How to pick a receiver?

[visitor13]

My old setup just crapped out and I figured it's about time to upgrade to something with the newest bells and whistles. I was trying to find a site that would be similar to the DVD selector here, where you click on the feature you're interested in and the list of available players pops up. I haven't found anything similar besides the usual collections of reviews and such. Any ideas?

[BJ_M]

get a denon or a pioneer elite or a NAD or rotel ..... about all u need to know ,

most features are mostly gimmicks

[Xylob the Destroyer]

you got $$$ falling out of your ass?
Get a Pioneer Elite model. The newest bad-ass features are a microphone for 'auto set-up' and HDMI switching.
Pioneer is even including the HDMI switching on a couple of their non-Elite models.

Somebody (Yamaha I think??) now has a 9.1 receiver that is quite spendy....

As far as a site that has what your looking for, I'm looking too. Let me know when you find it.
In the meantime, check this site out: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

[yoda313]

Get your checklist out - are you going to be getting bluray/hddvd in the near future??? Get the dolby digital plus or true or whatever the new "hd" version of dolby digital is. There is also a hd version for DTS now as well. You're in luck that most receivers should have dolby pro logic 2 as standard - it's supposed to make a more realistic simulated 5.1 surround sound from any source material.

Also as mentioned if your hdtv enabled or considering it soon make sure it has hdmi ports as well.

Don't forget to check for a phono input jack for a record player if you still use one - many digital receivers don't have a phono input these days - my 4-5 year old sony digital amp doesn't.

And make sure you have enough digital and analog inputs to meet your needs - you can never have enough input jacks in my opinion

Set your price range and go for it - don't forget to check out www.cnet.com as well - they have good tech reviews

[Xylob the Destroyer]

...Don't forget to check for a phono input jack for a record player if you still use one - many digital receivers don't have a phono input these days - my 4-5 year old sony digital amp doesn't.

And make sure you have enough digital and analog inputs to meet your needs - you can never have enough input jacks in my opinion
...

Yeah!

[visitor13]

I think I narrowed it down already to either Sony STR-DA5200ES or Pioneer VSX-82TXSi. Both a notch below current 'top of the line' but will do nicely. Plus how long can you stay on top; in 3 months there will be a new model

[BJ_M]

Pioneer VSX-82TXSi is a much better machine than the sony

[SquirrelDip]

I agree with BJ_M - Sony hasn't been good for many years...

Also agree (and prefer) with his earlier post: NAD or Rotel are good choices. IMO you're better buying low in the high(er) end than high in the low(er) end.

[visitor13]

NAD is out since it doesn't provide HDMI switching. Rotel seems a better choice for someone who listens to music more than I do. I'm more concerned with flexibility. In that respect top of the line Pioneer (84) seems like a winner: 4 HDMI inputs (Rotel: 2), iLink, USB, upscaling the video signal etc. However I'd rather find something with 2 component and/or HDMI outputs - I need to output the signal to my everyday LCD and a projector. As it is I'll probably route HDMI signal to LCD and component to the projector.

[vhs?]

I'm not up to date currently, but a few years ago I bought a high end pioneer and it was crap.
I returned it and bought a 1992 pioneer receiver.
Best one they made with an analog dolby decoder which is vastly superior to the full digital versions ( not talking about 7 channel here).
Superb quality and almost everything switched on the front panel.
I looked at a semipro that was almost broadcast quality, about $1500, can't remember the brand.
I have an onkyo I am very impressed with.
I would look at onkyo before any mainstream unit now.
i love the pioneer.
Their quality plummeted later.

[BJ_M]

you may be out of touch with pioneer elite -- is is not a low end receiver ... heads above an onkyo

broadcasters dont use receivers anyway ... nor is there a "pro" receiver -- all of them are for homes, even ones costing 5 grand and more ...

[vhs?]

Pioneer has improved then.
I was looking for switching capability.
The one I referred to had studio grade hardware and noise specs.
Very superior at the time.
Has onkyo declined so much?
Mine doesn't look flashy but performs well beyond specs.
Nothing I saw from elite came close to my older pioneer last I looked.
Glad to hear they woke up.

[BJ_M]

onkyo used to be as good as the yamahas - some really good higher end models and some crap at the bottom end -- now they are going fairly mainstream and are one of the more flashy brands .. high on features but low on sound quality ...

listen to a NAD or Rotel compared to a onkyo (or even denon)

i prefer to NOT switch video through my audio equipment myself - though in many cases it would be a lot more easy ....

[SquirrelDip]

I used to have a small NAD amp - wonderful sound. I've never been a fan of Pioneer but also never looked at their elite line either...

@BJ_M: What's your take on the Yamahas?

[BJ_M]

loaded on features, more sound settings than just about anything else (if that is good or not ??) , not as strong in video processioning , run hot

[yoda313]

more sound settings than just about anything else (if that is good or not ??)

Right now since I don't have hddvd or bluray the only three sound settings I need on a receiver are DTS, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Surround. (plain stereo optional )

[BJ_M]

i like 7 channel surround (stereo coming out of all channels the same) for many cd's (loud ones)

[yoda313]

i like 7 channel surround (stereo coming out of all channels the same) for many cd's (loud ones)

So thats a new hybrid matrix surround then??

[BJ_M]

no -- just the same thing playing in all speakers --

denon calls it 7 channel stereo , NAD calls it enhanced stereo

[yoda313]

ah gotcha bj_m