Home Theater/MultiMedia A/V Receiver - Choices?

[Oren]

Next week I have a contractor coming for an on-site inspection for my
home theater. I have done my home work on the company and do not
expect any issues. No contracts are signed.

Essentially, my HT is a new start. Old stuff can be used in my garage
or sold. I have a limited budget, but have the 50" Plasma, a new DVR.
The company will do the surround speakers, mount the plasma and setup
up the receiver..etc...

What I would appreciate is any comments about these AV Receivers. I'm
not a techie in this area. I picked these because of the budget. If I
went higher in price/features it blows the budget.

http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/2243.asp

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/YamahaRXV2600receiver1.php

http://us.marantz.com/Products/296.asp


Plasma: Panasonic TH50PX500u Specifications

Video Features
HDTV Compatible: Yes
1080i Compatible: Yes
720p Compatible: Yes
480p Compatible: Yes
Sleep Timer: Yes
Miscellaneous
Power Consumption Operational: Power supply: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power consumption: 555W
Inputs And Outputs
Connector Types: 1 x analog audio input (for HDMI)
3 (2 rear, 1 front) x composite video input
HDMI-HDCP interface
3 (2 rear, 1 front) x S-video input
3 (2 rear, 1 front) x audio input (for video)
1 x PC Input (RGB-VGA)
1 (M3 Stereo Plug) x audio input (for PC)
2 x component video input [Y, PB(CB), PR(CR)]
2 x audio input (for component video)
1 x composite video output
1 x audio output


Thanks in advance...


Oren

"My doctor says I have a malformed public-duty gland
and a natural deficiency in moral fiber, and that I am therefore
excused from saving Universes."

[cjdaytonjrnospam@cox.net]

Oren <oren@at.us> wrote:
> Next week I have a contractor coming for an on-site inspection for my
> home theater. I have done my home work on the company and do not
> expect any issues. No contracts are signed.
>
> Essentially, my HT is a new start. Old stuff can be used in my garage
> or sold. I have a limited budget, but have the 50" Plasma, a new DVR.
> The company will do the surround speakers, mount the plasma and setup
> up the receiver..etc...
>
> What I would appreciate is any comments about these AV Receivers. I'm
> not a techie in this area. I picked these because of the budget. If I
> went higher in price/features it blows the budget.
>
> http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/2243.asp
>
> http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/YamahaRXV2600receive
> r1.php
>
> http://us.marantz.com/Products/296.asp
>
> Plasma: Panasonic TH50PX500u Specifications
>
> Video Features
> HDTV Compatible: Yes
> 1080i Compatible: Yes
> 720p Compatible: Yes
> 480p Compatible: Yes
> Sleep Timer: Yes
> Miscellaneous
> Power Consumption Operational: Power supply: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
> Power consumption: 555W
> Inputs And Outputs
> Connector Types: 1 x analog audio input (for HDMI)
> 3 (2 rear, 1 front) x composite video input
> HDMI-HDCP interface
> 3 (2 rear, 1 front) x S-video input
> 3 (2 rear, 1 front) x audio input (for video)
> 1 x PC Input (RGB-VGA)
> 1 (M3 Stereo Plug) x audio input (for PC)
> 2 x component video input [Y, PB(CB), PR(CR)]
> 2 x audio input (for component video)
> 1 x composite video output
> 1 x audio output
>
> Thanks in advance...
>
> Oren
>
> "My doctor says I have a malformed public-duty gland
> and a natural deficiency in moral fiber, and that I am therefore
> excused from saving Universes."


Being a Yamaha fan, I would chose the 2600. Nice unit. I no nothing about the Marantz, Denon in general is very good quality.

Chip

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[Oren]

On 01 Jun 2006 03:26:43 GMT, cjdaytonjrnospam@cox.net wrote:

>
>Being a Yamaha fan, I would chose the 2600. Nice unit. I no nothing about the Marantz, Denon in general is very good quality.
>
>Chip


Thanks, I've been reading on both Denon and Yamaha, the Marantz will
be the installer's pitch. The (one) review on the 2600 indicated the
strength was it would handle any video thrown at it and output it to
1080i.... Not just an audio box...

Oren



"My doctor says I have a malformed public-duty gland
and a natural deficiency in moral fiber, and that I am therefore
excused from saving Universes."

[C what I mean]

"Oren" <oren@at.us> wrote in message
news:0sfs72pldod9kbambr1srt5pse7hbgn4vr@4ax.com...
<snip>
What I would appreciate is any comments about these AV Receivers. I'm
> not a techie in this area. I picked these because of the budget. If I
> went higher in price/features it blows the budget.
>
> http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/2243.asp
>
> http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/YamahaRXV2600receiver1.php
>
> http://us.marantz.com/Products/296.asp
>
>
I have a Denon 4806 and I am happy with it for the most part. The only
thing I am not crazy about is the fact that when I play music only, I have
not figured out a good easy way to send stereo only to the surrounds that is
equal to the fronts. But to be fair, I haven't really spent that much time
trying. I am overall happy with my Denon.

