Thinking about a new receiver (need suggestions)

[hoyalawya]

Originally Posted by Viper187

That's a little expensive for my taste. I'm not ruling it out though. Just for argument sake, what's the cheapest unit I can get with at least 2-3 HDMIs that upgrades all input signals to HDMI? It'd also be nice if it could intelligently select its input source. i.e. When HDMI/component/optical isn't sensed form the assigned input, then show analog input if there is any. My 604 would be halfway tolerable if it did that. btw, what changed from HDMI 1.1 to 1.3a? I noticed my 604 is only 1.1.

I looked up the 606 and it's somewhat appealing. Hard to believe it has less component inputs (and optical) than the 604 though. WTF!? If I actually have room to keep both receivers, I could conceivably use the old one as a switcher (as opposed to buying one). I dunno. Seems stupid to spend so much and still not be totally satisfied. The 705 has 1 more optical, but still only 2 component. Don't they expect people to actually hook stuff up to these things?

You can get the Denon 2809ci on eBay right now for $599 after Microsoft Live Search $200 rebate. I think that the 2309ci is around $450. The catch is that the warranty will not be honored by Denon. I pulled a trigger on a 2809ci this morning from a seller that has a 21-day return policy.

[Viper187]

You gotta be kidding. I wouldn't trust ebay sellers for anything expensive. Hell, I hardly trust actual stores to pack electronics so they won't get mutilated during shipping.

Anyway, I'm curious as to what makes the 2309CI worth so much more than say the 606. They both have that same Faroudja processor, among other similarities. And why don't these damn things have VGA/DVI in? I suppose a DVI-HDMI adapter will serve my purpose on that front, until I need the HDMI for something else.

[Sdallnct]

Your making this really difficult. No ebay. Very selective on-line retailers. Yet your on a budget and want some specific things.

Some of the best service I have every gotten from anyone on any product was from eBay. You should not "rule them out". I bought my theater chairs you see in my signature-and yes one chair was had a small tear that occurred during shipping. The seller sent me a replacement seat and did not even have me send the torn one back -I just sent them a picture. I paid about $550 for them all 6 of them. I also bought BOTH my H/K receivers from eBay. Well, H/K has an eBay store, so it is sort of like buying direct from H/K. I also bought the screen material for my theater room (again you can see screen in my signature). I just bought the material and built the frame for it. I also bought wiring from them, but have since found Monoprice, so I only buy wiring from them now.

I'd take Denon over Onkyo in overall sound quality.

[Spiky]

Viper,
You need to slow down and relax.

Originally Posted by Viper187

Is there something around with shitloads of inputs and all HDMI output that's more like a switchbox? I only seem to see switchers for a specific type of input when I look around.

Not really. So what? You have a few needs, they aren't that hard to meet. A receiver and 2 switchers will cover you for the next decade. If you use the front input for what it is intended, hooking up a temporary item (aka: old video game), you won't need more than the receiver.

Originally Posted by Viper187

That's a little expensive for my taste. I'm not ruling it out though. Just for argument sake, what's the cheapest unit I can get with at least 2-3 HDMIs that upgrades all input signals to HDMI? It'd also be nice if it could intelligently select its input source. i.e.

Probably the Onkyo 606. Onkyo came out with HDMI faster than everyone else, so they are a step ahead right now. Sony has more HDMI inputs perhaps, but their receivers really suck otherwise.

Auto-select is ok, but not perfect. You would probably need to jump up a couple price levels to get that in a receiver. However, HDMI switchers for under $100 will offer a bit of that. It's strange, really. A good universal remote solves this problem, and several others.

I looked up the 606 and it's somewhat appealing. Hard to believe it has less component inputs (and optical) than the 604 though. WTF!? If I actually have room to keep both receivers, I could conceivably use the old one as a switcher (as opposed to buying one). I dunno. Seems stupid to spend so much and still not be totally satisfied. The 705 has 1 more optical, but still only 2 component. Don't they expect people to actually hook stuff up to these things?

Well, you only have 2 items that you want to hook up via component, sounds like it fits to me. And since HDMI is the future, you most likely won't have any more. Also, you can skip the component on the DVDR, because you are going to use something else to play DVDs, anyway. Like the vastly superior HDDVD player. I only actually view my DVDR when recording, to see the onscreen display. Svideo is overkill.

