AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Home Theater and Video => Topic started by: Don_S on 13 Mar 2019, 09:41 pm
-
I am considering the following two receivers. I would only use the receiver to connect DVRs to via HDMI then HDMI to my TV. I would also use it for a center channel. Front two channels would be my main system (optical out from my TV to an integrated amp. Only three channels total.
I am currently using a cheap switch for connecting DVRs to my TV. It works OK but no center channel and no decoding of the few movies I watch. But as I understand it, the HDMI signal will be passed without decoding. So no gain there but the center channel should be decoded out.
I don't want to get a lot of $$$ into this as I am not sure how much improvement it will make in TV and movie viewing.
Brand recommendation for the two or other options. NO Onkyo or Integra. My Integra failed because of low-temperature caps in the HDMI board. I replaced the mammoth box with a simple switch.
Thanks for any help.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/yamaha-5-1-ch-4k-ultra-hd-a-v-home-theater-receiver-black/6198554.p?skuId=6198554
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-725w-5-2-ch-hi-res-4k-ultra-hd-a-v-home-theater-receiver-black/6187502.p?skuId=6187502
-
Unless the ability to run 2 subs matters, I would side with the Yamaha of those 2.
-
Since you are more interested in TV and HDMI I would go with Sony for the video. They are incredible when it comes to video and the SQ is good too.
The Sony also emphasizes hirez where I don't see anything about that in the Yamaha description.
Look at the specs under features, Sony Hi rez audio YES, Yamaha NO.
Take the Sony.
-
Don't forget (if interested) - there's also Accessories4Less - https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxv385bl/yamaha-rx-v385-5.1-ch-x-70-watts-bluetooth-a/v-receiver/1.html
-
I'd spend an extra $60 and get the networked Yamaha AVR below. The networking capability provides a number of benefits:
1. Integrated internet streaming capability which means you can listen to radio stations from all over the world.
2. Firmware upgrades don't require you to download a file to your computer, put it on a USB drive and then connect the USB drive to the computer, and find the instruction manual to remind yourself of how to enter firmware upgrade mode on the receiver.
3. An app to help you set up the receiver.
4. An app to control the receiver but this is less valuable if you don't have internet streaming as it is most useful for selecting and controlling streams.
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxv583bl/yamaha-rx-v583-7.2-ch-x-80-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html
-
Not currently in the market, but sympathize with you Don. My separate A/V setup is a very low priority to me.
-
Not currently in the market, but sympathize with you Don. My separate A/V setup is a very low priority to me.
Thanks for the support. Sometimes it gets lonely not being a movie buff. :popcorn: :lol:
I have a friend who loans me BluRays. If I bring home 8 I might be able to completely watch 2. Three if I am lucky. And actually enjoy 1. And the movies are selected by me, not just grab a bunch.
-
I don't want to get a lot of $$$ into this as I am not sure how much improvement it will make in TV and movie viewing.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/yamaha-5-1-ch-4k-ultra-hd-a-v-home-theater-receiver-black/6198554.p?skuId=6198554
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-725w-5-2-ch-hi-res-4k-ultra-hd-a-v-home-theater-receiver-black/6187502.p?skuId=6187502
But you should spend more money for decent receivers - the sound quality matters a lot - which will drive you to watch more movies - please dont scrimp on what you think is the lowly home theater realm - it can be very rewarding in terms of sound quality and video if you let it
-
Sales representative at Magnolia talked me into this one one sale for $300. Normally $500. But we all know the pricing/markup game.
I do not claim to understand what he told me but the gist of it was the cheaper units (Sony & Yamaha in my first post) I was looking at would decode but not decompress. The Elite would decompress and be better for the center channel I will add.
Yes, I know Onkyo owns Pioneer. There is no justice. :roll:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-elite-7-2-ch-hi-res-4k-ultra-hd-a-v-home-theater-receiver-black/6199200.p?skuId=6199200
-
Sales representative at Magnolia talked me into this one one sale for $300. Normally $500. But we all know the pricing/markup game.
I do not claim to understand what he told me but the gist of it was the cheaper units (Sony & Yamaha in my first post) I was looking at would decode but not decompress. The Elite would decompress and be better for the center channel I will add.
Yes, I know Onkyo owns Pioneer. There is no justice. :roll:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-elite-7-2-ch-hi-res-4k-ultra-hd-a-v-home-theater-receiver-black/6199200.p?skuId=6199200
Good call, although some of those features like atmos you may not use now you will save money in the future if you want to implement it.
-
Sales representative at Magnolia talked me into this one one sale for $300. Normally $500. But we all know the pricing/markup game.
I do not claim to understand what he told me but the gist of it was the cheaper units (Sony & Yamaha in my first post) I was looking at would decode but not decompress. The Elite would decompress and be better for the center channel I will add.
Yes, I know Onkyo owns Pioneer. There is no justice. :roll:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-elite-7-2-ch-hi-res-4k-ultra-hd-a-v-home-theater-receiver-black/6199200.p?skuId=6199200
What does decompress mean? I think the Best Buy sales rep lied to you. My Yamaha has a Compressed Music Enhancer feature. I guess a decompressor is better.