[Oren]

On Sat, 03 Jun 2006 13:45:37 GMT, "C what I mean" <no
spam@frontiernet.net> wrote:

>> http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/2243.asp

>I have a Denon 4806 and I am happy with it for the most part. The only
>thing I am not crazy about is the fact that when I play music only, I have
>not figured out a good easy way to send stereo only to the surrounds that is
>equal to the fronts. But to be fair, I haven't really spent that much time
>trying. I am overall happy with my Denon.
>

Thanks

Oren
"My doctor says I have a malformed public-duty gland
and a natural deficiency in moral fiber, and that I am therefore
excused from saving Universes."

[Zymergy]

"Oren" <oren@at.us> wrote in message
news:0sfs72pldod9kbambr1srt5pse7hbgn4vr@4ax.com...
> Next week I have a contractor coming for an on-site inspection for my
> home theater. I have done my home work on the company and do not
> expect any issues. No contracts are signed.
>
> Essentially, my HT is a new start. Old stuff can be used in my garage
> or sold. I have a limited budget, but have the 50" Plasma, a new DVR.
> The company will do the surround speakers, mount the plasma and setup
> up the receiver..etc...
>
> What I would appreciate is any comments about these AV Receivers. I'm
> not a techie in this area. I picked these because of the budget. If I
> went higher in price/features it blows the budget.
>
> http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/2243.asp
>
> http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/YamahaRXV2600receiver1.php
>
> http://us.marantz.com/Products/296.asp
>
>

What you need depends one what your doing. Are you building a one room HT,
what is the size ect. What do you want the equipment to do? Are you a
real audiophile? Speakers make a huge difference so don 't put all your
$$$ into receiver and hook it up to insufficient speakers.

I'm planning on the Marantz SR9600. This will be base for my basement
setup. I chose this one due to the multi-room option (I have a Bar area
and a Pool Table area wired with their own speakers in ceiling and down the
road plans for flat screen TV's). I looked at other options, but due to
"knowing someone" I can get this one for a good deal. This is pushing
sound for my Epson projector w/ 92" screen; wired with both component and
HDMI.

[Oren]

On Mon, 5 Jun 2006 10:45:36 -0400, "Zymergy" <noemail@noemail.com>
wrote:


>> http://us.marantz.com/Products/296.asp
>>
>>
>
>What you need depends one what your doing. Are you building a one room HT,
>what is the size ect. What do you want the equipment to do? Are you a
>real audiophile? Speakers make a huge difference so don 't put all your
>$$$ into receiver and hook it up to insufficient speakers.
>
>I'm planning on the Marantz SR9600. This will be base for my basement
>setup. I chose this one due to the multi-room option (I have a Bar area
>and a Pool Table area wired with their own speakers in ceiling and down the
>road plans for flat screen TV's). I looked at other options, but due to
>"knowing someone" I can get this one for a good deal. This is pushing
>sound for my Epson projector w/ 92" screen; wired with both component and
>HDMI.

I moved all my old equipment out (advancing into this century). I have
a 50' plasma and a DVR and want to use this for a HT system in the
living/family room. I would like to have other zones: one zone for
the master bedroom (audio/video) and one zone for the outside patio
(audio).

I know this will eat up money, so I may be limited to the living
/family area. I have a $5,000 budget for speakers, av receiver and
installation. I'm not sure that money will come close.

The SR9600 would eat the budget. The contractor comes in the morning
and we will do a site inspection, figure locations, etc. They will
pitch a Marantz product. I have not signed a contract, but by the end
of this inspection I can expect a detailed proposal, statement of work
and bottom line price within 10%. If I accept this we move forward to
the contract.

Any advice on speakers would be appreciated. This contractor
"normally" installs "in wall" speakers. Apparently they have advanced
over the years and can be tweaked and adjusted (?)...

I'm not a techie / "real audiophile", but I do appreciate a great
sounding system. I've never had surround sound - always been a
tangled mess with speakers and wires.

Thanks.

Oren





They have computers, and they may have other weapons of mass destruction.
Janet Reno, Attorney General, Friday, February 27, 1998

[Robert Gammon]

