Another Receiver noob... 3 questions

[nouou]

1. I own the Sony S350

Audio-
Internally Decode TrueHD: Yes
Internally Decode DTS-MA: No
Bitstream TrueHD: Yes
Bitstream DTS-MA: Yes

I don't know what any of the means, but I need a receiver to decode dts-ma right? Can anyone point me in the direction of a good receiver for less than $500? I'll be buying 2 tower speakers and a sub.

2. I heard that the Onkyo 606 can ruin picture quality a little bit. This makes me scared to pick just any receiver, not knowing if it will ruin my PQ. This isn't a question, I just thought I'd confirm what I was saying as correct.

3. Is there a good site that can teach a noob like myself all about this HD audio stuff?

[matthewrounds]

What other devices do you plan to connect to the receiver and by what connection (HDMI, component, etc)

[nouou]

Blu Ray Player & Tv through HDMI, that's all.

[matthewrounds]

Originally Posted by nouou

Blu Ray Player & Tv through HDMI, that's all.

do you use a cable box?

[Moefiz]

For under 500.00 you could get a pretty good receiver that can do it all...
You might want to check this one out...
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...01#post1131201

Also there is the Yamaha RX-V663 which is a excellent receiver for the price...

[nouou]

Originally Posted by matthewrounds

do you use a cable box?

Yes a cable box too.

[matthewrounds]

I do recommend the Onkyo 606 at your price point. Its what I use, I was trying to determine how many inputs to the receiver you need. You can find the Onkyo 605 for $300 or less new, but it only has two HDMI inputs. I originally bought the 605, but soon needed more HDMI. Leave yourself some extra inputs, you will be glad you did.

The degrading of signal quality you mention I believe has to do with non HDMI sources.

[nouou]

Originally Posted by matthewrounds

I do recommend the Onkyo 606 at your price point. Its what I use, I was trying to determine how many inputs to the receiver you need. You can find the Onkyo 605 for $300 or less new, but it only has two HDMI inputs. I originally bought the 605, but soon needed more HDMI. Leave yourself some extra inputs, you will be glad you did.

The degrading of signal quality you mention I believe has to do with non HDMI sources.

Ok thanks alot

[Slec]

Originally Posted by nouou

1. I own the Sony S350
I don't know what any of the means, but I need a receiver to decode dts-ma right? Can anyone point me in the direction of a good receiver for less than $500? I'll be buying 2 tower speakers and a sub.

Extremely simplified:
Internally decode means the player takes the packets of audio information, decodes them into surround sound (5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 2.0, 2.1 etc) and then sends the your receiver which amplifies and sends on the the speakers based on the channel information.

Bitstreaming is when instead of your player decoding the packets of audio information, it sends them to the receiver. The receiver then performs the decoding, assignment to speakers, amplifies and sends to speakers.

2. I heard that the Onkyo 606 can ruin picture quality a little bit. This makes me scared to pick just any receiver, not knowing if it will ruin my PQ. This isn't a question, I just thought I'd confirm what I was saying as correct.

As mentioned earlier, this is for non-HDMI sources. HDMI is sent through untouched. Also check out the Yamaha RX-V663

3. Is there a good site that can teach a noob like myself all about this HD audio stuff?

Check out Big Daddy's thread on this site. It's pretty comprehensive.

My two earliest HD references were
HD Audio explained and once you have your mind wrapped around that read Uncompressed vs. Lossless

[aramis109]

Onkyo 606, Yamaha 663, or there are a couple Marantz models possibly that might be able to do what you need.

May also want to consider the 605 if you want to save some $. I have it and love it. It's a GREAT entry point into home theater.