Please recommend a simple to use 5.1 receiver

[larietrope]

I am not into all the bells and whistles of Home Theater. I want a simple to set up 5.1 receiver.
Is there such a thing ? I've looked at Sony, Yamaha, and Pioneer and some of them don't allow for sound to come through the HDMI cable and you must use a coax and some even require an optical cable in addition.
Help !

 

[rnatalli]

I like the Denon 1610/590 myself. It has a good amp section, Audyssey MultEQ, and all the HD decoders (audio via HDMI). You can find it at Electronics Expo for under $300 shipped using the "RECEIVERSALE" coupon.

 

[JerryLove]

Some don't support HDMI audio because they don't process HDMI. Some don't even work as a pass-through. I'd hardly call "run one cable for video and the other for audio" complex, but it's subjective.

But if you spend more money, you'll get HDMI audio. Given that I don't know what you consider simple (do you want one with autocalibration to make calibration simple, or do you not plan on calibrating because that's complex?), I don't know how to answer.

Marantz has very few buttons.

 

[AVRat]

Budget????

 

[sholling]

Onkyo receivers are very easy to setup. Look at the TX-SR607 TX-SR707, or TX-NR807 depending on your power needs. A couple of clicks of the remote and it'll set itself up.

 

[Seth=L]

The Pioneer VSX-519 will decode audio over HDMI (just not Dolby Digital Plus/TrueHD and DTS-HD). It will decode 5.1 lossless PCM if the connected Blu-ray player decodes the Dolby Digital Plus/TrueHD and DTS-HD internally. It will also decode legacy Dolby Digital and DTS formats which you may not be able to tell a difference between Dolby Digital Plus/TrueHD and DTS-HD and the down converted legacy formats. I believe the Pioneer VSX-519 is a great bargain for what it does, and it's got a decent amp section as well.

 

[rnatalli]

The Pioneer VSX-519 will decode audio over HDMI (just not Dolby Digital Plus/TrueHD and DTS-HD). It will decode 5.1 lossless PCM if the connected Blu-ray player decodes the Dolby Digital Plus/TrueHD and DTS-HD internally. It will also decode legacy Dolby Digital and DTS formats which you may not be able to tell a difference between Dolby Digital Plus/TrueHD and DTS-HD and the down converted legacy formats. I believe the Pioneer VSX-519 is a great bargain for what it does, and it's got a decent amp section as well.

I agree if we're talking under $200.

If the OP can swing another $70-$80, the Audyssey MultEQ and power consumption at 516W of the Denon is worth it IMO. The 519 only has basic MCACC which I believe sets up speaker levels only (no EQ) and power consumption at 240W.

 

[speakerman39]

Since the op is focusing on a 5.1 receiver, then I highly recommend this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120131

Given the $280 dollar price tag along with free S&H really makes for a great deal. If, on the other hand, the op can up his budget some I would opt for this one instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120146&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL120309&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL120309-_-Receivers-_-LE4B-_-82120146

Not bad at all for $318 with free S&H. As has been said before, the op should focus on the FEATURES that he needs and look for the best deal given a reputable brand. More specifically, Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer, and etc. all make excellent receivers. Good luck on your decision.



Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

I am not into all the bells and whistles of Home Theater. I want a simple to set up 5.1 receiver.
Is there such a thing ? I've looked at Sony, Yamaha, and Pioneer and some of them don't allow for sound to come through the HDMI cable and you must use a coax and some even require an optical cable in addition.
Help !

Several great suggestions here. So, if you don't mind me asking what did you decide on? I appreciate how you are attempting to make a well informed decision. Just curious which receiver you went with.



Cheers,

Phil