Oren wrote:
> On Mon, 5 Jun 2006 10:45:36 -0400, "Zymergy" <noemail@noemail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>>> http://us.marantz.com/Products/296.asp
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> What you need depends one what your doing. Are you building a one room HT,
>> what is the size ect. What do you want the equipment to do? Are you a
>> real audiophile? Speakers make a huge difference so don 't put all your
>> $$$ into receiver and hook it up to insufficient speakers.
>>
>> I'm planning on the Marantz SR9600. This will be base for my basement
>> setup. I chose this one due to the multi-room option (I have a Bar area
>> and a Pool Table area wired with their own speakers in ceiling and down the
>> road plans for flat screen TV's). I looked at other options, but due to
>> "knowing someone" I can get this one for a good deal. This is pushing
>> sound for my Epson projector w/ 92" screen; wired with both component and
>> HDMI.
>>
>
> I moved all my old equipment out (advancing into this century). I have
> a 50' plasma and a DVR and want to use this for a HT system in the
> living/family room. I would like to have other zones: one zone for
> the master bedroom (audio/video) and one zone for the outside patio
> (audio).
>
> I know this will eat up money, so I may be limited to the living
> /family area. I have a $5,000 budget for speakers, av receiver and
> installation. I'm not sure that money will come close.
>
> The SR9600 would eat the budget. The contractor comes in the morning
> and we will do a site inspection, figure locations, etc. They will
> pitch a Marantz product. I have not signed a contract, but by the end
> of this inspection I can expect a detailed proposal, statement of work
> and bottom line price within 10%. If I accept this we move forward to
> the contract.
>
> Any advice on speakers would be appreciated. This contractor
> "normally" installs "in wall" speakers. Apparently they have advanced
> over the years and can be tweaked and adjusted (?)...
>
> I'm not a techie / "real audiophile", but I do appreciate a great
> sounding system. I've never had surround sound - always been a
> tangled mess with speakers and wires.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Oren
>
>
Step down a bit from the 9600 and you still have wonderful products.
Even the lowly 4600 works great if a bit lacking in automation in the
remote (Sony ES remotes worked better in this regard)

Listen to what the contractor says on speakers and ask to listen to a
set that have been installed to see if YOU agree with the contractor's
recommendation. Tweeter, and Frys have a HOST of small bookshelf
and in the wall speakers on display to listen to. Go do some in person
listening tests before the contractor arrives to form your own
opinions. In listening tests at Tweeter, I became SOLD on using
bookshelf speakers in an in the wall enclosure, packed with sound
absorptive materials, i.e. Acoustiblok or high density fiberglass

[Jack Dotson]

"Oren" <oren@at.us> wrote in message
news:jtj882tiajp2qiftmetpf439gn6s9n97it@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 5 Jun 2006 10:45:36 -0400, "Zymergy" <noemail@noemail.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>> http://us.marantz.com/Products/296.asp
>>>
>>>
>>
>>What you need depends one what your doing. Are you building a one room
>>HT,
>>what is the size ect. What do you want the equipment to do? Are you a
>>real audiophile? Speakers make a huge difference so don 't put all your
>>$$$ into receiver and hook it up to insufficient speakers.
>>
>>I'm planning on the Marantz SR9600. This will be base for my basement
>>setup. I chose this one due to the multi-room option (I have a Bar area
>>and a Pool Table area wired with their own speakers in ceiling and down
>>the
>>road plans for flat screen TV's). I looked at other options, but due to
>>"knowing someone" I can get this one for a good deal. This is pushing
>>sound for my Epson projector w/ 92" screen; wired with both component and
>>HDMI.
>
> I moved all my old equipment out (advancing into this century). I have
> a 50' plasma and a DVR and want to use this for a HT system in the
> living/family room. I would like to have other zones: one zone for
> the master bedroom (audio/video) and one zone for the outside patio
> (audio).
>
> I know this will eat up money, so I may be limited to the living
> /family area. I have a $5,000 budget for speakers, av receiver and
> installation. I'm not sure that money will come close.
>
> The SR9600 would eat the budget. The contractor comes in the morning
> and we will do a site inspection, figure locations, etc. They will
> pitch a Marantz product. I have not signed a contract, but by the end
> of this inspection I can expect a detailed proposal, statement of work
> and bottom line price within 10%. If I accept this we move forward to
> the contract.
>
> Any advice on speakers would be appreciated. This contractor
> "normally" installs "in wall" speakers. Apparently they have advanced
> over the years and can be tweaked and adjusted (?)...
>
> I'm not a techie / "real audiophile", but I do appreciate a great
> sounding system. I've never had surround sound - always been a
> tangled mess with speakers and wires.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Oren

Oren, take a long hard look at the Arcam HT receivers. Thy have many
positive reviews that compare them favorably to separates costing much more.
They just came out with the AVR-350, so many AVR-300's may be available at
bargain prices. Not only do they make one of the best receivers on the
market for HT, but as an added bonus they do a great job with music as well.
I know of no receiver near it's price that even comes close.

Speakers are very subjective and your likely to get many recommendations
here as well. I would recommend you look at the various offerings that fit
your budget from Usher. This is a company building speakers out of Taiwan
(I think), but they basically use drivers, cabinets and cross over
components from some of the best manufactures in the world. They're one of
audio's best kept secrets. Well, maybe not so secret anymore, but they are
very hard to beat for the money.

http://www.usheraudio.com

http://www.arcam.co.uk/diva_prod_range.cfm