Help! Looking for a new receiver!

[SkillzthatKillz]

Hey guys, i'm looking to get a new receiver in the $500-$600 range. I want it to play all the HD audio codecs (DTSHD-MA, Dolby TrueHD, etc.) and to put out at least 100 watts per channel. Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated!

[HAMP]

You have alot of option with your price, which is a good thing. To get a better idea of what to suggest, can you tell us a little about what you had as a receiver, what kind of speakers you have now and if they are a 5.1 or a 7.1

All of that does make a difference.

[roar]

Originally Posted by HAMP

...can you tell us a little about what you had as a receiver...

That is what I was going to ask. It is possible to get extra life out of your old one if it has analog inputs and you have a blu ray player with analog outputs.

That is the route I went and decided to spend a little more on a blu ray player (The Oppo BDP-83) while I save a little longer so I can spend a little more money on a reciver. Naturally the way that shook out is when i had a little more than my original budget for the AVR I wanted, I bought an amp (Emotiva XPA-5) instead because I was able to futher extend the life of my old receiver and use its pre-outs... now I'm saving about 3 times what I had orignally budgeted for a receiver to invest in a pre/pro. But, while I save I still get to listen to all the high def sound on a AVR that is over 10 years old.

[SkillzthatKillz]

Thanks for the responses.

My receiver is a Sony STR-DE895, below this I have posted a link with all of the technical specs from Sony's website.

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/STRDE895spec.pdf

In a nutshell, it has
6ChannelPowerRating:110W Per Channel x 6 (8 ohms, 1 kHz, THD 0.7%)
100W x 6 (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, THD 0.09%)
�� Dolby® Digital, Dolby® Digital EX, dts®, dts ES®, dts:Neo6®, Dolby® Pro
Logic® II Decoding
�� Assignable Digital Input
• 2 Component Video Inputs: HD Pass (80 MHz)
�� Preprogrammed/Learning/Macro Remote Control
�� Front Composite A/V and Optical Input
• 5.1 and 6.1 Multi-Channel Analog Inputs

My speakers are all older but still sound great. They are Jamo's and i'm running a 5.1 setup

The center speaker is a Jamo Center 160 which runs at an impedence of 8 Ohms and 75 W long term power and 105 W short term power.

The front speakers are Jamo Cornet 40 IVs that run at an impedence of 8 Ohms and 60 W long term power and 90 W short term power.

The rear speakers are Jamo Surround 200s that run at an impedence of 8 Ohms and 50 W long term power and 70 W short term power.

I am also using a PS3 (non BC 80 GB model) as a BD player and will continue using it after I get a new receiver.

I hope that this is sufficient technical data about the current setup I am running. I was hoping to get a new receiver that has HDMI pass through, can play all HD audio codecs, and one that has pretty good Digital to Analog Converters. I have heard good things about Onkyo and Yamaha in the $500-$600 range, so maybe one of those would work? Again any help would be much appreciated!

[LordoftheRings]

You can get the Onkyo TX-SR608 for much less than your budget, and it will give you all you want plus more.. ...Just add a second sub. You do have at least one sub right?

* And you can still stay within your margin with the Onkyo TX-NR808. ...Audyssey MultEQ, & THX. +++

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

You can get the Onkyo TX-SR608 for much less than your budget, and it will give you all you want plus more.. ...Just add a second sub. You do have at least one sub right?

* And you can still stay within your margin with the Onkyo TX-NR808. ...Audyssey MultEQ, & THX. +++

Yes I have a 15 inch sub lol. And do you know what the differences are between those 2 receivers?

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by SkillzthatKillz

Yes I have a 15 inch sub lol. And do you know what the differences are between those 2 receivers?

If you go to Onkyo's own website, and look at the page containing all their receivers,
you can select those two particular models for comparison on their specs & overall features.
Just click that little box on the top right corner of each model you're interested in, and then go back to the top of the page and click on that box where it says Compare on the top right corner for a direct comparison between those models you just selected (give it few seconds before it shows on your screen). It is a very handy feature.

* But in a nutshell, the 808 has a Network port for streaming various music from the internet, has a much better Audyssey Auto Room Calibration and EQ (MultEQ with up to 6 mic positions), is THX Select2 Plus certified, more connections, and very important; preouts for all channels, so you can add external amps down the road for even more power.
It also has Audyssey DSX, DPL-IIz, and it is more powerful, more solid (weights more), and is simply a higher end model as compared to the 608.
The 608 has only Audyssey 2EQ (up to 3 mic positions), and does not have Audyssey DSX (with Front Width & Height channels), but has DPL-IIz with those two Front Height channels. ...And unfortunately NO preouts for all channels. And the 608 does NOT have an Ethernet port.
But the 608 ain't too shabby either, and it cost less too, so you save a good chunk right there.
For good prices on those units; check newegg.com on Saturdays only when they have the very best prices, and also of course accessories4less.com where the refurbs are heavily discounted and still with a full year warranty, and the customer service is one of the very best, and you can can shop there with total confidence (they also sell brand new units, with a 2-year warranty). They also sell refurbs from Marantz with also great discounts.
But the Onkyos are more fully featured, and with more DSP processing power too.
The Marantzs might be perhaps for more sound quality oriented type of shoppers, but not by very much. For my own money, I'd go with the Onkyos with a similar system like yours. For Movie surround sound you'll be perfectly pleased. And for digital Music, you'll also be very pleased.

