Help with selecting Receiver and Speakers

[primus_2001]

I did post a similar q at AVS forum, but i wanted to solicit as much feedback as possible.

I am looking for recommendations on a receiver and speaker for connecting the following:

1. Samsung Plasma 720p <pn50b450>
2. XBOX 360
3. Att U-verse (has HDMI)
4. Old Sony dvd <no hdmi>
5. old panasonic vcr <no hdmi ofcourse>
6. iPod + Zune
7. It would be great to have the ability to stream music from computer wirelessly. Wired is also fine. I love to youtube songs and it would be awesome to remotely play it via my reciever/home theater speakers.
8. In the future (year or more) I would like to expand on the rooms/speakers, but no immediate plans.

More details:
- Living room size = 15x20
- Budget = This is toughest part. I would prefer to not exceed $600. Anything around $500 or less would be awesome.
- We love listening to music, watching movies and hosting parties, but I wouldn't call myself an audiophile.

I heard the Energy speakers are great, but not sure on receiver recommendations. Flexible on both.

Sometimes I think I should go for an HTIB like Onkyo S6100, but unable to decide on what would sound best.

Appreciate your inputs!

 

[Lordoftherings]

I did post a similar q at AVS forum, but i wanted to solicit as much feedback as possible.

I am looking for recommendations on a receiver and speaker for connecting the following:

1. Samsung Plasma 720p <pn50b450>
2. XBOX 360
3. Att U-verse (has HDMI)
4. Old Sony dvd <no hdmi>
5. old panasonic vcr <no hdmi ofcourse>
6. iPod + Zune
7. It would be great to have the ability to stream music from computer wirelessly. Wired is also fine. I love to youtube songs and it would be awesome to remotely play it via my reciever/home theater speakers.
8. In the future (year or more) I would like to expand on the rooms/speakers, but no immediate plans.

More details:
- Living room size = 15x20
- Budget = This is toughest part. I would prefer to not exceed $600. Anything around $500 or less would be awesome.
- We love listening to music, watching movies and hosting parties, but I wouldn't call myself an audiophile.

I heard the Energy speakers are great, but not sure on receiver recommendations. Flexible on both.

Sometimes I think I should go for an HTIB like Onkyo S6100, but unable to decide on what would sound best.

Appreciate your inputs!

Hi,

First, that is excellent that you seek advice behond AVS and came here at Audioholics.

Second, forget about HTIB, period! Unless...

Three, what is your total budget including the speakers (most important components of your system) and the receiver?

You already mentioned Energy speakers (Canadian made), which is a good brand for sure.

Any blu-ray player in your near future?

A 5.1 or a 7.1-channel system?

Any other brands of speakers that you might be interested in?

Any brand of receiver that turn you on?

If you give me some more definite informations, I will definitively concoct a scheme for you.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[primus_2001]

Thx!!

I am flexible on the brands for both speakers and receivers.

Speaker:
I mentioned Energy since they get rave reviews and Vanns have them for sale at $199 ($299 with sub i guess)

Receiver:
- Decent aesthetic and less clutter<blah..wife's requirement!!>
- Universal remote/learning remote

I was really hoping for a total of $600 or less. I know its too less for a decent system but this is all I got now. No blue ray for a while. It would be nice to harness the XBOX powers <if any> from a connectivity stand point. I was told I could play ipod/zune through it.

I was tempted to get the Denon 1609 + Energy from Vanns, but most reviews say that 1609 is bad since it lacks HDMI audio. I am not 100% sure on what it really means. Does it mean that every HDMI connection into receiver needs a set of audio cables = more clutter?

Appreciate your help.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Thx!!

I am flexible on the brands for both speakers and receivers.

Speaker:
I mentioned Energy since they get rave reviews and Vanns have them for sale at $199 ($299 with sub i guess)

Receiver:
- Decent aesthetic and less clutter<blah..wife's requirement!!>
- Universal remote/learning remote

I was really hoping for a total of $600 or less. I know its too less for a decent system but this is all I got now. No blue ray for a while. It would be nice to harness the XBOX powers <if any> from a connectivity stand point. I was told I could play ipod/zune through it.

