cheapest way for hi-rez surround? (1 Viewer)

[matthewRaz]

what would be the cheapest receiver to expand to hi-rez surround from a 2-channel system?
must have 5.1 ins and outs, and no downside audio quality wise (although the universal player would be decoding).
thanks.

 

[Colin+M]

I have a Yamaha HTR-5660 for sale for a good price. I used it for hi-rez a lot. Sounds really good to me, esp. for the price bracket $500 retail. I'll let mine go for $250 shipped.

here's a link

 

[John Garcia]

What's your price range? Cheap isn't the way to get good sound, so you'll have to define what "cheapest" means.

 

[matthewRaz]

i was hoping that using the players dac would eliminate most of the problems from the quality of the receiver. the ideas behind the question are that
1 - the pioneer 1014 is a great deal for 7.1 + lots of features (which i don't need)
2 - 5.1 is old news so a deal should be available in something good
3 - the only hitch is that i assume not all will have the analog inputs for sacd/dvd-a
4 - the 1014 is $600 cdn. so significantly less than that ($450 cdn or less - $300 amer ?)

basically the "deal" equivalent of the 1014 in a 5.1 receiver.
also like the idea of the price/sound read about the panasonic saxr-50, but no 5.1 input.

 

[Danny Tse]

The Panasonic SA-XR50 has 5.1 inputs.

BTW, when you mention "hi-rez", do you mean decoding of SACD/DVD-A? Because if you are, with few exceptions, the player's DAC will be doing the decoding.

 

[John Garcia]

I'd say just get the 1014, unless you are looking to spend even less than that. You don't have to use the other 2 channels right now, but they are there for future expansion.

New only or used too? You should be able to find a used Marantz or Harmank Kardon 5.1 receiver that meets your specs for pretty cheap and they are both great with music.

What speakers?

 

[matthewRaz]

i'd look at used stuff. would use the player's dac for redbook too (if it means getting away with a cheaper receiver). then use digital for movies only. my mains are energy c7 floorstanders and i would stick to energy for surrounds and centre after i decide on a receiver.
the player is a yamaha c750.