Avr Faq - Page 11

I wouldn't worry about such things, just turn off or do not use those features. You would be eliminating many great AVR's from your list unnecessarily.

Any AVR is going to have numerous features and functions that you will never use, concentrate on your "must have" features instead.

LOL. This response just ignores the OP's rationale and the statement "Recommendations can include previous or discontinued models as well as new models." as if HMenke's reason (not wishing to pay for features he understands but DOESN'T WANT) is somehow flawed. Amazing

Well, it is flawed if you absolutely will not look at units that may have such unwanted features.

If AVR x @ $500 and AVR y @ $600 have very similar features that the buyer is looking for, but AVR x ($100 less expensive) has HDM and upconverting, why should he care? To use your logic he should not even consider the $100 less expensive unit.

Example: Yamaha RX-V2700 was replaced with the newer RX-V3800
Several times, due to a number of retail promotions, the newer RX-V3800 (HD audio decoding, 1080p upscaling, plus other added features) could be purchased new for less than the discontinued RX-V2700 (no HD audio decoding, upscaling to 1080i) could be had for used. Which would you have recomended?

Which is why I say concentrate on your must have features, compare models and prices and reviews, but don't just completely disregard a potentially great product simply because it has some features you may not desire.

[quote=toby10;16854213]Well, it is flawed if you absolutely will not look at units that may have such unwanted features.

If AVR x @ $500 and AVR y @ $600 have very similar features that the buyer is looking for, but AVR x ($100 less expensive) has HDM and upconverting, why should he care? To use your logic he should not even consider the $100 less expensive unit.

Example: Yamaha RX-V2700 was replaced with the newer RX-V3800
Several times, due to a number of retail promotions, the newer RX-V3800 (HD audio decoding, 1080p upscaling, plus other added features) could be purchased new for less than the discontinued RX-V2700 (no HD audio decoding, upscaling to 1080i) could be had for used. Which would you have recomended?
Hello,
I have to agree with Toby here. I can only relate my own experience. About 15 years ago, well past 50,I had never listened to anything but an am radio and a TV before. My neighbor showed me his new CD player. I was fascinated by that shiny little disc. I went out and bought a "Sony surround" on sale for $149 with free speakers. My friend screamed "you should have got pro logic" That started it. Over the next 3 years, I had eight different receivers.
I then reallized two things: I cannot buy'em as fast as they can make'em, and it is totally impossible to find the exact perfect receiver with only those features you want and no others. The manufacturers do this on purpose to keep us buying their "boxes". They will always have new "boxes" to sell us. Everthing is a compromise.

Without agonizing and pulling hair over endless minute specs that I don't undrstand anyway, I came up with a little formula that has always worked for me.
Get a good brand with at least 100 watts output. An Onkyo or a Yamaha with 90 or 110 watts is better than some that advertize 1000 watts.

The other thing is find a receiver that is adequate for your needs and then BUY the next model up.
I deviated from this and it cost me a few bucks. There always seems to be one or two receivers that are the "darlings" on the internet. In my case, it was the Onkyo 605 and the Yamaha 663. Last year, when I replaced my 10 year old Onkyo, I bought an Onkyo 605. It was adequate, and sounded good, but It ran too hot and I didn't like it. If I had followed my own rule and bought a 705, I might still have it.

I had never had a Yamaha before and wanted to try one. After reading online about the 663, I bought the 863. After using it for 10 months, I have not regretted buying it. Is it perfect? NO, but it is indeed the best receiver that I've ever had. Having said all this, I'm not sure that it is any better than an ONkyo 806 or a Pioneer in the same price range.
HERB

Michael, thanks for a great resource!
Although I read the FAQ a while ago, I just got around to reading the rest of the thread, and I'd like to comment on something back on page 1.
Someone asked "Can I just use a leftover OEM supplied RCA audio cord to make the S/PDIF digital coax connection?" and got the answer yes, qualified with getting cable designed for digital coax use might be best, and that such cable was not expensive to buy.
First, if you are trying not to spend any money and you keep your OEM cables, on some of the red-white-yellow sets designed for composite video + audio, the yellow video cable is heavier than the audio cables -- this is a better choice for digital coax. Or any single composite video cable (except the ones that are shoelace thin) , or one cable of a component video set, are better adapted for digital coax use than the really cheap RCA audio patch cords. Or any RG59 or RG6 coax you have can be used if you add an F to RCA adapter at each end http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-...prod75518.html
Second, there was an implication that any RCA audio patch cord would work.
A problem is, not all RCA audio patch cords are coax! Many common ones are shielded twisted pair which CAN work but is not designed for S/PDIF frequencies.
Bottom line -- if you are trying to use leftover cable for S/PDIF, select video cable or "cable TV" coax + F to RCA adapters. For those buying cable specifically for digital coax for longer runs or who don't mind paying a little more for a well designed product, look for an 18ga center conductor (optionally tin or silver plated) with an LDPE or foamed PE dielectric and good shielding like Belden 1694: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/pages/...s/1694tech.htm

