Newbie Jumping the AH Bandwagon

[Hdude]

Hi everyone

I have been lurking around here for quite a while now and read tons of information.Now that I have decided built my first HT system I have plenty of questions being a non technical person. I'm leaning towards Denon AVR-4308CI. The only fact that I'm not impressed with it is it's DCDI Faroudja instead of HQV video processing and I cannot go upto 5805CI for $$$ reasons. Here's my question:-
If I get a DVD player with HQV (samsung BD-UP5000) would it suffice & can I turn off video (DCDI) processing in my receiver & let DVD player do the upconversion job. Is it even a good idea to go this way?
Second question is 4308CI is selling for $2499 on crutchfield & other sellers and on ebay it is 1849 & seller claims to be authorized dealer (I can post link to his listing if any of you wish to see it). Anybody here has any experience/thoughts about buying it on ebay. I have to admit the price difference is quiet big here for me.

 

[Davemcc]

The 4308 is a big splash into the receiver pool. Are there specific features you need from this receiver. I'm only asking because you say this is your first system and you haven't mentioned which speakers you are planning to get. Really, you should choose the speakers first, then choose a reciever or separates according to the requirements of the speakers and the specific features you need. It may turn out that the 2808 will drive your speakers just fine and have all the features you need, but at a more attractive price. Just something to consider.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hi everyone

I have been lurking around here for quite a while now and read tons of information.Now that I have decided built my first HT system I have plenty of questions being a non technical person. I'm leaning towards Denon AVR-4308CI. The only fact that I'm not impressed with it is it's DCDI Faroudja instead of HQV video processing and I cannot go upto 5805CI for $$$ reasons. Here's my question:-
If I get a DVD player with HQV (samsung BD-UP5000) would it suffice & can I turn off video (DCDI) processing in my receiver & let DVD player do the upconversion job. Is it even a good idea to go this way?
Second question is 4308CI is selling for $2499 on crutchfield & other sellers and on ebay it is 1849 & seller claims to be authorized dealer (I can post link to his listing if any of you wish to see it). Anybody here has any experience/thoughts about buying it on ebay. I have to admit the price difference is quiet big here for me.

With that hidef DVD player, it can up-convert standard def DVDs as you indicated just fine. You could even go direct to the TV/projector with the video and use the player's internal audio decoding sending the analog to the analog in on a receiver. So, you could perhaps look at other receivers costing less, like some of the Onkyo units.

You may want to check with Denon to see if that seller is authorized. That price is a pretty big difference from the others.

 

[agarwalro]

Why would you buy a higher end receiver only to turn off one of the primary features? Thats just illogical.

I'm only asking because you say this is your first system and you haven't mentioned which speakers you are planning to get. Really, you should choose the speakers first, then choose a reciever or separates according to the requirements of the speakers and the specific features you need.

Good recommendation. I second that. The reasoning behind this is, if you get inefficient/ low impedence speakers , you will need a more capable amp/ AVR.

Somewhat on the lines of what Mtrycrafts said, if you use the player to do the video processing, you simply need a receiver that does video switching and has all the audio decoding features you need. In this situation, any of the newer mid level receivers will do the task.

 

[rnatalli]

Like everyone has already said, pick your speakers first. Allocate at least 60% of your budget to speakers. It's a common mistake to buy the electronics first.

 

[Hdude]

Thank You all for your responses

I’ll be checking denon site for authorized dealers.
The features I need are from my receiver are all of the latest HD related bell & whistles like DTS HD, HDMA, multi zone & network capability, multi HDMI inputs and most important is excellent quality video up-conversion since my use is 70% movies & 30% music, etc. Also I would like my every other component to be 1.3 HDMI compatible. I did looked at Onkyo receivers, they have very good features & less pricey than Denon but also read some complaints that steered me away from them.
For speakers I’m leaning towards Axiom Epic -60 or Epic-80 (I’m aware I may need to get a 2 ch amp for 80 if I decide not to go with separates). Right now I’m trying to arrange for audition only after that I can finally decide. Yes I agree with you all that I should be choosing speakers first.

Here’s how I plan to blow up my dollars:-
Up to $3500 max for speakers
$3500 for projector & screen (Panasonic AE2000 & Carada brilliant white fixed screen)
$800 for DVD player (Samsung BD-UP5000)
$2000 for receiver or separates whichever I decide with inputs from you guys.
Wires & cables extra.
I’ll also be getting Avia home theatre guide & SPL meter from radio shack.

 

[annunaki]

Spend 1/3 or so of your speaker budget on a sub or subs. A pair of the Parts Express 12" Dayton High Fidelity Kits would work well there. That would leave you with $2,500 for fronts, center, and surrounds.

 

[Hdude]

Thanks annunaki I'll definitely look into that Kit.