Pre/Pro around 400$ ?

[Kolia]

Hey guys,

I want to replace my NAD T743 so I can use it in my living room. The HT is in the basement, and I have no music in the house's main floor, which is just not right...

The things I want:

-Don't care about amp power (I have the XPA-5 for that)
-HD audio decoding
-HDMi upconvert of component video

I've been waiting forever for Emotiva to release their UMC-1, looking forward to use my fidelity rebate. But it's getting a wee bit too long now.

What other options might I have in the 400-450$ range ?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi Kolia,

Are you looking for only and strictly a Pre/Pro for only $400?

I guess you mean also a receiver to use as a Pre/Pro, right.

Well, there are quite a few good receivers in that range that would do.
About a Marantz? And for only $349.99

Here: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5002/Marantz/SR5002-receiver-90w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html
-> Just scroll down a bit.

Bob

 

[jostenmeat]

The things I want:

-Don't care about amp power (I have the XPA-5 for that)
-HD audio decoding
-HDMi upconvert of component video

I would reconsider your last requisite. Unless you have a seriously craptastic television, which I doubt, you will simply not find a receiver that does a better job of deinterlacing, or scaling, than your TV at anywhere near your budget.

Then consider that by using multiple inputs on your TV, you then have the flexiblity to calibrate video per source input.

Finally, it'll open up more options for you.

EDIT: I see the Kuro in your sig. Yeah, hmm. IF the reason for receiver upconversion is pure and simple convenience, I would sit and think about just how inconvenient it is to hit a button on the TV remote to switch inputs. That's assuming you don't have a universal remote to begin with.

 

[Lordoftherings]

You ask for the Universe, I give you the Moon, Venus & Neptune.

^ Josten just above is quite right.

Now if you're willing to stretch your budget to $1,000, you can get the
Onkyo Pro PR-SC886P for $999.99
* MOON > http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKPRSC886/Onkyo/PR-SC886-THX-Ultra2-Plus-7.1-Channel-3-Zone-Preamplifier/Processor-/1.html

Or the model predecessor, the Onkyo Pro PR-SC885P is $749.99

If you want to stay within your restricted budget, here's your best bet,
the Marantz SR5003 for $549.99
* VENUS > http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5003/Marantz/SR5003-Dolby-TrueHD-/-dts-HD-Master-Audio-AV-Receiver/1.html
-> Just scroll down a bit.

Or the Onkyo TX-SR705 for only $449.99
* NEPTUNE > http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR705SA/Onkyo/TX-SR705-THX-100w-x-7ch-Theater-Receiver-SILVER-NEW/1.html

*** These three planets are the very best ones for their price range.
Nothing else would do. Unless there is another one that I'm not aware at these very low prices.

Bob

 

[chris357]

b&k ref 30 or ref 50 both are very nice. The 20 is a little less and the 50 is a little more than your budget

 

[Kolia]

I would reconsider your last requisite. Unless you have a seriously craptastic television, which I doubt, you will simply not find a receiver that does a better job of deinterlacing, or scaling, than your TV at anywhere near your budget.

Then consider that by using multiple inputs on your TV, you then have the flexiblity to calibrate video per source input.

Finally, it'll open up more options for you.

EDIT: I see the Kuro in your sig. Yeah, hmm. IF the reason for receiver upconversion is pure and simple convenience, I would sit and think about just how inconvenient it is to hit a button on the TV remote to switch inputs. That's assuming you don't have a universal remote to begin with.

I have a harmony One remote.

I want to reduce the number of wires going to my display. Right now, I have one HDMi, a triplet of components and a S-video (for receiver monitor).

I plan to go to a projector in the future so any pre/pro/receiver I get for the HT needs to be able to send every sources via one HDMi. Routing multiple cables up to the ceiling isn't going to work for me!

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[bandphan]

I have a harmony One remote.

I want to reduce the number of wires going to my display. Right now, I have one HDMi, a triplet of components and a S-video (for receiver monitor).

I plan to go to a projector in the future so any pre/pro/receiver I get for the HT needs to be able to send every sources via one HDMi. Routing multiple cables up to the ceiling isn't going to work for me!

Thanks for the suggestions.

Ill say what meat was saying again, no avrs or pres in your price point will do as good as your display. If you want to use a avr as a switcher that's fine just pass the signals as native. IMO calibration per input per source is the best for video quality. The extra wires while they may seem to be much, but if video quality is important may be necessary.

 

[Kolia]

The receiver will only serve as a switch. No scaling involved, just to get the component signal from the XBox and whatever game format it is and send it to the display.

I only need to calibrate the display for movies.

Zombies will die just as well and Stargates will still lead to new adventures if slightly off color ! lol!

Thanks.