Recommend a Reciever w/TrueHD and or DTS MA

[vektsilver]

Hi Folks,

Im beginning to prep to revamp the old home theater for the coming year and my Old Denon Receiver is starting to look a little dated unfortunately. Its had a remarkable run and is perfectly working to this day but the lack of HDMI and newer audio codecs is going to be an issue with me.

I need recommendations of what you guys have seen or experianced as good to great receivers with a wide range of frequency reproduction as some stereos claim the full spec of upto 96 Khz reproduction but fail audio wise to deliver. I means whats the use of a hifidelity audio if there is channel degradation.

While I ask alot of my reciever I can not justify thousands on a purchase so keep that in mind other wise I would go with that monster Denon reciever for 1200 +

Key features
TrueHD and DTS MA decodes
7.1 channels
more HDMI 1.3 channels the better
Excellant Audio reproduction
trying to keep it under $700

Thanks in advance for the advice

as a side note I heard the Onkyo 7.1 is pretty good but the few bad reviews are really making me hesitant plus I wouldnt be sure on the quality of the sound

[crazzeto]

If you don't like the Onkyo's for some reason, yamaha has a line of more affordable receivers that meet your requirements. I think the entry level one is the v663 or something like that, if I'm wrong about the model # I'm sure someone will correct me. They don't quite offer the same features for the dollar value that the Onkyo's do, but they're solid choices.

I guess I would like to mention that I do have an Onkyo 605 my self and love it, no issues what so ever. I'm not sure that's a receiver you would want to look at sence you said HDMI inputs are important to you (605 has 2), but there is the upcoming 606 that has 4 inputs and integrats burr brown dacs I beleive, I would highly recommend keeping an eye out for that one and considering it.

[vektsilver]

If you don't like the Onkyo's for some reason, yamaha has a line of more affordable receivers that meet your requirements. I think the entry level one is the v663 or something like that, if I'm wrong about the model # I'm sure someone will correct me. They don't quite offer the same features for the dollar value that the Onkyo's do, but they're solid choices.

I guess I would like to mention that I do have an Onkyo 605 my self and love it, no issues what so ever. I'm not sure that's a receiver you would want to look at sence you said HDMI inputs are important to you (605 has 2), but there is the upcoming 606 that has 4 inputs and integrats burr brown dacs I beleive, I would highly recommend keeping an eye out for that one and considering it.

I have no bias on recievers really I mean accept the preference with Denon I just heard some really bad things about the Onkyo's being poorly constructed especially when it came to poor connectivity of the HDMI ports meaning actually physically poor.

But the fact you like the Onkyo does add to what I have read alot about it . Its just not good enough for me to read amazon and other sites that praise something with out hearing some real living people say its pretty awesome especially when I know you guys from the posts here

Thanks for the recommendation I ll have to take a look at that 606.

Keep the recommendations coming people

[Blacklac]

There is a thread over at AVSforums about bitstreaming DTS-MA and problems with certain recievers. I know it involves Onkyo and Yamaha, and possibly Integra. Supposedly when bitsreaming DTS-MA, you can hear random gunshot sounds pops. Apparently they are very loud and can easily damage your speakers. I think I read it is a problem with the chips they use.

I would not cheap out on a receiver. Spend the money and get quality.

[Coaler]

I gotta throw in another + for Onkyo. I had the 605 originally and wanted my speakers to get some more power, wanted 3 HDMI ins, and burr-brown DAC's so i upgraded to the 805. I couldn't be happier for the price!!! In this price range NOTHING can come even close to touching the 805. Currently $760 with free shipping on amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR805...7419069&sr=8-1

[mikesd]

Happy 605 owner here

[rizzlehd]

Been hearing a lot of good reviews on the recently released Yamaha RX-V663, you might want to check that out in comparison with the Onkyo 605... read what people have to say about this receiver:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=995796

[Sticks4legs]

Another happy 605 owner here!!
But while you are doing your shopping, what will you be using as players?? Remeber that a PS3 can't bitstream the HD codecs, nor can the Toshiba A3 (I don't know about previois models) so if these are your players you may not need the HD codec decoding in your AVR.
If you are going to future proof, I would have them included though.
If you are looking at players that can bitstream then I would never shy away from suggesting Onkyo to anyone.

