Need help choosing a new receiver

[propman07]

Hi-

I was going to try to add a Blue-Ray player to my HT setup, or possibly a PS-3, but I ran into a little snag. The TV that I have is a Sony KDF-60XS955 (60" HD LCD, 1080i), and it only has two HDMI inputs, both of which are being used. One of them is being fed a DirecTV HD DVR HDMI signal and the other is being fed by my HTPC. I was looking at getting a HDMI switch, but I figured that I might want to start looking at receivers as the one I have is a little dated. It's a Sony STR-DA5000ES that still works, but it lacks HDMI input/output.

For speakers, I have a Polk main speakers, and a SVS powered sub:

Front Main: Polk RTi10
Center: Polk CSi5
Surround: Polk FXi3
Subwoofer: SVS-PB12-ISD

Usage for the entire system is about 75% TV viewing, 15% movies, and 10% music (served via toslink from the HTPC through i-Tunes)

I have been looking at a few receivers from Denon and Onkyo, in particular the following:

Onkyo TX-SR876 Onkyo TX-NR906
Denon AVR-4308CI Denon AVR-3808CI

Budget for the new receiver and Blue-Ray/PS-3 is between $2.5k and $3k.

Thanks

 

[Midcow2]

Check this HDMI switch

Iwouldn't upgrade AVR just to get more HDMI inputs. Check into this switch first:

At $40.60 from Monoprice:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=4066&seq=1&format=2

Good Luck,

MidCow2

 

[propman07]

Iwouldn't upgrade AVR just to get more HDMI inputs. Check into this switch first:

At $40.60 from Monoprice:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=4066&seq=1&format=2

Good Luck,

MidCow2

MidCow2-

Thanks for the link for the switch. It looks like it isn't available at the moment, but I will look into it when it becomes available. The other reason that I was going to upgrade the AVR was to get some sort of an on screen display. My 5000ES doesn't have that.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well Midcow is right on spending so much just to get more HDMI's....but if you feel you need the OSD....then that is a whole other issue. That aside, the Denons definitely have the advantage with their new GUI which is absolutely fantastic---if we are talking strictly in terms of the on screen display. All the receivers you listed are top notch choices and would power your system without a single issue....

Really comes down to your needs and personal preference as they are all excellent AVRs...

 

[propman07]

Well Midcow is right on spending so much just to get more HDMI's....but if you feel you need the OSD....then that is a whole other issue. That aside, the Denons definitely have the advantage with their new GUI which is absolutely fantastic---if we are talking strictly in terms of the on screen display. All the receivers you listed are top notch choices and would power your system without a single issue....

Really comes down to your needs and personal preference as they are all excellent AVRs...

Thanks for your reply. How is your Denon when it comes to driving your RTi12s?

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Oh it does just fine....you hear so much about the RTi12's needing alot of power but the fact is they are 90db sensitive with a 8ohm rating which makes them efficient speakers regardless of how many drivers they have in the cabinet....

So the 3808ci has more than enough power to drive them in my room....as do all the other AVRs you listed especially the 4308ci and the Onkyos which have very robust amp sections...

 

[propman07]

Oh it does just fine....you hear so much about the RTi12's needing alot of power but the fact is they are 90db sensitive with a 8ohm rating which makes them efficient speakers regardless of how many drivers they have in the cabinet....

So the 3808ci has more than enough power to drive them in my room....as do all the other AVRs you listed especially the 4308ci and the Onkyos which have very robust amp sections...

I have heard the same thing about the 10s that I have as well. I have been trying to find info on how my 5000 would compare amp wise to the Denons and the Onkyos.

 

[bandphan]

op why not run component out of the dtv box?

 

[propman07]

thanks for the reply. I thought that I would get a better signal off of the hdmi compared to the component output.

 

[kranko]

I also need some help...

After reading this forum I canceled an order I made last night for the Marantz SR 4002. I had purchased this after receiving a Sony Blu-ray BDP-S350 for Christmas and realizing my 10 year old Sony STR-DE835 just wasn't going to cut it anymore. Reading here I find that the SR4002 doesn't support the DTS and TrueHD sound from the BD.

I have the Blu-ray, Xbox 360 and HD DVR all of which I'd like to hook-up through HDMI for optimum performance. I want something that can handle the 3 HDMI's and supports the Blu-ray's sound capabilities.

Also, my TV is a Sony KDS-A2000 and I can't figure out if it's HDMI 1.3 or not, so if anyone could let me know I would appreciate that.

My fronts are Paradigm Performance Series 7se MkII
Center is Paradigm CC 350
Rears are small Paradigm shelve units
No woofer as the wife can't stand the bass (too much titanium in the ankle)

So my questions would start with...if I did get the Marantz SP4002 how much sound quality would I be missing out on? Is the Yamaha RX-V663 the better option in this price range, even though it only has 2 HDMI ins? (I really wanted a Marantz and know nothing about Yamaha)

I don't have much of a budget here as this is kind of an unexpected "need" for me. Any suggestions would be great, thanks!