[Sonies]

With the billions and trillions (seemingly) of receivers out there with billions and trillions of options that I don't need... maybe some of you experts can help!


Here's what I'm looking for.


A 5.1 receiver with a minimum 70 watts per channel

minimum 2 HDMI inputs (Don't need audio playthrough) & 1 output

minimum 2 optical inputs

subwoofer rca pre-out

CD or MP3 player input

Attractive black color

Equalizer for all channels

Blu Ray & PS3 compatible

Easy to use

Less than $300

banana plug compatible

sound leveling for TV commercials so they aren't blasting

warranty



Here's what I don't need

7.1

hdmi audio playthrough

150 watts per channel

a bazillion inputs

Dolby IIz & all that other codecs and other audiophile crap

over $300

ipod crap

xm radio

multi-room capability

Don't need tobe able to blast super loud music either

 

[JHAz]

I've seen Denon 789/1909 refurbs for just over 250 on the net. Has Audyssey dynamic volume which should take cdare of your blaring commercials. Has lots of stuff you don't need, but so do most of them, as far as I can tell . . .

 

[QGGeneric]

Pioneer's VSX-819-AH is in that ballpark.



Or, for just a few dollars over your target price and improved Blu-Ray video performance, as well as 7.1 or second zone capability, go with the Pioneer VSX-919-AH. Either should be fine receivers in your situation.

 

[Sonies]

Do refurbs come with a warranty? If not I'd prefer new

 

[Sonies]



Quote:
Originally Posted by QGGeneric /forum/post/16835167


Pioneer's VSX-819-AH. Or, for just a few dollars over your target price and improved Blu-Ray video performance, go with the Pioneer VSX-919-AH. Either should be fine receivers in your situation.

How does the receiver improve bluray VIDEO performance?

 

[QGGeneric]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonies /forum/post/16835180


How does the receiver improve bluray VIDEO performance?

You can compere the two at Pioneer's website:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...oneerReceivers


The 919 has capability of converting your analog SD signals from composite or component into digital over HDMI, as well as PureCinema 24fps video processing.

 

[Sonies]



Quote:
Originally Posted by QGGeneric /forum/post/16835264


You can compere the two at Pioneer's website:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...oneerReceivers


The 919 has capability of converting your analog SD signals from composite or component into digital over HDMI, as well as PureCinema 24fps video processing.

I have no analog video signals... only thing i have hooked up is dish network box (HDMI) and PS3 (HDMI which upconverts DVD's and plays blurays)


So that's the only difference? Pass on that!


What about a Denon AVR-1508 Home Theater Receiver - 7.1 Channel, 2x HDMI Input, 3x S-Video Input, (Refurbished)


$139 from tigerdirect, is that a good deal or that receiver a huge piece of junk?

 

[QGGeneric]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonies /forum/post/16835317


I have no analog video signals... only thing i have hooked up is dish network box (HDMI) and PS3 (HDMI which upconverts DVD's and plays blurays)


So that's the only difference? Pass on that!

Well, no, it's not the only difference. But, my two cents and a couple of dollars might buy you a decent cup of coffee somewhere...

 

[Sonies]



Quote:
Originally Posted by QGGeneric /forum/post/16835356


Well, no, it's not the only difference. But, my two cents and a couple of dollars might buy you a decent cup of coffee somewhere...

Hehehe

 

[batpig]



Quote:
What about a Denon AVR-1508 Home Theater Receiver - 7.1 Channel, 2x HDMI Input, 3x S-Video Input, (Refurbished)

the '08 models do not have Audyssey Dynamic Volume procssing, which you are looking for.


If you don't care about HDMI audio, get an AVR 1609 or 1709 from last year (both are quite cheap at Electronics Expo and other places, around $200). the difference between the two is that the 1709 has a little more power, 3 HDMI + 3 component (vs 2+2), and more robust analog video switching/conversion (1609 has no video conversion at all).


If you have a PS3 though, you may as well just spend $300 and get a model with HDMI audio such as the replacement 1610/590 model, or a closeout/refurb/used 1909/789 from last year.

 

[Sonies]



Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig /forum/post/16835851


the '08 models do not have Audyssey Dynamic Volume procssing, which you are looking for.