[themiz69]

They don't quite offer the same features for the dollar value that the Onkyo's do

please elaborate.

i own the yamaha rx-v663 and im happy with it. have yet to hear or experience anthing bad about it. so i too will have to recommend this unit and itll put u under ur spending amount. i paid 400 for mine brand new from JR.

[AOD]

I have no bias on recievers really I mean accept the preference with Denon I just heard some really bad things about the Onkyo's being poorly constructed especially when it came to poor connectivity of the HDMI ports meaning actually physically poor.

But the fact you like the Onkyo does add to what I have read alot about it . Its just not good enough for me to read amazon and other sites that praise something with out hearing some real living people say its pretty awesome especially when I know you guys from the posts here

Thanks for the recommendation I ll have to take a look at that 606.

Keep the recommendations coming people

I'll add another recommendation for Onkyo. I have the 805 and it is fantastic. You may hear more concerning good/bad for the Onkyo's because they sell a ton of them. If all sales were equal and they sold 1,000,000 Onkyo's with a 1% failure rate then in all fairness you would hear 10,000 complaints whereas with 10,000 Denon's with a 1% failure rate you would have 100 complaints. Just stating the Onkyo is a great receiver.

FYI, NOT ACTUAL NUMBERS/MANUFACTURERS. JUST FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES.

[vektsilver]

Another happy 605 owner here!!
But while you are doing your shopping, what will you be using as players?? Remeber that a PS3 can't bitstream the HD codecs, nor can the Toshiba A3 (I don't know about previois models) so if these are your players you may not need the HD codec decoding in your AVR.
If you are going to future proof, I would have them included though.
If you are looking at players that can bitstream then I would never shy away from suggesting Onkyo to anyone.

Yup just so ieveryone knows, Bitstreaming is indeed a must I will be buying the Panasonic BD50K when it gets to market or when its not astronomical in price either way that is my player. Now or eventually! Its also not out of the realm of possiblity my HTPC will be spitting out these codecs as its not inpossible to get it to do so.

Recievers im not so afraid to spend the money on as they really do reflect great investment if you buy the right one. My Denons both have been flawless in so many ways and really stood the test of time. However getting a reciever for 1000 or more is just alot of money and 700 is pretty much my limit.

Thanks for all the great responses so far guys. That story about the Onyo and popping noise scares the crap out of me lol. but the bose 901's could probably handle it. Ya I know Hippocrate buying expensive speakers but thats were the real performance comes from

[rick240]

Yup just so ieveryone knows, Bitstreaming is indeed a must I will be buying the Panasonic BD50K when it gets to market or when its not astronomical in price either way that is my player.

If that is YOUR player then bitstream is absolutely not necessary.

The BD50 can do all of the decoding and send PCM over HDMI.

If you plan for that as your player then you have more choices of receivers because bitstream IS NOT a must.

[crazzeto]

please elaborate.

i own the yamaha rx-v663 and im happy with it. have yet to hear or experience anthing bad about it. so i too will have to recommend this unit and itll put u under ur spending amount. i paid 400 for mine brand new from JR.

605 is older there for easier to find at cheaper prices, you'll find that the same is true at most price ranges here. It's not a knock against yamaha, just an advantage Onkyo has for being quicker to market with an affordable solution.

[Crypter]

Well one thing is for sure. A lot of people on this site have a thing for Onkyo receivers, probably because of the bang for the buck value they provide.

So I will just take this opportunity to throw in my 2 cents. I think it is worth it to spend a little more on a receiver like the Denon AVR-2808CI or the 3808Ci if you can afford it. I have the 2808 and I just love it. I have had several receivers from Yamaha to Pioneer Eliite to even Onkyo for short time pushing the speakers I have now (fronts at least). I can honestly say they sound better with my current equipment than they have ever sounded.

[cliffeman]

Well one thing is for sure. A lot of people on this site have a thing for Onkyo receivers, probably because of the bang for the buck value they provide.

So I will just take this opportunity to throw in my 2 cents. I think it is worth it to spend a little more on a receiver like the Denon AVR-2808CI or the 3808Ci if you can afford it. I have the 2808 and I just love it. I have had several receivers from Yamaha to Pioneer Eliite to even Onkyo for short time pushing the speakers I have now (fronts at least). I can honestly say they sound better with my current equipment than they have ever sounded.

I have to agree, the 2808CI was the best puchase i made for my home theater so far. It was an upgrade from a 1907.