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Audio Newbie - Receiver Needed

post #1 of 7
3/15/09 at 8:16am
Thread Starter 
Much to my surprise, my fiancee actually suggested registering for a nice home audio system. I'm a bit of a geek, but have never really gotten into the audio scene. I need help!

I'm currently looking into receivers. I want to pick one that will last a long time.

Budget: $300-$600 (new - registering, so can't buy used)
Primary uses: Movies, music
Secondary uses: Gaming, TV
Current Sources:
Digital Cable (HDMI)
Computer (DVI-HDMI, not sure what the best way to pass sound would be, currently have an old creative x-fi)
Nintendo Wii (Component)
DVD player (Component. Non-upscaling)
Potential Sources:
iPod, external hard drive w/ music, USB drive w/ music, Blu-Ray player (1-2 years out), camcorder(1-2 years out), Successor to Nintendo Wii, potentially the new MS or Sony system as well.
Destination: Panasonic TH-42PX80U, and 2 speakers @ ~$200-300 for now (upgrading as I go).
Important features: The idea of going from my source components to one HDMI seems like it would be nice. Upconverting is NOT very important to me, although I'm assuming most will support it anyhow. 5.1 or 7.1 would both seem to be adequate for my needs. I don't know what this is called, but if I plug in a stereo source, I want all my speakers being driven, rather than just two. This infuriated me on my last (super-low budget) receiver. Other than that, I don't know much about the various formats, and I'm assuming most that I might use will be covered.

Any thoughts or recommendations? The only model that stands out after a brief perusing of various sites is the Onkyo TX-SR606, although I didn't look very hard, as I don't really know what to look for.

Thanks for any help!
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post #2 of 7
3/15/09 at 8:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheez-It View Post

I don't know what this is called, but if I plug in a stereo source, I want all my speakers being driven, rather than just two. This infuriated me on my last (super-low budget) receiver.

Yes, pretty much every receiver in your price range will do that via Dolby PLii and/or DTS Neo:6.

Have you read this guide? I would suggest that for your needs, the most important considerations are: HDMI audio, upconversion (sending component signals out on the HDMI connection), sufficient future HDMI connections, and room correction. Pre-outs would also be good, letting you move up to a separate power amp later.

The Onkyo 606 is a pretty good choice, but I would consider moving up to the 706 for superior room correction (Audyssey MultEQ vs Audyssey 2EQ) and pre-outs. Both have 4 HDMI inputs and upconvert. The Denon 1909 has the same Audyssey as the 706 but no pre-outs. These are at the top of your price range.

Other brands (without Audyssey, but with their own room correction options) you might consider are Yamaha (the new RX-V665 has upconversion, 4 HDMI inputs, pre-outs, and handles all the lossless codecs over HDMI), Harman-Kardon (AVR354 -- same features as the Yamaha but better amp section, though there are some HDMI issues), and Pioneer (VSX-1018AH and the essentially identical Elite VSX-01TXH have only 3 HDMI inputs but every other feature).

I'd get the Onkyo SR706 though, unless it's too expensive.
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post #3 of 7
3/15/09 at 9:03am
Here's an Onkyo TX-SR806 on sale for a smidge over $600.

The Denon AVR-1909 for $486 after using the AFLAUD25 coupon code.

Or the Denon AVR-2309CI for $636 w/same coupon code.
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post #4 of 7
3/15/09 at 9:08am
He's registering, so the deal of the moment won't help that much.
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post #5 of 7
3/15/09 at 9:10am
Quote:
The only model that stands out after a brief perusing of various sites is the Onkyo TX-SR606

Before you pull the trigger..

Check out the Onkyo TX-SR606 thread

Do a search for issues, buzz, hum, hot, etc..
You may get a few hits..

Good Luck
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post #6 of 7
3/15/09 at 10:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eddy_winds View Post

Before you pull the trigger..

Check out the Onkyo TX-SR606 thread

Do a search for issues, buzz, hum, hot, etc..
You may get a few hits..

Good Luck

And after you do that get views from people who've owned this receiver without any issues whatsoever and think it's an awesome buy. You won't see as many hits from us because people only usually post if they have an issue and not to say, hey just wanted to let you know, works great with no issues.
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post #7 of 7
3/20/09 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakeman02 View Post

And after you do that get views from people who've owned this receiver without any issues whatsoever and think it's an awesome buy. You won't see as many hits from us because people only usually post if they have an issue and not to say, hey just wanted to let you know, works great with no issues.


Do you have a PS3 hooked up and No Issues
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