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Receiver Requirements - suggestions welcome

#1
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5/5/09 at 8:18pm
  • Joined: April 2009
  • Location: Colorado Springs
  • Post Count: 27
Having read most of this and other forums, I had almost settled on the Onkyo 606 as a receiver that met my requirements - until I read how poor upscaled SD video is.

So I decided to list my requirements and see what you experts think.

Requirements
  • Almost exclusive use as a theater, little if any music, and zero radio.
  • Most of the latest audio codec decoding (I am not sure about the need for the latest 2 codecs offered with the 607)
  • At least 3 HDMI inputs
  • At least 3 component video inputs
  • At least 3 optical digital audio inputs
  • Selection of any video input with any audio input
  • Good upconversion from SD sources (mostly SD TV via cable)
  • HDMI output
  • 5.1 surround (I have no room for more speakers.)
  • 100w per channel
  • Individual speaker tuning (my speaker placement is very odd)

Feel free to suggest other nice to haves and why.

So which Receiver is the most cost effective given my needs? The goal here is to spend only enough to meet my requirements.
...gene

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V890
HDTV: Vizio SV420XVT
DVD Player: Sony DVP-NC615
Blu-Ray Player: Panasonic DMP-BD60
Cable Box: Motorola DCT6412 (Comcast)Center Speaker: Infinity RS-VideoL/R Speakers: Infinity 625Rear Speakers: Infinity 325Subwoofer: Klipsch SW-8 II

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#2
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5/6/09 at 6:53am
  • Joined: January 2004
  • Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Post Count: 1,116

Re: Receiver Requirements - suggestions welcome

To get a good up scaling AVR, you will need to spend closer to $1000 (or more than your TV cost). IMO, really not worth it.

First, your TV will convert everything to 1080P. Second, for movies your excellent BD60 will convert DVDs to 1080P. Third, cable sources, even when up scaled, won't look that great. At 42", I would let the TV handle it.

I would say go with the Onkyo 606 (or 607).
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#3
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5/6/09 at 5:34pm
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Post Count: 2,349

Re: Receiver Requirements - suggestions welcome

Or, if you really want to spend a little more and get a lot, check out ac4l.com's factory refurbished Onkyo's. I've bought many factory refurbs for myself and family/friends without any problems (so far ). But the 606/607 is pretty good for the money.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
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#4
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5/7/09 at 8:30am
  • Joined: January 2009
  • Post Count: 68

Re: Receiver Requirements - suggestions welcome

My Onkyo TX-SR705 from ac4l.com arrived yesterday. I paid $429 plus $35 for an extended three year warranty. Have not hooked it up yet as the theater is not completed but for that price, and it was the last one, I could not go wrong. This is my second refurbed Onkyou receiver.
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#5
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5/7/09 at 9:09am
  • Joined: December 2000
  • Location: AL
  • Post Count: 216

Re: Receiver Requirements - suggestions welcome

I don't know for sure about other receivers, but I would call a few of the other authorized dealers and get their latest price and compare it to Ac4l before pulling the trigger. I got my brand new 876 from J&R for $10 more than AC4l's price about a month ago. I know that some of the other authorized sellers won't put their lowest price on the web, you have to call. It's easily worth a few bucks for another year warranty out of the box and not having to worry about any blemishes.
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#6
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5/8/09 at 9:44pm
  • Joined: April 2009
  • Location: Colorado Springs
  • Post Count: 27

Re: Receiver Requirements - suggestions welcome

Thanks for the replies, and I have the following thought:
  • David - I am missing something, but the SV420XVT does not up-convert. I see HD-Cable at 1080I and regular cable at 480P (ok yes it seems to de-interlace 480i)
  • David in other posts, I explained why I got the 42 and not the 55. But for me the extreem clarity is the best result. Corrected my sight is grand. BUT - at 9'7" I am moving my viewing range 14.5" closer. That may sound trival but its all I got in this configuration and well I love what I got (and may move back).
  • gene c - great idea - with extended warranty maybe I can move a bit higher in the Onkyo chain.
  • Rancho5 thanks. With 2 recomendations I will take a serious look.
  • ShanonS - to true and I had not thought of that. When I get closer I will do exactly that.

I see alot of good things about Onkyo and for less money I am good with them. But I wonder - if Onkyo is so grand and inexpensive - why should I look elsewhere?

...gene

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V890
HDTV: Vizio SV420XVT
DVD Player: Sony DVP-NC615
Blu-Ray Player: Panasonic DMP-BD60
Cable Box: Motorola DCT6412 (Comcast)Center Speaker: Infinity RS-VideoL/R Speakers: Infinity 625Rear Speakers: Infinity 325Subwoofer: Klipsch SW-8 II

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#7
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5/8/09 at 10:08pm
  • Joined: December 2000
  • Location: AL
  • Post Count: 216

Re: Receiver Requirements - suggestions welcome

I am a previous Denon and B&K owner and I seriously considered the Denon 3808, but when it came to bang for the buck, the Onkyo had a serious lead. So far, I am very happy with my decision.
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#8
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5/9/09 at 1:36pm
  • Joined: January 2004
  • Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Post Count: 1,116

Re: Receiver Requirements - suggestions welcome

Quote:
Originally Posted by genedjr
Thanks for the replies, and I have the following thought:
  • David - I am missing something, but the SV420XVT does not up-convert. I see HD-Cable at 1080I and regular cable at 480P (ok yes it seems to de-interlace 480i)
  • David in other posts, I explained why I got the 42 and not the 55. But for me the extreem clarity is the best result. Corrected my sight is grand. BUT - at 9'7" I am moving my viewing range 14.5" closer. That may sound trival but its all I got in this configuration and well I love what I got (and may move back).
  • gene c - great idea - with extended warranty maybe I can move a bit higher in the Onkyo chain.
  • Rancho5 thanks. With 2 recomendations I will take a serious look.
  • ShanonS - to true and I had not thought of that. When I get closer I will do exactly that.
I see alot of good things about Onkyo and for less money I am good with them. But I wonder - if Onkyo is so grand and inexpensive - why should I look elsewhere?

...gene

Your TV is a 1080P LCD. It can only output 1080P. It can accept various formats, but it always converts to its native resolution.
My Home Theater
Our DVD Collection
Dolby and DTS Plaques (downloads)
Export to Wiki
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