Not another receiver question (a new take on a tired subject)

[brulaha]

I've been wondering for quite some time, how big a difference A/D & D/A converters and specifically DSP chips make as receivers are updated from year to year.

Here is my quandary. I have a set of three paradigm studio speakers (60's and the matching center) and being driven by a proceed HPA2 and rotel RB-960BX (bridged mono for the center channel). This certainly provides more than enough power, probably more than I need. I use my receiver to power my rear PSB bookshelf speakers which it does admirably. However, my receiver is an outdated Denon 2800. My question is this:

Save for new features such as hdmi switching and other bells and whistles which I'm not particularly interested in, is there a sizable difference in dsp (i.e. D.D. and DTS) processing in newer receivers. I'm talking the old formats, not this new lossless stuff.

For example, I know that my receiver has a 24 bit dsp chip. I have noticed that newer models provide 32 bit and 48 bit processing. While I have no doubt that these chips provide more processing power, is this necessary given what D.D. and DTS demand. Will there be a sizable difference in sound quality. I'm not interested in small diminishing returns albeit I know it's not going to be monstrous either.

Is it worth going out and buying a more sophisticated receiver if I am not going to take advantage of many of the newer features right away. Perhaps I will in the future, but it seems this particular piece of equipment is outdated so quickly, it doesn't make much sense to buy for the future. Now I would like DPL2, but that alone is not enough to warrant a purchase, but it is a factor as I listen to regular TV broadcasts in DPL all the time.

Keep in mind, I only listen to CD's and DVD's. I won't be upgrading my TV (my trusty CRT Hi Def set) or jumping into Hi Def DVD's anytime soon.

It would seem as though I could pick up a used model from the last two years relatively inexpensively. Probably in the realm of $500 give or take. I know pure separates is an option, but it doesn't seem like I could go this route inexpensively. I don't care about power, as it will only power the rear speakers.

I would gain burr brown D/A converters and at a minimum a 32 bit dsp chip. What is the consensus? Is there really a big difference? Just curious, it's been bugging me. I hope I haven't trivialized your time with yet another receiver question.

By the way I did ask this question on the AV rant line. I must not have been interesting so I was deleted. Oh well...I thinks it's interesting...lol ~!

 

[markw]

Since you are satisfied with the overall performance, I don't think the difference in DD and DTS processing is worth the price, if even noticable, if that's your main concern.

Granted, there may be more "psuedo-effects" than in your receiver but this, IMNSHO, falls into the features, boredering on gimmick, category.

IIWY, I'd just sit back and wait for more features to trickle down over the next few years. Then, when you NEED some of these features like upconversion/scaling and the like, they will be available at an even lower (relative) price than they are today.

FWIW, I've got a Denon 2802 and don't use more than the base functions myself and I'm also satisfied and have no desire to spend money just to spend money.

 

[brulaha]

Thanks Mark. That is the answer I expected more often that not as I myself am leaning that way. I was wondering if there were other opinions out there that would be pro change.

 

[Adam]

I was wondering if there were other opinions out there that would be pro change.

Yes, buy a new one. Buy, buy, BUY!!! Just kidding.

I agree with Mark. If you're happy with what you've got, then don't give it another thought. However, if it's something that you keep thinking about, I'd suggest buying a new receiver from someplace that will let you return it without a fee. For example, give Crutchfield's 30-day return policy (with free return shipping) a spin. If you notice a big difference, then keep it.

 

[brulaha]

Adam,

I've thought about doing that, but I'm concerned about the placebo effect. That shiny new receiver has to sound better right? I do have the "itch" to upgrade, but it's restrained. There are plenty of other ways to spend money. This is just something I've been thinking about a lot.

 

[markw]

Well, if you've got money you don't know what to do with...

...short term CD's around here are offering a little over 5%. At least you make some money while deciding on how to spend it.

 

[Adam]

Ahhh, I hear ya. That placebo effect can be strong. I tend to go the other direction in that I can be highly critical of something that I buy (that's expensive) and want to make sure that it's worth the money. However, I fall prey to the "laziness effect," and also tend to just keep stuff once it's been hooked up and is in place.

I'll say this. I had a Yamaha RX-V992 that I bought back in 1997. It had DD, but not DTS. I bought a Pioneer receiver in 2005 for under half the price, and I think that it sounds much better. Not because the DD processing is better...I have no idea if that's any better. However, the Pioneer has more flexible bass management, has an auto-setup feature with a microphone, and has equalization for each speaker. The overall effect was that movies sound so much better to me than with the Yamaha. My point? There may be other, more important advantages to a new receiver than the DSP processors.

 

[brulaha]

Adam,

Now bass management is definitely something I'm interested in. I'm a little leery of the audessey (sp?) and other auto calibrations. As for the EQ, unless the auto thing works well, I'm not going to use it. All the professional reviews seem to say the auto cals. are to be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[brulaha]

Mark....

"...short term CD's around here are offering a little over 5%. At least you make some money while deciding on how to spend it."

Now that's no fun is it? I can go to my parents for that advice. Stop buying them stupid electronic gizzmos as they would say...lol~!

 

[brulaha]

"Granted, there may be more "psuedo-effects" than in your receiver but this, IMNSHO, falls into the features, boredering on gimmick, category."

Mark I completely agree. I never use any post processing. I did have a Denon 5600 for a while but it broke. I loved the THX post processing. I really felt it added something, but alas it broke and I put more money into the speakers instead.

That new Onkyo 805 looks awful sexy, and I would put up the money if there weren't so many complaints about clicking and speaker popping. That thing seems like the deal of the century, and I can live with a click, but four or five? That sounds destined to break, plus the speaker popping others have spoke of doesn't seem right, even though the manual says it's normal. I spent a lot of money on my speakers (at least for me) and I don't want to damage them. I'm dying to see some professional reviews of this piece of equipment. Until then, I'm still on the fence, but leaning towards doing nothing.

 

[hemiram]

If it's all working ok, I would wait until something dies, or you just flat out WANT a new receiver.

I recently bought all new stuff to replace an old NEC "pro logic" receiver that blew up in May. I had two "bridged" Carver M-400a's for the front channel amp, and I used an older Yamaha R-900 receiver for the back channel amp, and also used it for the FM tuner, it sounded 10x better than the NEC's tuner did. I sold the M400's, and got almost exactly what my Yamaha RX-V659 cost me. I sold the new looking 25 year old R-900 to a guy overseas. He's very happy and I was happy to get what he paid me for it!

The sad thing is, the NEC had a smoother sounding surround than the new Yamaha does. The movie "Predator" played through that old setup was really impressive. You could hear all kinds of sounds above your head and behind you that aren't nearly as convincing on the new Yamaha. Dialogue on the new setup is much better though, and bass issues with the old set up drove me nuts.