You mentioned a PC hookup. No receiver will convert from a PC because PCs now have a virtually unlimited # of modes, resolutions, timing rates and setups. They just aren't in the same product group and receivers aren't going to do this. However, you can try a DVI-HDMI adapter and try it out. It is a painful game to get this working with your TV directly for most people, but many do manage it. Going through a receiver or switcher will complicate it. Often times it would be best to go direct to the TV. This is why people use specific hardware for HTPCs.

And the answer to why is the 2309 more than the 606 is quality. Audio quality is the most expensive electronic item you can purchase. Would you like to see some $10000 one channel 8 watt amps to blow your mind?

And one more vote of confidence for Ebay Stores. It is a different concept than Ebay auctions. Sure, you want to check them out first, but they can be very trustworthy. I just bought a DSLR camera from one.

[Sdallnct]

Originally Posted by Spiky

Would you like to see some $10000 one channel 8 watt amps to blow your mind?

.

I want to see

I still get a hard on when I'm near a pair of Krell Monoblocks....LOL

[dick_grayson]

http://www.integrahometheater.com/mo...&m=DTR-9.9&p=i

this one, along with an upcoming Outlaw (997) or Emotiva are on my list.

[Spiky]

Sdallnct,
Will this suffice? It's stereo and only 7wpc, but it's over $20K, I believe. Averages out.
http://www.combak.net/reimyo/PAT-777.htm

[Spiky]

Originally Posted by dick_grayson

http://www.integrahometheater.com/mo...&m=DTR-9.9&p=i

this one, along with an upcoming Outlaw (997) or Emotiva are on my list.

Ditto. But the Outlaw really isn't looking like what I want. They are once again going to skimp on modern features, touting their audio quality only. While that is very important to me, they seem to completely ignore video. Maybe mated with an Edge.

[Sdallnct]

Originally Posted by Spiky

Sdallnct,
Will this suffice? It's stereo and only 7wpc, but it's over $20K, I believe. Averages out.
http://www.combak.net/reimyo/PAT-777.htm

Tubes

[Spiky]

HEY! Drooling on the tubes is a bad idea. Back up a little!

[Viper187]

Looking at the back of the 2309CI, the input names give me the impression that they're locked to specific named inputs. I would hope this isn't the case.

[Sdallnct]

Originally Posted by Spiky

HEY! Drooling on the tubes is a bad idea. Back up a little!

I had a 2 channel NYAL (New York Audio Labs) hybrid amp. Actually I still have it, just not using it. But anyway...use to freak me out as my cat would sleep on it in the winter cause it was so warm.

[Capn Trips]

Viper: If you care more about number of inputs and switching capability than about the absolute supreme audio quality (and based upon your described speaker setup, that is the case), I might blaspheme and suggest you look at the Pioneer line of receivers. Personally, I think their sound quality is just fine for a bedroom, and the one big advantage they have that might appeal to you is that any HDMI inputs are separate inputs, and do not get "mapped" to one of the other inputs (Component video and digital audio inputs still have to get mapped, so they consume a "named" input if you use them). It still may be hard to stay below your $1000 threshold, but you could get close.

Model/HDMI/Component/Digital/A-V/MSRP
VSX-1018/3/3/4/4/$599
VSX-90/2/3/5/4/$800
VSX-91/2/3/5/4/$1200
VSX-92/3/3/6/6/$1500
VSX-94/4/3/6/6/$1800
VSX-01/3/3/4/4/$750
VSX-03/3/3/5/4/$1000
SC-05/4/3/6/6/$1800
SC-07/4/3/7/6/$2200
SC-09TX/6/5/10/7/$7000

[Spiky]

Pioneer isn't bad. I seldom talk about them because they are usually a bit overpriced in my mind. And I'm not into the piano-black high gloss they generally use.

[SoSpacey]

You can get a Yamah rx-v1800 for under $800. I am not going to pull up the spec sheet and do a checklist to see if it covers all of your needs, but you should check it out.

Weighs about 45lbs so be aware before you buy it.

[Viper187]

Starting up an old thread, but I figured why start a new one for the same purpose.

I still haven't gotten around to getting a new receiver. I've decided to pick up some switchers from monoprice, so my need of extra inputs should be somewhat handled. Only problem with monoprice's component switcher is that it's coax only. For the price, I'll deal with it. Main thing that's irritating me now is the resolution support my SR604 lacks. It's apparently touchy about the analog input. Some Dreamcast games show video and some cause the receiver to go apeshit but work fine when connected directly to the TV.

