Reveiver upgrade!

[dem beats]

I have a thread right now for a new projector. I am really thinking it might be time to upgrade the receiver.

I have a couple year older integra receiver. DTR 5.6
I like fairly well. It does not however support HDMI . My HT is the energy RC series 5.1 (right now the .1 comes from a velodyne 12"). Home made sub is on the way sometime later also. What I would like to get is something that can handle HDMI for the PS3(blue ray movies and games).

I'm not too sure what I should be looking for in a receiver though. I did like the integra. It's also fun to have a brand not everyone knows. But I'm not sure how much processing I need, or what I need.

The one thing I can tell a difference is in amplifiers. I would like something with a pretty decently powerful amp... or maybe separates but then the budget for processing really fades. With more headroom at rational listening levels, there is much more force behind the mid bass section, especially with acoustic music. This room is really an HT room but I do listen to music, and sit with a nice bottle fermented high octane brew.

On to budget, I'm don't have a dollar limit, I saved some on the PJ arena so I have a pretty healthy budget.

Any help will be really appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[dem beats]

Here is a link to the PJ thread. Just for reference in case u wanted to know.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47671

 

[jostenmeat]

I did like the integra. It's also fun to have a brand not everyone knows. But I'm not sure how much processing I need, or what I need.

This is why you might have a hard time in getting specific help. In all honesty, if you don't know what you need, you probably don't need much. Some basics I looked for were matrixing abilities and bass mgmt. Ok, Audyssey Multi-EQ maybe. DAC would be icing, but pretty far down the priority list. I have no need for scaling as I'm using an RS-1, with only hi-def sources anyways.

So, one way to look at it with a limited feature set is $400 receiver, and however much amp you want. Don't forget that you could just get enough channels of amp for the front stage, and still use the receiver's amp for the rears. After all the surrounds get a lot less audio, and they will most likely be closer to listeners. Or, scroo it, and get a m-ch amp.

 

[dem beats]

I have thought about that rout.

If I decided that way, couldn't I just run the HDMI video to the PJ though. Isn't it possible to run the audio through another pathway? I could then in theory just run HDMI video only from ps3 to PJ. I'm not sure if that's possible, but might be worth looking into. I'm not sure what I would gain audio wise with HDMI, but I have heard from some others it makes a difference.

I will still play regular dvd's through the epson this at times to be sure and not just pure blue ray content.

 

[jostenmeat]

I have thought about that rout.

If I decided that way, couldn't I just run the HDMI video to the PJ though. Isn't it possible to run the audio through another pathway? I could then in theory just run HDMI video only from ps3 to PJ. I'm not sure if that's possible, but might be worth looking into. I'm not sure what I would gain audio wise with HDMI, but I have heard from some others it makes a difference.

I will still play regular dvd's through the epson this at times to be sure and not just pure blue ray content.

Ya know, JMO, but lossless is not as cracked up as I was hoping, and oh man was I hoping. Its discernable, I think anyways, but subtle... at least overall impressions.

Yes you can run optical. Just set the PS3 to do so. One complaint I remember was that (unless its been recently fixed via FW) you cannot have BOTH hdmi and spdif carrying audio simultaneously. Only a problem for those who like to only use tv speakers time to time. Not a problem so much as a major nuisance perhaps.

Also, DD/DTS core/legacy still provides a considerably higher maximum bitrate on the BD format. IIRC, the DTS core might be as high as 1.5 mps. Pretty good enough in most cases I think, at least for movies.

Yup, its an idea.

 

[dem beats]

What I took from that is that HDMI audio IS usualy beneficial? Higher bitrate etc?