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Looking for a new receiver

#1
Rating: 0
9/2/07 at 12:12am
  • Joined: May 2004
  • Location: Massachusetts
  • Post Count: 518
So I've noticed that when I'm watching my HD DVDs on my current surround sound set up (an old AIWA receiver that I've had for just about 10 years) that the dialog tracks tend to be MUCH quieter than the rest of the sound. Does it seem likely that this is because my receiver is so old and isn't equipped for HD?

This is not the case with S DVDs though.

So I was thinking about upgrading to a more current receiver. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm hoping to keep this within the 300-400 range, if possible.

And lastly, what attributes should I be looking for when I browse receivers? I want to be sure I get one that can accurately reproduce the audio on HD DVDs.

Thanks!

Universal, please release Streets of Fire on Blu-ray.

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#2
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9/4/07 at 6:05am
  • Joined: May 2001
  • Location: Hanover, Maryland
  • Post Count: 453

Re: Looking for a new receiver

Sounds like it could be your calibration; some receivers have different settings for each input.
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#3
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9/4/07 at 6:38am
  • Joined: August 2002
  • Location: Mass
  • Post Count: 6,031

Re: Looking for a new receiver

Quote:
Originally Posted by MattFini
So I've noticed that when I'm watching my HD DVDs on my current surround sound set up (an old AIWA receiver that I've had for just about 10 years) that the dialog tracks tend to be MUCH quieter than the rest of the sound. Does it seem likely that this is because my receiver is so old and isn't equipped for HD?

This is not the case with S DVDs though.

So I was thinking about upgrading to a more current receiver. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm hoping to keep this within the 300-400 range, if possible.

And lastly, what attributes should I be looking for when I browse receivers? I want to be sure I get one that can accurately reproduce the audio on HD DVDs.

Thanks!

The dynamic range of some HD sountracks can be wider than the SD soundtracks, but what you are experiencing could also be the result of the downmixing of the HD tracks.

As for an HD receiver in the $300-400 range, look at the Onkyo 505 and 605. They both will handle current HD audio via HDMI (Multichannel PCM) and the 605 will even decode the actual HD bitstream, if a player is ever prduced that passes the formats over as bitstream instead of PCM. The 550 can regularly be had for under $400 and I purchased the 605 for $399 on sale.
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#4
Rating: 0
9/7/07 at 6:39am
  • Joined: May 2004
  • Location: Massachusetts
  • Post Count: 518

Re: Looking for a new receiver

Thanks a lot for your suggestions, guys! I'm going to mess around with the calibration this weekend, and if not, I will look at Onkyo.

I appreciate it.

Universal, please release Streets of Fire on Blu-ray.

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