First Post... Plunging Into Plasma & New Receiver

[dmiannay]

Currently very interested in the new Panny TH-50PX50U and a Yamaha 2500 or 2600. Question pertains to whether the Yamaha 2600 is really wasted if I am using a CableCARD for the TV and hence will not be using the 2600 to send the signal to the TV.

Clearly I'm a noob here so be gentle if I've really blundered with the question

 

[jaxvon]

I don't think so. Since it has HDMI, you'll have the option to use it whenever you want. Also, it's a solid receiver anyway, so you can use it for its primary purpose of making your speakers come alive with your favorite music and movies.

 

[dmiannay]

Thanks for the response jaxvon! I understand a bit better now

 

[The Dukester]

It would depend on what you think you may do in the future. If you will use HDMI, then I would buy the 2600. If not, then I would save the money for killer speakers, etc. You can currently buy the 2500 for about half the price of the 2600. Some of the main differences in the two are the 2600 has on screen display through HDMI (supposedly), XM radio rcvr, Zone 2 remote and of course the video section upgrades. If you don't need these, save the money. The 2500 is killer for the about $600 price you can find them for. For more info, use the Search link above and type in 2500 or 2600 Yamaha. There is a ton of info to help you with your decision.

The Pann. plasma has a pretty good picture. I think it's a little brighter than others I have looked at. I would have to tone down the contrast or sharpness a little. The demos I have looked at were very sharp...too sharp for me. I like the picture looking a little smoother. Great colors and blacks, though.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

 

[BMXTRIX]

The plasma, w/cable card will have a digital audio output which will allow your plasma to directly receive digital cable, then transfer the audio, digitally, to the receiver, so you get full surround with digital clairty.

Big thumbs up for audio and the 2600.

The rest of the stuff is your own future usage of the receiver.

DVD w/HDMI?
Blu-Ray Disc or HD-DVD at some point?
Next generation video gaming?
XM Radio?

As others said, the 2500 isn't a shabby receiver, and if you want to really get some killer audio with the switching the 2500 offers, then perhaps using external amplifiers with it can take you to a whole new level as well.

You definitely aren't looking at BAD equipment - so, I would definitely say you are making some excellent choices if you were to buy today those pieces.

Keep in mind that your speakers and room acoustics play more into the sound of your audio than the receiver does, so the new receiver may not give you a huge jump in sound quality... But, that highly depends on your existing speakers and room equipment and setup.

 

[dmiannay]

Thanks for the comments BMXTRIX! And thanks to all of you for the patient, not condescending, replies! Speaks very well of the maturity of those who lurk here! I've been out of this for about 25 years so it's a bit like starting completely over.

The Panny TH-50PX50U and Yammy 2500 are starting to look like the solution for me. Since I'll have a CableCARD with the Panny and no HDMI with the 2500 then it likely makes no sense to get a new DVD player with HDMI output. Correct?

Also, as for speakers I only have a 5.1 setup using the Infinity Entra Two series (8 ohm). I recognize this is a weakness in the overall system and they will have to be changed down the road but cash flow dictates I take this a step at a time. The room the system will be located in is about 14x18, fully carpeted, and is fully open to a hardwood floor kitchen area.