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Cheapest decent 5.1 receiver

CJMST3KCJMST3K Posts: 9,722
edited February 2012 in All Encompassing Trip
My GF is getting me (us) a christmas gift of a new receiver since our old one is having problems. She said she has one in mind, but I'm concerned about whether there would be key features missing or something.

We have a basic bluray player and an hdtv and Fios. So the only HDMI outputs are currently bluray and fios, and possibly in the future some kind of game system. So, I'm thinking 3 HDMI inputs into the receiver and one going out to the tv. Do receivers switch video signal when the audio is changed too? And is HDMI audio as good as optical cables? I'm a little behind the game on this stuff.

I'm guessing my GF wants to spend in the $200 neighborhood for the receiver and we have decent satellite speakers and a subwoofer already.

Ideas?

Models?

Features?


Thanks!
ADD 5,200 to the post count you see, thank you. :)
*NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
*MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
*Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
*Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
*Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
*VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
*EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
*Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    Amplifier FAQ
    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1294455

    5.1/7.1 PCM, HDMI, and DSP - An Explanation of the Future-Proof Receiver
    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=738511

    Not exactly what you're looking for, I know, but valuable information none the less.

    Also, if you're considering ordering online from Amazon, consider using this site as research for price histories: http://camelcamelcamel.com/

    Good luck!
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
  • CJMST3KCJMST3K Posts: 9,722
    Thanks HH! Trying ccc now.
    ADD 5,200 to the post count you see, thank you. :)
    *NYC 9/28/96 *NYC 9/29/96 *NJ 9/8/98 (front row "may i play drums with you")
    *MSG 9/10/98 (backstage) *MSG 9/11/98 (backstage)
    *Jones Beach 8/23/00 *Jones Beach 8/24/00 *Jones Beach 8/25/00
    *Mansfield 8/29/00 *Mansfield 8/30/00 *Nassau 4/30/03 *Nissan VA 7/1/03
    *Borgata 10/1/05 *Camden 5/27/06 *Camden 5/28/06 *DC 5/30/06
    *VA Beach 6/17/08 *DC 6/22/08 *MSG 6/24/08 (backstage) *MSG 6/25/08
    *EV DC 8/17/08 *EV Baltimore 6/15/09 *Philly 10/31/09
    *Bristow VA 5/13/10 *MSG 5/20/10 *MSG 5/21/10
  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    CJ,

    Not sure what became of your A/V Receiver explorations, but if you haven't locked one down yet, NewEgg.com is running a great deal right now. $250 off a Pioneer VSX-1021-K 7.1 Channel Receiver.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117395&Tpk=pioneet%20vsx%201021

    Discount ends on 2/9. I jumped on it two days ago.
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,281
    HeavyHands wrote:
    CJ,

    Not sure what became of your A/V Receiver explorations, but if you haven't locked one down yet, NewEgg.com is running a great deal right now. $250 off a Pioneer VSX-1021-K 7.1 Channel Receiver.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117395&Tpk=pioneet%20vsx%201021

    Discount ends on 2/9. I jumped on it two days ago.
    Damn! That's pretty friggen sweet!
  • UpSideDownUpSideDown Posts: 1,966
    I picked up two Denon's from Crutchfield last year and they have been good for the price.

    Can't remember the exact model #, but I picked it up for $200 and I'm happy with it.
  • 8181 Posts: 58,276
    mca47 wrote:
    HeavyHands wrote:
    CJ,

    Not sure what became of your A/V Receiver explorations, but if you haven't locked one down yet, NewEgg.com is running a great deal right now. $250 off a Pioneer VSX-1021-K 7.1 Channel Receiver.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117395&Tpk=pioneet%20vsx%201021

    Discount ends on 2/9. I jumped on it two days ago.
    Damn! That's pretty friggen sweet!


    no kidding...i've been thinking about upgrading my home stereo too.

    only downside is....i would need to buy some new speakers. :lol:
    81 is now off the air

    Off_Air.jpg
  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    81 wrote:
    only downside is....i would need to buy some new speakers. :lol:

    I applied a $100 Amazon giftcard to this speaker set (http://www.amazon.com/Energy-RC-Micro-Surround-Speaker-System/dp/B001RQ2CXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328546464&sr=8-1), and then ordered banana plugs, HDMI cables, and one or two other things from Monoprice.com

    The Energy 5.1 speaker set is @$390 marked down from $1,000.
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,281
    81 wrote:

    no kidding...i've been thinking about upgrading my home stereo too.

    only downside is....i would need to buy some new speakers. :lol:
    Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I have an old 5.1 (pre-HDMI) and have been wanting an upgrade for a while. If I was to get this, then I'd have to upgrade everything else (speakers, sub)....end up costing a bunch!
    Hmmmmm...
  • 8181 Posts: 58,276
    HeavyHands wrote:
    81 wrote:
    only downside is....i would need to buy some new speakers. :lol:

    I applied a $100 Amazon giftcard to this speaker set (http://www.amazon.com/Energy-RC-Micro-Surround-Speaker-System/dp/B001RQ2CXO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328546464&sr=8-1), and then ordered banana plugs, HDMI cables, and one or two other things from Monoprice.com

    The Energy 5.1 speaker set is @$390 marked down from $1,000.


    those speakers would just not do.

    :lol:

    i want the RTI A9's

    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/rtia/specs.php

    although they might need an amp to go along with the reciever....since this reciever only puts out 90w's

    :lol:
    81 is now off the air

    Off_Air.jpg
  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    81 and his new speakers...

    BacktotheFutureAmp.jpg
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
  • 8181 Posts: 58,276
    i like it.

    i just have never liked those little surrond speakers...they always seem to lack depth...
    81 is now off the air

    Off_Air.jpg
  • Wma31394Wma31394 Posts: 3,045
    I have some 12 inch cerwin vegas practly new from like 95 that i will sell..were 2 hondo each back then.

    Have been stored for the last 10 yrs..no room for those big ass speakers.
    "Going where the water tastes like wine!"
  • HeavyHandsHeavyHands Posts: 2,130
    I'll be using them in a relatively confined space where I can't get away with turning the volume up very far. Truthfully, I don't really have need to blast anything anymore. If I do, that's what closed headphones are for.

    For me, the speakers are really more than I need. I just wanted something nice that will last me and make some movies sound really good. I was looking at the Energy Take 5.1 set for a year and waiting for the price to come down, and then I saw the Energy Micro-RC's for less than the Takes. The Micro-RC's are nicer speakers so it was a no brainer, especially with the amazon gift card rolled in.
    "A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
  • Dr. DelightDr. Delight Posts: 11,210
    I own these puppies in Black. Very solid sound.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/prod ... cent/rti8/
    And so you see, I have come to doubt
    All that I once held as true
    I stand alone without beliefs
    The only truth I know is you.
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