Very confused newbie needs help with AV receiver choice

[katmu]

I am starting from scratch so I will be purchasing a new TV (42" Panasonic 1080p Plasma), 2 front speakers (Axiom M3s), subwoofer, (Axiom 350) and a receiver. I've been looking at Marantz and Onkyo speakers at accessories4less but I'm stumped as to which one to go with - Marantz SR4002, SR4003, SR5002, SR6001 or Onkyo TX-SR607.

The room is 13' X 13' X 9' with 2 wide openings to the adjoining rooms. Use will be for a mix of movies, music and gaming (XBox 360).

I would plan to add a center channel and 2 surround speakers in about 6 months.

 

[captiankirk28]

I am starting from scratch so I will be purchasing a new TV (42" Panasonic 1080p Plasma), 2 front speakers (Axiom M3s), subwoofer, (Axiom 350) and a receiver. I've been looking at Marantz and Onkyo speakers at accessories4less but I'm stumped as to which one to go with - Marantz SR4002, SR4003, SR5002, SR6001 or Onkyo TX-SR607.

The room is 13' X 13' X 9' with 2 wide openings to the adjoining rooms. Use will be for a mix of movies, music and gaming (XBox 360).

I would plan to add a center channel and 2 surround speakers in about 6 months.

The Marantz SR6001 %100

 

[lsiberian]

The Marantz SR6001 %100

Agreed! With Marantz you want the highest number possible after the SR.

6001> than all others.

The 607 is not in the same class as the marantz receivers IMO. It's a great budget receiver though.

 

[katmu]

Thanks that's pretty much what I thought.

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks that's pretty much what I thought.

I would suggest you at least glance at the harman audio store the auctions have been really low for their receivers as of late due to the economy.

 

[forkbeard]

What about 8 channel LPCM over HDMI

Agreed! With Marantz you want the highest number possible after the SR.

6001> than all others.

The 607 is not in the same class as the marantz receivers IMO. It's a great budget receiver though.

I know the 6001 won't decode the new lossless multichannel codecs. But will it handle multichannel PCM over HDMI if the (eventual and future) Blu-ray player does the decoding? Try as I may, I can't seem to find this critical piece of info. The promotional literature makes it clear that the 5002 can handle it. But what about the 6001?

Does the HDMI spec (1.2) tell me what I need to know, and I just don't know how to interpret it? In general, how does one know if any given receiver can
handle 7.1 LPCM over HDMI?

 

[katmu]

I know the 6001 won't decode the new lossless multichannel codecs. But will it handle multichannel PCM over HDMI if the (eventual and future) Blu-ray player does the decoding? Try as I may, I can't seem to find this critical piece of info. The promotional literature makes it clear that the 5002 can handle it. But what about the 6001?

Does the HDMI spec (1.2) tell me what I need to know, and I just don't know how to interpret it? In general, how does one know if any given receiver can
handle 7.1 LPCM over HDMI?

Does this answer your question?

• Decoding for High Definition (HD) Audio from Blu-ray Disc™ or HD DVD (via HDMI with 7.1 Multi-channel PCM)

 

[katmu]

Info was found here:

http://http://www.qualifi.com.au/index.jsp?referrer=1043&section=brands&page=product_detail&product=53388

 

[forkbeard]

Thanks for the info and link

Does this answer your question?

• Decoding for High Definition (HD) Audio from Blu-ray Disc™ or HD DVD (via HDMI with 7.1 Multi-channel PCM)

Does it answer my question? Sort of. But things still seem vague.

"Decoding for HD Audio" to me means it will decode HD audio. But I don't think the 6001 will do that. It does say "7.1 Multi-channel PCM", but doesn't specify "over HDMI". Why must it be so difficult? I just want a common and easy-to-understand terminology that is used consistently.

So still, how does one know if any given receiver can process 7.1 LPCM over HDMI? Does the HDMI spec contain this piece of info?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Does it answer my question? Sort of. But things still seem vague.

