New Receiver Purchase Assistance PLEASE!!

[UTVOLSFAN]

Hello all, I am going to purchase a new AV receiver but I need some experienced advice on what I really need. I had a Rotel RSX1055 that was damaged by lightning. I have read so much information about different receivers that I am thoroughly confused. I have up to $1500 to spend on a receiver. Movies will be the main use for the receiver. Here is my current list of gear.
Sony Blu-ray BDP-S300
Sony Bravia KDS-60A3000 SXRD projection TV
Denon DVD-1600
Definitive Technology BP7006 for left and right front & CLR 2300 for center
Klispch RS-35 rear surrounds
I want really good build quality and reliability as well as good audio from the receiver. I am not sure if the receiver's video section matters too much given the fact my BRD upconverts to 1080p. However it will not decode the TrueHD or Master. I have looked at all the usual units which include Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer Elite, Integra, Onkyo, Marantz. It seems like all of them are coming out with "new models" and that I should wait to purchase. I am sure you all get this same question over and over so I hope I am not boring you here. Can anyone give me some "sound" advice here? Also does anyone know of any reputable dealers that gives good online pricing?
Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.

 

[Adam]

Hey, welcome to the forum!

There are a number of good choices out there, and most will cost you far less than $1500. With your equipment list, I think that you'll want a receiver that can do HMDI with audio processing. I personally wouldn't focus on video processing within the receiver, just like you said.

The units that I tend to mention are the Yamaha RX-V663, Onkyo TX-SR606, and the Pioneer VSX-1018AH (although if you have the extra cash, the next Pioneer up is the Pioneer Elite VSX-01THX). They all handle the latest audio codecs, all do audio processing over HDMI, and all get good reviews as far as I've seen.

A lot of companies put out their yearly crop in the late spring or summer months, so this year's offerings are pretty new.

Adam

 

[surferaudio]

If you have $1,500 to blow, I would recommend what Adam recommended - the Yamaha 663 to operate as a receiver (you can get it for $350 based on a googled coupon for 6 ave) However, you have two really good options:

1) What Adam said - get the Yammy 663 ... With the savings, I would use it on an amp.. your def tech's will thank you for the added power and your soundstage will really expand and handle the transient highs via movie sound track and handle the lows during the action intense scenes. The recommended amp is Emotiva XPA 3 for your mains and use the Yammy receiver to power the surrounds or if you want to go all-out, get the XPA 5..

Note: I have a Yammy 663 and I love it. However, I didn't have $1,500 to spend, you do. If I was in your position, I would do this option #2:

2) Get an pre-amp processor that's coming out next month I think from Emotiva. Why? You get balanced pre-outs, something that's very critical down the road when you get the itch to upgrade.. and you won't deal with ground loop hums, and a variety of problems with receivers that lack the balanced pre-outs. THe name of the preamp processor is called UMC-1 that's coming out. You can pre-order at the emotiva website. The pre-order price is $699 but after their initial production run, it will go up. Which leaves you $800 left to spend which is an amp at XPA-5 from emotiva, those 2 will make you the king of the neighborhood without breaking the bank!

Unless your neighbor has a 25k Krell 707 pre-pro, you'll be fine.

 

[jamie2112]

If the Emotiva ever comes out that might be the way to go with one of their 5 or 7 channel amps.As far as an AVR I would say the Yamaha VX-863 as it has 3 HDMI inputs and its rated very well.........

 

[surferaudio]

If the Emotiva ever comes out that might be the way to go with one of their 5 or 7 channel amps.As far as an AVR I would say the Yamaha VX-863 as it has 3 HDMI inputs and its rated very well.........

Jamie, I would agree about the HDMI dilemma but the problem is that the price increase for the 863 is not justifiable. What I did with my 663 was get the 4x1 hdmi switcher (comes with remote, auto-sensor, etc) from monoprice. That's the better alternative to the 863 which only has 3 hdmi.. so the alternative gives you an advantage in price and extra input. Heck, if you need 6 or 8 total later on down the road, getting an extra switch will do.

 

[UTVOLSFAN]

I will definitely have to look at the Emotiva units. I did not think I could get seperates for $1500. So you are saying all I would need would be the UMC-1 and the XPA-5. How would this compare to the units I mentioned that I have looked at? Thanks for the info I really appreciate it.

 

[jamie2112]

Jamie, I would agree about the HDMI dilemma but the problem is that the price increase for the 863 is not justifiable. What I did with my 663 was get the 4x1 hdmi switcher (comes with remote, auto-sensor, etc) from monoprice. That's the better alternative to the 863 which only has 3 hdmi.. so the alternative gives you an advantage in price and extra input. Heck, if you need 6 or 8 total later on down the road, getting an extra switch will do.

Good idea, I don't find the cost effective either....

 

[surferaudio]

I will definitely have to look at the Emotiva units. I did not think I could get seperates for $1500. So you are saying all I would need would be the UMC-1 and the XPA-5. How would this compare to the units I mentioned that I have looked at? Thanks for the info I really appreciate it.

UTVOLSFAN,

You have the "chemicals" to make an explosive home theater experience that will make you never want to go to the movie theaters again: your def tech bp7006 needs a powerful amp to let it really shine and strut it stuff. It needs an amp with ample headroom. Your def tech speakers are rated RMS 250 watts which brings up the need for XPA-5 as the best bang for buck amp. There is NO AVR in the market within 2k or even 5k range that can offer 250/w per channel performance. This brings up the need for seperates.

