Best AV Receiver under $2000

[evilkat]

Thanks adk!

Here are my HTPC specs:
-AMD 64 X2 6000+
-2GB PC2 6400
-ASUS M2N32-SLI mb
-GeForce 8600 GT
-Silcerstone LC13-S Case
-Vista Ultimate

BTW, what is WAF?

I use a similar setup and once you figure out how to configure FFDShow to get your video processing done (for non-HD/BR sources) you will love it. I got tired of the tweaks and messing that needs to happen so i just use whatever Media Center dishes out on Vista (for simplicity).

I use AC3Filter to get an M-PCM signal out to the receiver (a Yammy rx-2700) and it works great. U can even get games to work right with EAX on Vista if u use the analog outs from the sound card and Alchemy (still haven't tested it, but I think I've got the theory figured out!).

 

[sddt]

So do you always get surround signal to receiver from sources on your PC that contain it? Also, are you saying you cannot get sound in games when you are using a optical cable for connection from PC to receiver? Thanks for the input! I am still quite nervous about this HTPC setup...

 

[whubbard]

If you going to use the HTPC in a home theater setup I would get an X-fi Card as it has some nice EQ features, and as I tested it, had a pretty nice frequency response (pretty flat). I also am 99.9% sure that you can get sound from games with the optical on the x-fi.

The only thing that concerns me with your PC is the processor. I have been using vista since the RC1 and I just worry that it won't run it to well. Now if its just going to be a media center...than the processing wont really that crucial, but if I were you I would get an intel C2D (you'll have to change the mobo), as you might want to use it one day for internet radio, and possibly bigger things. I'm not sure if I understood, but if this is for any sort of gaming, the C2D is the way to go.

Also, with the very low price of ram right now...may as well throw in 4GB. (Make sure its a good make, crucial, corsair, patriot, g-skill)

those would be my thoughts on your HTPC.

 

[sddt]

So are you saying the onboard audio on the ASUS mb is not sufficient enough to handle the audio processing? That amd 6000+ processor is clocked 3.0ghz per core where the cpu in my current machine is the 5200+ model clocked at 2.6 Ghz per core and runs Vista Ultimate great. What would be the advantage to going C2D? This is going to be primarily a HTPC for media and gaming will be a side bonus. (mostly emulation of older consoles)

The memory I'm using is G.Skill and I was considering putting in 4GB but will see how it runs with 2 first since that is what I am currently running on my machine.

How has your experience been with you HTPC? Is it very user friendly once its all setup? Thanks for the input...

 

[David Gaudreau]

Man, every time I come to this forum I keep changing my mind.

I was going to buy the new AVR-3808CI but now I'm not sure.

 

[jinjuku]

To all the back and forth about HTPC's:

Folks, it ain't that hard. My HTPC has been great. Asus Mainboard, Core 2 duo 6400e, Vista Home, Radeon 1950GT, a few registry tweeks, a Hauppagge Tuner, TOSlink to the receiver from the built in optical on the mainboard, and AnyDVD. Heck, I even have FM running through MCE. Now only if M$ would include VC-1 support.

I have to wonder what you are doing that is making a HTPC so difficult?

 

[jinjuku]

So are you saying the onboard audio on the ASUS mb is not sufficient enough to handle the audio processing? That amd 6000+ processor is clocked 3.0ghz per core where the cpu in my current machine is the 5200+ model clocked at 2.6 Ghz per core and runs Vista Ultimate great. What would be the advantage to going C2D? This is going to be primarily a HTPC for media and gaming will be a side bonus. (mostly emulation of older consoles)

The memory I'm using is G.Skill and I was considering putting in 4GB but will see how it runs with 2 first since that is what I am currently running on my machine.

How has your experience been with you HTPC? Is it very user friendly once its all setup? Thanks for the input...

Your AMD 5200+ X2 is fine. No need for spending money on the Core2 Duo. You really only need the higher end CPU's for Hi-Def formats, or a $60 ATI Radeon 2400XT (has VC-1 decode in hardware). I am not sure if the Cyberlink/WinDVD HD version of playback software are able to utilize the dedicated decode though on ATI/nVdia chipsets how ever.

You will be fine for 5.1 at the least with built in digital on your mainboard. Some support 7.1 now.

