Is it time to update my receiver?

[Highgear]

I have just purchased a new Panasonic Z1 plasma and Panasonic BD80 Blu-Ray player. My old system consisted of a 2006 vintage panny plasma and OPPO upconverting DVD player along with a ten year old Onkyo HT-R500 5.1receiver. I have great speakers, Paradigm Studio 20's. I was thinking I may be loosing out when receivers that can process Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master are out there. I was thinking of the Onkyo TX-SR308 5.1. Would this be worth the move to this receiver?

 

[ZeGhostbear]

Are you running five of those Studio 20's or just two? For me the answer for a 5.x system would be very different than for 2.x system.

 

[Highgear]

Are you running five of those Studio 20's or just two? For me the answer for a 5.x system would be very different than for 2.x system.

Hi ZeGhostbear, I am running three of the Studio 20's for the L R and center and am using the ten year old Onkyo HT-R500 sub and rears. I would like to update the rears some day soon. I could not fit the appropriate paradigm center in my TV console, that thing is huge! I was surprised that I didn't get much response on this forum. Maybe because of the question regarding the low end 308 that the stereophile guys here are not familiar with? Anyway, I went over to the AVS forum that I go to for video and posted the question. I got an answer of purchasing a Onkyo model with minimum of Audyssey Mult EQ. Still out of my price range ($800) and probably out of my hearing range. I'm torn between between buying a new Onkyo HT-RC260 ( with low end Audyssey 2EQ) or a used much better Onkyo TX-SR706 that is about the same price. The latter has Multi EQ. Any ideas?

 

[PENG]

Hi ZeGhostbear, I am running three of the Studio 20's for the L R and center and am using the ten year old Onkyo HT-R500 sub and rears. I would like to update the rears some day soon. I could not fit the appropriate paradigm center in my TV console, that thing is huge! I was surprised that I didn't get much response on this forum. Maybe because of the question regarding the low end 308 that the stereophile guys here are not familiar with? Anyway, I went over to the AVS forum that I go to for video and posted the question. I got an answer of purchasing a Onkyo model with minimum of Audyssey Mult EQ. Still out of my price range ($800) and probably out of my hearing range. I'm torn between between buying a new Onkyo HT-RC260 ( with low end Audyssey 2EQ) or a used much better Onkyo TX-SR706 that is about the same price. The latter has Multi EQ. Any ideas?

I thought you could get the 608 for $399.

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR608-7-2-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B003BIFOL8/ref=lh_ni_t_

 

[Highgear]

I thought you could get the 608 for $399.

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR608-7-2-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B003BIFOL8/ref=lh_ni_t_

The 608 is identical to the 260 other than the THX certification, a PC port, and being SERIUS ready.

 

[ZeGhostbear]

Your Panasonic DMP-BD80 can output analog 7.1 to your Onkyo HT-R500. So if all you care about is being able to take advantage of the new audio formats on Blu-rays, then you have everything you need (except for some very short RCA cables from monoprice.com maybe). An entry-level receiver is not going to do a better DAC job than a good Blu-ray plaer, so it does not really matter where the conversion happens.

Something on the low end like the Onkyo TX-SR308 is too close in terms of amplification power to your old system. Lookin at Onkyo's specs actually could suggest it is less powerful than your old receiver.

Of course room correction is something completely else and could bring big advantages, but it might be better to wait until you can upgrade to something like a TX-SR-608 (or 708 should you plan to add an external amp).

What is your budget limit? Have you used the analog mulit-channel connection?

 

[Highgear]

Your Panasonic DMP-BD80 can output analog 7.1 to your Onkyo HT-R500. So if all you care about is being able to take advantage of the new audio formats on Blu-rays, then you have everything you need (except for some very short RCA cables from monoprice.com maybe). An entry-level receiver is not going to do a better DAC job than a good Blu-ray plaer, so it does not really matter where the conversion happens.

Something on the low end like the Onkyo TX-SR308 is too close in terms of amplification power to your old system. Lookin at Onkyo's specs actually could suggest it is less powerful than your old receiver.

Of course room correction is something completely else and could bring big advantages, but it might be better to wait until you can upgrade to something like a TX-SR-608 (or 708 should you plan to add an external amp).

What is your budget limit? Have you used the analog mulit-channel connection?

Thanks ZeGhostbear. I picked up a new Onkyo HT-RC260 last night. This is from what I have read just like the 608 but without THX certification and serial port. Did I do good? I made some room in my entertainment stand today because this unit is a little taller than the 500 and hope to put her in this week.

 

[ZeGhostbear]

There are a few pluses compared to your old receiver: Audyssey 2EQ, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey DSX, and dual subwoofer pre-outs. Can't sneeze at that. More and more features available at lower price points, especially from Onkyo. Would like to try wide channel speakers in DSX myself soon. Have fun with your new setup.

 

[Highgear]

There are a few pluses compared to your old receiver: Audyssey 2EQ, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey DSX, and dual subwoofer pre-outs. Can't sneeze at that. More and more features available at lower price points, especially from Onkyo. Would like to try wide channel speakers in DSX myself soon. Have fun with your new setup.

I ran the Audyssey 2EQ last Sunday when the family was out of the house ,need to have total silance when doing the set-up with the mic a three locations in the room. I have to say, I wasn't very impressed with the audio before running the Audyssey 2EQ set-up. I guess no receiver will not sound very good with unballanced speakers. It was like night and day after I ran it. My speakers never sounded so good. The room is filled with sound. I watched "The Expendables" in DTS-HD Master and was so in awe. I had my last receiver set up with a sound meter and it was nothing like what I have now. The little money that I paid for this HT-RC260 wat so worth it. I can't even imagine what the upper end Audyssey EQ would sound like with it's ten point set-up.

 

[ZeGhostbear]

Funny, just finished watching that movie on Blu-ray. Nice sound effects.

I cannot imagine you would hear much difference in your primary listening position (or even your secondary as long as it is closeby) with more advanced Audyssey. XT32 might help out on the low end, but you have two pre-outs for subwoofers to help you with that, should you try and smooth out the bass response across listening positions.

Glad you like your new setup.