I want a new receiver - which one?

[Xourque]

Hello everyone!

Simple question: What receiver should I get?

But alas - that is not a simple question. Silly me!

Here is what I currently have:

Receiver: Yamaha HTR-5930 5.1

Speakers: Radiient Calypso 5-speaker set (discontinued - they actually no longer distribute speakers)

* Front Left & Right:
-- 80Hz - 20kHz
-- 8 Ω nominal
-- 120 W short-term peak, 60 Wrms continuous
-- 90dB/w/m
* Center:
-- 90Hz - 20kHz
-- 8 Ω nominal
-- 80 W short-term peak, 40 Wrms continuous
-- 86dB/w/m
* Rear Left & Right:
-- 90Hz - 20kHz
-- 8 Ω nominal
-- 60 W short-term peak, 30 Wrms continuous
-- 84dB/w/m

Subwoofer: Energy ESW-V10 10" 300 Watts RMS (discontinued)

TV: Samsung UN55B7100 55" LED

Blu-Ray player: Samsung BD-P3600

That is what I have already. As you can see, my receiver is out dated and definitely does not have the HD decoders to take full advantage of my Blu-ray movies. My speakers aren't the best either but they still sound quite nice (any opinions on the speakers is appreciated, too!)

Here are the variables that would effect my decision making process on a new receiver:

- It has to be at least 5.1
- Must have DTS-HD/Dolby True HD
- I really like the idea of self-tuning audio technology, such as Yamaha's YPAO or Denon's Audyssey
- $350 is how much I'd like to spend with maybe $400 being max
- I don't care about analog inputs and up-scaling
- The limitations of my speakers

Some receivers that have caught my eye are:
- Yamaha RX-V465
- Denon AVR-590
- Pioneer VSX-819H-K
- Pioneer VSX919AH-K

So with all that said, what are your opinions?

Thank you in advance!

[Xourque]

Actually...I never noticed that my speakers have such a limited RMS wattage and that my receiver is overpowering them each with 80W x 5 (20Hz - 20kHz) / 110W x 5 RMS (1kHz).

How bad is this?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Xourque

Actually...I never noticed that my speakers have such a limited RMS wattage and that my receiver is overpowering them each with 80W x 5 (20Hz - 20kHz) / 110W x 5 RMS (1kHz).

How bad is this?

You're probably not overpowering them at all. Most receivers out there don't actually push their rated wattage with all channels driven, even though the specs say they do. That receiver is probably only pushing about half of what it says it is. Even if it was able to push the full 80 watts per channel, you wouldn't be getting that much power unless it was turned up as loud as it would go. The power output from your receiver is directly related to how loud you have it turned up. Basically the louder you turn it, the more power it puts out. It's not putting out a continiuous 80 watts per channel just because it's turned on.

Regarding your original question, none of the receivers you have listed are really anything special. If you could put another $100 in (for a total of $500) I would recommend this Marantz. It would completely smash any of the models on your list. Also note that it really can put out its rated power.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

If the price is a little too steep, then this Yamaha RX-V565 isn't a bad choice for $430. This is a really good seller, and there's no tax and free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...aha-_-82115195

[callas01]

I agree with Steve on the Marantz, best thing you could buy for $500

Otherwise I would say the Sony DN-1000 because it is the best testing receiver at its price range of $319 on Newegg.com . And it will get you everything else you need. I have last years model and it is really pretty good.

[Xourque]

Thank you, guys! I see your point about the ones that I listed not being much of an upgrade. I suppose if I really wanted to upgrade and have it be noticeable then I should look more at the $500 level.

I will look into the Marantz receivers. I haven't ever seen that brand in person before. Wow, that brand is EXPENSIVE!

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Xourque

Thank you, guys! I see your point about the ones that I listed not being much of an upgrade. I suppose if I really wanted to upgrade and have it be noticeable then I should look more at the $500 level.

I will look into the Marantz receivers. I haven't ever seen that brand in person before. Wow, that brand is EXPENSIVE!

It's a really good brand. A friend of mine has one in his setup and it's a great receiver. The one I linked to above it is a refurb, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy it for myself if I was in the market for a receiver in that price range.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Xourque

Thank you, guys! I see your point about the ones that I listed not being much of an upgrade. I suppose if I really wanted to upgrade and have it be noticeable then I should look more at the $500 level.

I will look into the Marantz receivers. I haven't ever seen that brand in person before. Wow, that brand is EXPENSIVE!

yes that is why we suggested the refurbs... more affordable.

[lifevicarious]

Can anyone who has this AVR comment on how hot it runs? Reading through the manual it syas to have 8 inches in all directions. I am planning on having this in an enclosed cabinet. There are vents in the bottom and I could actually remove the back panel but there certainly wouldn't be 8 to the left or right and I want to keep the front door shut (solid wood). ANy thoughts?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by lifevicarious

Can anyone who has this AVR comment on how hot it runs? Reading through the manual it syas to have 8 inches in all directions. I am planning on having this in an enclosed cabinet. There are vents in the bottom and I could actually remove the back panel but there certainly wouldn't be 8 to the left or right and I want to keep the front door shut (solid wood). ANy thoughts?