 

[whubbard]

So are you saying the onboard audio on the ASUS mb is not sufficient enough to handle the audio processing? That amd 6000+ processor is clocked 3.0ghz per core where the cpu in my current machine is the 5200+ model clocked at 2.6 Ghz per core and runs Vista Ultimate great. What would be the advantage to going C2D? This is going to be primarily a HTPC for media and gaming will be a side bonus. (mostly emulation of older consoles)

The memory I'm using is G.Skill and I was considering putting in 4GB but will see how it runs with 2 first since that is what I am currently running on my machine.

How has your experience been with you HTPC? Is it very user friendly once its all setup? Thanks for the input...

The AMD is 'fine', but the C2D is MUCH better for the price. The performace/price is weighted heavily to intel right now.

Look at the HTPC jinjuku is actually using for himself...basically what I would recommend. (I use ASUS boards in all my PCs, and have an ATI card in my personal PC ($5000+ Machine...))

Good Choice on the G-Skill. I happen to be partial to Corsair, but G-Skill is great.

Now for the emulation you won't really need this, but a C2D, asus board, 4gb G-Skill, and good video cards will really give you a good amount of headroom for anything.

I feel like I might be confusing. I've been building PCs for a while.
Let me give you a full list of parts, how much do you want to spend (not your MAX...just what you feel comfortable with)?

 

[jinjuku]

The AMD is 'fine', but the C2D is MUCH better for the price. The performace/price is weighted heavily to intel right now.

The Athlon64 X2 will be fine. I don't want to recommend that he lose his investment in Mainboard and Processor just to go Intel. It won't net him any gains really (if talking STRICTLY HTPC, no gaming).

I just put together a HTPC for a friend using the AMD X2 4800+ with ATI 2400XT. You won't need a big brute of a processor for HD-DVD/BR playback because the Radeon 2400 will do the decode all in hardware.

Did I forget to mention that the Radeon 2400 does audio over HDMI. I also hooked him up with the Onkyo 605 receiver, which as it happens supports HDMI 1.3

 

[sddt]

The Athlon64 X2 will be fine. I don't want to recommend that he lose his investment in Mainboard and Processor just to go Intel. It won't net him any gains really (if talking STRICTLY HTPC, no gaming).

I just put together a HTPC for a friend using the AMD X2 4800+ with ATI 2400XT. You won't need a big brute of a processor for HD-DVD/BR playback because the Radeon 2400 will do the decode all in hardware.

Did I forget to mention that the Radeon 2400 does audio over HDMI. I also hooked him up with the Onkyo 605 receiver, which as it happens supports HDMI 1.3

Good to hear jinjuku, I think I will stick with my original build:

Athlon 64 x2 6000+
Asus mb
2gb G.Skill DDR2 800
Trying to get my hands on a GeForce 8800gt 512mb
silverstream case
Seagate 500gb SATA 3.0gb/s HD
Vista Ultimate

One question though, Do you think there are any advantages of running the video through the receiver? I was just going to run the sound via fiber cable to receiver and run the video straight to TV with DVI cable and HDMI converter.

 

[whubbard]

I think we might be missunderstanding each other here.

If you have already purchased the AMD, yeah, stick with it. But if you have $160 and are looking to buy a processor, the C2D is the way to go right now.

I hope you are buying all your parts from newegg.com ...gonna save you a bundle.

If you haven't purchased anything yet, just let me know you budget and I'll send you links to all the parts you should get. I do like you list, and unless you just got lucky, you have picked good quality parts. I just think you should go C2D if you don't own the AMD already.

For $10 less than the AMD you can get the E4600, or for $20 more the E6320.

If you choose it ignore my recommendation, so be it, I won't be insulted. But my final thing is that you should get a good quality PSU. I'm not sure but that case might come with one...switch it!

 

[sddt]

Don't get me wrong here, I am not new to building my own PC's. I have built well over 50 machines with very little problems. My concern with the HTPC is mutitasking beween PVR for my satellite PCI card, streaming video/music via media server, and basic computer use(web browsing, etc.).

This will not primarily be a gaming machine but I would like it to be able to run some of the newer games at decent FPS.

