I need free advice and am willing to pay TOP DOLLAR for it!
After four years, my 65” Mitsu DLP is being replaced. It has had three lamps in that period and the picture is not the same as when new. Rather than throw good money after bad and considering technology advancements, I’ve decided to go with a Samsung UNC656500VF which is currently on order.
I have decided to replace my trusty 12 year old Denon AVR-3300 with something more technologically current, that is compatible with the rest of the system, and need some input in that respect. During the last four years, I have had all video going to the TV directly (component inputs), then ran the TV audio out via SPDIF to the Denon. This has worked very well.
In the last several months, I have done away with the component video and gone to HDMI routing. I am interested in the up-conversion capabilities some of the newer Denons, as well as the networking capabilities. I am also interested in the compression of audio to level the audio of all programming, so that commercials don’t blast, as I am tired of “riding the volume control.”
Since the BD-550 is HDMI 1.3 and I am not currently interested in 3D, should I go with something 1.3 like the AVR-4310CI, or something 1.4 compatible, like the AVR-991? I can always replace the BD player down the road with a 1.4 supported model. I guess my budget is around $1k for a receiver.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My current setup consists of the following:
Mitsubishi WD-65731 TV (being replaced by a Samsung UNC656500VF)
Denon AVR-3300
DirecTv HR 21
LG BD-550 Blu ray player
Boston Accoustic Micro 90 front speakers
Polk TSi CS10 center speaker
Custom installed in-wall surrounds
Sony SW WMS 335
Wii with component out
Universal Genesis MX-900 remote
