Does anybody have some reciever suggestions?

[yuuko]

Hi I am currently looking to finally set up a HT system in my bedroom. I currently have a pair of Ascend CBM-170SE and a SVS PB10-NSD sub. I will eventually add another pair of CBM-170SEs for the surround and a CMT-340SE Center to my system. I am also planning on purchasing have an Oppo DV-970HD DVD player. I am also looking to purchase an LCD or Plasma that supports 720p. Would it also be possible to hook up my PC to the receiver? I was wondering if there are any receivers in the $250-$350 range that anybody would recommend for this setup.

 

[billnchristy]

Go for a Panny XR57, it has an HDMI in and out for your Oppo and enough ins and outs for everything else.

For your PC:

Buy an LCD that has a VGA in or an additional DVI and use analog or digital out from soundcard to reciever.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

A mid range receiver like the Yamaha RX-V659 or HTR-5960 would work well in your system. For playing music or movies from the PC, use a digital optical or coax connection to the receiver for audio and connect the DVI, HDMI, or VGA video connection directly to the display. If your PC sound card doesn't have a digital output, you can get a Chaintech card with optical output for about $30 from newegg.

Your ascends are good speakers so in your budget I would go for a quality receiver with a good amp stage vs. one with HDMI switching, etc. that is lacking in audio performance.

I also recently got the Oppo DV-970HD for use with my 32" LCD and would recommend it.

 

[Guiria]

I also would recommend the Yamaha RX-V659 or HTR-5960. I bought the HTR-5960 from an online authorized Yamaha dealer for $330.00 shipped. I had to call to get that price. I've found the RX line of Yamaha's to be a little more expensive than their equally powerful HTR lines. The only difference I can tell is the dedicated 2nd zone operation in the RX line. If 2nd zone operation isn't a big deal for you then the HTR-5960 is a great value in my biased opinion.

 

[Seth=L]

You may be able to find an earlier model Yamaha on line with out the XM and iPod features somewhere for even less.

 

[Seth=L]

I also would recommend the Yamaha RX-V659 or HTR-5960. I bought the HTR-5960 from an online authorized Yamaha dealer for $330.00 shipped. I had to call to get that price. I've found the RX line of Yamaha's to be a little more expensive than their equally powerful HTR lines. The only difference I can tell is the dedicated 2nd zone operation in the RX line. If 2nd zone operation isn't a big deal for you then the HTR-5960 is a great value in my biased opinion.

I would go with HTR series first, as the RX series just tends to have a few more bells and wistles. The RX series receivers do look a little nicer though.

 

[yuuko]

Thank you for all the posts. I'll probably go with the HTR-5960 since it seems to be the popluar recommendation between everybody here. But I'm just curious, what recievers would be above the HTR-5960 and RX-V659 and how much would those cost?

 

[jsanfilippo5]

i bought the 5960 - no regrets!

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha receivers

Yuuko,
The Yamaha RX-V2700, 1700, 2600, and 1600 all have more power and features then the RX-V659 model. The range in price from about $500 (refurbished RX-V1600) to $1500 (new RX-V2700). All of these receivers have HDMI switching and upconversion and the 2700 and 2600 will also upscale video to 720p or 1080i.