Receiver upgrade/hookup question

[cherno]

I am seeing a number of new HTIB from Onkyo coming out. Since I just bought my system and it includes the TX-SR575 receiver. The 575 only includes HDMI Pass through (wish I knew what that meant when I bought it) so I am using a digital optical cable from my PS3 (my only BD player) and HDMI to get picture and sound (this is the correct setup right?).

Now that 2.30 is out for the PS3 and it supports DTS-HD and TrueHD I am thinking about upgrading to a new receiver. If I do this:
1. I can just go with the HDMI cable from the PS3 to the new reciver and get rid of the optical cable right?
2. The new receiver just says it does DD Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD (assuming that means MA also?). What about DTS-EE, DD EX, etc, will those tracks still work?
3. Can I just swap out the receiver and keep the speakers that came with the 575?

Related question:
The system I bought has a 10" down firing powered sub. The newer HTIB says it has a 230 watt sub (also listed a 10" down firing cone). What the difference and do I care?

I'm not a big audiophile so I don't know that I really care and am pretty happy right now with the 575 but would like to use the 7.1 HD audio tracks that come on my discs if I can (which apparently is impossible through an optical cable)

Thanks!

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by cherno

I am seeing a number of new HTIB from Onkyo coming out. Since I just bought my system and it includes the TX-SR575 receiver. The 575 only includes HDMI Pass through (wish I knew what that meant when I bought it) so I am using a digital optical cable from my PS3 (my only BD player) and HDMI to get picture and sound (this is the correct setup right?).

Yes.

Now that 2.30 is out for the PS3 and it supports DTS-HD and TrueHD I am thinking about upgrading to a new receiver. If I do this:
1. I can just go with the HDMI cable from the PS3 to the new reciver and get rid of the optical cable right?

Again, yes. The HDMI will pass all the audio via bitstream for the AVR to do the decoding.

2. The new receiver just says it does DD Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD (assuming that means MA also?). What about DTS-EE, DD EX, etc, will those tracks still work?

All the legacy codecs are also supported.

3. Can I just swap out the receiver and keep the speakers that came with the 575?

Again, yes, although over time you may want to upgrade to better speakers. That you can do a little at a time, as your budget allows. My first upgrade as far as speakers is concerned, is the sub. Save till you can afford a good sub, as that makes a world of difference. Then I would look at the front soundstage. Then you can replace your surrounds as you feel you need to.

Related question:
The system I bought has a 10" down firing powered sub. The newer HTIB says it has a 230 watt sub (also listed a 10" down firing cone). What the difference and do I care?

I'm not a big audiophile so I don't know that I really care and am pretty happy right now with the 575 but would like to use the 7.1 HD audio tracks that come on my discs if I can (which apparently is impossible through an optical cable)

Thanks!

Since you didn't specify what the old sub is, I can't realy say. But, for the moment, I wouldn't worry about it. See above

j

[cherno]

Thanks, the old sub I descibed as it was on the webpage for that particular HTIB. I am assuming you mean that I didn't specify the wattage?

I appreciate the response, I think I am finally starting to get a handle on this. Now all that is left to do is decide if I have a real need to upgrade.

Edit: Hey! You're in Spanaway, WA. I spent my early years in Steilacoom/Lakewood area.

[chlngr1970]

Sorry, I just saw this post.

I was refering to the lack of specifics of the old sub. Brand, power, tech used. I have a quad 8" setup between two sub enclosures that each have a 150W amp. Each subwoofer had two 8" drivers and a 150W amp. The tech in the subs makes them comparable to larger driver subs, and they sounded quite good down to the 22 Hz range using the DVE HDDVD.

If you can compair the two, great. That will be the best way to tell wich is better. if you can use both, even better

j

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by cherno

Edit: Hey! You're in Spanaway, WA. I spent my early years in Steilacoom/Lakewood area.

Not for long. The GF got a job in Bothel, and we are looking at moving up north...



j

[Wirehed]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

Not for long. The GF got a job in Bothel, and we are looking at moving up north...



j

Wow, heh. I read that as "the girlfriend got a job in a brothel."

[chlngr1970]

yeah, that is where Chromy use to live

j

[Wirehed]

Chromy used to live in a brothel? Wow, no wonder he stopped posting...