Advice needed! Please help!

[Nikka488]

@ChadFL

In that case is there another receiver you would recommend I look into? I would have prefered the newer Onkyos because of HDMI 1.4, but if you have another suggestion I'm happy to check it out.

I'm trying my best not to be impulsive, but it's hard when every time I watch a blu-ray I'm getting sub-par sound...

[Steve]

My suggestion is to buy a nice receiver with pre-outs. It's nice that the new Onkyos are HDMI 1.4 compliant, but if you ever want to add an amp you're out of luck, so they're not necessarily future proof. You have to go to the 700 Onkyo to get pre-outs, but they haven't released the 708 yet. I suspect it won't be long though. Anyway, along with the receiver also buy a good front stage, which is your front left and right and center speakers. Worry about the other stuff later. Next add a sub and then add surrounds. This will give you a much better system in the long run than you would end up with if you go out and try to "bargain shop" for an entire system all at one time.

[Nikka488]

Steve,

Do you think I'd really feel the need for more power? You don't think that 100watts x 7 channels is enough? In order to get a receiver that has pre-outs I have to move up to another price class (adding ~$200). Can you recommend a receiver? I'd like to have a new one in the next month or so. I don't want to wait 3 months for Onkyo to bring out 708 model (since it's not even listed as coming soon on their site).

Thanks

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Nikka488

Steve,

Do you think I'd really feel the need for more power? You don't think that 100watts x 7 channels is enough? In order to get a receiver that has pre-outs I have to move up to another price class (adding ~$200). Can you recommend a receiver? I'd like to have a new one in the next month or so. I don't want to wait 3 months for Onkyo to bring out 708 model (since it's not even listed as coming soon on their site).

Thanks

The problem is you won't really get 100 watts per channel while driving all 7 channels. You'll probably only get about half that. Some manufacturers are known for pretty reliable specs (Marantz, Pioneer Elite, HK) and others are not (Onkyo, Pioneer). Others I'm not sure about (Sony, Denon). And believe me when I say I know exactly where you're coming from. I bought an Onkyo HT-SP908 HTiB a couple of years ago and thought it would be all I ever needed. Now I don't have a single component left from that system. It included a TX-SR605 receiver and I thought I would never need or want an amp as long as I lived. Well when I decided I wanted more power I had to buy a whole new receiver since I couldn't just add an amp to the one I had. If I had gone with something with pre-outs to start with I would probably still be using it along with an amp instead of the receiver I have now. That's not to say I'm not happy with my current receiver, just that things would have been different. If you want a receiver that really puts out its rated power then I suggest you take a look at the Marantz SR5003. It's a refurb, but people buy them pretty often on this site and seem to love them, and IMO it's a steal at $470. The drawback is it's not HDMI 1.4, and I know you want that.

Ultimately this is just my opinion based off of my personal experience. If you really don't think you'll ever want or need more power then the Onkyo will serve you very well. I just hate to see people end up in my shoes where they decide they want to add an amp and can't with their current equipment.

[Nikka488]

Steve,
To be honest I just want something that will be an upgrade for me, have good sounds/features, and last a while. I don't plan on buying a 3D HDTV anytime soon (I bought my 46" Samsung last Nov & our 32" Phillips a couple of weeks ago). So HDMI 1.4 isn't really that big of a deal.

For some reason I'm having a much harder time finding a receiver than I had with my HDTVs. There are just so many different choices, features, prices, and brands. Unfortunately it's not as easy a decision as whether to buy a PS3 or Xbox360 (I own the PS3).

I know this is a learning process. I went from looking at HTiB, to receivers, to receivers w/ pre-outs. HDMI 1.4 & THX cert2 sounds great, but if they are features that I don't even need, then I trust if someone is willing to reply to my thread that they honestly just want to help. Which I really appreciate.

Do you own the Marantz SR5003?

The SR5004 is $579.99 is it worth the additional ~$75?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Nikka488

Steve,
To be honest I just want something that will be an upgrade for me, have good sounds/features, and last a while. I don't plan on buying a 3D HDTV anytime soon (I bought my 46" Samsung last Nov & our 32" Phillips a couple of weeks ago). So HDMI 1.4 isn't really that big of a deal.

For some reason I'm having a much harder time finding a receiver than I had with my HDTVs. There are just so many different choices, features, prices, and brands. Unfortunately it's not as easy a decision as whether to buy a PS3 or Xbox360 (I own the PS3).

I know this is a learning process. I went from looking at HTiB, to receivers, to receivers w/ pre-outs. HDMI 1.4 & THX cert2 sounds great, but if they are features that I don't even need, then I trust if someone is willing to reply to my thread that they honestly just want to help. Which I really appreciate.

Do you own the Marantz SR5003?

The SR5004 is $579.99 is it worth the additional ~$75?

No I don't own one. I have a Pioneer Elite myself, but I didn't recommend any because I got the feeling you weren't looking to spend quite that much. A friend of mine has a Marantz SR6003 in his setup and IMO it has an excellent sound quality to it. I recommend the Marantz brand in particular quite often because of the price of the SR5003 I linked to earlier, because I've heard their sound firsthand, they offer excellent features, and they have a great reputation.

In regard to your last question about the SR5004, that's a question I would leave up to you. The SR5004 is one generation newer than the SR5003. If I was buying for myself I would probably pay the extra $75. Also keep in mind that as pointed out above, Yamaha and Denon also have some great models out.

By the way, regarding pre-outs, if you decide to get a receiver that doesn't have them it's not the end of the world. Just be sure you're making an informed decision.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Nikka488

@ChadFL

In that case is there another receiver you would recommend I look into? I would have prefered the newer Onkyos because of HDMI 1.4, but if you have another suggestion I'm happy to check it out.

I'm trying my best not to be impulsive, but it's hard when every time I watch a blu-ray I'm getting sub-par sound...

The 707 is only around $550 and I've heard nothing but praise in regards to it. I believe it has pre-outs as well. You might look into that one.