need 7 channel processor with HDMI

[jaybirdmusic74]

Hey I just made the plunge and bought a new pioneer elite blu-ray player, only to discover that the uncompressed audio is through an HDMI connection that hooks into your receiver/processor. I have an older integra receiver with no HDMI inputs, so now I am looking to upgrade to separates and I'm looking for reccomendations for a 7 channel HDMI video/audio input processor?

 

[mazersteven]

Integra DTC-9.8

http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DTC-9.8&class=Separates&p=i

What is your budget?

What made you choose the Pioneer Elite? Which model?

 

[Warpdrv]

That unit is the best of the best right now... and seeing as your familiar with Integra, its a no brainer...

Mazersteven's got your back..

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

Ive always liked the Pioneer elite stuff, the look and quality. I still have an old pioneer receiver I use for the garage over 16 years old.

My budget is less that what integra sells. I was thinking either Rotel or Emotiva, or a cheaper option, which I'm not even sure if it will work, is to buy a HDMI switcher that connects to my RS-232 port on the back of my receiver, but even so it still means I only have 6 channels instead of 7.

 

[Gasman]

either Rotel or Emotiva,

I am this close to >.< to picking up Emotiva.
But waiting for the newest LMC-2, to get full specs.
The cost seems to be outstanding according to their forums.
http://emotivalounge.proboards54.com/index.cgi?board=preamps&action=display&thread=1198141899
And the price for the IPS-1 is also outstanding..... I was getting ready to check out some Paradigm Studio 100s (still have not had a chance to hear them).
But may hold off on the speaker upgrade, to go ahead and get the seperates from Emotiva.

Side note: I did spend about 45 minutes (closer to an hour) with the Studio 60s, and was not at all impressed.
Tested with a Denon 3808 and Elite 92.
So, by no means will I buy the 100s blindly. I just have not found a local place that has them setup (closest is a round trip of 100 miles)

 

[jlahk]

What amps do you suggest with that processor?

 

[Davemcc]

What amps do you suggest with that processor?

With Emotiva's sale on right now, it's a no-brainer to me. The only caveat being that some members have experienced some quality issues, although I think they have been resolved in some form or another. Still, the IPS-1 7x150 for only $951 has to make you stop and think...

Otherwise, Outlaw Audio is a good place to check for decent, affordable 7 channel amps.

Then the other consideration is to go with pro amps, like the Behringer. These seem to be much more affordable for more power.

 

[adk highlander]

Jay I think you should look into the Onkyo version of the 9.8. It is called the PR-SC885P and even though the list is higher (1800 vs 1600) than the 9.8 I can tell you that it can be had for close to 500 off the list price. Send me a PM if you are interested and I will give you the dealer info.

I don't know what Rotel you were looking at but I would think that they are all over a grand and do not have HDMI v1.3 yet. Don't get me wrong, I like the Rotel products I have heard I think they are still catching up on the HDMI front. Their amps on the other hand are reliable and get great reviews from almost everyone here.

Emotiva has a trade-in program where you will get a 40% credit on a processor when you upgrade. So if you got the LMC-1 now that is on sale you can get 40% off the LMC-2 when i comes out later in the year.

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

Jay I think you should look into the Onkyo version of the 9.8. It is called the PR-SC885P and even though the list is higher (1800 vs 1600) than the 9.8 I can tell you that it can be had for close to 500 off the list price. Send me a PM if you are interested and I will give you the dealer info.

I don't know what Rotel you were looking at but I would think that they are all over a grand and do not have HDMI v1.3 yet. Don't get me wrong, I like the Rotel products I have heard I think they are still catching up on the HDMI front. Their amps on the other hand are reliable and get great reviews from almost everyone here.

Emotiva has a trade-in program where you will get a 40% credit on a processor when you upgrade. So if you got the LMC-1 now that is on sale you can get 40% off the LMC-2 when i comes out later in the year.

Hey your right, the latest version of the rotel is the 1069, which is hdmi v 1.1. I currently have a rotel
RMB-1095 so once I upgrade the processor I will need a 2 channel amp as well. I did see the Onkyo preamp on ebay for about $1800 I think, but the differences between that one and the integra were enough to sway me. I had no idea that buying the pioneer elite bd95 was going to cost me so much more!

 

[jaybirdmusic74]

With Emotiva's sale on right now, it's a no-brainer to me. The only caveat being that some members have experienced some quality issues, although I think they have been resolved in some form or another. Still, the IPS-1 7x150 for only $951 has to make you stop and think...

Otherwise, Outlaw Audio is a good place to check for decent, affordable 7 channel amps.

Then the other consideration is to go with pro amps, like the Behringer. These seem to be much more affordable for more power.

Hi Thanks, I did look into the emotiva as well but its hdmi is an external switcher and i dont beleive is the version 1.3. I need a preamp that has multiple hdmi v 1.3, I'm not even sure what that means but I know that my bluray disc wants me to have an hdmi connection that handles both video and audio.

 

[Davemcc]

Hi Thanks, I did look into the emotiva as well but its hdmi is an external switcher and i dont beleive is the version 1.3. I need a preamp that has multiple hdmi v 1.3, I'm not even sure what that means but I know that my bluray disc wants me to have an hdmi connection that handles both video and audio.

Sorry if I confused you. I was responding to jlahk's post about amplifiers.

As far as pro-pros go, I wouldn't buy an HDMI pre/pro right now except the Onkyo/Integra. I've been looking, but I haven't found any reason yet to pull the trigger. I had considered getting Emotiva's cheapest processor on sale now, then taking the 40% on the highest level of the newer processor later. Essentially, it would be almost a two for one sale. But that only works if you know that you want the new processor and so far, nobody knows what it looks like or what it will or won't do or what it will cost. It's a crapshoot right now.

 

[leetamm]

Hi Thanks, I did look into the emotiva as well but its hdmi is an external switcher and i dont beleive is the version 1.3. I need a preamp that has multiple hdmi v 1.3, I'm not even sure what that means but I know that my bluray disc wants me to have an hdmi connection that handles both video and audio.

Yeah, I just got the LMC-1/LPA-1 combo and the HDMI switcher that came with it only passes video, not audio. That's ok for me for now, because I don't even have an HDTV yet. It sounds like the LMC-2 though will have all the latest and greatest functionality that the newer Onkyo and Integra receivers and pre/pros have (hdmi 1.3, auto-speaker calibration, latest hi-def formats, etc)