"Decoding for HD Audio" to me means it will decode HD audio. But I don't think the 6001 will do that. It does say "7.1 Multi-channel PCM", but doesn't specify "over HDMI". Why must it be so difficult? I just want a common and easy-to-understand terminology that is used consistently.

So still, how does one know if any given receiver can process 7.1 LPCM over HDMI? Does the HDMI spec contain this piece of info?

HDMI version 1.1 and higher will take Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA from it's HDMI input and will ouput it as a high resolution Multichannel LPCM Audio.
The Marantz SR6001 (HDMI version 1.2) is good to go.

 

[forkbeard]

Thanks LOTR

So it IS in the HDMI spec! I thought it might be.

Still, some receivers with HDMI (v. >= 1.1) will only do pass-through and switching for audio, right? Others will actually process and convert the PCM to analog. They usually call that 'repeating', though 'processing' seems a more accurate term to me.

So is it valid to say that that an AVR with HDMI (v. >= 1.1) and repeating will always be able to process and convert a 7.1 LCPM coming from a Blu-ray player?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Simplicity in itself.

So it IS in the HDMI spec! I thought it might be.

Still, some receivers with HDMI (v. >= 1.1) will only do pass-through and switching for audio, right? Others will actually process and convert the PCM to analog. They usually call that 'repeating', though 'processing' seems a more accurate term to me.

So is it valid to say that that an AVR with HDMI (v. >= 1.1) and repeating will always be able to process and convert a 7.1 LCPM coming from a Blu-ray player?

Yes, it is in the HDMI spec.

I thought that HDMI version 1.0 is the one that do Pass-Through for the Audio. And HDMI version 1.1 and higher will take the high res. audio signals and convert them to digital multichannel LPCM audio.

The term "repeating" refer to the Video equation.

"Processing", "conversion", downconversion", "transformation", "regeneration", "uplifting", "upconversion", or any other term, whatever you prefer to call it; the main thing is that you still have the full high resolution audio coming through the HDMI input, and output to all your loudspeakers.

As for your last statement validity, YES, you still benefit fully from the new high resolution audio codecs. The only difference, is that you lost their logos in your front panel display, which are now replaced by "Multichannel LPCM".

* So, in the end, it's just a question of what you prefer to see with your eyes only, in the front panel display of your receiver; because your ears, them, won't know the difference.

Bob

 

[sholling]

The Marantz is quite a deal but the Onkyo has a more advanced feature set. 4x HDMI 1.3, all of the latest audio decoding, and individual speaker crossover settings. The mains, center, surrounds, back surrounds can all be crossed over to the subwoofer at different frequencies. Something that I find very useful. For example the frequency response of your mains (front L&R) may be 80-20,000hz, your center 100-20,000hz and your surrounds 120-20,000hz. The Onkyo 606 will let you set the ideal crossover for each. Most older receivers would force you to pick a single compromise crossover frequency. I'm not sure if the Marantz does that. Of course if all of your speakers are identical then it won't matter.

As an example in my family room I crossover my tower mains at 40hz, my center at 80, and my surrounds at 100hz. In my bedroom I crossover my smaller mains at 80, my center at 80, and my dinky surrounds at 100hz. The older receiver in my office forces me to set one crossover point that is higher than I'd like.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Two great receivers at a great price.

Sholling, you are absolutely right.

But, I do believe the Onkyo TX-SR606 is sold out now (was only $320). Yes it is (sold out).
Unless there is another place that sells it close to that price.
Anyway the TX-SR607 can be had for only $350 right now at 6th ave, with their Price Alert deal.
* http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=ONKTXSR607
* Price Alert: http://www.6ave.com/shop/PriceAlert.aspx?id=ONKTXSR607

But, the Marantz SR6001, which is a great receiver in it's own right, is selling for only $350, which is a huge discount of 71% off! An amazing deal! At accesories 4 less.
* http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6001/Marantz/SR6001-receiver-100w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html

If you want the latest with 6 HDMI inputs! and all the audio decoders included, plus separate x-overs for each set of speakers, plus Dolby Pro Logic IIz, plus great power in even all 7 channels driven continuously; the Onkyo TX-SR607 fits the bill perfectly.

