Upgrade time real soon...help

[Jeff5347]

So I figure it's time to upgrade. My audio and video equip. Is fairly old. I have an 03 Onkyo 503 and a 14 Vizio E series. Only latest upgrade I've done is a Sony s6700 Blu Ray player so I know I'm losing out on the lossless audio as mine maxes out at DD EX. The tv I prob will get near November but shortly I'm looking at a receiver. The receivers I've been eyeing are the Denon 4400 and Onkyo 787 and maybe an Elite receiver. Since I don't have a 4k right now the receiver ( nowadays most are) should be 4k capable, have 9 channels for future atmos. From the consensus I've been reading is go for the 4400 but curious if the Onkyo or pioneer can compete with the Denon. Only hiccup I've read on the Denon is running 4k thru the denon ppl get the audio but no video...handshake problem? Just curious on more experienced thoughts and/ or did I miss any receivers. Looking to keep my $$ at that 900 or less mark. Anazon has the 4400 at 899 right just wondering if it may drop even a bit more...
Thanks

 

[Drunkpenguin]

I had a 3400 briefly (couple weeks) and it was a very good receiver as far as sound and setup. I'm in the process of trading up for a 4400 now. I've been reading a lot and it seems to be the goto receiver in its price range. Even tho you only want 9 channels it will give you the ability to go 11 with a 2 channel amp. In my book its pretty future proof. As much as a receiver can be anyways.

 

[panteragstk]

I have two Denon receivers. The 1300 and 4300 (almost identical to the 4400) and have zero issues with handshake on either.

I'll always lean toward Denon just because I like the way they operate and Audyssey is a must for me. Pioneer makes a quality product, but their RC isn't that great. Same with Onkyo.

 

[Jeff5347]

The denon is the one I keep going back to. Curious as my receiver is 15 yrs old and once adding a receiver that can handle true hd, dts ma....should I hear a difference from straight dts and DD vs true and ma?

 

[Leemix]

The denon is the one I keep going back to. Curious as my receiver is 15 yrs old and once adding a receiver that can handle true hd, dts ma....should I hear a difference from straight dts and DD vs true and ma?

Yes, but it depends on your system/the mix and your ears, some dont hear the difference and a very well made dts/dd soundtrack does sound better then a poor trueHD/master track. A new reciever of this quality should be nice and the new dolby surround, i find, does a better job then the old pro logic II and such. (Even in ‘just’ a 5.1 system)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lovinthehd]

The difference between the lossy codecs like DTS/DD and the lossless DTS HDMA and Dolby TrueHD can be very subtle...you may not hear much difference if any. I'm happy with my Denons (3808 & 4520) and prefer Audyssey XT32 also. I must say I did have some handshake problems with my S6700 and the 4520, tho.

 

[panteragstk]

The biggest difference I hear between the two is dynamic range more than anything. Some will be above 5.1 so the extra channels help create a more immersive experience than 5.1.

 

[Jeff5347]

The difference between the lossy codecs like DTS/DD and the lossless DTS HDMA and Dolby TrueHD can be very subtle...you may not hear much difference if any. I'm happy with my Denons (3808 & 4520) and prefer Audyssey XT32 also. I must say I did have some handshake problems with my S6700 and the 4520, tho.

If you don't mind what type of issues were you having with the 6700? Were you able to get them sorted out. I'm curious with the better codec ability but also a better room correction than something from 2003 if that will make a noticeable difference.

 

[lovinthehd]

If you don't mind what type of issues were you having with the 6700? Were you able to get them sorted out. I'm curious with the better codec ability but also a better room correction than something from 2003 if that will make a noticeable difference.

I swapped it out a while back but it would occasionally simply not recognize the S6700, as if it weren't there (no video or audio). The S6700 works fine with another avr (an Onkyo) in my bedroom. I used an S5100 before the S6700 and had no issues with the 4520 with that unit (and now use an Oppo 203 without issues). Audyssey XT32 is one of the better REQ programs IMO, and the ability to handle two subs separately (via SubEQ feature) is nice, too.....altho I'd like to try Dirac next time around.

 

[Jeff5347]

Another question since I'm new to the newer features and connections. With having a 1080p tv and later a getting a 4k...right now all my hdmi's (dtv, Blu Ray, fire TV) are connected to the HDMI input on the TV so signal goes to the tv and I have an optical out to the receiver for audio. With a new receiver, say Denon, do I connect all my hdmi's to the receiver instead of the tv and HDMI out from the receiver to the tvs ARC hdmi and the Denon will do all the video switching? Once upgraded to a 4k the same configuration?

 

[Leemix]

Another question since I'm new to the newer features and connections. With having a 1080p tv and later a getting a 4k...right now all my hdmi's (dtv, Blu Ray, fire TV) are connected to the HDMI input on the TV so signal goes to the tv and I have an optical out to the receiver for audio. With a new receiver, say Denon, do I connect all my hdmi's to the receiver instead of the tv and HDMI out from the receiver to the tvs ARC hdmi and the Denon will do all the video switching? Once upgraded to a 4k the same configuration?

Yes, but unless you use the tv itself as a source you dont have to bother with running ARC


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lovinthehd]

Another question since I'm new to the newer features and connections. With having a 1080p tv and later a getting a 4k...right now all my hdmi's (dtv, Blu Ray, fire TV) are connected to the HDMI input on the TV so signal goes to the tv and I have an optical out to the receiver for audio. With a new receiver, say Denon, do I connect all my hdmi's to the receiver instead of the tv and HDMI out from the receiver to the tvs ARC hdmi and the Denon will do all the video switching? Once upgraded to a 4k the same configuration?

I use the avr for all audio/video switching but I find ARC causes more problems than it solves (nor do I use my tv as a source these days). ARC is just a way to get audio from your tv to the avr....and what with different brands' implementation can be a bit funky.

 

[Jeff5347]

Not to beat a deadhorse but I had a question to add to my question. The Onkyo tx rz830.... This vs the 4400. Is it a competitor or still a downgrade vs the 4400. I see the Onkyo has the thx cert and not sure if that even helps it touch the 4400. Just curious on your thoughts if I should consider it or stay the course on getting the 4400

 

[Leemix]

THX cert really doesnt mean anything anymore. How the onkyo is i dont know but the denon 4400 is nice


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk