questions about Yamaha RX-V659 and Pioneer 1016 TX

[terzaghi]

ok- so i am going to start out by saying that I am new to the world of home theater, this post may be lengthy, and for that i apologize, but I would like to have some input to guide me in the right direction before my purchase.

that being said- here is my dilema-

I recently purchased a sony grad wega a10 50" lcd rp tv. link here
http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_KDF_E50A10/4505-6484_7-31453800.html it is capable of outputting 1080i or 720p

It has several component inputs (4 i think), 1 vga input, 1 hdmi, 2 composite (i think), and 2 co-ax (1 for cable and 1 for antenna)

It also has an optical audio out.

I plan on purchasing a surround sound system soon (i think I will get the klipsch audio F-3) link herehttp://www.klipsch.com/products/details/f-3-home-theater-system.aspx, but i am open to other ideas.

By looking through audioholics and considering my price range for a receiver (around 500 bucks)

I have found 2 receivers that are of interest,
the Yamaha RX-V659 http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v659

and Pioneer 1016 TX http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069809_316743263,00.html


My goal is to have a sound system that I can enjoy with stereo sound for cd's and surroudn sound gaming and movies...

I have an xbox 360 which is currently hooked up to my tv via component.
I plan on purchasing a bluray or possibly an hd-dvd player at some point in the near future. maybe an upconverting dvd player as well/ or to use until I decide if I should go blu ray or hd-dvd.
The 360 offers an external hd-dvd drive- but it will hook up to my tv only through component or vga unless I opt to get the new 360 elite with hdmi (480 bucks +199 for hd-dvd drive so i likely won't), and I fear that hd-dvd may become obsolete.

ok- enough about my set-up... If I purchase the yamaha, it has no-hdmi capabilities, which may pose a problem when I purchase my bluray/hd-dvd/ player or if i get the 360elite (again I likely won't go that route)

If I purchase a bluray player, could i just bypass my receiver and hook it to my tv via hdmi, and then use the optical audio out from my tv to my receiver to get my sound?
someone told me that if you hook hdmi into your tv the optical audio is "disconected" or can not be used for some reason. if this is the case then how would i get sound from the bluray player to my surround sound system.

If i purchase the pioneer, it has hdmi inputs (2 i think) and 1 hdmi out, but they only carry video signals.. so then would I have to hook everything up to my receiver with either component + digital audio cable or hdmi+ digital audio cable? so are the hdmi inputs on this receiver basically pointless besides having only 1 cable going from your receiver to your tv? then if i am using my tv with no surround speakers on would there be no sound?

and maybe since I do not have 1080p then hdmi isn't even needed?

any input about these two receivers, or any other receivers would be appreciated. Any comments about how to link various devices: xbox, bluray, dvd, up with these receivers and tv would be helpful.

aslo: are these receivers going to be able to power this speaker set up?

*EDIT- the klipsch has an f-2 series of speakers that is designed for 100 watts instead of 150 watts which may be better for these receivers. (although I may purchase an amp down the line if these receivers have an input for the amp)

**EDIT 2: I just noticed in another post someone mention this receiver: the
onkyo 604
link here

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Specifications-of-Onkyo-7-1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-TXSR604/sem/rpsm/oid/156434/rpem/ccd/productDetailSpecification.do#tabs

any thoughts on this receiver compared to the other two?

 

[bitperfect101]

how much is the pioneer's street price? You can get the yamaha for less than $300 from etailers. Im in the same boat as you, ~$500 budget for gaming,movies and tv.

 

[mfabien]

...
I recently purchased a sony grad wega a10 50" lcd rp tv. link here
http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_KDF_E50A10/4505-6484_7-31453800.html it is capable of outputting 1080i or 720p

The display is 1080i or 720p (or native 768p). It accepts both but displays only one.

My goal is to have a sound system that I can enjoy with stereo sound for cd's and surroudn sound gaming and movies...

For best performance for CD's buy a DVD player with 5.1 multichannel analogs to connect to the Yamaha. The best ones are HD-A1, HD-XA1 or XA2.

 

[jcPanny]

Receivers

I have a similar Yamaha Receiver (HTR-5860) and recommend it. As you noted, the HDMI on the Pioneer is only a switch which doesn't buy you mutch. For HDMI sources, you can connect one directly to your HDTV for video and use a digital optical or coax cable to the receiver for Audio.

If you want a good audio transport and upscalling DVD player, check out the Oppo Digital models. I have the entry level DV970HD ($150) which will play SACD and DVD-A in addition to DVDs and CDs. Also FYI, when using a digital audio connection all CD and DVD players will sound the same because the Receiver will do the D/A conversion and bass management.

If you like the Klipsch sound, check out their Reference line at a local dealer. You can probably get a used set on Audiogon for the price of the lower end Synergy series. Also, HSU has a new Horn loaded bookshelf speaker system.

 

[Bassman2]

I have the RX-V659 for a few weeks now and just got a good DVD player TODAY (Denon DVD1930ci) to replace my 7 year old unit and the clean detail, life and punch I'm getting out of this thing is fantastic. I'm learning the lyrics to some of my favorite CD's for the first time! I'm hearing the first bit of air pass over the reed of the sax in that first fraction of a second before the note sounds, and the xylophone is right HERE....I mean just to my left front...right next to the COUCH! And I haven't even gotten any DVD-A's or SACD's yet! (Tomorrow)

Anyway
I cant help with your questions but I just thought I'd put in a plug for the little Yammy that has made all my old CD's new again. BTW, is that right about not being able to connect a blu-ray?


mfabien...I have my new universal DVD player going through the digital coax to the receiver, why do you recommend using analog?

 

[AVRat]

Bassman2, in order to hear multi-channel SACD/DVD-A, you need to run the multi-channel analog connections, digital coax/optical won't work. In order to run both formats digitally requires HDMI 1.2.

 

[Seth=L]

Instead of getting the RX-V659 you could get it's successor, the RX-V661. It has HDMI 1.2 (If memory serves me correct). It has Simplay certification, which supposedly clears up some HDMI issues. This receiver has got the goods.

 

[mike c]

Instead of getting the RX-V659 you could get it's predecessor, the RX-V661. It has HDMI 1.2 (If memory serves me correct). It has Simplay certification, which supposedly clears up some HDMI issues. This receiver has got the goods.

you mean successor

 

[Seth=L]

you mean successor

Post edited. Thanks, it felt wrong when I typed it, much better now.

 

[jcolon181]

To connect a Oppo DV-981HD DVD player to the Yamaha RX-2700

Yamaha 2700
Difinitive Technology BP2004, CLR 2002,BP2X and SuperCube I
Sharp LC-52D62U
Oppo DV-981HD DVD
XBOX-360
Harmony 890 remote




To connect a Oppo DV-981HD DVD player to the Yamaha RX-2700 should I use the Up scaling on the DVD player or the Receiver and do I have to configure the input / output on the receiver or is it plug and play type deal.

 

[Seth=L]

To connect a Oppo DV-981HD DVD player to the Yamaha RX-2700 should I use the Up scaling on the DVD player or the Receiver and do I have to configure the input / output on the receiver or is it plug and play type deal.

The scalar on the Oppo should be used, plug and play. (Simplay)