[clarksonknight]

I'm looking to upgrade from my Panny SA-XR70. While the receiver has been a decent one, the HDMI support has been terrible and the receiver itself isn't very flexible when it comes to configuration.


What I'm looking for:

3-4 HDMI in/1 out, video passthrough. i.e., I don't want to have to run a separate audio cable from my source to the receiver.

Component-to-HDMI conversion. It would be nice to have a single connection to the TV.

Fairly near-future-proof audio processing. TrueHD, etc. (I'm not an audiophile, but I can appreciate the different technologies).

Flexible configuration. I'm an EE by trade, so configuration itself isn't difficult, but the XR70 has a lot of issues with assigning inputs to sources and generally getting it to a user-friendly state.


Is it possible to get something like this at/around/below half a grand? I've looked into the Denon AVR-509, some of the budget H/K boxes, and one of the Onkyos, but I've yet to have a salesperson be able to confirm whether any of these receivers can do everything listed above. Any advice?

 

[Sitting Bull]

I own an Onkyo HT-RC 180 and as far as I know it covers all of the bases you listed. It is essentially the same as the Onkyo 807, just trimming a few non-essentials, thus lowering the price most accomodatingly.


At 110 watts/channel you won't be lacking in that department, either. This THX Select2 Plus certified AVR is much superior to the Denon 509.


Most folks in the lower 48 seem able to find it for about $600 online. It retails here in Canada for about $1100, and a cool $1000 in the US, though I got it for $775 at a Boxing Day sale. Bon apetite

 

[NYC_Jeff]

I'm actually in the same market, looking to upgrade my Onkyo HT530 to something along the same lines as the OP - 3-4 HDMI inputs and support for the latest audio formats. I would also really like an AVR that does OSD over HDMI - e.g., I'd like to see the volume level on the TV when I make an adjustment.


Does the Onkyo HT-RC 180 still fit the bill? I'm also considering the Yamaha 765 and Denon 1910 (I wont go near an HK product- too many horror stories), which seem to come available in the sub-$500 price range on a regular basis.

 

[Sitting Bull]



Quote:
Originally Posted by NYC_Jeff /forum/post/18181838


I'm actually in the same market, looking to upgrade my Onkyo HT530 to something along the same lines as the OP - 3-4 HDMI inputs and support for the latest audio formats. I would also really like an AVR that does OSD over HDMI - e.g., I'd like to see the volume level on the TV when I make an adjustment.


Does the Onkyo HT-RC 180 still fit the bill? I'm also considering the Yamaha 765 and Denon 1910 (I wont go near an HK product- too many horror stories), which seem to come available in the sub-$500 price range on a regular basis.

Hi,


Yes, the 180 certainly does fit the bill. It outputs the volume over the HDMI to my 52" HDTV without any problems, whatsoever.

Take a look at the Official Onkyo 807 thread on this forum. As I said, the 180 is almost the same, and in fact shares the same manual.

 

[Slare]

Consider adding (or elminating) these from your list:


- pre-outs

- HDMI overlay so you can see volume level on your display

- Quality of the auto calibration/correction program - imho Audyssey Multi EQ XT is best and many people swear by dynamic volume/eq type features


Trust me, I just went through this. Those features are the big variables. Just about every ~500 offering from the big hitters satisfies your list. So you should clarify if any of the above features are important, or just stick to your list to find the least expensive offering.


I suspect Yamaha, Pioneer, and Onkyo would be the least expensive options to meet your current list.

 

[Sitting Bull]

Yes, I just went through the entire process, as well, and the Onkyo 807/180 is the best and most full featured AVR currently on the market for the money.

If you can snag one for around $600 online, there is nothing out there that can match it, feature for feature!

 

[NYC_Jeff]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sitting Bull /forum/post/18182996


Yes, I just went through the entire process, as well, and the Onkyo 807/180 is the best and most full featured AVR currently on the market for the money.

If you can snag one for around $600 online, there is nothing out there that can match it, feature for feature!

Great. What do you guys think about the refurb Onkyos sold by Accessories4less.com? They are priced quite attractively and carry factory warranties.. Tempting!


Edit: Actually, not so tempting. Only about $20 difference between new and refurb. At that price, would definitely go new FTW!

 

[Sitting Bull]



Quote:
Originally Posted by NYC_Jeff /forum/post/18184143


Great. What do you guys think about the refurb Onkyos sold by Accessories4less.com? They are priced quite attractively and carry factory warranties.. Tempting!


Edit: Actually, not so tempting. Only about $20 difference between new and refurb. At that price, would definitely go new FTW!

I have heard that every Saturday Newegg has an online sale and the Onkyo 807 dips into very favourable territory, price-wise. At least that is what the guys on the Onkyo 807 thread have been telling everyone for several months now.

But the Onkyo 180 (which isn't on the Newegg site) should be an even better deal, if you just shop around online!

And since you live in a big city like Atlanta you should be able to get one right in your town for an excellent price.


If not, CNET is showing them on sale online for around $660 right now.

http://shopper.cnet.com/audio-system...col;txt#stores

 

[SUPERMANROB]



Quote:
Originally Posted by NYC_Jeff /forum/post/18181838


I'm actually in the same market, looking to upgrade my Onkyo HT530 to something along the same lines as the OP - 3-4 HDMI inputs and support for the latest audio formats. I would also really like an AVR that does OSD over HDMI - e.g., I'd like to see the volume level on the TV when I make an adjustment.


Does the Onkyo HT-RC 180 still fit the bill? I'm also considering the Yamaha 765 and Denon 1910 (I wont go near an HK product- too many horror stories), which seem to come available in the sub-$500 price range on a regular basis.

If your considering the 1910,you could get "open box/like new" with full warranty from an authorized dealer for $396.

http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.asp...DENAVR1910-OPN

 

[clarksonknight]

Aside from rated power and number of channels, what's the difference between the 590 and the 1910? I'm trying to find a good comparison but Best Buy's website isn't terribly clear. It's a fairly small room and smaller Athena Micra 6 speakers, so I wouldn't think I need a lot of power, and I don't need 7.1.

 

[jdsmoothie]

You can learn the differences by reviewing the 1st post of the 1910/790 Owner's thread. The 1610/590 would meet your stated requirements.

 

[jdsmoothie]



Quote:
Originally Posted by NYC_Jeff /forum/post/18181838


I would also really like an AVR that does OSD over HDMI - e.g., I'd like to see the volume level on the TV when I make an adjustment.

Although the Denon 1910/790 will do OSD over HDMI (block text on black background but no volume), you have to step up to the Denon 2310/890 to get GUI (including volume) overlay over the existing HDMI video display.

 

[NYC_Jeff]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsmoothie /forum/post/18188533


You can learn the differences by reviewing the 1st post of the 1910/790 Owner's thread. The 1610/590 would meet your stated requirements.

Based on that thread, it seems that the 1910 will not do OSD via HDMI. Is that correct or am I confusing overlay with OSD?

 

[clarksonknight]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsmoothie /forum/post/18188533


You can learn the differences by reviewing the 1st post of the 1910/790 Owner's thread. The 1610/590 would meet your stated requirements.

Thanks for the link, that's exactly what I was looking for!

 

[jdsmoothie]



Quote:
Originally Posted by NYC_Jeff /forum/post/18188599


Based on that thread, it seems that the 1910 will not do OSD via HDMI. Is that correct or am I confusing overlay with OSD?

You're confusing "overlay" which will place the menu over the existing video (2310 and higher) vs. the display blacking out and the OSD is displayed on the black background. Although as I said, that does not include the volume as there is no "overlay".