decodes HD-MA so I'm planning to take a look at it in a few weeks. It will be interesting to see how that new receiver compares to the Onkyo 606. It might also put some pressure on other companies to offer great sales.

[Ferris]

I appreciate all of the input provided. I just wanted to address some of the comments by some of the posters throughout this thread:

1. I will most certainly be auditioning the receivers suggested. I mentioned this in my original post. I just wanted to know the least expensive receivers which fit my "must haves."

2. As I also mentioned in my original post, I didn't want to provide an "upper limit" on my budget because I want the focus on my "must haves." If the least expensive receiver to fit my must-haves is $1200, then it's $1200.

3. I know there are other threads around that talk to things similar to this, and I have read them (both here and AVS). I know this must get annoying to you all reading questions like this from n00bs, but many times the focus shifts to concerns I don't have.

For the people who provided suggestions of receviers, I thank you.

I'm wondering if the Pioneer mentioned in trekdude's post will fit my needs.

[Jordahn]

Let me add this for you. Whether you decide to get a Home Theather in a Box or a standalone receiver, you want to have good speaker wire. With that being said, you are better off with a receiver with screw binding posts than the spring levers. It makes it easier to attach the wires to the receiver.

[Sammy]

Good speaker wire is available at www.monoprice.com . As far as the receiver goes, the Onkyo 706 probably is the cheapest one that does what you want. But what do I know? Not a whole lot!

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by FriedEggs

I'm wondering if the Pioneer mentioned in trekdude's post will fit my needs.

According to the link, there is no analog video upconversion. It doesn't mention any hdmi video upconversion in the article, but this would raise the concern that it might not. Supposedly the next step up VSX-919AH would have this featrue.

[mustang-gt-2002]

YAMAHA RX-V663 $369.00

http://www.fotoconnection.com/p85676...ver-black.html

[Ferris]

Originally Posted by mustang-gt-2002

YAMAHA RX-V663 $369.00

http://www.fotoconnection.com/p85676...ver-black.html

Thanks, Mustang... I've been eyeing this receiver for a while, and it may be the one I go with (after listening tests, of course). So, this will upconvert the standard-def channels on my HD cable box (connected via HDMI) to HD?

Also, I know there are only 2 HDMI inputs, is there an adapter or switch I could use to expand this to 3 HDMI inputs?

Thank you all for your input!

[Ferris]

Originally Posted by Sammy

Good speaker wire is available at www.monoprice.com . As far as the receiver goes, the Onkyo 706 probably is the cheapest one that does what you want. But what do I know? Not a whole lot!

I've looked at the 706 and I do like it. I've heard, though, that some of the Onkyos can run pretty hot.

Also, does the 606 or Yamaha 663 have video upconversion via HDMI cable?

[ludawg23]

marantz SR4002 from accessories4less.com

$299 and does both video and audio via HDMI.

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Originally Posted by FriedEggs

I've looked at the 706 and I do like it. I've heard, though, that some of the Onkyos can run pretty hot.

Also, does the 606 or Yamaha 663 have video upconversion via HDMI cable?

The Yamaha 663 upscales analog to digital (480p).

[mustang-gt-2002]

Originally Posted by FriedEggs

Thanks, Mustang... I've been eyeing this receiver for a while, and it may be the one I go with (after listening tests, of course). So, this will upconvert the standard-def channels on my HD cable box (connected via HDMI) to HD?

Also, I know there are only 2 HDMI inputs, is there an adapter or switch I could use to expand this to 3 HDMI inputs?

Thank you all for your input!

HDMI will upconvert to 1080p

2 HDMI's is ok 1 for PS3 and 1 for Blu-ray player. no need for HDMI for things without 7.1 output. HD cable box/HD satellite box, upconvert DVD player. can plug in to the Digital coaxial/opticl inputs.
becouse they dont output 7.1

you can get a 1X4 HDMI Splitter but dont need it.

[Ferris]

I know this is old, but I wanted to respond to everyone, given I originally created this thread.

Thank you all for providing me with this input. I ended up buying the new Yamaha RX-v565, which seems like it will do everything I wanted and more. I've got a new set of Polk RM 6750s waiting for it to arrive on my doorstep.

Thanks again!