Gamer looking for Reciever

[the-dcg]

I would like some suggestions, if possible, for a receiver. I'm probably keeping my speakers for some time, so a HTiB doesn't seem like what I need. I looked at the nice hk AVR-254, but one Amazon reviewer said it had issues with PS3 games and Blu-ray. I also looked at some Denon product, which are also highly rated; but another reviewer said they had some known issues with Wii Virtual Console games. I've read that one doesn't need upscaling- that some display devices do it already, but I don't believe mine does, only upconversion.

I have a BenQ W500 which I'm quite happy with, but my old receiver isn't capable of upscaling- or even converting- the video. Obviously, I don't want to have to run more than one cord to my projector, so that isn't an option.

I also have a Wii and a 360 that I'd like to run in HDMI, as well as upscale my old PS2 games and the like. I watch DVDs, but don't have any Blu-ray technology yet- maybe when I finally find it necessary to buy a PS3. The DVD player and PS2 are component a/v.

Music wise, I'm not an audiophile- I pretty much just rip every CD off into MP3 or download them from Amazon or the like. I wouldn't mind HD radio, but it isn't a deal breaker. An input for auxiliary- such as my Creative Zen, or friend's Ipod is a must.

I'm really not looking to spend crazy money on this. I -can- go up to $700; but I'd prefer to keep it under $500.

Thanks in advance for any advice; please excuse any gaping holes in my knowledge- I'm a computer nerd and a gamer, not a home entertainment A/V master.

_Cat

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well given that you are looking to spend in the $500-$700 bracket, you have a choice of some very competent AVRs. Something that would help is to know what speakers you have in order to pick an AVR that can appropriately drive them. As far as features go how many HDMI's will you need and how important is a units ability to upconvert???

Given your price range I will list some units with prices and the debate on which will fit you best can go from there once you give some more info on your needs:

1. Denon 2808ci -- $582 (6ave Electronics)
2. Onkyo TX-SR805 -- (refurb through Accessories 4 Less) $549

I thought I was going to come up with more but once I got to looking through things and your price range....these two are probably your best bet in terms of performance and value....of course there are more choices Yamaha and Pioneer but these are the two I would look at.....the new Onkyo 706 will cost more and have less power but will give you more HDMI inputs if you need that over these two models...

 

[mnatiq]

I would like some suggestions, if possible, for a receiver. I'm probably keeping my speakers for some time, so a HTiB doesn't seem like what I need. I looked at the nice hk AVR-254, but one Amazon reviewer said it had issues with PS3 games and Blu-ray. I also looked at some Denon product, which are also highly rated; but another reviewer said they had some known issues with Wii Virtual Console games. I've read that one doesn't need upscaling- that some display devices do it already, but I don't believe mine does, only upconversion.

I have a BenQ W500 which I'm quite happy with, but my old receiver isn't capable of upscaling- or even converting- the video. Obviously, I don't want to have to run more than one cord to my projector, so that isn't an option.

I also have a Wii and a 360 that I'd like to run in HDMI, as well as upscale my old PS2 games and the like. I watch DVDs, but don't have any Blu-ray technology yet- maybe when I finally find it necessary to buy a PS3. The DVD player and PS2 are component a/v.

Music wise, I'm not an audiophile- I pretty much just rip every CD off into MP3 or download them from Amazon or the like. I wouldn't mind HD radio, but it isn't a deal breaker. An input for auxiliary- such as my Creative Zen, or friend's Ipod is a must.

I'm really not looking to spend crazy money on this. I -can- go up to $700; but I'd prefer to keep it under $500.

Thanks in advance for any advice; please excuse any gaping holes in my knowledge- I'm a computer nerd and a gamer, not a home entertainment A/V master.

_Cat

The part about the HK, is not a big issue. some people just blow up stuff, i have had the hk 254 with a ps3 and a hk 354, 354 would blow my ears away and the 254 was just perfect, it just would not rattle my room walls. HK did fix the newer 1's. i had mine about 7 months ago and it was from the SO CALLED messed/bugged hk receivers and it was just fine. dont be fooled by the less watts, thats cuz HK measures there receiver much differently compared to sony and pioneer etc. HK's are just as powerful if not more. HK belives in quality over displaying the high watts, even though it has them.

 

[bandphan]

The part about the HK, is not a big issue. some people just blow up stuff, i have had the hk 254 with a ps3 and a hk 354, 354 would blow my ears away and the 254 was just perfect, it just would not rattle my room walls. HK did fix the newer 1's. i had mine about 7 months ago and it was from the SO CALLED messed/bugged hk receivers and it was just fine. dont be fooled by the less watts, thats cuz HK measures there receiver much differently compared to sony and pioneer etc. HK's are just as powerful if not more. HK belives in quality over displaying the high watts, even though it has them.

