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.