Receiver Questions

[michael3600@comcast.]

What is a top of the line receiver for a living room 20 x 20 running 5.1 surround sound. I want the best of the best.

Also, right now I have a Sony BDP 300, if I keep it and get the new receiver will I have true HD sound or will I have to a new Sony 550 BDP.

Right now I have a Hardan/Kardan 247 receiver.

OK, I have looked at the Onkyo's A/V Receivers

TX-NR906- 7.1-Channel Home Network Receiver

TX-NR906
7.1-Channel Home Network Receiver

* isf Video Calibration
* HQV Reon-VX video proecessing (w/1080p upscaling)
* THX Ultra2 Plus Certified
* Reon-VX HQV™ HD video scaling up to 1080p
* Built-in HD radio
* Network capability for audio streaming, and USB front input

$2,299.00 SRP Details
TX-SR876- 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

TX-SR876
7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

* isf Video Calibration
* HQV Reon-VX video processing (w/1080p upscaling)
* THX Ultra2 Plus Certified
* Built in HD Radio

$1,799.00 SRP Details
TX-SR806- THX™ Ultra 2 Plus™ Certified 7.1-Channel Home Theater

TX-SR806
THX™ Ultra 2 Plus™ Certified 7.1-Channel Home Theater

* THX Ultra2 Plus certified
* HDMI V1.3a repeater (5in/1out, 1080p compatible)
* HDMI 1080p upscaling powered by Faroujda DCDi Cinema
* Component Video Upscaling (up to 1080i)

$1,099.00 SRP Details
TX-SR706- THX™ Select2 Plus™ Certified HDMI v1.3a 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver

TX-SR706
THX™ Select2 Plus™ Certified HDMI v1.3a 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver

* THX Select2 Plus Certified
* HDMI V1.3a repeater (4 in/1 out, 1080p compatible)
* HDMI 1080p upscaling powered by Faroujda DCDi Cinema
* Audyssey MultEQ for Room Correction and Speaker Calibration
* Audyssey Dynamic EQ for Loudness Correction

[primaz]

If you are willing to spend say about $1300 or more then I would recommend NOT to get a all in one reciever/processor. Why? There are great brands like Outlaw Audio, Emotiva that you can buy a high end separates for the same price! As an example for about $1300 you could get the Outlaw Audio 990 non powered pre amp surround sound processor http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/990.html for $699 then get the Emotiva 7 channel amp for $599 http://emotiva.com/upa7.shtm.

I would get a 7.1 channel system instead of a 5.1

To me recievers and all in one systems are find when you total electronic budget is less than $1300 but if you are willing to spend about that price or more a all in one reciever is not the way to go.

[michael3600@comcast.]

Never thought about doing that. The reason I'm only doing 5.1 is because the setup of the living room, I have steps to one side and a fireplace to the other. Thank you for the feed back. I'm still confused about if I will have True HD, or THX sound if I don't upgrade my receiver but have the new blue ray player.

[DiverSpear]

The 300 doesn't bitstream TrueHD or DTS HD MA. It only internally decodes TrueHD. I would get the 550 it will decode all format and output them via analog. So you could keep your receiver. Nut you can still always upgrade your receiver. I recommend the Sony 5400ES or 6400ES. THX IMO isn't important unless the whole room is certified.

[michael3600@comcast.]

I'm going to go get the Sony BDP 550 now. I'll listen to the difference to my surround, if there is one. If not, I'll be shopping for the new receiver, then I'm sure some monitor speakers for the living room too. Is the Sony receiver better in your opinion then the Onkyo 876. That's what I've been focusing on?

[CasualKiller]

I'd stay away from the Sony receivers they have a horrible habit of inflating their power ratings. If it says 100 watts per channel, you can realistically expect 40 to 60 watts.

I'm not very fond of Onkyo lately either but it would be the lesser of 2 evils.

[DiverSpear]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

I'd stay away from the Sony receivers they have a horrible habit of inflating their power ratings. If it says 100 watts per channel, you can realistically expect 40 to 60 watts.

I'm not very fond of Onkyo lately either but it would be the lesser of 2 evils.

When is the last time you listened to an ES receiver with good speakers? Mine is absolutely incredible. I have yet to take it past 0db (reference) on my speakers, no need to with movies or music, plus the wife yells at me when I do crank it up.

I've owned Sony gear longer than most of you have been alive and never ever had any problems with their equipment. Guess maybe I'm the lucky one.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by michael3600@comcast.

What is a top of the line receiver for a living room 20 x 20 running 5.1 surround sound. I want the best of the best.

