Best Receiver for PS3

[nguyenpqh]

It is my understanding that the PS3 can only send DTS-HD and DDMA via LPCM. This being the case, am I correct in saying that purchasing a receiver that decodes these audio formats is unnecessary? If this is so, I'd like to hear suggestions as to which receiver will give me the most bang for my buck.

Thanks,
Peter

 

[Audioholics]

You will need/want a receiver that handles HDMI audio. Native decoding of dts-HD (not available natively on PS3, but via PCM) and Dolby TrueHD is not important.

With that said, I'd recommend something like this:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v663

 

[usfscaptain14]

what is lpcm?

 

[Seth=L]

what is lpcm?

Linear Pulse Code Modulation. It's essentially 0's and 1's that are indicated by pulses of electricity or light. PCM is a very common digital audio format, but it's compressed. The "linear" part indicates that the data is not compressed from the source. The PS3 is capable of decoding encoded audio bitstreams (Dolby Digital Plus, TrueHD, DTS-HD) and converting them to multichannel uncompressed (linear) PCM for high fidelity playback.

More important than processing abilities would be your speakers. If your speakers are sensitive and utilize amplifier power efficiently as well as an easy load (typically nominal 8 ohms) I would suggest something like the Marantz SR-4001/4002 or the Yamaha RX-V661/663. The Marantz SR-4002 and Yamaha RX-V663 are newer than the SR-4001 and RX-V661 and still allow decoding of multichannel linear PCM.

If more power is needed you may chose to add amplification to those receivers I recommended above, or get a more powerful receiver from a manufacturer such as Pioneer Elite, Yamaha, Onkyo, Marantz, Denon, and many others.

 

[usfscaptain14]

seth, Thanks for the schooling.

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

Since we're on the topic, and I'm sure this has been asked a billion times but I am going to ask anyway.

I am about to buy an Onkyo TX SR875. It is capable of decoding the new DTS 7.1 and DD 7.1 formats, but I keep reading people are waiting for a blu ray player that does something with those formats? Is it that the current lot of blu ray players aren't sending the audio signal to the receiver as optimally as it could? Is my understanding correct?

If someone could either fill me in so my head stops spinning or link me to an article on explaining what exactly is going on with the new hardware and how to match it up, it would be much appreciated.... I wanna get a decent understanding of this before I buy my new player and other equipment.

 

[Seth=L]

Since we're on the topic, and I'm sure this has been asked a billion times but I am going to ask anyway.

I am about to buy an Onkyo TX SR875. It is capable of decoding the new DTS 7.1 and DD 7.1 formats, but I keep reading people are waiting for a blu ray player that does something with those formats? Is it that the current lot of blu ray players aren't sending the audio signal to the receiver as optimally as it could? Is my understanding correct?

If someone could either fill me in so my head stops spinning or link me to an article on explaining what exactly is going on with the new hardware and how to match it up, it would be much appreciated.... I wanna get a decent understanding of this before I buy my new player and other equipment.

The method I described above for handling HD audio is superior. I see no reason why one would need or want to bitstream Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD to a receiver. If these processes occur inside the Blu-ray player it makes "Zero" audible difference, but allows you to get the secondary audio tracks as well (commentaries, menu sounds). If you where to bitstream Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD to the receiver those audio tracks would be ommited.

There is the misconception that having this data decoded inside the receiver is better performance wise, it's simply hogwash. The audio tracks are encoded into their respective formats and they are decoded (converted to linear PCM). The linear PCM is completely true to the HD audio format (this same process would occur in the receiver had it been bitstreamed to it). This uncompressed PCM is sent out over HDMI and the receiver runs it through it's DACs (Digital/analog convertors) for analog output. All the bass management and digital post processing are handled inside the receiver just as normal.

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

Thanks Seth, I appreciate you taking your time to reply.

So basically whether the receiver or the player decodes the LPCM bitstream, as long as one or the other does it it's all the same when it ends at our ears?

If it doesn't make a bit of difference why when the lot of HD audio capable receivers came out was everyone complaining that the players weren't up to speed?

So anyways, if I have a LPCM stream to my receiver, that's the ideal situation and I don't need to wonder if I am missing anything more, right? How does one tell if you are getting that? (I don't have my receiver yet )

 

[mouettus]

I would still like to see TrueHD light up on my RX-V1800... just for kicks. Then I could do some tests and see if I can hear a difference when the receiver decodes and processes. But yes... it is largely for kicks.

I bought that receiver cuz I needed more power for my Energy speakers and I figured why not get something with all the bells and whistles. And the receiver is beautiful Having previously owned another yamaha as my receiver, I'm getting sick of this orange display color though. The next one is a Marantz 7002 equivalent in approx. 5-7 years.

