Need a New Receiver

[Singularity29A]

<font color='#000000'>Hello everyone,

I have been reading a bunch of websites about A/V receivers trying to find decent reviews and well thought out opinions on all the different brands / models.  You all seem to be quite a knowledgeable bunch, so I figured I would ask your opinions.

I'm looking for a receiver to act as a center piece for a lot of video game equipment.  The key here is a lot of s-video inputs, as I have a playstation, x-box, gamecube, super-nintendo, dreamcast, digital cable tv box, dvd player, vhs player, and a computer with tv-out.  I'm also thinking about getting a playstation 2.  Anyway, I really want the ability to have everything connected at once instead of constantly having to swap out the cables to my 1 s-video connection on the tv.  Currently I have the Sony 1700D Home Theater package.  I know it isn't top notch in terms of audio, but I'm quite pleased with what it is able to do.  However, the included receiver does not have any s-video inputs or outputs and this just won't do at all.  I'm also looking at all the decoding features for the audio.  The gamecube uses Dolby Pro Logic II (my current receiver only supports Dolby Pro Logic I), and thus I definitely need this to be supported by the receiver.  Since my speakers aren't really high quality, I figured a very expensive receiver would be overkill.  Also, I didn't want to purchase a regular video switch instead of a receiver as my current receiver doesn't support analog input connections for each speaker source (the computer I want to connect to it has an Audigy 2 Platinum and the only way to play DVD audio is via analog) and it only has 1 coax and 1 optical input (not enough for all the devices I want to connect to it).

Sooooo, I am trying to scrounge up enough cash (I am thinking in the 700 dollars range), but I'm at a loss as to which receiver would make me very happy.  The Sony STR-DA4ES has caught my eye, but it unfortunately it only has 5 s-video inputs  

, and I'm thinking that it might not be enough.  Although, one of the s-video inputs is on the front panel making hot-swapping easy, but having cables dangling in the front of the entertainment system isn't something I really want.  Also, since my speakers are all 'small' I would need good LFE management for the 100watt subwoofer (another reason why the DA4ES looks like a good choice to me).

Well there you have it, any input would be fantastic!

Thank you much,
Andrew</font>

 

[dasquared]

<font color='#000000'>First things first...IMO, &nbsp;you should choose a receiver for the SOUND, &nbsp;not video capabilities. I am unsure after your post if you intend to have the receiver do the video switching. &nbsp;I would recommend the Denon 2802, 2803, &nbsp;or the 3803 or the equivalent Yamaha (RXV 2200, 3200, I think). &nbsp;But another alternative is to get a video switching box, &nbsp;especially if you're using all S-Video. &nbsp;They usually have 3 to 5 inputs and and out, &nbsp;and are quite inexpensive. &nbsp;Even your local best buy or circuit city shoud have something along these lines. &nbsp;You can get one for all the game platforms, &nbsp;and put that into your &quot;aux&quot; spot. &nbsp;This will allow you to focus more on the other properties of the receiver rather than just number of ins... &nbsp;The video switchers usually take in S-video and L&amp;R audio also. Some are available as push-button selectors, other knob selectors, others digital with or w/o remote controls. &nbsp;I am not sure who makes good stuff for this, as I have never owned. &nbsp;I hope I have helped a little. &nbsp;I think if you use a video switcher you can get what you are looking for...</font>

 

[duff]

<font color='#000000'>I've seen plenty of video switchers, but none with digital audio capacity (although I haven't looked too hard).  I was also wondering about a good way to hook up a bunch of gaming systems where I didn't have to compromise any connection (by downgrading to composite video or analog audio).  But then again, some of these toys have only composite video and RCA audio, so I would need that flexibility too.  

Sheesh.  Finding this maximum flexibility is tough.  Anyone successfully done something like this?</font>

 

[dasquared]

<font color='#000000'>I'll be browsing through my haunts this weekend...I will try to get manufacturers and model for what I'm talking about...</font>

 

[rob]

<font color='#000000'>Circuit City has a video switch device for around $39...it has 4 s-video IN  and 1 OUT, device selectable by push buttons on the front.
As far as receivers go, check CC for floor models and you can get something pretty awesome for a lot less than your $700.00 budget. I just picked up a Harman Kardon AVR320 for 399.00...the same unit sold for 699.00 a few months ago. It has Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS-ES 6.1 , DPLII , 192kHz/24-bit D/A converters...has 5 s-video IN and 2 OUT, as well as many optical and coax inputs and some component video  inputs and outputs...plus the sound is unreal.
But...if you don't like floor models you can get the new model AVR 325 for 799.00...about all that's different though are 2 more amps for 7.1 and some silver buttons vs the gold on the 320  

 you can also get the 320 online from the HK web-site for 398.00 (refurbished).  
You're not going to find many receivers with more than 5 s-video inputs, but with the switch-box that will give you 8. Cheers!</font>