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24.20.160.4
I am new to this forum and am looking for some advice setting up a home theater. I am not able to afford all the new, great, cutting edge systems so I am putting together a system based upon older, but high quality hardware. I can upgrade later. Audio quality is very important and my first priority. I will then look into upgrading the video. First off, my speakers are pretty much set and are based upon Altec VOTT. They can be run at 8 ohm and are about 98 dB/1watt so I do not need a super high powered amplifier. (The fronts and center use dual 414 12inch drivers and a 806/811 horns (malibus). The two rear surrounds are based upon Boleros and use a 12 inch driver and passive radiator and a smaller horn) My current sub is a Dayton 12" but I will update that at some point. The Malibus themselves have quite healthy bass but not sub-30hz. Okay, that is my speakers. I am open to suggestions for an AV receiver. Should I only look at ones with HD capability or should I just get a good HD DVD player (my only video source)? I am considering Marantz, yamaha and H/K for good audio. Any particular models? I would like to keep the cost under $500 for the receiver and under $200 for the DVD. My current TV is old but I am looking at getting a used widescreen, tube-based 36" SONY WEGA or similar and then update to HD later. Suggestions? My room is pretty small so viewing distance is about 60 to 90 inches.
Follow Ups:
I will keep looking back here to watch for more input. It seems like I could either go new low/middle road with newest features or used higher end but older, less features. I think I am more tempted to go the older route to get the best sound quality possible since I cannot afford a new, high end TV yet that would take advantage of all the latest HD technology. What receivers would be more tube-like in sound (warm, lush, etc) since my old Altecs are more voiced for tubes?
Thanks,
Dave
For around $400. Do a search on google and you will see some reviews. A steal!
This, and the Onkyo 705 & 805 models seem to be *the* best values in HT receivers right now-well priced, and the latest surround modes (DTS master, Dolby True HD).
My experience is that they are a bit cold and sterile-sounding compared to others I've tried, but they are easy to work with and they are reliable, which is more than I can say for some of the others I've tried.
The "analog" inputs are digitized by the receiver, then converted back to analog for output.
I use them for secondary and tertiary systems, predominantly casual use for guests and the occasional video game. I would not use them for anything "serious."
I have looked carefully to buy the 605 or 705. They are basicly the same model with the same front panel.
But
The 705 is THX select 2, and it has better converters from Crystal.
705 has DSD processing from a HDMI output SACD player, and an input for turntable.
705 have a much better loudspeaker setup and measuring system.
705 have 3 HDMI inputs, 605 have 2.
They share the front, but the 605 is designed to have a low price, the 705 to have a good sound and more features.
I have had many years of good sound from Onkyo receivers.
.
In addition, the 705 has a better EQ. Audyssey MultEQxt instead of the simpler 2EQ and a 7 band PEQ in place of a 5 band PEQ.
Kal
I think the 705 deserves a serious review, and I would like to know how well it work as a preamp only, with good power amplifiers and loudspeakers connected to its RCA outputs Left, Center and Right channel, and its own amps used for rears.
That would make its power supply load easier, and the sound better.
I recall it using Crystals flagship the CS4398, so the 705 could be a wolf in sheeps clothing, and hooked up to a SONY PS3 it could be a budget Blu Ray front end with high performance sound.
see link
If you want to go new yet inexpensive - Harmon Kardon AVR146 - $199 at BB.
I highly recommend you consider a used Rotel A/V receiver. My experience is that the Rotels sound better than the garden-variety Marantz/Onkyo/Yamaha stuff. If you can find an RSX-1055 or newer receiver, that's where you should go.
As to HD - the market is in a bit of turmoil right now over new standards and new audio codecs. IMO it's better to get a receiver that has a multi-channel analog input, and let the HD player do the audio decoding right now. Again, the recent-vintage Rotels seem to do a better job with MC analog inputs than the mass-market crap.
Thanks for the direction. I have looked up several models and the reviews sure sound good (sorry, no pun intended). Do you have any other specific Rotel receiver models to look at or suggestions for a preprocessor/amplifier combo. I may be able to get a newer pre-processor and older multi-channel amp for less money than a newer receiver, just a thought? The RSX-1055 is one nice looking receiver. wow.
Thanks,
dave
I have owned an RSX-1055, and would happily pick a 1056 or 1057 if I needed an A/V receiver right now.As to processors - I owned an RSP-1068, and I thought it was awesome. It was about 90% of my current Lexicon, at a much lower price-point.
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