Rec's for new receiver???

[rustyuser]

I am thinking of upgrading my old HK AVR-510 to a new HDMI capable receiver. I need 3 HDMI's (4 would be nice) and would like the video upscaling, otherwise my biggest concern is sound quality. I am running Polk RTi6 front, Polk RTi38 rear, Polk 202 Sub, Polk CSi3 center. I'd like to keep the budget around $500-600. I was thinking about the HK AVR-354, Onkyo TX-SR705... Any recommendations?

 

[rnatalli]

The HK 354 has my vote. Just be sure to update the firmware.

 

[rustyuser]

Also, what about Yamaha and Denon models?

 

[3db]

See if you can find a Yamaha RX-V1800 in that price range or maybe cheaper. . Its the older model to the RX-V1900 thats currently out there. Its sports 4 HDMI in and oen out and upconverts all signsal from 480i to 1080p. Its amp section is fairly stout as well.

 

[rnatalli]

See if you can find a Yamaha RX-V1800 in that price range or maybe cheaper. . Its the older model to the RX-V1900 thats currently out there. Its sports 4 HDMI in and oen out and upconverts all signsal from 480i to 1080p. Its amp section is fairly stout as well.

The 1800 and 1900 are nice units. I wouldn't go any lower though as Yamaha has skimped on the amp section in their lower models.

Denon receivers are still good. The 1910/790 is a nice unit in your price range. My only complaint about Denon receivers is they're a bit of a pain to setup.

 

[lsiberian]

I am thinking of upgrading my old HK AVR-510 to a new HDMI capable receiver. I need 3 HDMI's (4 would be nice) and would like the video upscaling, otherwise my biggest concern is sound quality. I am running Polk RTi6 front, Polk RTi38 rear, Polk 202 Sub, Polk CSi3 center. I'd like to keep the budget around $500-600. I was thinking about the HK AVR-354, Onkyo TX-SR705... Any recommendations?

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Harman-Audio

The above site is a paradise for audophiles with a love for harman products.
HK has the best bang for buck via the above site IMO.

The 254 is comparable to the 705. The 354 is on the 805 level.


You can see a lot of 254's available and they come with the newest firmware and full factory warranty.

 

[rustyuser]

So I have heard that Onkyos had some of the truest sound quality due to their great amps and setup - in the mid-priced arena. I hear a lot of good things about Yamahas also but not sure how they compare overall with Onkyos in the quality of sound. And does HK even compare or are they far off?

 

[rustyuser]

I also saw a local ad for a used Onkyo 805 for around $600. I've read great things on sound and amp quality but the video was an issue, as was the heating up.

My concern, besides the oven in my living room, is the video but I don't know the big deal about running everything through the processor versus passing it through to the LCD.

Any thoughts?

 

[lsiberian]

So I have heard that Onkyos had some of the truest sound quality due to their great amps and setup - in the mid-priced arena. I hear a lot of good things about Yamahas also but not sure how they compare overall with Onkyos in the quality of sound. And does HK even compare or are they far off?

I've owned an Onkyo 705 and now own an HK AVR 247. I can't hear any difference in the sound between the amps. I suggest you ignore anyone feeding you that information. Double Blind Tests are the standard scientific analysis for audio. They've demonstrated without fail that there is no discernable audible difference between solid state amps. They've compared the most expensive to the budget ones too.

The difference comes in build quality and headroom(not a real issue with receivers)

HK, Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, Marantz, Sherwood all use excellent build quality in their products. I suggest you pick your receiver based on features and aesthetics from these brands. If you want headroom you will need to look into external amps. But rarely is this needed in home audio.

 

[lsiberian]

I also saw a local ad for a used Onkyo 805 for around $600. I've read great things on sound and amp quality but the video was an issue, as was the heating up.

My concern, besides the oven in my living room, is the video but I don't know the big deal about running everything through the processor versus passing it through to the LCD.

Any thoughts?

That's an excellent receiver with every feature your heart could desire.

Always let your tv do the video processing IMO. Most receivers have lesser processing.

 

[rustyuser]

Always let your tv do the video processing IMO. Most receivers have lesser processing.

That's what I was thinking but a friend just got the HK 354 and said the video processing was a noticeable improvement.

 

[rustyuser]

Well after some more research I'm settling down to a few: Yamaha V863, Yamaha V1800, and HK AVR-354. I'm elminitaing the Onkyos for bad video processing. The Yamahas have great technical options, good video processing and good power. V863 is a little cheaper and has HD Radio and the V1800 has more power, 4 HDMIs and same great options. And the HK AVR-354 is a bit cheaper, looks amazing and will probably do a great job. Any thoughts?

Here's another question. I read that a downside to the Yamaha was that each device could only use 1 input type. i.e. you could not plug a DVD player into hdmi and also 2 channel audio in case you wanted to only use 2 channel audio.

Thx!

 

[Pyrrho]

Well after some more research I'm settling down to a few: Yamaha V863, Yamaha V1800, and HK AVR-354. I'm elminitaing the Onkyos for bad video processing. The Yamahas have great technical options, good video processing and good power. V863 is a little cheaper and has HD Radio and the V1800 has more power, 4 HDMIs and same great options. And the HK AVR-354 is a bit cheaper, looks amazing and will probably do a great job. Any thoughts?

Here's another question. I read that a downside to the Yamaha was that each device could only use 1 input type. i.e. you could not plug a DVD player into hdmi and also 2 channel audio in case you wanted to only use 2 channel audio.

