Help needed determing if a new receiver is needed.

[Newbie32]

I have been looking through this site and I can tell there are quite a few people here that know a lot about stereo equipment. I know nothing. I currently have a Carver HR-752 receiver that works alright but I'm currently looking for a new receiver to support my two Klipsch bookshelf theater speakers and I want to get a center speaker.

My question is can I attach a center speaker to my Carver or do I need to get a new receiver? I'm interested in the Yamaha HTR-5940 but wondering if the Yamaha HTR-5930 may be adequate for what I'm looking to use it for? My usage will be to watch movies by hooking my dvd player up to the receiver as well as listening to my ipod through my stereo.

I'm basically needing a receiver to build a middle market home theater sound and listening to my music through but not wanting to drop more than $300 on the receiver.

Opinions or recommendations?

 

[agarwalro]

The Carver you are using is a stereo receiver. So if you are looking to move from stereo to multi-channel sources, you will need to buy a newer receiver.

In the $300.00 price range receivers are more or less the same in terms of quality. Look for specific features that interest you and base your decision on whichever receiver has everything you need. To increase your bang for buck, look to get last years or slightly older models. Eg. Yamaha 2500, Denon 3805, etc. Getting B-stock or refurbished items will help in this area too.

Happy hunting.

 

[Newbie32]

What would a 6.1 do that 5.1 can't? From the little research that I have done a 6.1 may be more than I need to watch movies and listen to my ipod. I'm trying to avoid buying more than I need.

 

[no. 5]

What would a 6.1 do that 5.1 can't?

have sound come from derectly behind you (to put it simply).

you would only "need" 6.1 if you owned (or rent) a lot of moives in 6.1, but there are not meny moives in 6.1.
also, 6.1 does not imporve the sound quality over 5.1, it just makes for a smother sound field in the back (as long as the moive was recoreded in 6.1).

 

[mtrycrafts]

...you would only "need" 6.1 if you owned (or rent) a lot of moives in 6.1, but there are not meny moives in 6.1.

Aren't most better movies today in 6.1 processed for theaters?

 

[no. 5]

I have seen a few moives that were 6.1 in the theater, but ended up being 5.1 for the DVD release.
here is a list of moives in DTS, and not to meny of them are in 6.1 (about 78 out of 1484). I did'nt look hard, but I could'nt find a simalre list for DD.

 

[skizzerflake]

I have been looking through this site and I can tell there are quite a few people here that know a lot about stereo equipment. I know nothing. I currently have a Carver HR-752 receiver that works alright but I'm currently looking for a new receiver to support my two Klipsch bookshelf theater speakers and I want to get a center speaker.

My question is can I attach a center speaker to my Carver or do I need to get a new receiver? I'm interested in the Yamaha HTR-5940 but wondering if the Yamaha HTR-5930 may be adequate for what I'm looking to use it for? My usage will be to watch movies by hooking my dvd player up to the receiver as well as listening to my ipod through my stereo.

I'm basically needing a receiver to build a middle market home theater sound and listening to my music through but not wanting to drop more than $300 on the receiver.

Opinions or recommendations?

Actually I have a 5940 right now in my basement. It's not the most up-to-date unit but it works quite well. You can use it with stereo speakers or with a center speaker and turn off the surrounds if you don't need them. It also has a stereo mini-jack input for a media player. Sound wise, the unit is quite satisfying for the price. It's got inputs for stereo sound from your DVD and if you decide to upgrade to surround, the multi-channel input will take care of that. I use mine in a small room where 5.1 is as much as I ever could need. I suggest keeping the Carver as a backup, since they are great units and, if not abused, they are practically immortal.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have seen a few moives that were 6.1 in the theater, but ended up being 5.1 for the DVD release.
here is a list of moives in DTS, and not to meny of them are in 6.1 (about 78 out of 1484). I did'nt look hard, but I could'nt find a simalre list for DD.

Then I wonder who many that are 6.1 in movies just not properly labeled on the DVD? It takes time. I have a few that has the printing on it. I think others may have said that if the film is in 6.1, then the transfer will have the codes to decode regardless of the labeling, but not sure.

 

[Newbie32]

I purchased the 5930 yesterday because I get the impression that the 5940 is decent but the 5.1 5930 would do the job. I'm amazed how the Carver holds its price. I bought it from a guy in college for $75 and this included two spearker. He was in need of cash. The Carver could easily handle four speakers and not too mention drunk college kids cranking it up and nothing getting blown. Very durable.