Need some expert advice

[paulyd04]

Hey guys... it's been a while since I've posted but I come here first whenever I'm in the market for any new audio products because most of you know a whole heck of alot more than me and your advice has guided me to some great purchases.

Here's the deal- my dad is in the market for a new A/V Receiver and wants me to help him. Money isn't an issue but I think for all he uses it for he might be able to stay around the $500 range (although if there's something better that could be had for say 700-800 I definitely want to know about it)

Current Setup...

Harman Kardon AVR 254- the piece of @#$@#$ he's replacing
Monitor Audio Towers and Center Channel
Klipsch In wall rear surrounds
Yamaha 8" Sub (although this is probably going to be upgraded very soon to a 12")
Samsung A850 52" LCD
Samsung Blu Ray
Directv HR 24 HD-DVR
One other component- usually a PS3 or XBOX 360
Wii
Currently running a 5.1 setup and I don't see him going to a 7.1 soon but i'm thinking most receivers will be 7.2 and that would be nice to allow expansion in the future.


Here is what he wants....

1- At least 3 if not more HDMI inputs capable of full 1080p hdmi 1.4
2- 3D pass through capability (although he doesn't have 3d tv right now I could see him getting one in near future)
3- enough power to provide a good home theater experience (but by no means blow the roof off- currently I have a denon avr 590 which is 75 watts/channel and that's not enough so maybe like 90-100 or more watts/channel)
4- At least 1 Component Video Input
5- Sub Pre-Out (i'm assuming this is standard on all)
6- Auto Lip Sync- this is a must- he currently has the Harman AVR 254 and we can never get the Lip Sync right and it's off on everything and I've tried so many different things. My denon has auto lip sync and I've never had 1 problem with lip sync like my dad has.
7- Auto calibration like Audyssey or something similar

So far I've been looking at the AVR 591, AVR 791, and the Onkyo TX-SR608. If the Onkyo didn't have the video issues that I keep reading about, I think he would have already bought it, so I'm wondering have these issues been remedied or is Onkyo releasing a new one very soon?

He's thinking he'd like to purchase by April (his bday present to himself) and I'm pretty sure electronic companies release new stuff just before then so he's willing to wait if something bigger and better is coming out.

He or I are not loyal to a particular brand, although this time we're going to stay away from Harman Kardon. I've had an overall pretty good experience with my Denon thus far (it's about 1.5 years old right now and only 1 service issue which was under warranty).

What do you guys think? You can also email me- pdeyarman@gmail.com

Thanks!

 

[jostenmeat]

Here's the deal- my dad is in the market for a new A/V Receiver and wants me to help him. Money isn't an issue but I think for all he uses it for he might be able to stay around the $500 range (although if there's something better that could be had for say 700-800 I definitely want to know about it)

Don't hate me, but I vote for an even bigger budget at $1k, for the Denon 4310. It's one of the best deals out there right now according to some experts, like m code, since superceded by the 4311. The 4310 is actually better than the 4311 in some regards, can't remember how, and it is also built in Japan, something that current Denon receivers no longer enjoy, even the high end or so I was told at these boads. I believe the warranty is 3 years from authorized dealer, you should check on that.

Current Setup...

Harman Kardon AVR 254- the piece of @#$@#$ he's replacing
Monitor Audio Towers and Center Channel
Klipsch In wall rear surrounds
Yamaha 8" Sub (although this is probably going to be upgraded very soon to a 12")
Samsung A850 52" LCD
Samsung Blu Ray
Directv HR 24 HD-DVR
One other component- usually a PS3 or XBOX 360
Wii
Currently running a 5.1 setup and I don't see him going to a 7.1 soon but i'm thinking most receivers will be 7.2 and that would be nice to allow expansion in the future.

Well, I guess the 4310 might be overkill when looking at the above, but IMO, you are not close to the point of diminishing returns, and are getting real value with a larger expenditure. Oh nm, sub will be upgraded, and we don't know which MA models he has.

Here is what he wants....

1- At least 3 if not more HDMI inputs capable of full 1080p hdmi 1.4
2- 3D pass through capability (although he doesn't have 3d tv right now I could see him getting one in near future)
3- enough power to provide a good home theater experience (but by no means blow the roof off- currently I have a denon avr 590 which is 75 watts/channel and that's not enough so maybe like 90-100 or more watts/channel)
4- At least 1 Component Video Input
5- Sub Pre-Out (i'm assuming this is standard on all)
6- Auto Lip Sync- this is a must- he currently has the Harman AVR 254 and we can never get the Lip Sync right and it's off on everything and I've tried so many different things. My denon has auto lip sync and I've never had 1 problem with lip sync like my dad has.
7- Auto calibration like Audyssey or something similar

1. Check.

2. To get the tiny bit of convenience for this, you very well might be getting half the receiver of something like a 4310. Any 3d BDP out there that I know of has dual HDMI outputs specifically so that our HDMI 1.3 processors are not instantly outdated. All you need is another cable, like $5 from Monoprice, and you send one HDMI directly to TV, and another to processor. Done. Or, you can just get half the receiver if it must go thru receiver first.

3. 4310 >>>> 590.

4. I assume so, and shocked otherwise.

5. Yes. Could be two sub outs for all I know. (Who cares, Y-splitter turns any receiver into having dual outs.)

6. I've never come across one with this feature, and how the hell can it possibly work??? Lookie here, you calibrate your system to the standard with test disc, and from there, just ignore all of the bad stuff by poorly performing SMPTE engineers. It will only drive you crazy. If too lazy or unresourceful to find a test disc, google clapper board test.

7. The 4310 has the next step up from your 590 with the XT version.

So far I've been looking at the AVR 591, AVR 791, and the Onkyo TX-SR608. If the Onkyo didn't have the video issues that I keep reading about, I think he would have already bought it, so I'm wondering have these issues been remedied or is Onkyo releasing a new one very soon?

Please describe the exact nature of the video issue, I am very curious. Thank you. (I have an Onkyo, and will look for a new processor sometime, whether this year, or several years from now, etc.)

 

[sholling]

You didn't mention what model MA tower but for most people an Onkyo TX-SR708 or 808 should be plenty. Then I'd have him contact Hsu Research and have them size a subwoofer for that room.

 

[paulyd04]

I'm not too sure on the MA tower model because he got them back in 2002 (although they sound wonderful). If I had to guess based on what I know and MA's website, i'd say the Bronze BX5 or BX6...