Advice - Upgrading AVR for HD Audio Formats

[Chitown2477]

I am thinking about upgrading my Yamaha RX-V1600 to the Yamaha RX-V663, RX-V863, RX-V1900 primarily to get the HD audio formats. The first mistake I made was buying the RX-V1600 about six months before all HD audio formats or HMDI 1.3 became widely available/affordable. I’d like to not let this happen again. I want this next receiver to be my receiver for the next 10 years or so.

I do like my RX-V1600 for the power, preprogrammed surround programs, Pure Direct (though I don’t use it much), and generally I think it is a solid receiver. I also like Yamaha receivers in general, but have seen some nice Denons. Listening mix is 70% movies / 20% games / 10% music.

My current setup is:
• Sony Bravia 1080p 52”
• Playstation 3 (games and movies)
• Xbox 360 w/HD-DVD attachment
• Front Floorstanders – Klipsch RF-52 (100W RMS)
• Center – Klipsch RC-52 (125W RMS)
• Rear Surrounds – Klipsch RS-42 (75W RMS)
• DefTech SuperCube III powered subwoofer
• DirecTv HD receiver
• Panamax power conditioner
• 2 to 1 HDMI switcher

Please let me know your thoughts on the following:
• Is the audio difference in HD audio formats noticeable?
• How is the selection of preprogrammed surround programs on the RX-V663 and RX-V863?
• How much power do I need sufficient power my speakers, particularly the fronts? (this is perhaps my biggest determent next to the difference is HD audio format)

I like the RX-V1900 because of the overall features, setup versatility for the future, and clear front face (i.e. the sliding cover), and the audio prick in me saying it simply looks like a bad *** receiver. I had to be honest about that part. In to the future I hope to have a dedicated home theater room but nothing high-end. More than likely a basement or family room that I can retreat to.

I will either sell my RX-V1600 or hold on to it for a future spare room receiver. I can’t imagine its worth much without HDMI 1.3a.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[armaraas]

For your first question, please refer to this thread-
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47184

I am looking to upgrade to an HDMI receiver too since I just got a ps3. However it appears doing it for HD audio alone may not really be a noticable difference/advantage. For me, I am running out of optical connections on my receiver and just bought a $11 adapter to convert optical to coaxial for now. So that's going to be my big reason to upgrade.

I can't say for differences between the two models without looking them up...
However, I believe Klipsch speakers are generally pretty sensitive, so I do not think the power difference between the two should deter you one way or the other. I did not look up your specific speakers, but someone else more familiar with them may chime in.

 

[Chitown2477]

Thanks for the link. I hardly look at that section. I will more often now.

 

[bandphan]

If you want to upgrade your ht experience think about changing the sub out
With the AVRs your speakers do not require high power to play loud, so choose an avr that has the features you need. Most AVRs will not have audiable sound difference so if you want to veer from yama dont be affraid to.

 

[jcPanny]

HDMI audio

FYI,
Your Yamaha RX-V1600 should have HDMI 1.1 switching and audio processing features you need. The only advantage of HDMI 1.3 models is that they can do the decoding on the receiver, but all BluRay and HD-DVD players will do the decoding internally and output multi channel PCM via HDMI.

Hang on to the 1600 and spend you money on the sub or other upgrade.

 

[fmw]

HD audio doesn't appear to be a very good reason to change equipment since tests have shown that most people can't tell it from regular audio. If you want to change receivers I would recommend doing it for some other reason.

 

[Chitown2477]

FYI,
Your Yamaha RX-V1600 should have HDMI 1.1 switching and audio processing features you need. The only advantage of HDMI 1.3 models is that they can do the decoding on the receiver, but all BluRay and HD-DVD players will do the decoding internally and output multi channel PCM via HDMI.

Hang on to the 1600 and spend you money on the sub or other upgrade.

I have thought about this but the reciever will not pass video via HMDI 1.1.

 

[Votrax]

For your first question, please refer to this thread-
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47184

I am looking to upgrade to an HDMI receiver too since I just got a ps3. However it appears doing it for HD audio alone may not really be a noticable difference/advantage.

Just an FYI: The PS3 will not output Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD according to the manual even though it has HDMI 1.3 output. That sealed the deal for my new reciever purchase. I'm just sticking with my HK receiver until I buy a Blu-ray player that supports HD audio.

 

[jcPanny]

HDMI video

I have thought about this but the reciever will not pass video via HMDI 1.1.

Give it a try, the 1600 should do HDMI 1.1 audio and video. I am not aware of any sources that take advantage of the "TrueColor" video feature of HDMI 1.3 or any displays that will use it so you are not missing out on anything.

 

[Chitown2477]

Give it a try, the 1600 should do HDMI 1.1 audio and video. I am not aware of any sources that take advantage of the "TrueColor" video feature of HDMI 1.3 or any displays that will use it so you are not missing out on anything.

I meant to say it will not pass 1080p

 

[armaraas]

Just an FYI: The PS3 will not output Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD according to the manual even though it has HDMI 1.3 output. That sealed the deal for my new reciever purchase. I'm just sticking with my HK receiver until I buy a Blu-ray player that supports HD audio.

Sorry, not to hijack, but felt I should point this out...
The ps3 will decode for Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD as of the last couple of firmware updates. Those formats cannot be bitstreamed to a receiver for the receiver to decode, and cannot be sent out via the optical output because optical does not have the bandwidth for the HD audio.

Since the ps3 can now decode these formats though, it can send it out via HDMI in multichannel PCM. To get them all you need is a receiver that can accept multichannel PCM via HDMI, the receiver doesn't need to decode. So basically I just need an HDMI receiver (not sure if it needs to be 1.3), but I will get one with decoding abilities for future flexibility anyway.

Quotes and links to ps3 info:
Video
Blu-ray Disc playback now supports DTS-HD Master Audio™ and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio™ output.*

Firmware updates archive (hope the link works right)-
http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/About/SystemUpdate/history.html#update230

Latest firmware-
http://www.us.playstation.com/PS3/About/SystemUpdate

 

[Chitown2477]

I decided to buy a new sofa with a recliner on each side to add to my sitting area in where home surround system is - the living room. Given the responses and research I have done, this seemed like a more logical use of money. So I can now watch movies and play games in a much more comfortable enviroment.

I did a lot of shoppoing around today a found a great deal on the sofa with recliners (Chicago area).

In the end I suspect this upgrade will definately make movies sound better and more relaxing!!!

Thanks all for your feedback!

Drell

 

[fmw]

I decided to buy a new sofa with a recliner on each side to add to my sitting area in where home surround system is - the living room. Given the responses and research I have done, this seemed like a more logical use of money. So I can now watch movies and play games in a much more comfortable enviroment.

I did a lot of shoppoing around today a found a great deal on the sofa with recliners (Chicago area).

In the end I suspect this upgrade will definately make movies sound better and more relaxing!!!

Thanks all for your feedback!

Drell

Sounds like an excellent choice.

 

[jcPanny]

I decided to buy a new sofa with a recliner on each side to add to my sitting area in where home surround system is - the living room. Given the responses and research I have done, this seemed like a more logical use of money. So I can now watch movies and play games in a much more comfortable enviroment.

I did a lot of shoppoing around today a found a great deal on the sofa with recliners (Chicago area).

In the end I suspect this upgrade will definately make movies sound better and more relaxing!!!

Thanks all for your feedback!

Drell

Nice upgrade!
It is easy for most displays to deinterlace 1080i so there should be little or no difference if you are sending it a 1080i or a 1080p signal from the PS3/BluRay player.