Newbie questions for system upgrade

[madsen1a]

I'm in the process of upgrading my HT system - I've been using a Pioneer theatre in a box system I bought 11 years ago, and thought it time to move it up. I've got an upconverting DVD player that I'm using component video on, our cable TV box that I currently have component but will upgrade to HDMI soon, and a PS3 for gaming and Bluray movies that I've been running on HDMI. The TV has all of the necessary inputs for todays busy lifestyle.

I went out and bought a Denon AVR689 for about $350, but after doing some reading, I discovered it won't put audio through the HDMI, which the salesperson failed to tell me. The other unit I was considering (due to price and availability) is the Sony STRDH700. I can still exchange at this point. I would really appreciate some advice on either whether I should exchange (or if anyone knows of a similarly priced unit that would do well for me) or how to set the cables up to optimize my experience. I'd like to minimize the number of cables running through the system, but still operate as good a system as possible.

Tx

 

[Pyrrho]

I'm in the process of upgrading my HT system - I've been using a Pioneer theatre in a box system I bought 11 years ago, and thought it time to move it up. I've got an upconverting DVD player that I'm using component video on, our cable TV box that I currently have component but will upgrade to HDMI soon, and a PS3 for gaming and Bluray movies that I've been running on HDMI. The TV has all of the necessary inputs for todays busy lifestyle.

I went out and bought a Denon AVR689 for about $350, but after doing some reading, I discovered it won't put audio through the HDMI, which the salesperson failed to tell me. The other unit I was considering (due to price and availability) is the Sony STRDH700. I can still exchange at this point. I would really appreciate some advice on either whether I should exchange (or if anyone knows of a similarly priced unit that would do well for me) or how to set the cables up to optimize my experience. I'd like to minimize the number of cables running through the system, but still operate as good a system as possible.

Tx

If you can return the receiver for a refund, do so. Here is a great deal at your price point:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6001/Marantz/SR6001-receiver-100w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html

The two downsides to it are that it only has 2 HDMI inputs (which means you will probably need to eventually buy an HDMI switch box; this is worse than you might think, because HDMI devices can be finicky) and you need to do the new format decoding in your BD (Blu-ray) player (which can be sent as multichannel PCM via HDMI, which I believe the PS3 can do that). Decoding in the player that way is fine as far as sound quality goes.

You can currently get free shipping on Marantz products at that site; see main page, where I believe it will tell you to simply enter the code FREESHIP when ordering.

For a new model with the new formats built in, I would recommend looking into the Denon AVR-790:

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4891.asp

If they have implemented the video chip properly, it will have stellar video upconversion. See:

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/2009-500-receiver-comparison-guide

It retails for about $500 as you can see. I do not know how much it would take to actually buy it, but typically receivers can be gotten at a discount. But sticking to your $350 price, probably that Marantz above is the best you can do. It is an amazing deal.