All parts I am going to buy, as always, are coming from newegg besides possibly the videocard(the 8800gt I want is not currently in stock). With that said, I have priced out an intel e6750 system with an ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 mb. From the reviews I have read this system would perform a tad better in gaming and encoding environments but not by much. I guess with the small $30 difference, and my curiosity in building an intel based system (have always used AMD up to this point for their consistent value over intel) I will go ahead and go with the e6750 cpu. What are your opinions on that cpu?

P.S. Regarding the PSU, here is the one I had picked out from newegg:
OCZ GameXStream ATX12V 700W (beast!)

 

[whubbard]

You happen to have picked the PSU which I use in my rig. (Good Choice).
All I can say is that it is very realiable, and with a PSU, thats what you want.

The e6750 is a very solid processor, however I'm not sure on the ABIT, but if it seems to have gotten good reviews (<althought that doesn't always mean its a good board), you should be alright.

I Think the HTPC will turn out fine.

what turner card are you getting?

 

[jinjuku]

Good to hear jinjuku, I think I will stick with my original build:

Athlon 64 x2 6000+
Asus mb
2gb G.Skill DDR2 800
Trying to get my hands on a GeForce 8800gt 512mb
silverstream case
Seagate 500gb SATA 3.0gb/s HD
Vista Ultimate

One question though, Do you think there are any advantages of running the video through the receiver? I was just going to run the sound via fiber cable to receiver and run the video straight to TV with DVI cable and HDMI converter.

One of the reasons that I built an HTPC is to have all my sources going through one device. Clear QAM cable, OTA (over the air), HD-DVD/DVD, FM/AM. I don't have to mess around with switching at all with this setup.

The other reason is there isn't an upconverting anything out there that is going to hold a candle to an ATI/nVidia card for upscaling DVD's.

The third reason I have almost everything in my library ripped to the computer. It's a dream to be able to queue up everything without pulling a disc out. Plus I was able to get rid of all the accusatory "don't be a pirate" ****. I hate being called a criminal after I just spent $16 on a movie. Really burns me up.

 

[jinjuku]

For a tuner, you may want to look hard at the "HD Homerun". It is an ethernet based tuner! Kicks butt.

WHUBBARD: did you finish your sub build yet?

 

[whubbard]

JINJUKU: I've been away from home, and still am away from home, so the subs are on hold. I'll I have done right now is the basic cuts. I need to route the insides of the braces out, and then assemble and paint. I'm going to be going back home on the 20th, and then I'll try and finish them up before christmas.

SDDT: Are you also looking at an outboard DAC, because if you want good sound...using the built it sound...isn't the best idea. It should be okay for movies, but for critical listening you might be disapointed.

 

[sddt]

Thanks Guys!

whubbard: I am going to be using a twinhan sat tuner card for TV source. I think I will see how the onboard sound works first then if I'm not satisfied I'll go with something better.

Thank you guys for all your input. You have reassured me that building this HTPC is going to be a good idea! Time to order parts, I'll let you know how it goes!!!!

 

[whubbard]

Wait...do you already have a SAT dish and box, if so, you don't need a Sat tuner card, and you should get a good 'normal' tv tuner card.

 

[Janik]

good receiver

Well except for your comment about heat the Onkyo would fit your requirements. If you give between 6-10 inches on the top it would be ok and I would vent the closet to at least allow air circulation.

My Denon and Pioneers both ran cooler but their gui's were not as nice. I think both have upgraded their interface but I have not seen them. Also the Pioneer did not display the volume level where the Denon and Onkyo both do.

The models I would look at would be:

Onkyo 875 or 905
Pioneer 90TXV or 94TXH
Denon 3808ci
Yamaha RXV3800

I have finally been notified by abt electronics that my TX-905 is being shipped. It was ordered before Halloween. They are in high demand. The store finally got 45 in and it did not even fill all the back-orders. Will pick up the receiver Wednesday, and I certainly hope it lives up to the hype and demand that it has created.

Reasons for buying? It was only 200 more than the 875, and for the Reon chip, for me, it was worth it to use the AVR as the upconverter for all video.. wiring is so much neeter.
As far as the heat concerns, I actually interpret this as a good thing, as all good class A amps run hot.. they're supposed to. I will always choose a hotter amp if it means superior audio quality.

For me, the 905 seems to best fit my needs, and you can get it at a considerable discount if you shop around and are not put off by a 2 month back-order wait period.