Help me choose the best receiver for my needs!

[arielshiran]

Hi,
I bought a set of Energy Take speakers (the new series) consist of 4 Take SAT, 1 Take LCR and a S10.3 subwoofer. Now, I need to decide on the receiver which will be connected to this set of speakers.
The models I consider are:
1. Marantz 5500 (or the new 5600).
2. Denon 2105 (or the new 2106).
3. Harman Kardon 335.
4. Onkyo 602 (or the new 603).
5. Yamaha 757.
I will use the receiver for both watching movies, TV, etc and for listening to music about 50% each.
I saw there are many threads dealing with lip-sync and I wanted to know what it is and what models I mentioned support it.
What model would you choose if all of these ones were about the same price?
Thanks,
Ariel.

 

[kay]

The Denon 2105 doesn't have lip-sync, for one.

 

[arielshiran]

can you explain to me what lip sync is

and recommend me what receiver to choose? Is lip sync such an important thing? until not long ago no receiver (even the most expensive ones) had lip sync.

 

[arielshiran]

Any opinions?

What would be your choice?

 

[Thunder18]

I think you're doing yourself a dis-service...

by not including the Pioneer VSX-9100TX into your consideration. It is THX select certified which while not immensely important, does endow you with a few more processing options not to mention that the THX tests for amplifier power are quite rigorous so you're almost assured of having a very robust power system. Tuned by AIR Studios(here's why I mention thatwww.airstudios.com/info/george.shtml )It's regularly $700 at Vanns.com, but currently on sale for $500(free shipping and no tax, unless you live in Montana, but I think that keeps it in the same price range as all the others). If you like extended warranties, you could buy it from Best Buy online for $600, add $35 for the 4 year warranty and about the same again for shipping.

Lip synch or audio delay is important if you have an LCD display or certain kinds of non-crt displays(or if you plan on getting one in the future), the video processing can actually lag behind the audio producing what can best be described by watching old Chinese martial arts movies where the actors mouth is moving, but not to the dialogue that is being spoken! I know the 9300TX will do it in 0.1 frame steps up to 6.0 frames. I believe someone posted in another discussion that the 9100TX has the same feature.

 

[Takeereasy]

I agree with Thunder that the 9100 by pioneer should be on your short list, especially in this price range. Here's a link to the best deal I've seen from an authorized dealer. You can thank Spiffyfast for finding this one. Should be about $430 shipped. Can't beat that kind of price for this much receiver IMO.

 

[arielshiran]

Guys, thanks for that info. However, I am outside the US

and this Pioneer model is not available. Therefore, I would be happy to get more info/recommendations on the models by the manufacturers I mentioned or on any Pioneer European models.
Thanks a lot.
Ariel.

 

[nm2285]

I'd heartily recommend the HK or the Marantz. Their power supplies are always robust (esp HK) and their features are always competitive.

 

[arielshiran]

Any other opinions? What about features and sound quality?

I want the receiver to be used for both movies and music about 50% of the time.

 

[jcPanny]

Denon AVR-2106

FYI,
The new 2005 Denon AVR-2106 will have the Lip Sync feature. See the audioholics review of their new product linup.
Also, I would consider the Yamaha RX-V2500 in your price range. All Yamahas made in the last two years have the lip sync feature.

 

[LOUMFSG]

I am looking at a Panasonic 50" plasma TH-50PHD7UY as the video display in my system. Would you think the Lip Sync feature is an important consideration for me in choosing my AVR? I've read that LCD's can have that problem - is that also true for plasmas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Thunder18]

I am looking at a Panasonic 50" plasma TH-50PHD7UY as the video display in my system. Would you think the Lip Sync feature is an important consideration for me in choosing my AVR? I've read that LCD's can have that problem - is that also true for plasmas? Thanks in advance.

Yes, you should consider it with anything other than a crt display.