Hi. I'm Kevin and I'm an Audioholic

[Kevin T]

Hi.

I'm newly registered and posting to the forum per the suggestion on the confirmation page.

My goal is to update my HT to include better support or HD video and audio, first by replacing my current AV receiver with one that supports HDMI (repeating, not simply switching), and next by incorporating a better universal remote--preferably something backlit or a "value priced" touch screen like the Harmony 1000.

My current setup includes:

Mitsubishi WD-65831 65" DLP HDTV

Sony STR-DS 1080 receiver (If I have that model name right)

B&W 600 series speakers (603 front, 602 rear, 600 LCR center, ASW 500 sub, 601 for use as eventual rear effects speakers)

Klipsch SW8 sub#2

Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player (new in box from WalMart's $98 sale last week!)

Older Panasonic progressive scan DVD player soon to be replaced by the HD-A2

Ancient Sony CD 5 Disc player

I'm looking to upgrade my receiver sometime late this year, hopefully with the help of a big holiday sale somewhere. I'd like to spend under $1K if I can find an HDMI repeating receiver I like in that price range. Any suggestions are welcome...

Anyway, thanks to the site owners for making this resource available!

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hi.

I'm newly registered and posting to the forum per the suggestion on the confirmation page.

My goal is to update my HT to include better support or HD video and audio, first by replacing my current AV receiver with one that supports HDMI (repeating, not simply switching), and next by incorporating a better universal remote--preferably something backlit or a "value priced" touch screen like the Harmony 1000.

My current setup includes:

Mitsubishi WD-65831 65" DLP HDTV

Sony STR-DS 1080 receiver (If I have that model name right)

B&W 600 series speakers (603 front, 602 rear, 600 LCR center, ASW 500 sub, 601 for use as eventual rear effects speakers)

Klipsch SW8 sub#2

Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player (new in box from WalMart's $98 sale last week!)

Older Panasonic progressive scan DVD player soon to be replaced by the HD-A2

Ancient Sony CD 5 Disc player

I'm looking to upgrade my receiver sometime late this year, hopefully with the help of a big holiday sale somewhere. I'd like to spend under $1K if I can find an HDMI repeating receiver I like in that price range. Any suggestions are welcome...

Anyway, thanks to the site owners for making this resource available!

Your receiver should have the 5.1 analog input, not sure, in which case your A2 would convert the hi-def audio formats to 5.1 analog and pass it on. HDMI direct to the TV. The A2 will do pretty good upconversions too of dvds.
Or, Onkyo has some receivers that could meet your needs for under $1k.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum, Kevin!

 

[Kevin T]

Thanks!

Your receiver should have the 5.1 analog input, not sure, in which case your A2 would convert the hi-def audio formats to 5.1 analog and pass it on. HDMI direct to the TV. The A2 will do pretty good upconversions too of dvds.
Or, Onkyo has some receivers that could meet your needs for under $1k.

It does. There's no real urgency to upgrade, I suppose. I had wanted to do all of my switching at the receiver in order to make it easier to switch A/V sources, but I suppose a good universal remote could do the same thing, virtually. (Press one button on the remote to cause the display and the receiver to both switch inputs at the same time) As long as I have enough inputs on my display I could continue in that way indefinitely.

But then I wouldn't get to buy a new receiver.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Johnd]

Welcome to the forum Kevin.

Alaska, huh? I must say you are the only member that I know of from our northernmost state. I can see why you drink, errr, jam.

 

[mtrycrafts]

It does. There's no real urgency to upgrade, I suppose. I had wanted to do all of my switching at the receiver in order to make it easier to switch A/V sources, but I suppose a good universal remote could do the same thing, virtually. (Press one button on the remote to cause the display and the receiver to both switch inputs at the same time) As long as I have enough inputs on my display I could continue in that way indefinitely.
But then I wouldn't get to buy a new receiver.
Thanks,
Kevin

If and when you are ready to upgrade, make sure you have enough inputs for your needs or you will be in the same boat as you are not with them.

 

[Gasman]

Your receiver should have the 5.1 analog input, not sure, in which case your A2 would convert the hi-def audio formats to 5.1 analog and pass it on.

Problem with that is, the A2 has NO analog outputs.
So that is a no go.

But yeah, I agree for the price, it is hard to beat the current Onkyo's.
For model numbers look at the ones that handle the current audio formats.
(obviously in your price range)

For under $1k, I would look hard at the 705 (I'm pretty sure that is the model)
Let me find links.
This one - http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR705&class=Receiver&p=i
Or if you need more power, then look to the 805 (personally I would not bother with the 875)
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR805&class=Receiver&p=i
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR875&class=Receiver&p=i

The 875 adds a REON chip for video. But clearly that will come with cost.

My .02

 

[j_garcia]

The A2 has stereo analog out, not that that helps....Your only other choices are HDMI or optical.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Problem with that is, the A2 has NO analog outputs.
So that is a no go.

Thanks. How dare they market an HD player without that 5.1 out

 

[j_garcia]

Yep, you have to step up to the top models to get multichannel analog outs, and that is one of the reasons why the lower models are so cheap. People like to say that the HD-DVD players are cheaper, well you also don't get as much capability for that lower cost. When you step up to a fully featured model, it is the same price as a comparable Blu-ray player.