Also, right now I have a Sony BDP 300, if I keep it and get the new receiver will I have true HD sound or will I have to a new Sony 550 BDP.

My advice: If you have 8 ohm speakers, go with Pioneer Elite receivers. They'reall 7.1, but do fine in 5.1 mode. They will decode all the bitstream data from your 300 for you.

I wouldn't go with Onkyo or Sony if you're looking for high end audio.

If you have 4 ohm or 6 ohm speakers, use a dedicated amplifier. In a 20 x 20 foot space, it's overkill, but it would sound terrific.

My objections to Onkyo, Sony, and lower end Denon gear is clarity and depth of sound - basically, at higher output, the total harmonic distortion (THD) numbers are simply unacceptable for high end audio. You get far better performance from Pioneer at the same price point.

[michael3600@comcast.]

Thanks for the advice. I purchased the Sony BDP-550 yesterday but have not had time to play with it yet. I am wanting to do a theater room and will most likely have a hard time deciding on what to use as far as a receiver. The idea of a separate sound processor, and amp is intriguing.

[Beta Man]

I think you should look at Separates.... Given a budget of $3,000 or so, you won't get anything close to "Best of the Best" but I'm sure you can get some really good gear.

[michael3600@comcast.]

There is always something better and newer in technology. I think high quality is a better term for what I' looking for. I am going to completely turn my bonus room into a theater room.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

My objections to Onkyo, Sony, and lower end Denon gear is clarity and depth of sound - basically, at higher output, the total harmonic distortion (THD) numbers are simply unacceptable for high end audio. You get far better performance from Pioneer at the same price point.

Are you sure about that?

Denon 4308CI - http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/rec...-receiver.html
Test Bench

5 channels driven - 126 Watts
7 channels driven - 111 Watts
Distortion at 1 Watt - 0.02%
Distortion at reference - 0.02%

Pioneer VSX-94TX - http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/rec...-receiver.html

5 channels driven - 84 Watts
7 channels driven - 61 Watts
Distortion at 1 Watt - 0.05%
Distortion at reference - 0.06%

Onkyo TX-SR875 - http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/rec...-receiver.html
Test Bench

5 channels driven - 141 Watts
7 channels driven - 128 Watts
Distortion at 1 Watt - 0.02%
Distortion at reference - 0.02%

[kefrank]

I second the notion that Onkyo is not the brand you should be looking at if you have a sizeable budget and want high end. Onkyo offers great features for the price at the lower-end, but you can get much better sound from other brands in the more expensive price range.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by michael3600@comcast.

What is a top of the line receiver for a living room 20 x 20 running 5.1 surround sound. I want the best of the best.

If you want the Best of the Best, buy the Denon top receiver for $5,000 or buy a separate Pre/Pro and a powerful amplifier.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Are you sure about that?

Denon 4308CI - http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/rec...-receiver.html
Test Bench

5 channels driven - 126 Watts
7 channels driven - 111 Watts
Distortion at 1 Watt - 0.02%
Distortion at reference - 0.02%

Pioneer VSX-94TX - http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/rec...-receiver.html

5 channels driven - 84 Watts
7 channels driven - 61 Watts
Distortion at 1 Watt - 0.05%
Distortion at reference - 0.06%

Onkyo TX-SR875 - http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/rec...-receiver.html
Test Bench

5 channels driven - 141 Watts
7 channels driven - 128 Watts
Distortion at 1 Watt - 0.02%
Distortion at reference - 0.02%

Man, the Denon is close to TWICE the price of a 94THX! I just checked street pricing, too.

But I hadn't seen these stats, I'm impressed with them. I still like Pioneer. I won't question the stats, but they're all pretty close.

[lucv13]

As much as I like my Marantz and their products - If I had a "money is no object" receiver I would be looking at the new Arcam for $4000-5000 I'm sure there are many others in the class but the Arcam just has that nice warm sitting in front of the fireplace cosy sound LOL too bad it's out of my price range...

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by kefrank

I second the notion that Onkyo is not the brand you should be looking at if you have a sizeable budget and want high end. Onkyo offers great features for the price at the lower-end, but you can get much better sound from other brands in the more expensive price range.

I would agree if you're speaking of budgets above $3,000, but otherwise I'd strongly disagree as would most people that have tested receivers in the sub-$2,500 category.

[michael3600@comcast.]

With the Onkyo 906 there is a LAN capability, how handy do you think that will come in the future?? I am going to swap my 630 Sammy for a 750 Sammy for the same reason, LAN.

[michael3600@comcast.]

bump

[Sammy]

You can also use an iPod dock with ethernet for about $200 to gain LAN on a receiver that doesn't have LAN.