But if you also want great sound, pre-outs for all channels, and you could do with only 2 HDMI inputs, and you can accept a choice of a single x-over point for all your speakers, solid build receiver with the Marantz name, ability to take full benefit of the new high resolution audio through Multichannel PCM from the digital HDMI version 1.2, like the Marantz sweet, warm and articulate sound with robust power and great dynamic reserves; then the Marantz SR6001 could be just your ticket.

In the end, these two receivers are great, it's a question of priority of features and sound preference. Value wise, they are equivalent and their price are exactly the same.

"Different strokes for different folks".

 

[katmu]

Sholling, you are absolutely right.

But, I do believe the Onkyo TX-SR606 is sold out now (was only $320). Yes it is (sold out).
Unless there is another place that sells it close to that price.
Anyway the TX-SR607 can be had for only $350 right now at 6th ave, with their Price Alert deal.
* http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=ONKTXSR607
* Price Alert: http://www.6ave.com/shop/PriceAlert.aspx?id=ONKTXSR607

But, the Marantz SR6001, which is a great receiver in it's own right, is selling for only $350, which is a huge discount of 71% off! An amazing deal! At accesories 4 less.
* http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6001/Marantz/SR6001-receiver-100w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html

If you want the latest with 6 HDMI inputs! and all the audio decoders included, plus separate x-overs for each set of speakers, plus Dolby Pro Logic IIz, plus great power in even all 7 channels driven continuously; the Onkyo TX-SR607 fits the bill perfectly.

But if you also want great sound, pre-outs for all channels, and you could do with only 2 HDMI inputs, and you can accept a choice of a single x-over point for all your speakers, solid build receiver with the Marantz name, ability to take full benefit of the new high resolution audio through Multichannel PCM from the digital HDMI version 1.2, like the Marantz sweet, warm and articulate sound with robust power and great dynamic reserves; then the Marantz SR6001 could be just your ticket.

In the end, these two receivers are great, it's a question of priority of features and sound preference. Value wise, they are equivalent and their price are exactly the same.

"Different strokes for different folks".

What are your thoughts about maybe spending an extra $150 to go with the Marantz SR7001? I would have 4 HDMI inputs then. I would like to make the right choice so I don't feel like I'm going to want to upgrade in a year or two.

 

[Lordoftherings]

YES, go for it.

What are your thoughts about maybe spending an extra $150 to go with the Marantz SR7001? I would have 4 HDMI inputs then. I would like to make the right choice so I don't feel like I'm going to want to upgrade in a year or two.

YES, excellent wise decision. At only $500, the Marantz SR7001 is a no-brainer.
And just like you said, 4 HDMI (version 1.2) inputs is indeed a great number.

Way to go, I highly encouraged you to do so. You won't regret it, and you'll be amazed by this baby, oh yeah! This receiver has a retail price of $1,400.
That's a 65% discount! It's a Close Out sale.
* http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR7001/Marantz/SR7001-receiver-THX-110w-x-7ch-HDMI-CLOSEOUT-/1.html
-> Just scroll down a bit.

* Marantz SR7001 web site: http://us.marantz.com/Products/1881.asp

Cheers,

Bob

 

[bandphan]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56484

if its still for sale

 

[cjsiv]

Agree with all. Onkyos run way too hot for my comfort (unless you need a space heater in which case it may be comfortable)

 

[Lordoftherings]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56484

if its still for sale

Of course it is. If you would have click on my link, you would have notice that it is in stock and still on sale. So, why do you ask?
Close Out doesn't mean "Not in sale anymore". Sold Out means "Out of Stock".

Now if you can find the Onkyo TX-SR805 A/V receiver for only $450, that would be a great score.
Between it and the Marantz SR7001, it's a toss up in my book.

Bob

 

[bandphan]

Of course it is. If you would have click on my link, you would have notice that it is in stock and still on sale. So, why do you ask?
Close Out doesn't mean "Not in sale anymore". Sold Out means "Out of Stock".


Bob

I was talking about Jeremys in the classified that i linked . And yes bob im aware what closeouts are