Noob Needs Help Picking a Receiver

[djkyle65]

I have around 250-300 max to spend on a receiver im looking at the


Onkyo TX-SR506 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver

or the

YAMAHA RX-V461 or 661


Any suggestions


Thanks Kyle

[Seth=L]

I have around 250-300 max to spend on a receiver im looking at the


Onkyo TX-SR506 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver

or the

YAMAHA RX-V461 or 661


Any suggestions


Thanks Kyle
Yamaha RX-V661 by a landslide, it's got the best amp section, most connectivity as well as features, and is the only receiver mentioned that supports HDMI audio. The only thing it lacks is HDMI 1.3 pass-thru, which honestly few people will ever utilize.;)

[mazersteven]

YAMAHA RX-V661

What speakers are you trying to drive?

[djkyle65]

Is it worth the extra 100 to get the 661 I will probably never use the hdmi

[djkyle65]

Polk Monitor 50 Fronts
Polk Monitor 30 Rears

[mazersteven]

Polk Monitor 50 Fronts
Polk Monitor 30 Rears

The 661 will drive these speakers with ease. Also if your thinking of up-grading your speakers in the future it is kind of a future proof purchase right now.

[djkyle65]

What about the v659

[Seth=L]

What about the v659
If you know you will never use HDMI, then the Yamaha RX-V659 is a superior machine in terms of amplifier power, and cheaper. You can basically drop all the receivers mentioned in the opening post if you know you will never use HDMI.

[djkyle65]

Yeah ill probably go with the 659 and if i do hdmi later ill just go directly to the tv.

[Seth=L]

Yeah ill probably go with the 659 and if i do hdmi later ill just go directly to the tv.
There are other advantages to using HDMI audio other than convenience, just FYI.;) Those advantages can't be had if you run your HDMI straight to the TV/display.

[djkyle65]

What other advantages would that be?

If i ran hdmi to the tv and used the digital outs into the receiver wouldn't that be just as good ?

[Seth=L]

What other advantages would that be?

If i ran hdmi to the tv and used the digital outs into the receiver wouldn't that be just as good ?
No, not if you get into Blu-ray. Blu-ray supports HD audio over HDMI, as well as 5.1 analog connection if the Blu-ray player supports it. Most Blu-ray players don't support HD audio over 5.1 analog outputs and HDMI is by far the most practical way to handle HD audio (up to 7.1 lossless sound).

[djkyle65]

Do they support that over digital coax or optical out?

[Seth=L]

Do they support that over digital coax or optical out?
No, they don't. DRM (Digital Rights Management) doesn't allow it.

[Suds]

How much better would the Yamaha RX-V659 be over the Onkyo TX-SR505 if you don't need HDMI? I'm also looking into getting a receiver and have no need for HDMI.