A clean, simple Pre-pro or receiver that converts to HDMI?

[ohio]

So my Onkyo TX-NR900 just abruptly died (shows power, but no display or actual function). I'm assuming it won't be worth it to try to have it fixed.

I never used 95% of the "functionality" on the Onkyo (set the speaker levels and called it a day), so now I want something simple and clean. 5 channels or more, high quality, no frills. Basically just like the Emotiva LMC-1/LPA-1. The only problem is I want something that will switch component to HDMI. It's a small point, but my goal is to simplify and for ~$900 I don't want to have to run an extra cable to the TV or switch the inputs on the TV (W.. uh, GF AF). It's also mildly annoying to me that the HDMI switch is external but not a deal breaker.

So is there anything similar out there? Obviously no other separates at that price, but I don't need seperates. Anything from NAD, Adcom, Rotel, B&k (but that I can actually afford... can't drop more than ANOTHER $1000 on this stuff)?

Edit: to be clear, I don't care about up-conversion... I'll have an up-converting DVD player, and soon enough all the sources I care about will be HD anyway.

 

[ohio]

edit2 (it won't let me edit again?): I mean up-scaling. Don't need it. I DO need up-conversion.

 

[MDS]

It's a recent 'feature' of the site - you only have a few minutes to edit your original post and then its there for all of eternity.

I'd go with another Onkyo if you liked your previous model. I've had many over the years and keep buying them because they have never given me any problems. If you need upconversion ('transcoding') from component to HDMI you need to look at the 674 or the new lineup which includes the 605 and higher models. The 5-series includes HDMI switching but no conversion.

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha RX-V1600

I have seen some refurbished Yamaha RX-V1600s on ubid for about $400. It has the HDMI features you need (upconversion, but not upscalling) and a decent amp. You would have enough money left to add the emotiva or other amp if desired. The new Onkyo should have plenty of HDMI features but it doesn't have pre-amp outputs.

Also, the next generation of Emotiva pre-pros out early next year will include HDMI 1.3, audio setup, and other features.

 

[Seth=L]

I have seen some refurbished Yamaha RX-V1600s on ubid for about $400. It has the HDMI features you need (upconversion, but not upscalling) and a decent amp. You would have enough money left to add the emotiva or other amp if desired. The new Onkyo should have plenty of HDMI features but it doesn't have pre-amp outputs.

Also, the next generation of Emotiva pre-pros out early next year will include HDMI 1.3, audio setup, and other features.

Which new Onkyo, the 605? The 805 is around the budget and it has preouts, and power so plentiful it makes me drool. It is a feature laden receiver, but Onkyo does have a very nice user interface. I am also getting the feeling our OP is not interested in another Onkyo at this time, given their very nice one just pooped out.

 

[ohio]

Which new Onkyo, the 605? The 805 is around the budget and it has preouts, and power so plentiful it makes me drool. It is a feature laden receiver, but Onkyo does have a very nice user interface. I am also getting the feeling our OP is not interested in another Onkyo at this time, given their very nice one just pooped out.

It's partly that, although I realize there are flukes. I can get the "features" I want (and another 50 I don't care about) out of a ~$400 reciever, but the amp/sound won't come close to my old one. The 805 probably has similar sound/quality though the 905 takes the same place in the line-up as my old one... but all of them have more crap stuffed into them than I want.

Maybe I should have warned that I'm a product designer, and specialize in consumer electronics (although flat panel TVs are the closest I've come to home audio design).

I'm seduced by the simplicity and higher quality of something like the Emotiva and will probably end up with that, and then only have to switch out the processor down the road (at 40% off) to get the streamlined functionality I feel like is just around the corner. The TX-NR900 IS going to a service center and for $50 I'll find out what went wrong... if the repair is $300 or less, I'll just keep it.

 

[ohio]

Also, the next generation of Emotiva pre-pros out early next year will include HDMI 1.3, audio setup, and other features.

Yeah, that's the part that's really killing me... why couldn't it break 6 months later!?!

Good suggestion on the Yammy and using it as a pre-pro. That could work pretty well...

 

[Lindahl]

Get the Denon AVR-887 and use it's pre-outs to feed seperate amplifiers. It transcodes to HDMI. Has full 1080p24 and 7.1 PCM support, along with DPLIIx on 5.1 PCM. Add the LPA-1 for $1200 total, and call it a day. Should carry you into the next decade. It even passes through 480i component to 480i HDMI (not all transcoders do this).

 

[ohio]

Yeah, that's the part that's really killing me... why couldn't it break 6 months later!?!

Good news: the Onkyo is getting fixed for $125. That should last me awhile longer until the Emotiva LP series has better HDMI support.