|   The Upgrading Bug Has Attacked...Which Surround Receiver? | DJ Scotty
Oct 5, 2001 12:54 PM | | Hello Theater Fans,
Well, as a two-channel audio enthusiast, I never thought I would hear myself say this, but the multi-channel itch is too great to ignore any more and well...*sigh* Let me put it this way...I am looking to upgrade my entire home system (at the same time a friend of mine is attempting a re-installation of my car audio system, in progress), and while I seriously considered expensive, high end separate gear like power amps and the like for music only, I have considered that my studio apartment can perhaps benefit from a surround receiver, so I can hook up my hi-fi Sony VCR for surround experience (while I wait to ponder on a DVD player)...and so from 2-channel I am seriously considering the surround jump.
My questions and concerns are these: right now, my system is comprised of a Yamaha RX496 stereo receiver (75 watts x 2), Marantz CC67 CD changer, Marantz DR700 CD recorder, JVC and Kenwood dual cassette decks (for playback only), Pioneer 7-band EQ, Technics SL-QD33 turntable, Numark CD MIX-1 dual CD player/DJ mixing unit, and JBL MRV308 tower speakers...which surround receiver (or separates) do I get that will work well with the rest of my gear, once I replace the Yamaha stereo receiver? At this point, what brand do I look to? Is there a certain brand I need to choose at all, or whatever has the best features and inputs in the back (thats important for me) for the money? Also worth noting is that I have a Sony Triniton TV and Sony Hi-Fi 4-head VCR...I was thinking of going high-end Sony so I can keep the home theater all pretty much Sony at this point....any thoughts?
Here's some other points to keep in mind: I MUST HAVE a PHONO input for my turntable no matter what receiver I get, and I must have plenty of inputs for all my audio gear---the CD changer, CD recorder (TAPE IN AND OUT), the tape deck (MORE TAPE), the EQ (TAPE 2/MONITOR), the turntable, and the dual CD player/mixer (SOME KIND OF AUX INPUT)...the receiver must also have inputs for my VCR, and a DVD player I buy in the future (if I buy one)...can someone please recommend a good receiver for me with all the latest surround encoding features--something with Pro Logic so I can play my store-bought VCR movies? If not Sony, can someone recommend something else? Thanks in advance for all your help!
"LET'S SEND OJ OVER TO WIPE OUT OSAMA BIN LADEN---IT TAKES A KILLER TO CATCH A KILLER!"
-"It's Our Opinion" Magazine, October 2001 |
| re: The Upgrading Bug Has Attacked...Which Surround Receiver? | El Gato Gordo
Oct 5, 2001 1:08 PM | | Whatever you get. . . .make sure that it has the option of running 5.1/6.1/7.1 line levels out, so that it can be used as another pre-amp.
The Marantz 5100 and up have this option. Also being Marantz, I do believe they have a phono in. . . .
-El Gato |
| Should I take the risk.... | nick4433
Oct 5, 2001 2:43 PM | | Of asking you if you are familiar with different formats? i.e. 5.1/6.1? (given that I may be questioned on suggesting formats?)
Anyway, what's your budget? Are you OK with speakers?
Also, would you be open to buying uh-hum Denon and Klipsch and help a brother get some commission?(just kidding)
Please give us a budget to work with and also if you need any speaker suggestions. |
| Here Are Some Budget Issues... | DJ Scotty
Oct 6, 2001 2:05 PM | | Nick,
Thanx...as for budget, I see some of these upper-crustelon receivers like the brand new Denons, Kenwoods, Sonys in the Crutchfield catalog and the like, and theyre all like $2500 and sometimes up...I dont think I can justify that right now...something less than $1,000, definitely---then, I need speaker suggestions for the surrounds and center channel and subwoofer---I already have JBL MRV308s as the mains. As for the features on the receiver...I dont need multi-room powering, fancy stuff like those touch screen remotes that come with the multi-thousand dollar receivers...something that will just decode my VHS surround movies for now, and make my music sound awesome as well...while offering ALOT of inputs for all my outboard audio gear. Like I mentioned, I was thinking of going Sony because I have a Sony TV and VCR; I figured I would bring the home theater together this way...but I heard someone telling a shopper today that Onkyo and Denon are the best receivers on the market now--mass-produced wise. Any thoughts? |
| Here Are Some Budget Issues... | nick4433
Oct 6, 2001 3:39 PM | | I can definitely suggest you some receivers under $1K.
Denon: 3802 for $850
Onkyo: TXDS-797 For about $900
Yamaha: RXV-2200 for about $1100
All the above have DTS-ES Discrete and the ONkyo 797 has THX-EX too.
NOn DTS-ES Discrete:
Sony: STRSA55ES price not known
Marantz: 7200 for about $750.
Any of these 5 receivers will make a good centerpiece for your system. |
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