Witchdoctor will be happy as its has built in DTS Play-Fi.
Most importantly is has a detachable power cord so you can use a $500 power cord on your $300 receiver.
Enjoy, I am sure it will sound great. I have a friend with three Pioneer AVRs. No issues with any of them.
-
"Decompress". I think that was the term used. I thought all I needed was something to decode multi-channel music to get me a decent center channel. I hoped it would help with some very poorly recorded movies. Not sure it it would affect TV programs.
The receiver is only going to power the center channel. The main two channels will be my main audio rig. What a monster 7.X channel receiver to power one channel. :no_hear:
-
I recently helped a neighbor upgrade his modest HT system by adding a Toslink cable and iFi SPDIF iPurifier. I was blown away by the sound quality through his all in one Denon switch-mode receiver. Small speakers in a small room, but it was fantastic. Not sure what the model number was, but it was stellar. I have sent him an email. If he remembers the system (at his vacation house), I'll post it here.
-
I just bought a 9 channel Onkyo RZ630 for less than $500 for my man cave. It rocks for the price :D
https://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-RZ630&class=Receiver&source=prodClass
-
"Decompress". I think that was the term used. I thought all I needed was something to decode multi-channel music to get me a decent center channel. I hoped it would help with some very poorly recorded movies. Not sure it it would affect TV programs.
The receiver is only going to power the center channel. The main two channels will be my main audio rig. What a monster 7.X channel receiver to power one channel. :no_hear:
Help me understand how this is going to work. Typically when people talk about using a two channel system for double duty as the L/R channels in a multichannel setup, they are using an integrated amplifier with a Home Theater bypass input and the receiver has pre out jacks.
In the case of this Pioneer Receiver, are the Zone Two L/R Pre/Line Out jacks going to be used to send the L/R channels to your main amplifier? Is your main amplifier an integrated amplifier or a power amplifier?
-
In the case of this Pioneer Receiver [VSX-LX103], are the Zone Two L/R Pre/Line Out jacks going to be used to send the L/R channels to your main amplifier?
On this particular receiver there are no dedicated L/R pre-out jacks, and If I'm not mistaken, the Zone 2 outputs can only be used to output analog sources, not digital.
-
Help me understand how this is going to work. Typically when people talk about using a two channel system for double duty as the L/R channels in a multichannel setup, they are using an integrated amplifier with a Home Theater bypass input and the receiver has pre out jacks.
In the case of this Pioneer Receiver, are the Zone Two L/R Pre/Line Out jacks going to be used to send the L/R channels to your main amplifier? Is your main amplifier an integrated amplifier or a power amplifier?
Doublej,
I hope this works. I had to order the receiver online because it was out of stock in the store so I can't try anything yet. Unbelievable it is scheduled for delivery Saturday and I just ordered it Thursday evening.
My 2-channel amp is integrated. I am hoping the "zone 2/pre line out " on the receiver means it is programmable to just a line out. I would use that as just another regular input into my integrated. Hopefully that will give me two volume controls. Fixed via the receiver line-out so my integrated 2-channel will be the volume control for the mains. Since the center will be powered by the receiver I should be able to control volume on it. That will help me balance the two since my center is much smaller than my mains.
That might let me boost dialog volume and reduce the annoying explosions and other loud noises. I hate that movie discs start out with annoying noise louder than anything in the movie. I mean the ads touting how wonderful Bluray or Dolby is. I also notice that in a lot of movies when there is something quiet but serious to be discussed the background music is increased to try to emphasize importance. All this doe is make it harder to hear the dialog.
-
On this particular receiver there are no dedicated L/R pre-out jacks, and If I'm not mistaken, the Zone 2 outputs can only be used to output analog sources, not digital.
Steve, The Zone 2 L&R outputs are labeled "pre/line out". Does that mean I can program for one or the other?
I told the sales person what I planned to do.
-
I can't find anything in the manual that talks about selecting a function for those outputs.
https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/ephox/StaticFiles/PUSA/Files/Home/SN29403369_VSX-LX103_En_180302_web.pdf
Only a description of the Zone 2 jacks (Pages 10 & 36).
Hopefully I'm wrong, the nomenclature seems to imply something of that sort.
-
Steve,
I hate it when you are right. I was checking the online manual at the same time you were. I do not think I can do what I planned. I was able to use my Integra but I do not remember how I had it connected.
Page 36 "You can enjoy 2-ch audio in the separate room (ZONE 2) while performing 7.1-ch playback in the main room (where this unit is located). Connect the ZONE 2 PRE/ LINE OUT jacks of the unit and the LINE IN jacks of the pre-main amplifier or power amplifier in a separate room with an analog audio cable. The same source can be played back in the main room and ZONE 2 simultaneously. Also, different sources can be played back in both rooms. • To output audio from an externally connected AV component to ZONE 2, use an analog audio cable for connection. Also, the audio from externally connected AV components can be output to ZONE 2 only when the audio is analog signal."
-
See settings on Page 96. You can make it fixed or variable.