With an XPA-5, your receiver options are flexible. You can go cheaper with an Yammy 663 receiver or get on the preorder bandwagon for the UMC-1 pre/pro. Bottom line, As long as you get the XPA 5, you are so golden. There's a free shipping deal for labor day if you order it this weekend.

Oh... don't forget to give me an admission ticket to your home theater... I'd move in

Let me warn you, if you get the UMC-1/XPA-5 combo, you will become addicted and your obssession will evolve to getting a 1080p projector with a 140" inch screen and then you'll want to get into the whole subwoofer commercial vs DIY dilemma where you'll place 4 subs aroudn the room to the point where you will replace your foundation for your house and hire a lawyer to defend the lawsuits filed by your neighbors.

Nice hobby eh?

 

[surferaudio]

Oh, I didn't answer your question in full.

You want comparative analysis:

If you get an AVR alone such as a Denon, Yammy, Pioneer, etc.. all of their power ratings are based on 1 channel driven if that. Without any frame of reference, you would hook up your AVR to your def tech mains and klipsch surrounds and set reference level to 80/85 db or so. You'll be fine but as program material gets intense during action scenes, etc.. your AVR alone will not be adequate in power delivery so the speakers can handle the transients. You run the risk of underpowering the speakers and in fact, speakers can get damaged by the clipping (not enough power) from the AVR. Your AVR alone option would be cool, suffice, adequate.

But keep the mantra in mind for your def techs: All AVRs as a standalone, lack the power your speaker wants, demands, needs, begs, aches for.

Instead, add in either a XPA-3+AVR or XPA-5/UMC-1, your friends, after experiencing the demo of the alien pod in the War of the Worlds or the train coming in 3:10 to Yuma, or Titan A.E. or better yet, the depth charges scene in U571, will go, "Holy Smit!" ... "Nucking Futs!"... "I thought I was gonna die!", the superlatives go on and on.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have up to $1500 to spend on a receiver.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR905/Onkyo/TX-NR905-7.1-Channel-Home-Network-Receiver-BLACK/1.html

http://www.dakmart.com/product_info.php?products_id=6517&osCsid=rtarjikdqrkuu6ltpmj0b34763

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR8002/Marantz/SR8002-receiver-THX-125w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html

 

[UTVOLSFAN]

Are there any information/literature on the UMC-1? I do not see any on the Emotiva site.
Thanks again

 

[mazersteven]

Are there any information/literature on the UMC-1? I do not see any on the Emotiva site.

All the information you need can be found be asking this guy.

Dann G
http://emotivalounge.proboards54.com/index.cgi?action=viewprofile&user=admin

 

[UTVOLSFAN]

How would the 663 and the XPA-5 connect with each other? I think I may have found the system I was looking for here.

 

[surferaudio]

UTVOLSFAN,

Your idea of mating the XPA-5 with the 663 gives you more flexibility than the UMC-1 by giving you the option to go 7.1 later on without having to buy more amps. Because the surrounds can be powered by the 663. Actually, you can go 9.1.. because the 663 includes 2 extra channels for presence/ambiance.

A winning combo, keep us posted to what setup you finally decide to go with.

 

[Adam]

How would the 663 and the XPA-5 connect with each other? I think I may have found the system I was looking for here.

The 663 has pre-amp outputs ("PRE OUT") jacks. You would connect those jacks to the inputs on the XPA-5. The pre-amp outputs send the pre-amplified audio signals to the XPA-5. The volume is still controlled by the volume control on the 663, which is quite nice.

 

[UTVOLSFAN]

If you have $1,500 to blow, I would recommend what Adam recommended - the Yamaha 663 to operate as a receiver (you can get it for $350 based on a googled coupon for 6 ave) However, you have two really good options:

1) What Adam said - get the Yammy 663 ... With the savings, I would use it on an amp.. your def tech's will thank you for the added power and your soundstage will really expand and handle the transient highs via movie sound track and handle the lows during the action intense scenes. The recommended amp is Emotiva XPA 3 for your mains and use the Yammy receiver to power the surrounds or if you want to go all-out, get the XPA 5..

Note: I have a Yammy 663 and I love it. However, I didn't have $1,500 to spend, you do. If I was in your position, I would do this option #2

2) Get an pre-amp processor that's coming out next month I think from Emotiva. Why? You get balanced pre-outs, something that's very critical down the road when you get the itch to upgrade.. and you won't deal with ground loop hums, and a variety of problems with receivers that lack the balanced pre-outs. THe name of the preamp processor is called UMC-1 that's coming out. You can pre-order at the emotiva website. The pre-order price is $699 but after their initial production run, it will go up. Which leaves you $800 left to spend which is an amp at XPA-5 from emotiva, those 2 will make you the king of the neighborhood without breaking the bank!

Unless your neighbor has a 25k Krell 707 pre-pro, you'll be fine.

Surferaudio, I have purchased the Emotive XPA-5 amp. However, I have searched for the coupon you mentioned. I found a 20% off but it does not seem to work. Any advice?

 

[UTVOLSFAN]

Thanks Audioholics for the advice on what gear would work well with my current set up. I did purchase the Emotiva XPA-5 and the Yamaha RX-V663 AVR . I am so glad this search is over (my wife is too). The Integra guys I have been talking to will miss the sale but oh well. I feel the items ordered will provide a much better quality/sounding system. Thanks again!!

 

[Adam]

Congrats! Did you end up getting a good price on the 663?

 

[UTVOLSFAN]

Yes, I got a brand new unit for $359.99.

 

[UTVOLSFAN]

One more question. To do the auto-calibration will the speakers be connected to the amp or the 663?