I was tempted to get the Denon 1609 + Energy from Vanns, but most reviews say that 1609 is bad since it lacks HDMI audio. I am not 100% sure on what it really means. Does it mean that every HDMI connection into receiver needs a set of audio cables = more clutter?

Appreciate your help.

Ok, Energy speakers with sub for $299 (is this for two speakers or 5?).
That's a good brand, so that's good.

The Denon AVR-1609 has two HDMI inputs, if it's all you need, then it is perfectly fine. That's what people meant by saying that it is lacking HDMI audio (because it only has two HDMI inputs).
When you are using an HDMI cable between your source and your receiver, it is easier, because that is the only cable that you really need; it passes the video and also the audio through that same cable. So less clutter.
Denon is an excellent brand.

If you think that you might want more than two HDMI inputs, you can also have a look at the Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K, which has three HDMI inputs.
I'm sure that you can find a good deal for it now, because the newer model is out (the 1019). So, if you can get the VSX-1018 for let say about $300, you will be right on target.

Also there is the Onkyo TX-SR606, which has four HDMI Inputs, another great receiver that you can get for about the same price as the Pioneer ($300).

But if you're happy with only two HDMI inputs, the Denon AVR-1609 is a fine receiver. And you can probably get that one for about $200.

Hope that helps,

Bob

 

[primus_2001]

Thx Bob.

While the Denon 1609 deal sounds very tempting, I think I'll skip it since I don't want to deal with the multiple connections.

I went to a local Best Buy today -
The Pioneer sounded neat. Looks sleek too.
However, where can I get the 1018s for $300. I searched over the net and the least i found was $380.

The Yamaha 465 sounded pretty neat too and so did the HK 254. I was told the HK had the same HDMI/audio issue.

The search is on and hopefully I would be able to narrow down pretty soon. I heard the new Denon start-up line has a 5.1 with all bells and whistles.

Thanks

 

[Lordoftherings]

List of few reveivers worth looking at.

Thx Bob.

While the Denon 1609 deal sounds very tempting, I think I'll skip it since I don't want to deal with the multiple connections.

I went to a local Best Buy today -
The Pioneer sounded neat. Looks sleek too.
However, where can I get the 1018s for $300. I searched over the net and the least i found was $380.

The Yamaha 465 sounded pretty neat too and so did the HK 254. I was told the HK had the same HDMI/audio issue.

The search is on and hopefully I would be able to narrow down pretty soon. I heard the new Denon start-up line has a 5.1 with all bells and whistles.

Thanks

Well, the price of the Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K at $380 is not too bad (it was a bit cheaper before, prices always varied on-line).

Also the Onkyo TX-SR606 at around $319 or less is another very good alternative. It has Audyssey 2EQ and 4 HDMI inputs.

Another possible choice will be the Marantz SR4002, which is also in the $300-$350 price range. Also, last time I saw the Marantz SR6001, it was $350 at "accessories4less". That's a good reputable place for excellent deals to check.

And the Onkyo TX-SR705 ($440 refurb or less), is even a better deal. It has Audyssey MultEQ XT (which is a tremendous improvement over the 606), THX Select2, preouts for all channels (so you can add external amplifiers in the future if you wish so) and more power too.

Me, I will skip entirely the Denon AVR-1609 and also the Yamaha RX-V465.
For Denon, I will look more at the AVR-1909 or AVR-2309ci, but they cost more (they will drop in prices very shortly though).
And for Yamaha, I will look more into their last year models (better build and less money), like the RX-V663.

As for the Harman Kardon AVR 254, I can't say, I'm just not familiar enough with this model. And I personally try to stay away from HK. But that's just me.

OK, I hope this help you to look at the models that I consider worthwhile.

Cheers,

Bob