What to do?

[topcop8p7]

I just had a b-day and I've got about $200 in gift cards to best buy. At first I was planning on buying a bunch of blu-ray movies with all the sweet new releases coming out (ID4, I robot etc..) But I also really want to get a new receiver with an HDMI 1.3 for lossless audio. The one I have now only has an optical input and 5.1 DD. So, I don't know if I should just buy a bunch of movies or save my gift cards for a few months until I can come up with another $200 and buy the receiver I want. How much of a difference does the lossless audio make?

[Tyler2106]

It makes a difference...what receiver are you looking at getting??? And are you unhappy with your receiver now or just want the new audio formats...When I finally got the PS3 so I could listen to the new audio formats(minus DTS-HDMA) I noticed a difference but not as big as when I got new speakers...so unless you have some sweet speakers and a really good setup, I personally would get the movies...unless you REALLY want to save up and get new speakers or receiver...

[Beta Man]

What speakers do you have???? It seems like a lot of people here think it's Onkyo 605 or nothing..... and then they run some Polk/Klipsch speakers....... I believe good components are important also, but it seems like people are buying "equipment Specs" and not optimizing their sound.....

your system is only as good as your weakest link.

[Kayne314]

Lossless audio is the way to go. Its like experiencing your movies for the first time when you hear it. Old title become new again when you suddenly hear all the audio hidden in the Blu-ray disc.

My best suggestion is to optimize the experience you have by getting a receiver that can decode HD audio, or handle lossless audio.

If you have a PS3, the lossless option is best. You don't need a receiver that can decode Lossless, just pass it.

If you have a stand alone that can Bitstream your HD audio, then I seriously recommend you get something like the Onkyo 605, 705, 805... or whatever.

And, yes. Good quality speakers are an absolute must when listening to lossless audio from a high end receiver.

[Synaptic Reality]

I personally think its quite a big difference, not to mention my better half's corroboration. Actually, I won't buy a Blu-ray unless it has some sort of lossless or uncompressed audio track on it.

This link explains what is needed and the differences between the lossless audio formats.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=40821

[un4gvn94538]

go for the receiver

[JasonR]

I think the only receiver Best Buy carries that decodes all the lossless codecs is Denon. Which is GREAT, but might be out of your price range depending on what that is....

[1878]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

What speakers do you have???? It seems like a lot of people here think it's Onkyo 605 or nothing..... and then they run some Polk/Klipsch speakers....... I believe good components are important also, but it seems like people are buying "equipment Specs" and not optimizing their sound.....

your system is only as good as your weakest link.

Not all people can afford high end speakers.

We all have to start somewhere.

[Marcusarilius]

Get the best receiver you can afford. Maybe the Onkyo 705. Buy your BDs from Amazon and save at least 12 bucks a pop.

[JasonR]

BB doesn't carry Onkyo...

[Marcusarilius]

Originally Posted by JasonR

BB doesn't carry Onkyo...

That Sucks. What would be a comperable receiver from BB?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Marcusarilius

That Sucks. What would be a comperable receiver from BB?

Thats exactly what I need to know. Only CC carries Onkyo.

[JasonR]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1177718668370

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1188561455849

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1177717702185

All are considerably more expensive, there are even better more expensive ones...

[red_5ive]

What blu-ray player do you have? If you have a model that decodes the HD audio codecs internally and has 5.1 analog outputs, and your current receiver has 5.1 analog inputs you could always run it that way and get the benefit of lossless audio.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by 1878

Not all people can afford high end speakers.

We all have to start somewhere.

I'm just saying, depending on the speakers he has, It may be in his best interest to upgrade those first, or get a HTIB etc. All we know is that his receiver is 5.1, in good working order, and he wants a new one...... Getting lossless audio etc. is nice, but if you are pumping it through Old Sony HTIB speakers, etc.... I'd just recommend picking up movies with the $200

[musicman1999]

Get the best speakers you can afford, it will make the most difference in your sound.

bill

[topcop8p7]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Just some more info, I do have a PS3 that I'm using for blu-ray. I have bose speakers, not the accoustimass system though, I bought them all as seperates over the years. I am happy with my current receiver, it's a pioneer, but I hear everybody talking about lossless audio. Didn't realize best buy didn't carry the onkyo 605 as that is what I was looking at getting. Guess I'll probably end up buying the movies unless I can find a comparable receiver for around the same price there. Once again, thanks for all your suggestions.

[crackinhedz]

a good cheap match for the PS3 from Bestbuy (giftcard) would be the Sony STR-DG810. It is 5.1 PCM capable and has 3 hdmi inputs.

Quality wise, you could do better. But for the price, its no slouch.


(another idea, you could sell your giftcard on eBay, you might lose a few bucks for it, but then you can spend the money elsewhere and might catch a great deal like the onkyo 605 on amazon.com)