[shockemags]

For my apartment, I am going to purchase a 50+" rear projection tv with a Toshiba HD-A2, Xbox 360 via HD component. My speakers are the Fluance AV-F3 towers and AV-SC center to start (I will add the Fluance AV-BP2 satellites in a few months) and a AV123 X-Sub. I am running the HD-A2 to the received by HDMI and will be hooking the Xbox audio by TOSLINK optical. I am looking to get a solid HDMI receiver that will give me good power and device options. I have been suggested the Onkyo 604 and 605. I am leaning towards the 604 bc of price and the 605 is a nice system but a little more than I need. I can get the 604 for $375 shipped. So my question is... Does any one have any suggestions other than the 604 and 605 that will meet my needs in the sub $400 price range.

Thanks.

P.S. I am trying to save as much money as possible.

[shockemags]

I have also been suggested the Yam 661. Any pros/cons?

[Stephen Hopkins]

OneCall has the SR605 for $399... not much at all more than the SR604 and w/ the latest features. In your case I would pay the small bit extra for the SR605 just for component-to-HDMI upconversion... you'll only need HDMI going to your TV, you'd need HDMI and component both with the SR604.

A friend of mine recently upgraded from an Onkyo HTIB and now has a system very simliar to yours. He just got the SR605 to finish things up and he's very happy w/ how it integrates everything. He runs a Toshiba A2 and Samsung BDP1000 in through HDMI, XBox360 and Motorola HD DVR in through component, and everything out to his Optoma H30 projector on a single HDMI-to-DVI cable. He's powering Polk M20 mains, CSM center, and still using the Onkyo surrounds and sub from his HTIB. He says the sound is a big step up and was really impressed w/ the Audyssee setup (though when he had the HTIB he calibrated by ear, not SPL meter).

My personal experience with Yamaha would push me to reccomend either of the Onkyos over it... I had an RX-V1700 (a step or two up from the 661) and was disapointed in the sound (very muffled dialog), the remote was horrible (bad layout, tough to program), and I had audio-dropouts when switching sources. The 661 may be a different story but my one Yamaha experience was not pleasant. It was a gift so my exchange options were limited to what HiFi Buys had back in January... I went with the Pioneer Elite 82TXs and after getting the firmware updated I've been very happy... though if I were shopping now with my own money I'd most definitely be getting the Onkyo SR805.

If you do want to save the $$ (since you have a TV and not a projector more cables may not be much of a downside) then the SR604 can be had for closer to $300 through accessories4less.com and ecost.com (though I don't think eCost has them right now). As for other suggestions, I don't think anything out there in this price range does HDMI well (with audio and upconversion) other than those mentioned (the SR604 lacking component-to-HDMI upconversion). The closest reccomendation I can think of is the Denon 2307ci for $460 refurbished from eCost. Even with new models coming out I don't think the Pioneer Elite 81TXv has dropped into your price range yet.

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Thanks. I have really waived back and forth on the 604 and 605. I know the 605 is the "next-generation" but being a college kid, I am trying to save every dollar. That being said... The 605 at $399 is great and I don't want to get a lesser product just to save $50 or so. Do you know how long they'll be running the 605 for that price?

[Stephen Hopkins]

There are several locations that have it at that price... J&R currently has it listed at that price with free shipping but are out of stock. I'd expect that to remain the common internet price for some time. Even Circuit City had it as low as $420 w/ a coupon code one week, so I wouldn't expect to have to pay the $600 MSRP or even $500 anywhere unless these become hard to find (which I doubt).

The real decision maker here really comes down to two features... the most obvious being HDMI 1.3 and if you think you'll be using it with a different player on down the line... the more immediate concern is component-to-HDMI upconversion and if you you're willing to use both cables or would rather just use HDMI. Neither seem like a deal-breaker in your case (the A2 decodes everything but DTS-HD Master, your cable runs to the TV will be short and won't be exposed) so the SR604 may well be the better value. The difference is enough for a nice Harmony remote, the surrounds you're looking to buy, 4 or 5 HD discs, a couple of 360 games, or a couple of Kegs. That said, the SR605 would be a bit more future-proof (you'll end up replacing the A2 someday, likely w/ an HDMI 1.3 player) and if you ever go front-projection you'll aprreciate only having to run HDMI to the projector. It's a tough call, you just need to think through what those two features are worth to you and look down the road at how you think your system will evolve also.

[shockemags]

Thanks Stephen. Great info. Last questions (for now)... As far as hooking the 604 up... It would be HDMI for the Video and Componet for Audio run through the reciever, Correct? If that is correct will I gain or lose any audio quality?

With the 360... If it better to run the video straight to the TV and the optical for the sound to the receiver OR video and audio to the receiver?

Thanks again.

[Stephen Hopkins]

For hooking up the A2 you'd get the best results using HDMI for both video AND audio (on a single cable). It's one less cable and you can let the player decode DD+ and Dolby TrueHD to LPCM for lossless high-quality audio (as well as passing regular DD and DTS in bitstream for the recevier to decode.

For the XBox 360 you'll likely not see any difference in video quality going through the receiver or directly to the TV. Will you have any other sources connected via component video (like an HDTV receiver/DVR)? If so you might want to connect both to the receiver and only have to use one component video input on the TV.

Since it looks like you'll have multiple devices using multiple input/output types I'll highly reccomend you pick up a Harmony activity based universal remote. It will allow you to easily set-up (using computer software and online device database) activities such as "Watch HD-DVD", "Play XBox 360", or "Watch HDTV" that will power on the appropriate devices and set your TV and Receiver to the appropriate inputs, all by only pressing one button. You can pick up the entry level Harmony 520 or 550 for as low as $60, the 360 (same as 550 but in XBox colors) for around $75, or the color screen 880 w/ charging base for as low as $100 refurbished. I replaced a MUCH more expensive Pronto remote w/ the entry-level Harmony 520 and have been thrilled... it's the best AV accessory out there for the money.

[shockemags]

The 604 process audio via HDMI? I though it was only video pass through. My set-up will be Rear-Pro 720p HDTV, Speakers Mentioned Above, 604/605, Hd-A2, 360, and an Ipod Dock for the receiver.

The TV I am looking at comes with a free Harmony 659.

P.S. I am 99% sure I am going to spend the extra $30 on the 605 unless the 604 drops sub $300

[Stephen Hopkins]

The 604 is available for $300 from accessories4less.com . It does process audio over HDMI (DD, DTS and LPCM 5.1 TrueHD decoded by the player).

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Well that is truly a predicament...