-
Steve,
I hate it when you are right. I was checking the online manual at the same time you were. I do not think I can do what I planned. I was able to use my Integra but I do not remember how I had it connected.
Page 36 "You can enjoy 2-ch audio in the separate room (ZONE 2) while performing 7.1-ch playback in the main room (where this unit is located). Connect the ZONE 2 PRE/ LINE OUT jacks of the unit and the LINE IN jacks of the pre-main amplifier or power amplifier in a separate room with an analog audio cable. The same source can be played back in the main room and ZONE 2 simultaneously. Also, different sources can be played back in both rooms. • To output audio from an externally connected AV component to ZONE 2, use an analog audio cable for connection. Also, the audio from externally connected AV components can be output to ZONE 2 only when the audio is analog signal."
I probably misinterpreted The same source can be played back in the main room and ZONE 2 simultaneously to include digital sources but now it seems wrong.
One solution is to return it and get a Marantz NR series receiver which has L/R output jacks. It's another $100+/- but should take care of the problem.
-
I probably misinterpreted The same source can be played back in the main room and ZONE 2 simultaneously to include digital sources but now it seems wrong.
One solution is to return it and get a Marantz NR series receiver which has L/R output jacks. It's another $100+/- but should take care of the problem.
Doublej,
What connection would I use? I think I would use the Marantz's front channel pre-outs into the pass thru inputs on my 2-channel integrated amp. The inputs are not labeled but I can program them to be pass-thru.
Am I missing something? I know other AC members are using their 2-channel systems as part of their HT.
-
Doublej,
What connection would I use? I think I would use the Marantz's front channel pre-outs into the pass thru inputs on my 2-channel integrated amp. The inputs are not labeled but I can program them to be pass-thru.
Am I missing something? I know other AC members are using their 2-channel systems as part of their HT.
I think you could use any AVR with Pre-out jacks. One would feed the Left and Right pre-outs of the AVR into one of the unused inputs on your integrated amplifier.
Regarding your other question, the two channel manufacturers have responded to the desire of folks wanting to have their two channel music system do double duty as part of a home theater setup by building two channel preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers with a Home Theater bypass function. The Home Theater bypass function is a dedicated input that bypasses the gain circuitry in the device to feed the Left and Right signals from the AVR directly to the two channel power amplifier. In the case of an integrated amplifier the power amplifier is within the unit. Look at the picture of the back of this Parasound preamplifier for further explanation.
http://www.parasound.com/p6.php
The AVR has the ability to set the gain of each channel independently, or you can run the calibration software that is built into the AVR and do it automatically. You do this once when you set everything up the first time.
I will speculate that this is how many of the AC'ers do it. They have equipment with Home Theater bypass inputs.
BTW Some AVRs also have built in dialog enhancement capabilities. That's a different discussion for another time.
-
Doublej,
Thanks. That is just what I thought. AVR pre-outs into the 2-channel integrated HT bypass input. The problem is finding affordable AVRs with pre-outs. The units I was looking at did not have pre-outs and that is what was throwing me for a loop. Now I know what I need to have in an AVR.
Video is not important to me so I don't want to spend a lot of money on it. I have 2-channel designs on those funds. :lol: Notice I have avoided the "Two channel sucks....." thread. :roll:
-
The good news is the older the unit the more likely it is to have preamp outputs. So ask all your friends itching to upgrade to the latest AVR format to give you their old unit.
Otherwise I think you are looking at $400 for a refurbished 2+ year old model Marantz, Yamaha, etc. with preamp outputs. In addition to the Marantz NR series I would look at the Yamaha RX-V781 or TSR-7810.
Costco has a new TSR-7850 on sale for $400 delivered. It has preamp out on for the front channels only which is all you are looking for.
-
My neighbor got back to me. The great receiver he has is Denon AVR-X1300W
-
My neighbor got back to me. The great receiver he has is Denon AVR-X1300W
That receiver has the same limitation of the Pioneer VSX-LX103, in that the Zone2 Pre-out can't pass audio from HDMI or S/PDIF (coaxial or optical) digital sources; analog connections must also be made for each digital source.
Although there may be a few receivers out there that have a second DAC for the Zone outputs that would allow digital sources to be output, chances are it would be a 2-channel stereo mixdown, not discrete L and R channels of a multi-channel format anyway.
As there are quite a few receivers just one notch up in price level that do offer at least L/R pre-outs, that's the way to go.
-
Busted my budget and ordered a Marantz NR1608. Discontinued so remaining inventory (Crutchfield and Amazon) is reduced from $750 to $500. The replacement, NR1609, is $750. NR1608 may not be cheap, but at least I found it cheerful. :thumb:
Four reasons for the jump up in my budget. First it is Doublej's fault for recommending the NR series. :lol: 2nd the Marantz does have L&R pre outs. 3rd The price reduction made it attractive. 4th--It is Marantz and not something affiliated with Onkyo.
I like the slim design so that was bonus points.
Thanks to everyone for their help.
-
I suppose I'll get blamed too when you start streaming internet radio stations and using a phone app or Alexa to control it. :icon_lol: