used search. still need avr help.

[shenaniganz]

First, THANKS!
You guys are full of very usefull info. I spent a good 5 hours on here last night searching for info on good htib options. Thats a big no go and I am on my way to getting the PB12-NSD with the 5.1 SBS-01 package. I heard them a while back and loved them. Then a good handfull here like them alot. Now my budget has ben lets say destroyed by the SBS system but hey you only live once. Now I have searched all over for a good avr. I started with the Onkyo 606 and maybe the 706. the svs brought my $$ for avr way down. I would like to stay under $700. 1080p is a must. love my hd.... I think i read the 606 is only 1080i. And i'm 95% sure i wont be using seperate amps in the future.


Things to know.
I have a ps3 and cable box. Yup thats pretty much it at the moment.
Watch alot of blueray's..
Small room now about 13x10 and 8 high. (dorm) I dont care about noise complaits....
I figure once i get out ill have a nice setup to take with me.

So yes another noob needs advice on an avr....

 

[Seth=L]

An Onkyo TX-SR805 can he had for less than $700 and is an awesome receiver. It should have more power and features than you should need. The TX-SR805 is a hot running AVR, so it needs room to breath.

If heat/space is a major problem and you don't wish to install cooling fans consider the Yamah RX-V663, less powerful, but still a nice fairly priced AVR.

The third possible option is the Pioneer VSX-1018TX, still not as gutsy as the Onkyo but more powerful than the Yamaha RX-V663 and RX-V863. It runs relatively cool compared to the Onkyo as well.

Since the PS3 performs excellent scaling you will probably not need for the AVR to feature any kind of scaling. Instead of allowing the receiver to process any video you will allow the 1080p signals from the PS3 and 720p/1080i signals from the cable box pass through the receiver's HDMI inputs to the TV. The receiver will extract the audio from both the PS3 and Cable box.

Be sure to set the PS3 up to multichannel PCM over HDMI, not bitstream. The PS3 is not capable of bitstreaming Dolby TrueHD/Plus and DTS-HD/MA codecs. However the PS3 can decode them internally and output them as multichannel lossless PCM (which will sound exactly the same as it would if you had a Blu-ray player that bitstreamed those codecs to the receiver). Since the receiver will be receiving PCM you can still have post processing such as THX modes, bass management, and the audessey auto eq.

I can't recommend the TX-SR806 because it is inferior in almost every way other than it can upscale using a dated Faroudja technology that is far bested by the PS3's scaling abilities.

 

[shenaniganz]

Thanks for the info. I have looked at so many recevier's today its crazy..
So I know the ones you refer to.
In order to set up multichannel PCM is that on the recevier or a setting on the ps3. I See a bunch of linear options but no multichannel?

 

[Seth=L]

Sorry, I was just using Multichannel loosely. Go into Video Settings - BD/DVD Audio Output Format (HDMI) and set it to Linear PCM.

Then go back to the settings menu (base menu) and scroll down to Sound Settings - Audio Output Settings - HDMI - Manual - Then enable all unchecked boxes. The list starts at Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch. and ends with Linear PCM 7.1 Ch. 192kHz. You will have to scroll to get them all checked. Once you've checked the boxes and you continue it will give you a warning. Before using the PS3 with all settings set to max you should refer to the manual of the receiver you choose and find the highest supported resolution and amount of channels that can be handled by the receiver's HDMI inputs. Uncheck any audio output resolutions that may exceed the receiver's processing ability.

I hope this helps.

 

[shenaniganz]

Yup! thanks,
I am going to see what i can get on the 805. im seeing some goods things on that v663 too. hmm so many things to pick from. Guess if I cant find a deal i might get the yamaha. thanks again..