[Ed*Wheaton]

Hi All;
I currently have a 5.1 system which I think sounds pretty good,and am thinking about upgrading to a 6.1.But before I spend a lot of money on doing so I would like to know if it's really that much better just having the extra channel behind you.
Thanks in advance
Ed

[John S]

While there are advantages, if your happy with your current performance, I don't think it is worth it, just for 6.1. But, you can also upgrade all the other aspects as well. Like power / component video switching / ect..ect...

There is also quite a bit of extra processing modes that come along with 6.1 / 7.1 too.

[Ed*Wheaton]

Can anyone suggest a good 5.1 receiver reasonably priced.I have a Sony STR K502P 100W pre ch. right now.

Thanks
Ed

[Angelo.M]

Welcome to HTF.

"Reasonably priced" is going to mean different things to different people. Give a specific price range, and you'll get some specific recommendations. Also, remember that within a given price range, receivers of similar specification perform similarly, if not identically, so you must consider what features you absolutely need and weed out particular models based on their feature-sets.

[Angelo.M]

Ed: just read your other 2 threads.

First, it all goes back to the issue of your budget and your needs. For most folks in most home theater rooms, a basic 5.1 or 6.1 receiver gets the job done; in other applications, depending on the particular preferences of the user, a more sophisticated setup, with additional amplifiers, may be suitable.

What is your budget, what is your application?

Also, it's legitimate to ask multiple related questions in a single thread, rather than starting multiple individual threads.

[Dave Moritz]

Hey Ed

I to have a 5.1 system and even though it has worked well for the past 4 years. I am saving up to upgrade as well. IMHO it would be worth having the extra channel for movies. The only problem is that there are not alot of 6.1 titles out there compaired to 5.1. There should be a new reciever coming out next month that I saw at CES in Las Vegas. Check it out as it is finally on there web site. If you are seriously looking to upgrade from 5.1 check out the Denon AVR-3805 receiver. The only drawback is that it does not have a multi channel analog input on it. So if I am not mistaken you would have to use there dvd player with denon link to get multi channel dvd-a and sacd. The 3805 retails for $1200 and is 6.1 and 7.1 compatible. This model has 100MHz video switching, auto room adjusting, dd-ex, dts-es, dd-llx, assignable digital inputs, 3 component inputs, assignable component inputs and assignable internal amplifiers if you decided to use external amplification.

It depends on how happy you are with what you currently have. As most material is in 5.1 it would boil down to if you really want to go 6.1/7.1 ? Granted there are more and more 6.1 titles coming out but 5.1 titles still dominate current catalogs. Like John mentioned it is a good idea if you want more power/better amplifier section, component video switching, assignable inputs and updated surround decoding.

Good Luck ED

[Chun Lam]

I recently bought the Denon AVR 1804 6.1 receiver. It is my first receiver so I bought a 6.1 - so in the future, I wouldn't have to upgrade. Personally, considering the lack of actual 6.1 titles out there, had I already had a 5.1 receiver that I was happy with, I would have waited before spending the money on a 6.1.

My $0.02.

[Rob.melone]

Ed, I have had a 6.1 receiver for some time now but have only recently connected a sixth surround back speaker (SB). I find the sound to be much more dynamic and entertaining in 6.1 then it was in 5.1. Especially since my SB speaker is about 8 feet behind my listening position. Now, with any DD EX or DTS 6.1 movies, there is a unique and distinct channel of sound (regardless of weather it is matrixed or not) coming from the rear of my room as well as the two sides and front. This also creates a much more enveloping sound experience. For example, in SW AOTC the sound of a transport will start directly behind you and then pan through the right surround speaker, to the right front speaker and end up in the center speaker. IMHO, surround back is the only way to go, especially if you can position the SB several feet behind your listening position. To the other point about the limited amount of movies available in this format, this is true but take a look at some examples:
Star Wars
LOR
ET
T2
Jurassic Park III

Good luck with your decission.

Rob

[Ed*Wheaton]

I'm planning on around the $400 or $500 range.Remember I's Camadian dollars we're talking about.

Ed

[Ed*Wheaton]

Sorry that should be Canadian.

Ed