| Author | Message | ||
     Dana P. |
I'm in the need for a new receiver. I'm looking at Marantz right now haven't decided yet. I want good sound but none this Best Buy Sony,pioneer,crap that doesn't last. I want something thats gonna last. Of coarse I don't want to break the bank either but give me some thoughts. Who knows this stuff really well. | ||
| Jscott |
I'm no expert, but check out www.outlawaudio.com Internet direct company that sells their own line of receivers, preprocessors, amps, and subs. They have a pretty loyal following - check out their forum (hideout) if you have any specific questions. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Dana - I just finished a new 7.1 home theater system. I studied up on the stuff before I bought it all and am fairly conversant in it now. There's a lot of options (kinda like mufflers) and it mostly depends on what you want to spend. I ended up with a Panasonic Plasma TV, Yamaha 150 watt 7.1 receiver and Klipsch reference series speakers. I was surprised at how much the cables, wall plates, banana plugs etc. added to the cost. A good HDMI cable is $150 alone. I can answer most compatibility questions I think. | ||
| Henrik |
I've been looking for home theater for awhile. My budget is quite limited as well. I've been back and forth between Home Theater in a Box or separates. For separates at my price level (around $5-600 for a receiver) Denon, Harman-Kardon and Yamaha seem to get a lot of recommendations. I was looking at Axiom speakers, and the Axiom rep recommended those brands to work well with their stuff. I've been looking at Onkyo as well, but according to Axiom they'd seen some problems in the amp section. Just a point of reference. I'll be interested in what others have to say. Henrik | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I've always been a fan of Yamaha (receivers). Good sound, low THD %, not over rated wattages, good prices. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
My last receiver was a Yamaha 5.1 75 watt system and served me well for nearly 10 years. I think Denon is probably good too. I wanted a receiver that could switch HDMI and the new Yamaha could do it. Turns out that HDMI switching is mostly useless anyway due to embedded digital copy protection but that's a whole other topic. When watching the beginning of "Saving Private Ryan" you want to duck and hide in addition to tearing up. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Dana - Are you going to Daytona? If so I'll tell you all I know there. | ||
| Rocketman |
The superb quality of broadcast material came as an unexpected delight when we began serious investigations into the FM medium in the early eighties. The NAT 05 continues the Naim tradition of producing the best sounding tuners in the world and is based on technology developed and refined by us over 20 years. It is fully remote controlled and has multiple presets for all your favourite stations. Clear and articulate with minimal noise, when correctly installed with a suitable aerial the NAT 05 makes music like only a Naim tuner can.  Specifications Tuning range VHF/FM 87.5 - 108 MHz Output level 250mV per channel at 100% modulation Mains supply 115V, 230V Dimensions (H x W x D) 70 x 432 x 301mm Finish - Black Probably the worlds best, and expensive! British of course LOL Rocket | ||
| Twig |
I also use a Yamaha 5.1 75 watt receiver with Definitive Technology surround speakers. Sounds awesome with plenty of punch. | ||
| Josh_ |
Find a HT nut that's upgrading. I'm not yet, but maybe next year I'll be looking to upgrade my Denon 3802 to something with true 7.1 and a good video switch Speaking of England - I have Mission speakers in my living room run from the multi-room amp in the 3802. Sound great - tho the accent takes a little getting used to  | ||
| Josh_ |
oh, and it's the sub that makes the system | ||
| Lowlife |
Dana, I picked up a Yamaha RX-V750 over a year ago. Most Yamahas have plenty of power, practical features and are user friendly. I would highly recommend one, as mine has been hammered for hours on end without a hiccup. Also, if you decide to pick up a separate amplifier at any point I would suggest finding a used Adcom GFA-555 on ebay. I was fortunate enough to grab one for short cash. It will be the backbone of my system for years to come. | ||
| Rkc00 |
I have a Denon 3300 5.1 receiver. Sounds great and no problems. | ||
| U4euh |
I have the Onkyo system, had for about 2 1/2 years and have loved every minute of listening. Love to put on a good movie and tease the dogs with the realistic dogs barking at the front door! | ||
| Skyguy |
Ummmmm Bose! The human ear is incapable of hearing anything that is any better! | ||
| Jima4media |