Mike,

Your General AVR FAQ post was just outstanding. I must confess that I just read it today but I wanted to let you know how good it really was. That post alone will help many home theater people as much as anything I have ever read over the years. Again, great job.

You deserve another vote of thanks. I am now progressing out of the World of the Lost due to your efforts.

Hello, I'm new to AVR.
The Denon 4310 has a list of features that I find interesting.
One of my objectives with an AVR is to record digitally on my PC the sound of my Linn LP-12 record player.
Can someone tell me if the analog Phono input will be digitally encoded and if I will be able to record the signal from a digital audio output ?
Thanks

The new PS3 Slim can send bitstream.

Once again, GREAT article.

At this point, besides the already voiced recommendation of adding a line about PS3 Slim being able to output lossless bitstream via HDMI when its chubbier brethren could only do decoded LPCM via HDMI, consider adding the following:

Dolby (or is it "Doubly" ) Prologic IIz & Audyssey DSX, becoming more important as 9.x receivers are showing up.

Dolby Volume/Yamaha ADRC/Audyssey Dynamic Volume/ Dynamic Volume features.

Explicit clarification that SPDIF refers to undecoded, hence compressed, bitstream audio, maintaining the "fingerprints" that identify what the codec used for compression. Whereas MPCM, by definition, refers to decoded, hence uncompressed, audio, but losing the "fingerprints" that identify to the AVR exactly what were the means of encoding.

Great article, once again.

I posted a similar question on the 3900 thread.

If given a choice, and ignoring cost, would you buy the Yamaha 3900 or the Onkyo 906B and why? I just bought a 3900, but after continuing to read some of the VP reviews, I am beginning to doubt my choice a little.


Thanks.

MJH,

Not trying to overturn the world. I have read your reviews (many hours) which is largely why I purchased a 3900 to begin with (compared with the 2700 my old favorite, but couldn't afford). I just wanted to get some feedback before I fully committed. I don't have any specific questions, just learning.

I have never owned a Yamaha before nor any other high performance AVR, and I was just trying to make sure I invested my money in the right channel.

I only plan on buying an AVR every 10 years, so I wanted to confirm I made the correct choice with the 3900.

Apologies,
EdP

Thanks for sharing. It's great.

ARGH! So the new PS3 slimline CAN output bitstream audio but the ALL of the previous PS3's can NOT?!?!

Wow, another kick below the belt by Sony. I didn't buy an early enough model to get the media card reader or PS2 backwards compatibility, but I didn't buy a late enough model to get bitstream support?!?! After reading posts on other threads here on AVS I was convinced ALL of the PS3's support bitstream audio.

Correct, old PS3 (fat) does not bitstream HD audio, new PS3 (slim) does bitstream HD audio.
But both deliver full range, lossless, hi-res HD audio as MPCM via HDMI, so it matters little which one can or cannot bitstream.

Micheal: I'd suggest puting back in the different PS3's handling of HD audio (case in point above).

There I was, scouring the internet looking for all of the information needed to put together a HT as a complete newbie, seemingly endless threads, reviews, etc were devoured. In the end I learned about what I would have learned perusing this faq, minus of course the newer technologies like HDMI that didnt exist then. I have only wandered around this forum sporadically since then and I have just now come across this faq as I am upgrading my now (heavy sigh) obsolescent equipment and doing the required study to get myself upgraded. Outstanding job, the effort shows. Thanks.

thanks for a great intro to AVR. i'm starting to look into upgrading my sound system and this awesome FAQ helped greatly in the process.

Thanks for the information

I haven't seriously researched AVRs since I put my last system together 9 years ago. My HT Magazine subscription has kept me up-to-date on the technology, but your one page post concisely answered many of my questions about how all of these technologies actually work together in the real world. That was the missing piece of the puzzle for me.

Thanks!

Holy crap. You just made me feel like a moron. I have some catching up to do with all this technology. Only have to read that 50 more times and I might start understanding it. But thanks for the info.