Need a receiver to power an Infinity Primus setup

[ptsawyer]

Thanks to the help of this forum, I have decided to go with an Infinity Primus setup. Sorry to write a book, but I have found the more I write, the better the answers.

Here are the speakers I am going to be using

Infinity Primus P363 x2 fronts
P351 center
P153 or P163 x2 surrounds
BIC PL-200 sub

I am pretty tech savvy, but Im new to HT, and the reciever has been BY FAR the most confusing peice of the puzzle. Obviously I want to make sure that I have enough power to adequately run my system.

Notes:

Budget: Hopefully less than $500. I know I dont want to skimp here, but I had to stretch my budget in other areas (sub, towers, etc).

I prefer HDMI 1.4, (4+ inputs should do). Definately needs to pass through analog video to HDMI since I will occasionaly be hooking up older video game consoles. My xbox 360 is the older model that is not HDMI.

Video upscaling would be nice.

Some suggestions include the Marantz 5005 and the Denon 1911. If anyone has personal expeirence with the Infintys, please share. Thanks!!

 

[PENG]

Marantz is a good choice but I suggest you try to get one that has 7.1 pre-outs so you have the option to add an external power amp if and when there is a need.

To a lot of people including me, video upscaling is a waste of time if you goal is to upconvert/upscale analog video inputs or to improve DVD video quality. If you want good VQ, stick with HD sources. Most current BD player will upscale DVD better than entry level and mid range AVRs. If the transfer itself is bad, no AVR, including high end ones will make it noticeably better.

 

[sholling]

I think the best bang for the buck for your budget is a re-certified Onkyo TX-NR708 - last years model. I've had good luck with re-certified Onkyo receivers. It'll drive the heck out of the Infinities but also has preouts should you ever want an amp and it includes Audyssey MultiEQ. It has upscaling but IMO it's usually best to let the TV handle the upscaling. TVs usually do a better job. If you insist on upscaling in the receiver then I'd buy something else because Onkyos have a slight delay and click with every change in the picture however they're fine with upcoverting to HDMI.

 

[ptsawyer]

Ok, lets forget the upscaling. (seems unanimous it doesnt matter). I am pretty interested in AirPlay though...

 

[PENG]

Ok, lets forget the upscaling. (seems unanimous it doesnt matter). I am pretty interested in AirPlay though...

I seem to remember ADTG knows somewhere you can buy a Denon AVR-3311 for less than $600 but I could be wrong. The AVR1912 supports Airplay too but it does no have preouts.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I seem to remember ADTG knows somewhere you can buy a Denon AVR-3311 for less than $600 but I could be wrong. The AVR1912 supports Airplay too but it does no have preouts.

You know how I hate refurbished AVRs & pre-pros.

But when I see Amazon have those Denons as "LIKE-NEW" it is as good as new.

But those deals don't last very long. Last time they had it, I posted them here on the forum. The next day, those 3 Denons were all gone.

Right now, Amazon has the 3311 "Like-New" for $753, which isn't as good a deal as before:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B003LVZYNI/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1311947124&sr=8-1&condition=used