I can't speak for Marantz in particular, but all receivers generate a good bit of heat. That even includes the ICE amp in my Pioneer Elite. It's just the nature of the beast. I think they all recommend 6-8 inches of clearance for ventilation. Another option to offset the ventilation clearance would be to put a fan in the back of your cabinet to actively pull heat out of the cabinet. I did this in my ET stand because my components are enclosed. It's pretty easy to do and not terribly expensive. You can see the fans I used in a couple of pics in my HT gallery. Check them out and see if that's something you could do.

[Packerfan75]

I recently upgraded to the Sony STR-DN1000 receiver for $329 on Amazon and not only does it look good, it sounds fantastic. It has 4 hdmi inputs, decodes all hd audio formats and pretty much leaves me lacking nothing for the forseeable future. There's also the Sony STR-DH800 which is mostly the same but $50 less. I did alot of researching and I found that these are 2 of the better sound/feature receivers in $300 range. Give them a look.

P.S. I'm not a Sony loyalist.

[callas01]

I will add that even my dads Sony ES which is enclosed in an all wood cabinet and he uses some IR repeaters to control everything, but it has almost 10" above it but it still can overheat and he has to open the doors so it can breathe, that would be the only thing I would say. Really long periods of use may need you to let it breath, but otherwise you should be fine.

However in all my research I have never read that Marantz's run hot.

[lifevicarious]

Originally Posted by callas01

I will add that even my dads Sony ES which is enclosed in an all wood cabinet and he uses some IR repeaters to control everything, but it has almost 10" above it but it still can overheat and he has to open the doors so it can breathe, that would be the only thing I would say. Really long periods of use may need you to let it breath, but otherwise you should be fine.

However in all my research I have never read that Marantz's run hot.

Well I just ordered the Marantz 5003 (refurb). I'll find out Friday how hot it runs!

And OT but Callas, where are you in Riverside? I used to work at Canyon Crest CC all through college (now live in Manhattan).

[Steve]

Originally Posted by lifevicarious

Well I just ordered the Marantz 5003 (refurb). I'll find out Friday how hot it runs!

And OT but Callas, where are you in Riverside? I used to work at Canyon Crest CC all through college (now live in Manhattan).

You should seriously look into some cooling fans if heat is an issue.

[lifevicarious]

Originally Posted by Steve

You should seriously look into some cooling fans if heat is an issue.

I just was actually. Monoprice has some cooling laptop platforms that I thought might work. Where did you pick up the ones you have in your cabinet?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by lifevicarious

I just was actually. Monoprice has some cooling laptop platforms that I thought might work. Where did you pick up the ones you have in your cabinet?

I got mine from ebay. They're a no name brand setup, but there's a thermostat in the system which speeds up and slows down the fans as the temp in the cabinet changes. They make their own noise obviously, but it's much lower than the PS3 when its fan hits jet engine speed.

[elmirasusanna]

SONY Str-da2400es 1080p Receiver Hdmi Strda2400es
100 W - 7.1 Speakers, 7.1 Channels - Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS, DTS-ES, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24

[callas01]

Live vicarious,

right now I am behind woodcrest, I went to UCR from 95-00, lived off of canyon crest and blaine all my years in college, I was an ATO, if that helps you.... however I grew up in Rubidoux as a kid.

I have a buddy that went to UCR and now lives in or near Manhattan too. how funny. When were you at school there?

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by lifevicarious

Can anyone who has this AVR comment on how hot it runs? Reading through the manual it syas to have 8 inches in all directions. I am planning on having this in an enclosed cabinet. There are vents in the bottom and I could actually remove the back panel but there certainly wouldn't be 8 to the left or right and I want to keep the front door shut (solid wood). ANy thoughts?

I run my Denon AVR590 in an enclosed cabinet for several hours and it doesn't get hot.

Obviously, I love it and highly recommend it. Excellent sound and functionality.

[lucv13]

Originally Posted by lifevicarious

Can anyone who has this AVR comment on how hot it runs? Reading through the manual it syas to have 8 inches in all directions. I am planning on having this in an enclosed cabinet. There are vents in the bottom and I could actually remove the back panel but there certainly wouldn't be 8 to the left or right and I want to keep the front door shut (solid wood). ANy thoughts?

Good choice, I use the SR-4002 and the unit barely gets warm to the touch in my cabinet however I don't have a front door. If you remove the rear panel I don't think you will have any problems. There certainly isn't 8" around my unit -
<<<<-----check my gallery

[lifevicarious]

Originally Posted by callas01

Live vicarious,

right now I am behind woodcrest, I went to UCR from 95-00, lived off of canyon crest and blaine all my years in college, I was an ATO, if that helps you.... however I grew up in Rubidoux as a kid.

I have a buddy that went to UCR and now lives in or near Manhattan too. how funny. When were you at school there?

Actually, I went to CSUSB. I just worked at CCCC for a few years and after college too when living in Newport. I'm a year or two older, went to college from 93 to 97. But one of my best friends went to UCR so I hung out there a fair amout. I was a Sig Ep at CSUSB. Used to go The Barn all the time (I think that's what it was called).