Moosensquirrel's Future Home Theater - Page 3 - Blu-ray Forum

moosensquirrel · 05-14-2013, 05:49 PM

Hey, everyone.

I'm new to this website, and I'm in the process of building my first home theater, admittedly a modest one. And I'm looking for advice!

My first topic is about receivers.

Yesterday, I purchased a 7.1 Sony receiver from Best Buy. They said it was normally $400, but on clearance for $280. I believe it is the Sony STR-DH520, and if so, the price I paid wasn't a good price, since Amazon has it for $240 tax free. I haven't opened it yet, and I have 14 days to return it even if I do open it. (I'm strongly considering returning it, but I bought it just in case because I thought it might be a good deal and they might sell out quick.)

A friend would like to sell me his somewhat older Yamaha receiver, I believe the RX-V1800. He is asking $380 for it, including shipping.

I already have the speakers, 7x Infinity Primus 150 bookshelf speakers (undecided if I will use five channels or seven), and 2x Polk PSW10 subwoofers.

I'm on a budget, the cheaper the better. I won't be using 3D or 4k on this receiver. My questions are:

1. Is one brand of receiver better than another at a given age and price point?
2. Is there an audible quality difference between cheap receivers and expensive receivers?
3. At a given price point, is it better to get a cheap new receiver or a used expensive receiver?
4. Since I'm unsure how a 5.1 system interprets 7.1 information and how a 7.1 system interprets 5.1 information, is one an inherently better match for me?
5. Since I do have two (admittedly awful) subs, are there any advantages to 7.2 receivers? Is the receiver smart enough to route front left, left surround, left back surround, and LFE to the left sub; and front right, right surround, right back surround, and LFE to the right sub? Or are receivers dumb enough that all bass goes everywhere and it is just the same signal to each sub output with a different internal volume control for the subs?

Music is my first love, and that will be on another (two channel) system in another room. For my home theater, I just want "good enough" sound and picture to be carried away by the plot and dialogue and cinematography and special effects of a movie. "Good enough" on a budget is all I'm hoping to receive.

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

- Moosensquirrel

05-14-2013, 05:49 PM	#1
moosensquirrel Member Member since:Apr 2013 Blu-ray collection:9 Trading Score:1	Moosensquirrel's Future Home Theater Hey, everyone. I'm new to this website, and I'm in the process of building my first home theater, admittedly a modest one. And I'm looking for advice! My first topic is about receivers. Yesterday, I purchased a 7.1 Sony receiver from Best Buy. They said it was normally $400, but on clearance for $280. I believe it is the Sony STR-DH520, and if so, the price I paid wasn't a good price, since Amazon has it for $240 tax free. I haven't opened it yet, and I have 14 days to return it even if I do open it. (I'm strongly considering returning it, but I bought it just in case because I thought it might be a good deal and they might sell out quick.) A friend would like to sell me his somewhat older Yamaha receiver, I believe the RX-V1800. He is asking $380 for it, including shipping. I already have the speakers, 7x Infinity Primus 150 bookshelf speakers (undecided if I will use five channels or seven), and 2x Polk PSW10 subwoofers. I'm on a budget, the cheaper the better. I won't be using 3D or 4k on this receiver. My questions are: 1. Is one brand of receiver better than another at a given age and price point? 2. Is there an audible quality difference between cheap receivers and expensive receivers? 3. At a given price point, is it better to get a cheap new receiver or a used expensive receiver? 4. Since I'm unsure how a 5.1 system interprets 7.1 information and how a 7.1 system interprets 5.1 information, is one an inherently better match for me? 5. Since I do have two (admittedly awful) subs, are there any advantages to 7.2 receivers? Is the receiver smart enough to route front left, left surround, left back surround, and LFE to the left sub; and front right, right surround, right back surround, and LFE to the right sub? Or are receivers dumb enough that all bass goes everywhere and it is just the same signal to each sub output with a different internal volume control for the subs? Music is my first love, and that will be on another (two channel) system in another room. For my home theater, I just want "good enough" sound and picture to be carried away by the plot and dialogue and cinematography and special effects of a movie. "Good enough" on a budget is all I'm hoping to receive. Thanks in advance for any and all help! - Moosensquirrel

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