If you don't care about HDMI audio, get an AVR 1609 or 1709 from last year (both are quite cheap at Electronics Expo and other places, around $200). the difference between the two is that the 1709 has a little more power, 3 HDMI + 3 component (vs 2+2), and more robust analog video switching/conversion (1609 has no video conversion at all).


If you have a PS3 though, you may as well just spend $300 and get a model with HDMI audio such as the replacement 1610/590 model, or a closeout/refurb/used 1909/789 from last year.

So i DO need HDMI audio because of my PS3? I coulda sworn there's an optical out, isn't there? Even though I never plan on using my TV's speakers?

 

[Dzhokhar]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonies /forum/post/16836601


So i DO need HDMI audio because of my PS3? I coulda sworn there's an optical out, isn't there? Even though I never plan on using my TV's speakers?

He's not saying you NEED HDMI audio, just that it's nice to have (given that you have a device which supports it already) and (in his opinion) is probably worth the extra $50 or so.

 

[Sonies]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Dzhokhar /forum/post/16836702


He's not saying you NEED HDMI audio, just that it's nice to have (given that you have a device which supports it already) and (in his opinion) is probably worth the extra $50 or so.

Ah ok, makes sense now

Do you know if DishNetwork's new DVR boxes support hdmi audio? Or do I need to have a separate optical cable for that? I think they do, because the way I have it set up now is that the HDMI goes from the DVR to the TV, then I take the sound signal from the TV, and connect it to my old receiver.

 

[maxcooper]

I understood the OP's statement "don't need hdmi audio playthrough" to mean that he doesn't need the audio from his sources to pass through the receiver and play on the TV speakers. I suspect this statement is true, even though I doubt my original interpretation now.


Having the receiver accept audio via HDMI it is not strictly necessary because your PS3 has an optical audio output, and your sat box surely has a similar option. HDMI audio support is necessary to hear Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA "high def" audio from the PS3, but you can still get DVD-quality audio without it (so it isn't a huge deal).


Still, I wouldn't buy a new receiver that lacks HDMI audio support.


Since the PS3 decodes TrueHD and DTS-HD MA to multichannel LPCM before sending the signal to the receiver, the receiver just needs to support LPCM. It does not need to be able to decode TrueHD or DTS-HD MA. In fact, the PS3 cannot bitstream these formats, so having the PS3 decode them is your only option (note that you must set audio output format to PCM rather than bitstream in PS3 config options). It works very well.


-Max

 

[Sonies]

Thanks for the clarification max, if its only $50 bucks more I guess I can live with the "high def" audio, but isn't that for 7.1 only? I only am doing a 5.1 setup so is the TrueHD and DTS-HD MA a noticeable improvement over "dvd quality"?

 

[mjg100]

If you can do without the dynamic loudness control I would look at the refurb Harman Kardon 254 sold on ebay direct from Harman Kardon. Two year warranty, good customer service and way under your budget. Do not be fooled by the wattage. HK lists there wattage with all channels driven. It will match up with any 100 watt AVR. If you offer on "Buy it Now" I would suggest offering $220.

 

[Sonies]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mjg100 /forum/post/16837636


If you can do without the dynamic loudness control I would look at the refurb Harman Kardon 254 sold on ebay direct from Harman Kardon. Two year warranty, good customer service and way under your budget. Do not be fooled by the wattage. HK lists there wattage with all channels driven. It will match up with any 100 watt AVR. If you offer on "Buy it Now" I would suggest offering $220.

i've been reading that HK's and PS3's don't pair well together, is that correct?

 

[SUOrangeman]

FYI. I have been maintaining an AVR specs comparison chart. Linked in my signature.


-SUO

 

[rnatalli]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonies /forum/post/16839147


i've been reading that HK's and PS3's don't pair well together, is that correct?

In the past; the new firmware updates took care of it. Another option you can look at is the Denon 1610/590. Check out Electronics Expo and use coupon "RECEIVERSALE" at checkout. I don't like the new Pioneer and Yamaha models in this price range as their amp sections have really been scaled down.

 

[Sonies]

Thanks everyone. I think i'm going to save up a little more and get the Denon 590. Seems to have everything I want!