need to upgrade!!!

[homebrew]

I've lurked these pages for some time with extreme envey of the systems many here talk about. I have a very modest system now. A couple years ago I bought a HTIB. The receiver, a Onkyo 304, and the passive sub are the only pieces I still use. The included speakers quickly were replaced. Inlaws gave me 2 old Sony SS AV44, I bought 2 Pioneer HF41 and matching center speaker from Parts Express.
One big question I have...would moving up to a receiver in the $400 range give a great improvement compared to the Onkyo 304 (power and sound quality)? I'm not looking for the latest and greatest, just something with enough WOW factor the make it worth the investment. A WOW factor would certainly help with the WAF. I know a new subwoofer will be a must and better speakers will follow but we must walk before we can run.
Questions:
1 would moving up to a receiver in the $400 range give a great improvement compared to the Onkyo 304 (power and sound quality)?
2 Would a new receiver in that price range be a good first step from where I am now?
Any suggestions would be appriciated. Use is 90%+ movies/ Optoma HD70 projector.

 

[mazersteven]

Welcome to Audioholics.

I would have to say that a new receiver would "Not" be an improvement with your current speakers. I would say new speakers would give you the biggest improvement in sound quality. But if you get new speakers I don't think your old receiver will do them justice.

Onkyo TX-SR605
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR605&class=Receiver&p=i

 

[homebrew]

That's what I was thinking. Being that the WAF and CICF(child in college factor) will allow me to spend $400-$500 at a time, I will be upgrading my HT over the next year. This years xmas, birthday in june, next year xmas. That being said, which comes first; the chicken(receiver) or the egg(front & center speakers) or the rooster(big nasty sub)? I guess that's not too bad a budget, up to $1500 over the next year. To get the most listening pleasure now, I'm not sure which way to move first.

 

[m_vanmeter]

I vote for speakers first, your current receiver will handle efficient speakers, so get all the 5.1 speaker bits first. In a year, there will be a new crop of receivers with more bells and whistles.....but you probably don't care because that will only make this years models even more available and less expensive ! There is always the factory refurb route to save some bucks on receivers www.accessories4less.com a factory authorized reseller. Factory authorized is important as it keeps the manufacturer's warranty in effect.

good luck

 

[mazersteven]

I vote for speakers first, your current receiver will handle efficient speakers

Just as long as you don't plan on listening to movies, or music at high volume levels.

 

[jcPanny]

Bookshelf speakers

Upgrade to a nice pair of bookshelf speakers for the mains. As long as they are 8 ohms, your receiver wont have a problem driving them. The Onix X-LS from av123 is one good budget option. You could probably also buy the matching center channel or the X-sub in your $400 budget.

 

[mazersteven]

Acculine
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_32&products_id=65

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_32&products_id=68

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR605&class=Receiver&p=i

Over time you could put a system like this together.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Got to go with JC on this one; the AV123's will be your best bet.

Upgrading your AVR will not do much good until you get the right speakers.

 

[Pipelayer]

1 would moving up to a receiver in the $400 range give a great improvement compared to the Onkyo 304 (power and sound quality)?
2 Would a new receiver in that price range be a good first step from where I am now?
Any suggestions would be appriciated. Use is 90%+ movies/ Optoma HD70 projector.

Yes I believe it woud, but not a huge audible difference, it would add more capablility. The $400 range would give you around a 25 to 35 watt increase per channel, and will likely add two channels more than you already have.

With your budget, I would probably look at the Onkyo 605. If you're not in any need for upscaling in the receiver I would go with the Onkyo 605, it can be had for around $429, it's a really nice unit. If, however, you find you are in need of upscaling in your receiver I would recommend the Denon 2308, it can be had for around $598. I suggest you conclude what's is and is not important to you, some people really value pre-outs, if your one of them then the Onkyo 705 is going to be a good choice, but with it you have to give up the upscaling (however, I think it scales or converts 480i to 480p). Not trying to confuse you, just trying to give you a choice. If I had to make the best choice for you blindly, not knowing what your needs are, I would most certainly go with the Onkyo 605, it's definitely more bang for the buck.

Getting new speakers first, as was suggested by others, probably is not a bad idea. Once again your needs would come into play.

 

[homebrew]

As usual, I'm a little more confused now than when I started...BUT, I do realize this too shall pass.
I guess I've been a good boy this year. The WAF has increased slightly for xmas this year.
Could any harm be done to speakers by using an underpowered receiver? It seems that I read that once but was unable to find it doing a search.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yes. If you run the AVR too hard it can clip and damage the speakers. It is better to over power vs. underpower.

As usual, I'm a little more confused now than when I started...BUT, I do realize this too shall pass.
I guess I've been a good boy this year. The WAF has increased slightly for xmas this year.
Could any harm be done to speakers by using an underpowered receiver? It seems that I read that once but was unable to find it doing a search.

 

[mazersteven]

Could any harm be done to speakers by using an underpowered receiver? It seems that I read that once but was unable to find it doing a search.

Yes harm can be done by using an underpowered amp. The most important is how stable the amp is. Can it produce clean stable power without distortion.

Having a little extra power is a good thing.

 

[Pipelayer]

As usual, I'm a little more confused now than when I started...BUT, I do realize this too shall pass.
I guess I've been a good boy this year. The WAF has increased slightly for xmas this year.
Could any harm be done to speakers by using an underpowered receiver? It seems that I read that once but was unable to find it doing a search.

I think I see what you getting at.

First,
the answer is yes an underpowered receiver can do damage to a speaker if you overdrive the receiver.

Secondly,
I think you might be concerned about purchasing the speakers before the receiver because of this, seeing you would be buying speakers for a more powerful receiver than the one you now own and plan to replace. You might be concerned about your present lower powered receiver damaging your newer higher power capcity speakers. Well, I don't think that's going to be an issue with you. Your present Onkyo 304 pushes 65 watts per channel (5.1 channels); You're new receiver (if you stick to the price range) will be pushing 90 to 100 watts per channel (7.1 channels). Chances are, there is not enough differences between these wattages to cause the lower powered Onkyo 304 to damage your new speakers. Not unless you go out an buy some super high power capacity speakers having a minimum wattage capacity of ninety or a hundred watts. Besides, 65 watts per channel isn't small potatoes. So... you should be safe whichever item you decide to purchase first.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver and speaker wattage

I wouldn't stress too much about receiver power and/or speaker wattage. Speaker maximum wattage is pretty arbitrary. Also, the difference between 60 and 100 watts from the receiver is only a 2-3 dB or a slight increase in volume. Most receivers rated for 100 Watts will only be able to deliver about 50-60 watts max when driving 5-7 channels anyway.

Here are my recomendations:
* stick with 8 ohm speakers for your entry level receiver like the previously recommended Onix X-LS speakers.
* Do not set your receiver to the maximum volume level to see what happens. You will likely damage your hearing, the receiver, or the speakers.
* When stressing the receivers amp, you will hear audible distortion. If it sounds bad, turn the volume down a little.

 

[homebrew]

Thanks to all for your replies. I am very humbled by the knowledge and experience here. I've found some great deals on refurbished recieivers but I realize I am in need of more efficient speakers. My biggest problem is that I want it all now.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It's not so much that you need more efficient speakers; you need better speakers. Once you "get into" better speakers it is important that you have the proper power to drive them but many great speakers are efficient and can be driven by mid-line AVRs.

I have a true 200watt/ch ext. amp driving my speakers but to tell you the truth; my 300 buck AVR drives them just fine all by itself!