Dana, Have you ever heard of American TV? I worked for them for a number of years, as well as a place called Playback, back in the 70s. What is your question? | ||
| Rocketman |
Am I missing something here via the language barrier? I though Dana was looking to buy a receiver? Isn't that something one listens to radio broadcasts on? So why are you all talking about home cinema? Please, someone explain. Rocket | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Rocket - Interesting point. It seems like the consumer market (I can only speak for the US) has evolved into home theater systems and radio tuning is almost a secondary feature. Its becoming very popular in my area to build an actual home theater (rows of seats, etc)in your own home. | ||
| Tripp |
i have always had good luck with kenwood, my receiver is one of the first prologic units they came out with, i bought it in 90-91 and it works like it did 15 yrs ago and i've never had any service on it ever, never even cleaned the inside in the 15 yrs i've owned it! if i blast it too loud it shows protect across the screen and i have to turn it off for a second before i can blast it again, i've never even blown a fuse on this thing! sony products on the other hand, i've had nothing but bad luck with, i have had cd players, video cameras etc. that have always failed me, even years after boycotting sony products i won a home theatre "dream system" and it works so far but i can't play some dvds in it and for some accursed reason the subtitles come on at there own whim and in french no less!!!! | ||
| Bjack |
Another vote for the Yamaha 7.1 receiver and Definitive Technology speakers. I have the def tech center and towers with the built-in powered subs in each. Tremendous sound. | ||
| Jima4media |
For the past 20 years or so, the entertainment, media, and publishing industries have been going through tumultuous epic change from analog to digital. The revolution is almost over. Digital has won. Your best bets today are to get into a Media Center digital device that not only allows you to listen and watch media, but to create your own as well. Satellite radio, podcasting, blogging, digital video, DVD, HDTV, and the bitTorrent on the internet make it an exciting time to be alive. Don't buy a buggy whip, when you can buy your own television station. | ||
| Rocketman |
Home cinema is major popular over here too. That said, it seems in the audio world, vinyl is making a comeback. I've had a Rega Planar 2 deck for many many years. Just yesterday I was at the Audio Room having a new cartridge fitted. Whilst there I was looking at the Rega Planet deck. This is a pretty serious piece of kit to say the least. The power supply, yes power supply, is a stand alone unit about the size of an old video recorder. The deck itself is stunning in its design and engineering. The platter, unlike mine on the Planar 2 which is a solid piece of glass about a centimeter thick, is something else. It's the exact same ceramic material they use for the tiles on the space shuttle. As for that Naim tuner I posted above. Naim are reassuringly expensive in everything they make. Like Rega, but even higher up the market, their policy is to concentrate on sound reproduction primarily. You won't find either of these companies manufacturing hi-fi products that incorporate user operated sound adjusting capabilities other than a volume control. They make the best sound they can get and that's all they'll let you have. Rocket | ||
| Jima4media |
As good as a Rega Planar 2 vinyl player may be, I can't put it in my pocket, and listen to 8,800 songs on it on my motorcycle, the way I can with my iPod.  | ||
| Midknyte |
Google "Sony" and "Rootkit" and I think (I hope) you'll agree that they don't deserve your consideration. Otherwise and personally, I'm a Yamaha kinda guy. | ||
| Rocketman |
I bought my kids iPod gifts for christmas. I think it's a great format. I don't like the fact they're made in China though. Rocket | ||
| Jima4media |
Apple iPods are like Buells. Designed in America, from parts sourced all over the world. | ||
| Dana P. |
Ok,thanks for all the input. I really appreciate it. The unit I bought is a Marantz SR5600.  | ||
| Rocketman |
That's what you guys call a receiver? It looks more like a pro-logic amp to me. Must be the language barrier after all LOL. Rocket | ||
| Dana P. |
Rocket.... Thats what it says on its box. But yeah it has Prologic 2,DTS,and SRS,etc...etc. Things weighs a ton.My old unit was a feather weight in comparison. I've got it hooked up and it sounds really good. Just have problems with some of the settings right now,but we'll get it hashed out. | ||
| Lowlife |
That Marantz unit is really nice, good choice. What other components are you going to use with it? |
