Receiver Question! Please Read/Respond!

[EaterofWorlds]

***NOOB ALERT*** YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Hey guys! First time poster, new audiophile. I have a pretty basic question, which I can't seem to find the answer on the forum (probably because everyone already knows, lol).

I have a Bose Acoustimass 10 Series IV 5.1 surround sound system connected to a Yamaha HTR-5930 receiver. As I educate msyelf on the new audio formats out there, like Pro Logic IIx, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-ES, etc., I'm realizing my reciever is probably pretty outdated, as all it decodes are Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic II.

So, I started sniffing around for a new reciever, specifically one that decodes all those newer formats (getting a Blu-ray players as well)... and here's where I run intlo my snag. All the receivers that decode the new formats are 7.1 channel or higher. Would it matter if I run a 5.1 system on a 7.1 receiver, or will that somehow mess up my sound? Is there a benefit to running Dolby TrueHD and these "higher density" surround sound circuits on my 5.1 system?

Sorry if these seem like silly questions, I'm new.

I look forward to your answers and learning from the wealth of knowledge on this forum!

 

[rnatalli]

Welcome! First things first, dump your Bose and start shopping for new speakers.

As to your question regarding receivers, the Yamaha 663, Pioneer 1018, and Onkyo 606 are all good picks. They all will decode newer formats and cost less than $500.

 

[sharkman]

Eaterofwords, to your second question, a 7.1 receiver can run a 5.1 speaker system just fine. I have the same configuration, I just set my receiver to 5.1 and it processes accordingly.

There may be a negative response to your Bose speakers. Among audio purists, what Bose does with sound waves is considered meddlesome at best.

 

[rnatalli]

On a positive note for Bose, they do fetch good money on eBay and Craig's List.

 

[jonnythan]

That HTR-5930 does Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby PLII, and puts out a solid 80 watts into all 5 channels.

Forget the receiver. It's fine for now.

What you should be upgrading is your speaker system. You can probably fetch enough on Craigslist for that Bose system to almost cover the cost of something miles better, like the SVS SBS-01.

BTW, Dolby TrueHD and similar only exist on HD DVD and Blu-Ray. DVDs or broadcast/cable HD do not use TrueHD or 7.1 surround.

 

[EaterofWorlds]

Wow... Bose isn't that good, huh? Well, it's my father's system, not mine... but I was going to get a set for my new house. A bit off-topic, but any recommendations for an excellent 7.1 surround sound system? I'll have an entire room (pretty large, cathedral ceiling) dedicated to my entertainment center. Care to enlighten a newbie as to the quality systems that are out there? Budget cap is about 6k for the speakers.

Thanks for all the info on the receivers!

 

[jonnythan]

$6000 will get you a lot of speaker. Even $1000 would get you a system that would blow you away if you're used to Bose.

$6000 buys you a lot of options, too. You'll have 20 responses with 20 different suggestions. But the best suggestion is to demo, demo, demo. Listen to lots of speakers and see what you like. You'll hear names like Axiom, AV123, RBH, Mordaunt-Short, etc etc. Find out what you like.

 

[Midcow2]

That assumes that the buyer has not been the Audioholic's forums ...

On a positive note for Bose, they do fetch good money on eBay and Craig's List.

and become informed about the true quality of Bose as opposed to the marketed quality.

I agree with jonnythan, your receiver is okay for now.

First i would go with some good front speakers, then a good subwoofer.

You can spends as little as $219 for some excelelnt bookself speakers, Cambridge Audio S30. http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/cambridge-audio-s30-speaker.html

If you get a subwoofer, you need to get a good one which will cost at least $400. If you get a cheaper one you get just that a cheap sub. Here is a very good one (book shelf speakers will not produce good low-end and bass frequencies) : SVS PB10-nsd subwoofer ( you can wait until later on this if you want, but this is a really good one! cheap subs are just that cheap) $429 shipping $est 50
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

You can get an new receiver later

I am not sure you came here looking to spend a lot of money, just trying to give you some ideas.

 

[EaterofWorlds]

While I have a generous sum put aside for my home entertainment project, I would like to put that cash to good use, not just throw it around.

Thanks for the brand names, now I at least know where to start looking in my quest for the ultimate home theater set-up. I suppose looking for the top-top-end model for a surround sound speaker is very subjective.

 

[jonnythan]

"Top-top-end" will cost you a lot more than $6k

You're looking for high-middle range kinda stuff.

Check out the RBH system that the $25,000 Audioholics guide includes. It's right at $6000 for the whole speaker system.

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/system-buying-guides/the-25k-home-theater-system/the-projector-panasonic-pt-ae900u

 

[itschris]

You can easily create a very nice system for $6k. I will reiterate what others have said: Demo as much as you can before spending the money. You can do a setup like mine (minus the Sunfire) for under that amount. A Pioneer Elite 94, Defintive Technology: 7002 for left and right, CLR 2500 for center, and Studio Monitor 350's for surrounds. Add a nice blu-ray player like a Panny BD30 and you're set.

But there are a ton of options out there for you. Axiom is another very popular speaker and Onkyo and Yamaha make great receivers as well. Do your research. Read the reviews.. use the search function on the site which will bring you a wealth of info and just ask questions.