OK First I have nothing against HK but there is reason that their units are not used in the CI industry. Having said that, the denon 2808 is a nice unit and would more than fit the bill with the features you need, my question is what speakers are you using, because that where the " gamer/ht/ music experience" is.

 

[the-dcg]

Woot! Thanks!

...my question is what speakers are you using, because that where the " gamer/ht/ music experience" is.

I don't really have any specs about them memorized, off hand. Assume cheap, and you are probably right. They came with a RCA HTiB a friend had- when she upgraded, she gave me the 5.1 that came with them since I was running little hk desktop 2.1 speakers. /laugh

But I'm upgrading ~one component at a time. Speakers are next. Or PS3. One of the two.

HDMI inputs-wise; I didn't figure it mattered right off hand, most of them seem to come with the two I need right away, and I can buy a switch for more: perhaps run the DVD player straight in, and put the game systems on a switch to the other one. Whatever works.

 

[bandphan]

Its important to choose speakers first as thats the "experience". Budget 3/4 speakers 1/4 power if possible. The denon should be fine for most loads in small-medium rooms. You just dont want to end up with a four ohm speaker in a bigger room and the amp not be sufficent. Try to get an avr with preouts in case you want to add sperate power later.

 

[the-dcg]

Sounding stupid...

I'm afraid i don't really understand the jargon you are throwing around here. What are 3/4 speakers? Or 1/4? Can't we talk about FSB or GPU's or something I understand? /kidding

No, really, I understand I need to know at least some of this if I want to play in Guitar Hero in style. Please, though, talk to me as if I was a slow child. I won't get offended, I promise!

The room is a living room with 14" vaulted ceiling. It's approximately 15' x 17' in the area- we watch TV/play games across the 15' side. We put the rear speakers in the two corners, and the front/center speaker right around the screen. I do plan on buying new speakers in the future, as I said, but video upscaling/switching is my priority right now.

 

[bandphan]

Sorry, i was refering to your budget 1/4 towards power and 3/4 towards speakers. As for the order of purchase its up to you, but having preouts on an avr (preouts allow the audio signal to be sent from the avr to a seperate power amp) might come in useful down the road (as avrs are like computers, they update/outdate rather quickly).

 

[Midcow2]

I would go speakers first .. but how about speakers and receiver for about $400

I don't really have any specs about them memorized, off hand. Assume cheap, and you are probably right. They came with a RCA HTiB a friend had- when she upgraded, she gave me the 5.1 that came with them since I was running little hk desktop 2.1 speakers. /laugh

But I'm upgrading ~one component at a time. Speakers are next. Or PS3. One of the two.

HDMI inputs-wise; I didn't figure it mattered right off hand, most of them seem to come with the two I need right away, and I can buy a switch for more: perhaps run the DVD player straight in, and put the game systems on a switch to the other one. Whatever works.

Actually you can get a good receiver and some nice speakers in your price range. I have some Cambridge Audio S-30s and they are excellent bookshelf speakers at $219/pair delivered. http://spearitsound.amazonwebstore.com/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Speakers-Natural-Oak/M/B00196SJOI.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle
Later if you upgrade to a full system you can still keep them as surround speakers. Another inexpensvice speaker that some peoepl on this forum like is the Berhinger 2030 at only $188 /pair.
http://www.mondospettacoli.it/shop/behringer-truth-b2030p-b-2030-p-p-872.html?currency=USD

A very good receiver, especially for the price is the Yamaha RX-V363 for only $199. http://www.jr.com/yamaha/pe/YAM_RXV363BL/

 

[the-dcg]

Perhaps too complicated

Given your price range I will list some units with prices and the debate on which will fit you best can go from there once you give some more info on your needs:

1. Denon 2808ci -- $582 (6ave Electronics)
2. Onkyo TX-SR805 -- (refurb through Accessories 4 Less) $549

Looking at the reviews on the Denen, they all seem to agree it is a great machine, but that it is very hard to set up, especially for the a/v uninitiated, which I am. I'll go read on the Onkyo and see if it seems simpler- or at least with a better manual. I'm not looking for customization, per se. Just the ability to reasonably switch and upscale my game machines.

-Sorry for the double post- I probably should have consolidated this into one, but I hadn't finished reading on the Denon then. /laugh
--I didn't double post! There were replies! I am not the forum bad! Yay!

 

[bandphan]

some good advice has been given, ups up to you which route you take