I've updated my list below. I'm curious if there are any receivers now or planned in the next few months that would suit me. I'd sort of like to go Denon this time, but I'll consider all suggestions. I hope to finally upgrade by fall, possibly sooner.

Current receiver: Onkyo TX-SR604
My ideal receiver:

• Preferably under $1000
• 5.1/7.1
• Bitstream with HDMI and decoding of everything
• Must output ALL video coming in (composite/s-vid/compononent) from the HDMI
• Must output ANY resolution thrown at it -- My SR604 refuses to output video with a Nintendo64 or Dreamcast plugged into it
• Menus on the TV screen. I would expect all receivers to do that by now, but you never know. My old Sony one didn't.
• I'd love an RF or Bluetooth remote. I'm quite tired of IR. Not a deal breaker though.

[Spiky]

I'm liking the Denon 2309 specs right now.

You won't get RF remote easily, get RF remote extenders if it is necessary. Or possibly route IR directly into the receiver. There's really all sorts of control choices if you step up a level.

You want ANY resolution input, you need the DVDO iScan VP50, 'round $2500. Luckily, I'd say that isn't really what you mean. I can't see why basic 480 sources like N64 and DC wouldn't work (they work in my 7 year old Onkyo), so that sounds like some weird problem with your current model, not a typical issue.

[Viper187]

Originally Posted by Spiky

I'm liking the Denon 2309 specs right now.

You won't get RF remote easily, get RF remote extenders if it is necessary. Or possibly route IR directly into the receiver. There's really all sorts of control choices if you step up a level.

You want ANY resolution input, you need the DVDO iScan VP50, 'round $2500. Luckily, I'd say that isn't really what you mean. I can't see why basic 480 sources like N64 and DC wouldn't work (they work in my 7 year old Onkyo), so that sounds like some weird problem with your current model, not a typical issue.

Good to know. Thanks

[SoSpacey]

your 2 best bets are either the 2909 or the yamaha rx-v1900

they both do composite/component/svideo conversion to hdmi, have 4 HDMI ins, and a multitude of other inputs.

Compare at Crutchfield

You can do much better than those prices.

[Viper187]

I'm looking at the Denon 2310CI right now. What do you guys think of it? and what's really different in comparison to the 2809 or 1910? There seemed to be some mention of different menus with the 1910 but I dunno.

I keep putting this off, but I really hope to have the cash within the next month or two. I might look into speakers later. Kind of pisses me off my current center speaker doesn't have a threaded hole for bolting to mounts like the other 4 do. I'd like to bolt it to the bottom of the shelf my TV sits on.

[trespoochies]

Viper, a few months ago I got the Denon 3808 from Amazon for $989 through 6ave. Like you, I spent months asking for opinions here and some other places, doing demos at stores, etc. I went with the 3808 over the 2809 primarily due to the higher watts per channel and the GUI that the 3808 has, although the 2809 does have one as well, but is a little difficult to use. They improved greatly on the screen menus with the 3808. After reading about Denons, it sounded like it was really difficult to setup if it didn't have some kind of screen menu. The 3808 has now been replaced by the 3310, but for the most part is identical. But I love my new Denon, the thing is a beast - and meets all those reuirements you had mentioned a few posts earlier. In regards to your question, I believe the 2310 replaced the discontinued 2809. They seems to refresh their models every year with minimal to no changes, only the model number.

But I did invest in some good money to get some new speakers (B&W 600 series). I figured this will be the last upgrade for the foreseeable future.

[Viper187]

Why aren't any of the sites I've actually heard of selling the 2310 for under $850? If you google search, there are a few random places selling them for $600!

[JimRochester]

My Pioneer 91 is tremendous. I noticed the better sound over my Yamaha right away.

[mattysemo247]

Can you still get the Pioneer SC-05 from 6ave? If so, pick that bad boy up from the name your price promotion they have going on right now. That is the best $700 I have ever spent.

[Spiky]

Originally Posted by Viper187

Why aren't any of the sites I've actually heard of selling the 2310 for under $850? If you google search, there are a few random places selling them for $600!

Because Denon doesn't allow authorized dealers to sell below MAP. And they have few authorized internet dealers. Sometimes they have zero.