=> The Onkyos 6xx and 8xx series have raved reviews all over, and their latest are 3D capable (if you care for);
just google the model you're interested in for reviews.

[SkillzthatKillz]

Ok thanks for all the info. I'll probably check those 2 out later tonight once I get off of work

[blu-bren]

i am looking to upgrade to a new HT comp system with atleast 2 HDMI inputs, 2 optical,at least 1 RCA AV inputs..
and the various audio decoding for DTS-MA, DD TrueHD, D PL 2, D PL 2x, PCM 5.1
and cinema effect modes and radio..

maybe a pioneer or a sony

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by blu-bren

i am looking to upgrade to a new HT comp system with atleast 2 HDMI inputs, 2 optical,at least 1 RCA AV inputs..
and the various audio decoding for DTS-MA, DD TrueHD, D PL 2, D PL 2x, PCM 5.1
and cinema effect modes and radio..

maybe a pioneer or a sony

Pioneer Elite over Sony, anytime!

* The Pioneer Elite VSX-33 has two HDMI outs, and everything else you ask for plus more...
It retails for $999, but can be had for less (street). ...Check in one of those Pioneer receivers threads with that model #.
Here: @ https://forum.blu-ray.com/receivers/...er-thread.html
..And ask the good folks over there all the questions that you may have including a good place for the best price.

[DerrellB]

Marantz SR7002

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by DerrellB

Marantz SR7002

Also!

[SkillzthatKillz]

So I have been looking at the differences between the Onkyo TX-SR608 and the TX-NR808. I can't see much of a difference besides the Audyssey MultEQ w/ Dynamic EQ & Dynamic Volume versues the Audyssey 2EQ w/ Dynamic EQ & Dynamic Volume. Correct me if i'm wrong but am i missing anything here? Will the TX-NR808 be a better receiver for the setup and intended uses I have for it? Again thanks in advance!

[blarneyrubble]

Originally Posted by DerrellB

Marantz SR7002

+2

$599.99 at amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Marantz-SR7002...4792649&sr=8-1

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by SkillzthatKillz

So I have been looking at the differences between the Onkyo TX-SR608 and the TX-NR808. I can't see much of a difference besides the Audyssey MultEQ w/ Dynamic EQ & Dynamic Volume versues the Audyssey 2EQ w/ Dynamic EQ & Dynamic Volume. Correct me if i'm wrong but am i missing anything here? Will the TX-NR808 be a better receiver for the setup and intended uses I have for it? Again thanks in advance!

Do you need Network (Ethernet connection) feature? ...No! Then get the 608.
Do you intend to possibly add external amplification in the future? ...No! Then get the 608.
Is more accurate bass (relatively) important for you? ...No! Then get the 608.
Is $300 (roughly, perhaps a bit less) is a fair chunk of money to you? ...Yes! Then get the 608.

-> I truly think that the 608 is the perfect candidate for you. And no, the 808 won't be necessarily a better receiver if you won't be using all of its features.

[madcratebuilder]

I just upgraded from the same Sony A/V unit. I went with a Yamaha RX-V667. Seamless HDMI hook up with a new Panasonic 3D player and P65V25. It runs Infinity speakers, RS125's, CC3 and SAT750's with a Acoustic Audio HD-SUB15.

I'm very pleased with the sound field I have now. I'm not sure if it's all from the receiver as I upgraded front mains and sub, 6.1 to 7.1 plus the two added front presence speakers for a 9.1 sound field.

[SkillzthatKillz]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

Do you need Network (Ethernet connection) feature? ...No! Then get the 608.
Do you intend to possibly add external amplification in the future? ...No! Then get the 608.
Is more accurate bass (relatively) important for you? ...No! Then get the 608.
Is $300 (roughly, perhaps a bit less) is a fair chunk of money to you? ...Yes! Then get the 608.

-> I truly think that the 608 is the perfect candidate for you. And no, the 808 won't be necessarily a better receiver if you won't be using all of its features.

So other than some features for connectivity and expansion they are similar? Then I think the 608 might be for me!

[SkillzthatKillz]

So if I could get a new TX-NR808 for $699 on Newegg.com would that be a good choice? I'm strongly considering pulling the trigger on that

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by SkillzthatKillz

So if I could get a new TX-NR808 for $699 on Newegg.com would that be a good choice? I'm strongly considering pulling the trigger on that

Newegg.com is an excellent place for audio/video shopping.

Now, is that price from Saturday, like right now, today?

* Because every Saturday all their receivers (and other products I believe) are heavily discounted. This is the only day of the week that you get the best discount.
And yes the TX-NR808 is a great receiver at that price.
You'll be glad in the future to have those preouts for all channels, plus all the music you can stream
by plugging it to your PC. And Audyssey MultEQ (808) is mucho preferablo to the simple Audyssey 2EQ (608).

NOTE: The Onkyo HT-RC180 (which is basically the TX-NR807) is only $399.99 right now (refurb) at Accessories4less.com. I tought you should know that.

[dobyblue]

I hate that you can't stream 24-bit files to any AV Receiver. That's always prevented me from considering any of the specs of streaming, because lots of my recordings of live concerts from the taping communities of artists with legal taping policies are recorded in 24-bit with no dynamic range compression.

Shame the music industry can't take a cue from the tapers.