3.1 Setup

[Mountainear]

I am a noob to A/V receivers. I have researched my question, but not found similar info yet. I'm looking to buy an A/V receiver. However, I'm not wanting to buy rear surround speakers at this point. I would like to run my floorstanding L/R speakers, a sub, and get a center channel speaker to run. I asked a salesman about this. I think he was selling Yamaha and Pioneer receivers. He said with just the 3 speakers, I'd have to run the receiver in 6 channel stereo mode. He said if I ran it in 5.1 mode, I'd be losing a lot of sound. If true, it kind of discourages me from getting an A/V receiver. I have a stereo receiver. It does seem though that I'd be able to hear dialogue much better with a center channel and A/V receiver. Thanks for input.

As well, I would like to use an A/V receiver for my tv/listening room and, at a separate different time, run speakers outside for backyard movies/music. I've been hearing the Odyssey/MCAcc set-up calibration systems are nice and good to use. Are there A/V receivers that will keep the calibrations in memory, so I don't have to calibrate again every time I use the A/V for the different setting?

 

[Pyrrho]

The salesman does not know what he is talking about. During the setup, if you do not have speakers at all locations, you tell the receiver this (or it notices during automatic setup) and so the receiver will "know" this and redirect sound from channels that have no speaker hooked up to them to channels with speakers. Probably, the right rear will be redirected to the front right channel, and the left rear to the left front channel, though it is conceivable that they use some fancy processing instead (particularly if you pick some special DSP mode instead of simply decoding the signal). As for the setup memory, many receivers have that. You will want to download the manual of whatever receiver you are considering and read it carefully to make sure that the one you are wanting has the features you require. And most likely, no matter what receiver you select, the manual will be confusing. Read it anyway, and try to get as much out of it as possible.

Most likely, you will want to use the outdoor speakers as a "zone 2" type of connection to your receiver, and so it will know not to use the same setup automatically.

 

[Mountainear]

Thanks a bunch Pyrrho. I'm thinking of either a Denon AVR 2113 or Marantz SR5007 they've got on Amazon warehouse at this point.

 

[jcunwired]

One thing to note on the Denon 2113, which may or may not apply to you. You can read through the difference in the first two posts of this excellent Denon xx13 discussion at AVS, but in a nutshell preamp output for Zone 2 is line level. Translation, you'll need to add volume control if you ever plan on using an external amp. You can use the internal surround back amps without issue. If you ever envision needing separate amplifier step up to the 2313.

 

[Mountainear]

Thanks jcunwired, but I don't anticipate needing a separate amp for Zone 2....

 

[Mountainear]

Okay, I've finally made a decision. Just kept seeing negative comments about Denonxx13, xx12 models on Amazon, not that they are the be all or end all of av/sound knowledge, but they are readily available. Thought about the Pioneer 1222k, supposedly capable of storing more than one setting in its MCACC setup, but not quite the features as the others, trying to future-proof. Prices at A4L were too hard to turn away from, felt like Lot's wife? Could be a gamble, we will see. Had the Yamaha A820 in the cart, same advertised wattage, few to no negative reviews, quality control appeared good, basically same price as the Marantz 5007. Ended up ordering the Marantz 5007, Odyssey, and trying to give another brand a chance.

 

[Pyrrho]

Marantz is a respected brand, so you will probably be fine. Yamaha, Pioneer, and Denon are also worth looking at. I personally use a Yamaha, and am very happy with it.

But as for future proof, although I do not know what more one would want than what is available now, receiver manufacturers are always dreaming up new features that people feel like they have to have, so I would not want to bet on the idea that a receiver bought today will really be future proof. Speakers, including subwoofers, are future proof, because they do not require too many features. They also affect the sound more than anything else, so they are a great place to put most of one's sound budget.

Anyway, enjoy your new receiver!

 

[Mountainear]

Had a problem with bass sounding untight, waffly at times, over-reaching. After resetting the Marantz' microprocessor, it appears my untight bass problems may be solved. When I tried to connect my son's Nexus 7 to the Marantz, it kind of froze, wouldn't connect, also wouldn't allow me to make any changes to any settings or go to a menu, at least any displayed on my HDMI TV. It wouldn't display anything other than the non-connect error code. After researching the manual on CD, it suggested when acting strange, reset processor. Did so, now the tone control is unlocked. But now, it doesn't appear to need less bass. Before the reset the bass frequencies appeared to be late, lagging behind the beat of the music. Now, not at all. I've not tested DVD movie sound, but I'd bet its a little tighter bass-wise. Before the reset, the source information would show and appeared to default to stereo/music listening mode. Now it appears to default to Auto. Apologies to Crown amp powering my diy sub, it appears the Marantz receiver, or my lack of knowing how to run it, was to blame. Don't think I'm looking to get EQ or DSP now. Reset the Marantz microprocessor.... I did buy it refurbished from A4L, it likey has needed resetting all along.