newbie needs help with reciever

[alototlearn]

Hello all,
I'm new here as a poster and am looking for help . I have a 5.1 surround system with in wall center & front speakers and bipolar rears. I have just purchased a Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD. I would like to replace my Onkyo Integra TX-DS838 with a new reciever but I can not decide on which one. I'm leaning toward the Onkyo 875. Following is a list of my equipment. My price range for a receiver is about $1,500 or so. Any suggestions for a good HDMI receiver that fits my system would be appreciated. Thanks for any help

Room size is 14' x 14'
Receiver-Onkyo TX-DS838
TV- Sharp Aquos LC37D62U
DVD- Toshiba SD 7990 (planning on upgrading to either Bluray or HD with receiver)
Front Speakers- in wall Wharfedale PI W8
Center Speer-In wall JBL HT155 ( might change to a B&W Cinema)
Rear Speakers- Wharfedale EVO DFS 20 Bipolar
Sub - JBL PB10
I also have a pair of in ceiling Wharfedale PI-C8's I could install for 7.1 surround.

 

[m_vanmeter]

The Onkyo SR875 is an excellent choice, as would be the Yamaha RX-V3800

 

[alototlearn]

Thanks for you suggestion.

There's so much information in the market place it's hard to choose.

When I was looking at the TX-SR875 I forgot that I would like an Eithernet Port to stream my massive MP3 collection (500gb). So the Yamaha has this feature which I will need.

Is there any other suggestions for a reeievr that has HDMI 1.3 & ethernet port for MP3 streaming. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks for you suggestion.

There's so much information in the market place it's hard to choose.

When I was looking at the TX-SR875 I forgot that I would like an Eithernet Port to stream my massive MP3 collection (500gb). So the Yamaha has this feature which I will need.

Is there any other suggestions for a reeievr that has HDMI 1.3 & ethernet port for MP3 streaming. Any help is appreciated.

Denon AVR-3808CI has network capability. If I had to choose between the Denon and the Yamaha, I would pick the Yamaha.

 

[alototlearn]

I have just spent the last 2 hours reading everything I could find on the Yamaha RX-3800 and it looks very good. I'm going now to spend some time looking at the pioneer VSX-94TXH. Anyone have any opinions between the Yamaha and the Pioneer?

 

[alototlearn]

Seth

what do you think between the pioneer VSX-94THX, The Yamaha RX-V3800 & Onkyo 905, I have almost thrown the Onkyo out because of heat issues and some bad reviews on the video

 

[Seth=L]

Seth

what do you think between the pioneer VSX-94THX, The Yamaha RX-V3800 & Onkyo 905, I have almost thrown the Onkyo out because of heat issues and some bad reviews on the video

The TX-NR905 is definitely the better of the three, it's much more refined. It features 3 zone capability, dual HDMI outputs, three seperate transformers (video, audio, amplification) it features a torroidal power transformer, for efficiency. For example, the TX-NR905 weighs 54 pounds, a comparably powered receiver with an iron core transformer (like the VSX-94THX and the Yamaha RX-V3800 have) would need to weigh at least 65 pounds or more to meat the same power specifications (assuming they are still the same amplifier class, and the RX-V3800 and VSX-94THX are the same amplifier class).

The Onkyo has a vastly superior scaler. Yamaha uses an older ABT scaler, and the Pioneer and older Faroudja DCDi scaler. The Onkyo uses Reon HQV, which is what some of the top end scaling DVD players and HD players use.

Then again, the TX-NR905 is significantly more expensive.

 

[alototlearn]

Yes, I have read a great deal on the Onkyo but I'm very concerned about the heat. I have a toddler running around as well as limited space for a receiver.(only about 2 inches head room). I have read that this receiver needs 5-6 inches. Any comment? Is there another way to cool this monster down?

 

[Seth=L]

Yes, I have read a great deal on the Onkyo but I'm very concerned about the heat. I have a toddler running around as well as limited space for a receiver.(only about 2 inches head room). I have read that this receiver needs 5-6 inches. Any comment? Is there another way to cool this monster down?

Putting a fan on it would cool it down, but I think you are probably better off saving a few hundred and getting the Pioneer or Yamaha.

 

[gus6464]

Yes, I have read a great deal on the Onkyo but I'm very concerned about the heat. I have a toddler running around as well as limited space for a receiver.(only about 2 inches head room). I have read that this receiver needs 5-6 inches. Any comment? Is there another way to cool this monster down?

Add some extra fans in the back maybe? I have checked out the 605/705/805/875 at CC and the demo ones they have hooked up get pretty damn hot even when they aren't driving any speakers.

 

[alototlearn]

I really had my heart set on an Onkyo but I don't believe I will be able to live with the heat. Between the Yamaha and the Pioneer which one is better?

 

[Seth=L]

I really had my heart set on an Onkyo but I don't believe I will be able to live with the heat. Between the Yamaha and the Pioneer which one is better?

That is really up to you, which one do you think looks better? They aren't going to sound any different and they are going to have similar performance, maybe a slight edge to the Pioneer for its amplifier, but not likely noticeable.

 

[alototlearn]

I like the looks of the Pioneer better. Is there any advantages to either remote that you know of? Any advantages over one to another on firmware upgrades? The pioneer appears to allow better Ipod connectivity. Are either of these units able to read MP3's of an external hard drive through the USB?

 

[Seth=L]

I like the looks of the Pioneer better. Is there any advantages to either remote that you know of? Any advantages over one to another on firmware upgrades? The pioneer appears to allow better Ipod connectivity. Are either of these units able to read MP3's of an external hard drive through the USB?

I believe both can read MP3s. I don't know about firmware or the remote controls. I know that Yamaha's remotes are pretty limited. Both receivers have learning remotes, the Yamaha comes with an extra multizone remote control.

 

[alototlearn]

Thanks Seth,

I think I'm going with the Pioneer. I have found some very good pricing.

Any other suggestions you might have for my system to improve the sound. I pretty much tied to the 2 Wharfedale fronts and the EVO DFS 20 but I'm willing to change anything else.

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks Seth,

I think I'm going with the Pioneer. I have found some very good pricing.

Any other suggestions you might have for my system to improve the sound. I pretty much tied to the 2 Wharfedale fronts and the EVO DFS 20 but I'm willing to change anything else.

You just have the stereo set of Evolution 20s?

 

[alototlearn]

No, following is my setup so far.


Room size is 14' x 14'
Receiver-Onkyo TX-DS838
TV- Sharp Aquos LC37D62U
DVD- Toshiba SD 7990 (planning on upgrading to either Bluray or HD with receiver)
Front Speakers- in wall Wharfedale PI W8
Center Speer-In wall JBL HT155 ( might change to a B&W Cinema)
Rear Speakers- Wharfedale EVO DFS 20 Bipolar
Sub - JBL PB10
I also have a pair of in ceiling Wharfedale PI-C8's I could install for 7.1 surround.