Home Theater Forum - View Single Post

perryG · 02-01-2005, 02:37 PM

I am currently thinking about upgrading my antiquated Pioneer Stereo Receiver with a new Home Theater Receiver. I am looking in the $300 range which seems to be the sweet spot of bang for your buck. The models I am considering are the Sony STR-DE897 which seems good on paper. It is a 7.1 system with a nice universal remote that will control just about any device made including the TV. I am not sure I need 7.1 because it is just another speaker to have to deal with. I can currently run 5 speakers without much Hassle. The center rear will be a pain at this point. So anything 5.1 or above is good. The Sony manual says some models have up conversion and some don't so is this Russian roulette or something? The Yamaha is a 6.1 system with a simple remote for just the receiver. It has up conversion which might come in handy when I get an HDTV. The Kenwood sounds good but the details are not available since they don't seem to have an online manual available. I don't like the fact that there are only Bass and Treble adjustments on all three of these units. I would like to use my 10 band graphic equalizer but I guess I will have to run that through one of the AUX channels like for the tape deck which means I can only use it with Stereo sources with two speakers operating. The speakers I have are old Bass Reflex and some are pretty good and some are not. So I have hodge podge of speakers ranging from 12" to little 4" minimus 7's. Please excuse my ignorance of the Home Theater World.

Perry

02-01-2005, 02:37 PM	#1 of 12
perryG Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Local Time: 08:09 PM Local Date: 11-23-2008 Posts: 8	First Post looking for a receiver I am currently thinking about upgrading my antiquated Pioneer Stereo Receiver with a new Home Theater Receiver. I am looking in the $300 range which seems to be the sweet spot of bang for your buck. The models I am considering are the Sony STR-DE897 which seems good on paper. It is a 7.1 system with a nice universal remote that will control just about any device made including the TV. I am not sure I need 7.1 because it is just another speaker to have to deal with. I can currently run 5 speakers without much Hassle. The center rear will be a pain at this point. So anything 5.1 or above is good. The Sony manual says some models have up conversion and some don't so is this Russian roulette or something? The Yamaha is a 6.1 system with a simple remote for just the receiver. It has up conversion which might come in handy when I get an HDTV. The Kenwood sounds good but the details are not available since they don't seem to have an online manual available. I don't like the fact that there are only Bass and Treble adjustments on all three of these units. I would like to use my 10 band graphic equalizer but I guess I will have to run that through one of the AUX channels like for the tape deck which means I can only use it with Stereo sources with two speakers operating. The speakers I have are old Bass Reflex and some are pretty good and some are not. So I have hodge podge of speakers ranging from 12" to little 4" minimus 7's. Please excuse my ignorance of the Home Theater World. Perry