For the OP's question, you can save a lot of money by going with last year's models. Maybe even use that money to buy more power.

 

[Seth=L]

If it doesn't make a bit of difference why when the lot of HD audio capable receivers came out was everyone complaining that the players weren't up to speed?

I don't quite follow.

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

I don't quite follow.

Sorry, it's me, not you. I am not coming across making sense because I am the one who doesn't know what I am talking about...

How can I rephrase this... when the generation of receivers were released to market that could handle the HD audio streams, what was it that everyone was griping about? Was it that there was no true content available for them at that time or something?

I would still like to see TrueHD light up on my RX-V1800... just for kicks. Then I could do some tests and see if I can hear a difference when the receiver decodes and processes. But yes... it is largely for kicks.

So those format indicators will only light up if your receiver is handling the decoding?

 

[mouettus]

So those format indicators will only light up if your receiver is handling the decoding?

They will light up when your source sends you the bitstream signal (undecoded). The PS3 decodes the signal to LPCM and then sends it.

You can see it as an orange. I can give you a full orange and you have to peel it yourself before you eat it. Or I can give you only the quarters and then you just have to eat it. Same process done at different places. But then who really knows who peels better?

 

[crashkelly]

Hi all,

I am looking for a bit of info on this as well as my AVR is a bit "older" and will not decode the new sound formats.

My setup will be the Pioneer Elite VSX-81TXV with a Toshiba HD-A35 and a
PS3 hooked into it via HDMI. With the latest firmware update to the PS3, I now have players that can decode the latest and greatest sound formats and push them to the AVR via LPCM.

The/My question is regarding whether or not my thoughts are correct and that I will be able to enjoy the latest audio formats on my Hi-Def discs with my current AVR.

Thanks
Michael

 

[Hwypirt]

You shall not my son! Whoa be it unto you, alas you need a new AVR.

 

[crashkelly]

You shall not my son! Whoa be it unto you, alas you need a new AVR.

"You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talkin' to? You talkin' to me? Well I'm the only one here. Who the (insert naughty word here ) do you think you're talking to?"
Robert De Niro, 1976, Taxi Driver

Sorry, could not resist.

Actually, if you are talking to me, I might be in the market for a new AVR. I put my current AVR up for sale last night for what I paid for it and got a response. If it all comes to pass, I shall be back in the market.

WOOT, WOOT, an upgrade!! (shhhhhhhhh..... don't jinx it)

Cheers
Michael

 

[Seth=L]

Sorry, it's me, not you. I am not coming across making sense because I am the one who doesn't know what I am talking about...

How can I rephrase this... when the generation of receivers were released to market that could handle the HD audio streams, what was it that everyone was griping about? Was it that there was no true content available for them at that time or something?

Ok, I understand you now. Your earlier post is making a lot more sense now as well. Your first post really hit it on the head, the players where behind (at least in a sense that they couldn't bitstream Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, and Dolby Digital Plus). Also at that time the players were not able to decode anything beyond often just Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD (TrueHD was in stereo only). Quite a few of the original Blu-ray discs included a straight LPCM stream that would be essentially all one would need to get HD audio (only problem is that it takes up more disc space than one of the HD audio codecs).

Now we are seeing much more Blu-ray players capable of bitstreaming and also being equipped with all the HD audio processing available.

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

Thanks Seth, sorry for the confusion earlier.

So, with all that being said, is there really any need to buy a standalone blu-ray player if one were to already own a PS3?

I initially was going to buy the PS3 for gaming and a standalone player for movies but now it seems a little redundant, unless of course I am missing anything?

Is there anything a standalone player would do that the PS3 doesn't?

 

[patnshan]

Thanks Seth, sorry for the confusion earlier.

So, with all that being said, is there really any need to buy a standalone blu-ray player if one were to already own a PS3?

I initially was going to buy the PS3 for gaming and a standalone player for movies but now it seems a little redundant, unless of course I am missing anything?

Is there anything a standalone player would do that the PS3 doesn't?

Nope, no reason unless you need the analog outputs of a standalone. Otherwise there is no good reason you'd need both.

Pat

 

[Seth=L]

Nope, no reason unless you need the analog outputs of a standalone. Otherwise there is no good reason you'd need both.

Pat

What he said.

 

[ThA tRiXtA]

The PQ and everything is all the same? Wow, why is everyone not buying a PS3?!

Awesome, I just saved about 300 to 500 bones then! Not every day a person can say that.

Thanks again guys!