Beginner buying a HT

[Claudio RCB]

Dear all,
I was searching for some information to decide what Receiver should I buy, and than descovered this fantastic site. I would like to say hello to everibody. I am a Brazilian that have just moved to Indonesia, and is trying to settle in a complete different culture, and HT must help a lot in this begining.
I bought a Samsung ND 46 Full HD. So I would like to attach a compatible receiver and DVD Player. My questions for you guys:
Onkyo, Yamaha or HK?
Is it worthwhile jump from Onkyo TXSR 605 to 705, or even 805?
What about Yamaha RXV 661 or 861? Or HK AVR 340? Or a Sony?
Warranty is a relevant difference between them? And customer service?
I have seen that in Canada is cheaper than here in Indonesia. Where could I find them on street shop in Toronto, as I will be there at the end of the month?
Txs for any help,
Best Rgds
Claudio RCB

 

[rnatalli]

Yamaha, Denon, H/K, and Onkyo are all fine receivers. You can't go wrong with any of them. I'd stay away from Sony. It comes down to price and features really. What speakers will this receiver be driving?

 

[Claudio RCB]

That would be my next question

Txs for your prompt response, but that would be my next question. For a while, I am thinking in using a Kenwood speakers, from my prior HT, what would give some more time to search the best solution for the Receiver.
rgds

 

[avaserfi]

Txs for your prompt response, but that would be my next question. For a while, I am thinking in using a Kenwood speakers, from my prior HT, what would give some more time to search the best solution for the Receiver.
rgds

You should really focus what speakers you want before focusing on a receiver. Your choice of speakers will greatly affect sound quality while the receiver won't play as integral a role. So I would suggest going out and auditioning some speakers and subs and after you have found a set of speakers you like and want to buy worry about a receiver. Most likely you will be able to get any of the listed receivers in your OP unless you get some higher end speakers.

 

[rnatalli]

Glad I asked. Like Avaserfi suggests, focus on speakers. Get out and audition as many as you can. Once that's out of the way, you can focus on the rest of the setup. Plan to spend about 50-60% of your budget on speakers.

 

[annunaki]

These guys are right on. Speakers make or break a system. The better the speaker the better the system will perform. Always buy more subwoofer than you think you will need as well. They are the most commonly upgraded item I have seen on these boards. People never seem to get enough low end. I recommend piecing the system together if buying it all at once is not an option. Find a good pair of speakers you like that will serve as your mains and/or could be used as rears when your budget permits. Purchase those with a competant receiver to start. I am very fond of Onkyo's new lineup. The TX-SR805 and 875 are brutes and will power most any speaker not to mention many future ready features. Denon's new recievers are really nice as well.

It all comes down to your ear and your budget.

 

[Claudio RCB]

Ok, I understood that I have to focus on the speakers. But if I've also understood, any one of these receivers would go with them. Or, found the speakers, the decision for the receiver would be driven by them?
In the first scenario, regarding the HD specs, is any feature that is a must, to differentiate the receivers? I mean, as the td is a full HD, should I concentrate in any spevific features?
Thanks a lot you guys, because what you said already has changed my paradigma.

Rgds
Claudio

 

[Claudio RCB]

Sorry, TV instead of td

 

[avaserfi]

When you go shopping decide on speakers first, after that look into receivers. For the most part, unless you get a speaker that is very inefficient or your room is huge, any receiver will push the speakers you choose well.

Once you have decided on speakers decide what features you want in a receiver. If you want to be able to take advantage of the new audio/video formats you will want HDMI spec 1.2 or higher. As far as that goes I would look into Onkyo's new line up perhaps the 605, 705 or 805 depending on your budget (all of these have HDMI 1.3a). If you have a lower budget I would look into last years models of Yamaha (RXV-661) or Denon (AVR-2307).

In the end I would recommend trying to spend about 50-60% of your budget on your speakers and the rest on sources, receiver cables etc....

Good luck and let us know if you have more questions!

 

[Claudio RCB]

Ok, I will follow your advise. I will look for the speakers and then come back to the receiver. In principle I will look for Yamaha, JBL and KEF. Any other suggestion or comments?
Thank you guys again, it has been a real school for me.
rgds
Claudio

 

[rnatalli]

What's your total budget look like? Are you looking for bookshelf, floorstanding, low-profile, etc... There are options for speakers across the board. Personally, I'm a big fan of British speakers like Mordaunt-Short, Mission, Monitor Audio, etc... But, there are tons to consider. Paradigm, PSB, KEF, Mirage, Boston Acoustics, DefTech, Orbs, Ascend, Axiom, Klipsch, Onix, B&W, Polk, Tannoy, and the list goes on. Confused yet?

 

[phife]

Hi

Hi all, a newbie to this forum.

Cheers.

 

[phife]

Hi Rnatalli,
-what are the sonic differences b/w difft speaker types that you mentioned (bookshelf, floorstanding,etc?any site or article that compare these difft types)
-I'm trying to build my 1st home cinema system (just bought Samsung R81 37 inch LCD), the rest (DVD Player, receiver,etc, not yet bought..but considering Onkyo 605 based on the rave reviews I've seen so far,and Denon DVD1940 player)
-planning to have a separate Hi-Fi system (prob next year), but will stick w/ the Home Cinema system to play CDs (thinking about Marantz 5001 or 6002, any thoughts?)

Thanks all.