Thx!

If I understand your question, you are mistaken about the way Yamaha deals with inputs. I have the RX-V2700, and I have three (!) devices hooked up to the DVD input; a DVD player via HDMI, another DVD player via component video and coaxial digital audio, and a TV via optical digital audio. The receiver can be manually set to pick a specific input (which means you could hook up one device multiple ways, and use whichever one you wanted by manually selecting it), but it can also be set to automatically prioritize inputs. Thus, if there is something input via HDMI, it switches to that, if not, it goes with the next best thing, component video if that is connected, etc. So, because of the way I have things hooked up, if I switch the receiver to DVD, I can turn on either DVD player, and as long as the other one is off, I can watch and hear that DVD player (if both are on, it will give me the one hooked up via HDMI with the automatic setting, but I can manually select whatever I want). If they are off and I want to watch TV with its built in tuner, I get sound from the TV that way. I believe that most Yamaha receivers do things this way these days.

I recommend that you visit the Yamaha website and download the owner's manuals for the units you are considering, and read them. I really like my Yamaha, and when it comes time to replace it, I will be looking at another Yamaha, unless they let the quality slip by then.

 

[3db]

The 1800 and 1900 are nice units. I wouldn't go any lower though as Yamaha has skimped on the amp section in their lower models.

Denon receivers are still good. The 1910/790 is a nice unit in your price range. My only complaint about Denon receivers is they're a bit of a pain to setup.

Agreed. Thats whay I stopped there.

 

[rustyuser]

The V1800 is looking good. My latest factor has been the Dolby HD codecs, that Yamaha and Onkyo have but HK does not such as Dolby TrueHD. Am I right on this?

And if I use HDMI with these can I pass-through the video without it being effected? That way I'm getting the HD audio but if the receiver doesn't do anything better for my video, I can just pass it through.

 

[Pyrrho]

The V1800 is looking good. My latest factor has been the Dolby HD codecs, that Yamaha and Onkyo have but HK does not such as Dolby TrueHD. Am I right on this?

And if I use HDMI with these can I pass-through the video without it being effected? That way I'm getting the HD audio but if the receiver doesn't do anything better for my video, I can just pass it through.

Look at the manual to make sure, but I believe you will have a choice regarding whether to process the video in the receiver or just pass it through without alteration.

 

[rnatalli]

The V1800 is looking good. My latest factor has been the Dolby HD codecs, that Yamaha and Onkyo have but HK does not such as Dolby TrueHD. Am I right on this?

And if I use HDMI with these can I pass-through the video without it being effected? That way I'm getting the HD audio but if the receiver doesn't do anything better for my video, I can just pass it through.

The HK 354 does have decoders for all codecs including TrueHD. As for the video, I'm not sure how the Yamaha and Onkyo handle the signal, but I know the HK will touch the signal slightly in order to overlay the translucent GUI and volume displays over HDMI. Shouldn't affect performance really as it's minimal processing. It's worth it IMO as HK has the easiest and prettiest GUI I've seen in this price range.

 

[jostenmeat]

The V1800 is looking good. My latest factor has been the Dolby HD codecs, that Yamaha and Onkyo have but HK does not such as Dolby TrueHD. Am I right on this?

And if I use HDMI with these can I pass-through the video without it being effected? That way I'm getting the HD audio but if the receiver doesn't do anything better for my video, I can just pass it through.

IIRC: Anything below Onkyo 876, avoid component conversion.

Yamaha should pass signals untouched (outside of VP like ABT) however, models like the 663, 863, 2700 clip BTB/WTW. This will have zero/marginal effect, if at all, unless you have an HTPC. Then again, it depends who you ask, and some people do have issue if only on principle alone. I don't know about the 1800.

Otherwise, all Onkyo models will pass all HDMI inputs untouched AFAIK. The pre/pro 885 (integra 9.8) did have colorspace issues when using its Reon, but I believe that's been fixed with 886/9.9.

In my own personal opinion, the reason to go towards Onkyo or Denon is to get Audyssey tech. The 805 you mentioned is pretty much, by far, the most affordable way to get their highest level of consumer grade RC in the MultEQ XT. However, not everyone likes it. I think it's extremely value rich, especially when considering the modest amount of money and time invested.

 

[rustyuser]

IIRC: Anything below Onkyo 876, avoid component conversion.

So with the Onkyo 806 or 706, I should avoid any video up conversion? If I only use pass-through video is it all good?

In my own personal opinion, the reason to go towards Onkyo or Denon is to get Audyssey tech. The 805 you mentioned is pretty much, by far, the most affordable way to get their highest level of consumer grade RC in the MultEQ XT. However, not everyone likes it. I think it's extremely value rich, especially when considering the modest amount of money and time invested.

On accessories4less I found the Onkyo 806 for $650 and the 706 for $540 and the 876 for $900. If the 806 doesnt have any issues then I could go $650 for that one.

 

[jostenmeat]

So with the Onkyo 806 or 706, I should avoid any video up conversion?

Yes.

If I only use pass-through video is it all good?

If by pass-through, you mean HDMI only, then yes.

On accessories4less I found the Onkyo 806 for $650 and the 706 for $540 and the 876 for $900. If the 806 doesnt have any issues then I could go $650 for that one.

The 805 is a superior unit to the 806. Much beefier amp and XT. The 806, OTOH, does have Dyn vol/eq.

However, it runs quite hot.