Looking to buy my first receiver

[killercripple]

So I figure it's time to start purchasing a real home theater system. I've been a HtIb person for years now. So I figure it's time to upgrade.
This is what I have now. sony ht6900dp

I'll be buying over the next few months. It makes since to me to start with the receiver.
I have a 600$ budget for the receiver.
I use a PS3 to watch my movies and blue rays.
My TV is a 47" Panasonic 720P
The room is 18Lx13W
I would say I play more video games than I watch movies.

The receivers that have looked best to me are either 1 of these 3
Onkyo TX-SR608
Onkyo HT-RC180
Denon AVR-2310CI

But as you can see from what I have now. I'm not sure I should just pick 1 on my own with out asking some people that know more than me.

If there's anything else that might help to pick the best receiver for me. Please ask.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Start with speakers, then features, then AVR!

So I figure it's time to start purchasing a real home theater system. I've been a HtIb person for years now. So I figure it's time to upgrade.
This is what I have now. sony ht6900dp

I'll be buying over the next few months. It makes since to me to start with the receiver.
I have a 600$ budget for the receiver.
I use a PS3 to watch my movies and blue rays.
My TV is a 47" Panasonic 720P
The room is 18Lx13W
I would say I play more video games than I watch movies.

The receivers that have looked best to me are either 1 of these 3
Onkyo TX-SR608
Onkyo HT-RC180
Denon AVR-2310CI

But as you can see from what I have now. I'm not sure I should just pick 1 on my own with out asking some people that know more than me.

If there's anything else that might help to pick the best receiver for me. Please ask.

Killer,

I recommend you approach selecting a receiver (AVR) in a different way.

1) Start with determining speakers/speaker budget, because if the AVR can not properly power them, what is the point. Your room is a medium sized room, so you have lots of choice in speakers. Provide a speaker budget and members will help.

2) Then make a list of the AVR features you need/are important to you. For instance; how many HDMI inputs? Do you need a 2nd or 3rd Zone? Since you already have blu ray you will want the DTS-MA and Dolby HD codecs (most have them these days), etc. Pre-amp outputs give you a lot of flexibility down the road and is a feature I always include, YMMV.

3) Then look at the specific AVRs from major manufacturers (Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc.) that have the requisite power and features you determined above and start culling the herd until you find a product/price combo that suits you.

Have fun,
XEagleDriver

 

[sholling]

Killer,

I recommend you approach selecting a receiver (AVR) in a different way.

1) Start with determining speakers/speaker budget, because if the AVR can not properly power them, what is the point. Your room is a medium sized room, so you have lots of choice in speakers. Provide a speaker budget and members will help.

2) Then make a list of the AVR features you need/are important to you. For instance; how many HDMI inputs? Do you need a 2nd or 3rd Zone? Since you already have blu ray you will want the DTS-MA and Dolby HD codecs (most have them these days), etc. Pre-amp outputs give you a lot of flexibility down the road and is a feature I always include, YMMV.

3) Then look at the specific AVRs from major manufacturers (Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc.) that have the requisite power and features you determined above and start culling the herd until you find a product/price combo that suits you.

Have fun,
XEagleDriver

Great advice... +1 what he said!

 

[killercripple]

Killer,

I recommend you approach selecting a receiver (AVR) in a different way.

1) Start with determining speakers/speaker budget, because if the AVR can not properly power them, what is the point. Your room is a medium sized room, so you have lots of choice in speakers. Provide a speaker budget and members will help.

2) Then make a list of the AVR features you need/are important to you. For instance; how many HDMI inputs? Do you need a 2nd or 3rd Zone? Since you already have blu ray you will want the DTS-MA and Dolby HD codecs (most have them these days), etc. Pre-amp outputs give you a lot of flexibility down the road and is a feature I always include, YMMV.

3) Then look at the specific AVRs from major manufacturers (Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer, etc.) that have the requisite power and features you determined above and start culling the herd until you find a product/price combo that suits you.

Have fun,
XEagleDriver

My speaker budget is between 1000-1500$ I'll be buying the speakers over the next few months.

I like the look and price of the Polk Monitor60's for my fronts and the Polk Monitor40's for the surrounds. Then the Polk CS20 for a center. I still don't know what sub to get. I figure I'll cross that bridge when the time comes.

I don't need many HDMI inputs, 3 I think? "TV, cable box and PS3"

From what you said to look for. The Onkyo HT-RC180 looks to be the best pick for me.

It has Audyssey DSX. Does that mean it has Sub filtering? Because I hear that's pretty important

 

[XEagleDriver]

My speaker budget is between 1000-1500$ I'll be buying the speakers over the next few months.

I like the look and price of the Polk Monitor60's for my fronts and the Polk Monitor40's for the surrounds. Then the Polk CS20 for a center. I still don't know what sub to get. I figure I'll cross that bridge when the time comes.

More important than how they look is how they sound! Try and find a place to give them a listen. If I found Orting WA correctly, you may be able to demo the Polks as well as other brands in the Seattle area.

With your budget, I would try and listen to PSB (Image), Paradigm, Def Tech, Infinity to name a few. Bring a CD of music you are very familiar with, insist they turn off any subs, note the amp power, and only use a pure direct mode (non-EQ'd) sound program.

There are also several very good ID brands such as Ascend, Aperion, SVS and HSU (the later two also sell very good subs). You can also in-home demo these for a gamble on the return shipping cost, depending on the company.

I don't need many HDMI inputs, 3 I think? "TV, cable box and PS3"

These days I would look to get four as a minimum to ensure you have at least some growth potential (Wii, XBox, etc.)

From what you said to look for. The Onkyo HT-RC180 looks to be the best pick for me.

I am not familiar with the HT-RC180, but a cursory look at it on the Onyko site did not raise any red flags. Others in this forum are more familiar with Onkyo than I, and if there are better Onkyo options, will probably pipe up.

Do check out Accessories 4 Less for good deals on Onkyo and Marantz AVRs.

It has Audyssey DSX. Does that mean it has Sub filtering? Because I hear that's pretty important

Of the automatic EQ systems I have been impressed with Audessy (particularly MultiEQ) and it does include the ability to select low frequency crossover points for individual speakers and this is important. I think that is what you mean by "sub filtering".

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[maxx103]

heeeeyy..

I have the monitor 60 can't comment on preformance because ive never heard them (nothing to power them . I just wanted to state that the tv is an output so you would only need 2 but most receivers have a lot more anyway check out the Yamaha RX-v667 they can be had for around 400. <--that's what im getting by the way. anyway good luck and welcome to the forum

 

[killercripple]

I think the onkyo ht-rc270 Is the best one for me. It has everything I need and I can get it from newegg.com for 500$ shipped.

Can someone take a look at it? to see if it throws in red flags before I order it

 

[maxx103]

looks good

i think it will work just fine but i just glanced at it but i saw no problems. I hope you enjoy your new toy.