Yamaha RX-V3900 or NAD T785 (Refurb)

[nitin_mehra20]

Really easy...
Run all your HDMI inputs to your TV.. Turn the volume down to 0 on the TV or off.. You can run 2 HDMI inputs into the Arcam, video only... 1 HDMI out from the Arcam to the TV.

Direct Tv - run either Optical or Coax to the Arcam
Samsung DVD - same thing, optical or coax to the Arcam. If you upgrade to Blu-Ray, that's when you would hook up the analog RCA cables to the Multi-Input's on the back of the Arcam.
X-box - same thing. HDMI for video in, Optical to the Arcam

Tivo, you can either go into the Arcam with an S-video out cable to the TV or S-video to the TV. What ever Audio cables you use, run them to the Arcam... Not sure if the Tivo has digital out or not...

The only HD Audio formats you'll have to worry about for the near future is Blu-ray and you can get that with the Multi-channel outputs on the Blu-Ray and the Multi-channel in on the Arcam...

Hmm... So it is doable.

The only thing I need to worry about is Blu Ray. But If i buy a PS3, I am unsure if it supports RCA out.

BTW, just out of curosity, how does Rotel 1058 compare to Arcam 350?

 

[PENG]

The only thing I need to worry about is Blu Ray. But If i buy a PS3, I am unsure if it supports RCA out.

With a PS3 you would have to run HDMI to your receiver to get Dolby TruHD, DTS MA etc.

BTW, just out of curosity, how does Rotel 1058 compare to Arcam 350

You would have to listen to them to be sure but if you want the latest Blu Ray HD sound the PS3 is not going to cut it. Personally I love the Arcam AVRs and I don't find them warm or cool, just neutral, but again you may feel different.

 

[greggp2]

Hmm... So it is doable.

The only thing I need to worry about is Blu Ray. But If i buy a PS3, I am unsure if it supports RCA out.

BTW, just out of curosity, how does Rotel 1058 compare to Arcam 350?

Peng is correct. PS3 needs an HDMI for HD Audio. You can run an optical connection, but won't get HD Audio through Optical. Only DD.

Truthfully, and some may jump all over me for saying this, but I don't think PS3's are really best suited for sound quality. Sure, they are great all in one units, but they run very very hot and have a built in fan that is constantly running, which will affect your SQ.

For games, they are great. For SQ in movies and especially for CD listening, I think the new OPPO blu-ray is a much better solution. So yes, I'd buy one of each, but that's if you have the m both in your budget, which most of us don't these days with this economy!

As for the Rotel vs Arcam, I currently have a Rotel 1056 aside from the HDMI, I don't think they are very different in SQ. My Arcam arrives this week. I'll let you know how they compare. If the Arcam doesn't sound much better, I'll be disappointed!

 

[greggp2]

Check out this thread. Notice what the poster says about the Rotel compared to the Arcam AVR300 http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=29699 the 350 from all reviewers is supposed to sound even better than the 300.

 

[WmAx]

-Chris,

Thanks for clearing this up... I always respect your posts, because you post based on your experience and not just opinions that aren't based on concrete facts.

This forum got a little heated between Seth and I, but seems to be under control now. I appreciate you chiming in however.

Because I value your opinion, do you think that all DACs, and Pre-Amp sections and SQ of receivers sound the same?

I won't say all, as I have heard noisy units, and in addition, response errors can exist due to purposely engineered coloration(rare but not unknown in some exotic gear) or simply incompetence. But the majority of high quality devices appear to have no actual coloration(s). The 2600 model receiver I use as a pre-amp is superb measurably, and has no coloration of which I am aware. I have no idea how the amps perform on the unit, however. As I said, I use it only as a pre-amp.

-Chris

 

[nitin_mehra20]

Peng is correct. PS3 needs an HDMI for HD Audio. You can run an optical connection, but won't get HD Audio through Optical. Only DD.

Truthfully, and some may jump all over me for saying this, but I don't think PS3's are really best suited for sound quality. Sure, they are great all in one units, but they run very very hot and have a built in fan that is constantly running, which will affect your SQ.

For games, they are great. For SQ in movies and especially for CD listening, I think the new OPPO blu-ray is a much better solution. So yes, I'd buy one of each, but that's if you have the m both in your budget, which most of us don't these days with this economy!

As for the Rotel vs Arcam, I currently have a Rotel 1056 aside from the HDMI, I don't think they are very different in SQ. My Arcam arrives this week. I'll let you know how they compare. If the Arcam doesn't sound much better, I'll be disappointed!

Great!!!

I will wait for your review on the ARCAM before I make a purchase

The reason i mentioned Rotel is that there is a summer clearance sale on Rotel near my place and they are selling the 1058 (With HDMI) for 800 bucks.

I was just wondering if that would have been a good deal

 

[greggp2]

I suppose it's pretty good, if the unit is new and has a warranty. It won't give you HD Audio however as I believe it lacks the codecs for that. Rotel makes really good equipment. Any chance they have the new RSX-1560 for a good price? That would give you everything you are looking for and you could bi-amp your front speakers with the extra 2 Amps, giving you more than enough power. If you could pick that unit up for say $1,500 - $1,800, that might be a way to go...

 

[nitin_mehra20]

I suppose it's pretty good, if the unit is new and has a warranty. It won't give you HD Audio however as I believe it lacks the codecs for that. Rotel makes really good equipment. Any chance they have the new RSX-1560 for a good price? That would give you everything you are looking for and you could bi-amp your front speakers with the extra 2 Amps, giving you more than enough power. If you could pick that unit up for say $1,500 - $1,800, that might be a way to go...

They have the 1560 for 2100 + tax

 

[Seth=L]

If it is as simple as Seth claims it to be. The only manufacturer I know that stands behind its products is Bryston and if I were considering sepertaes, I would anty up for one of them. The other electroncis companies offer warranty just to appease the nervous purchaserit would seem. Look at the mosnter drap Denon puts out? Why on earth would anyone pay that much money with so little warranty? Not worth it mine books

The reason why manufacturers don't stand behind amplifiers like Bryston does is because you can still damage a great amplifier by demanding too much of it. Amplifiers are simple to make (in the right hands), and to destroy (in the wrong hands).

Apologies to WmAx for misquoting which receiver it was. I honestly forgot it was the RX-V2600.

WmAx,

Do you have any direct experience with Emotiva products? If so, what are your impressions. Avaserfi stated that his had problems or deficiencies of some manor.