denon avr 688 or 788

[lbolts20]

I am looking to purchase either the denon avr688 or the avr788. The 788 is new in box for $399 or I can pick up the display model which hasn't been used just out of box on the 688 for $217. The differences I saw between them are 788 has 85 watts, hdmi audio and on screen display vs the 688 is 75 watts audio through optical cable instead and no on screen display. Is the on screen display a bid issue? The watts and cable are not an issue for me. This receiver will be in a 22x26 room and I tend to not watch movies very loud.

Any thoughts of which is better or a different brand? I'm an occasional movie watcher and don't have video games etc. I have a 52" dlp 1080I with a sony 5 disk dvd player with upscaling to 1080I.

 

[annunaki]

The 788 would be my choice no question. HDMI audio and on screen are big must haves for me. I would also consider the Onkyo TX-SR606.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I am looking to purchase either the denon avr688 or the avr788. The 788 is new in box for $399 or I can pick up the display model which hasn't been used just out of box on the 688 for $217. The differences I saw between them are 788 has 85 watts, hdmi audio and on screen display vs the 688 is 75 watts audio through optical cable instead and no on screen display. Is the on screen display a bid issue? The watts and cable are not an issue for me. This receiver will be in a 22x26 room and I tend to not watch movies very loud.

Any thoughts of which is better or a different brand? I'm an occasional movie watcher and don't have video games etc. I have a 52" dlp 1080I with a sony 5 disk dvd player with upscaling to 1080I.

The Denon avr 688 doe not pass audio through hdmi and I am positive the 788 passes both audio and video. Prices on either of these receivers are decent. If you are interested in the high defintion audio formats then I would go with the 788, if you are fine with standard dolby digital and dts then I would go with the 688. I know the 688 does not have pre-outs so if you are interested in pre-outs I would look to see if the 788 has this option.

 

[lbolts20]

I picked up the avr788 at circuit city as they had an extra 10% off online and they honored it at the local store here in Appleton for $360. Now I gotta got a center speaker and sub.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I picked up the avr788 at circuit city as they had an extra 10% off online and they honored it at the local store here in Appleton for $360. Now I gotta got a center speaker and sub.

You got a really good price on that receiver, congrats and enjoy!

 

[HT N00bster]

I just purchased an avr688. Does that mean I can only use component cables if I want audio? Right now I have an HDMI from my DVD->receiver and another HDMI cable from my TV->receiver and I'm having all kinds of audio problems.

Why would the 688 not allow audio signals through HDMI?

 

[Bluesmoke]

Why would the 688 not allow audio signals through HDMI?

Umm, because it doesn't. Why would you buy a receiver without googling its features? Return it.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I just purchased an avr688. Does that mean I can only use component cables if I want audio? Right now I have an HDMI from my DVD->receiver and another HDMI cable from my TV->receiver and I'm having all kinds of audio problems.

Why would the 688 not allow audio signals through HDMI?

There is nothing wrong with your receiver, the Denon AVR 688 does not pass audio through HDMI. To get sound using HDMI you will have to run an extra audio cable with your HDMI. You have a bunch of choices either digital coax cable, fibre optic cable (toslink), or analog audio cables (red and white). Need any more help just post back. If you do not have a coax cable or toslink, there would be a good chance you have some analog cables kicking around that came with previous a.v. purchases that could work temporarily. But if you want surround sound (dolby digital 5.1 etc) you can only get this with a digital coax cable or fibre optic cable.

Welcom to the forum!