A beginner requests receiver help - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

08-23-1999, 05:34 PM

I am looking at setting up a hometheater this winter in what I consider a small room (12' x 17'). I am content with what speakers I want and which DVD player to go with, but the question of a good receiver is really vexing me.

I am not looking for anything to blow the roof off of my house, yet I would like a good sound for what I am paying. I am looking at spending @$400.

The two models I have checked out so far that have DD/DTS (a must have) are the Pioneer VSXD608 and the Techics SA-DX930. Just as soon as I read some positive reviews, I read a few bad ones as well.

What, if anything, can you guys recommend? Do you like either of these products, or should I be looking at something else? (keeping in mind pricepoint and the DD/DTS factor).

Thanks for your time

08-23-1999, 10:28 PM

Check out http//:www.audioreview.com. You should find some pretty good reviews there.

***Chromy*** · 08-24-1999, 02:41 AM

Well, at that price point, I would go out and listen to and play with all of the contenders and make your decision on what you see-feel about them after that.

Why is DTS important to you? Unless you listen to surround music (soon to be taken over by DVD-Audio I think) it really shouldn't be a factor. DTS seems to be falling short on it's DVD titles that it is coming out with, not to much selection. That and with alot of differing opinions about the difference of the encoding schemes... Not to get you wrong, I have DTS in my secondary system, but I haven't used it very often at all, and hindsight being 20/20 I would have rather gotten a lower powered, higher quality receiver... with DTS not being a factor.

That being said... Look at what's out there (if anything) from Yamaha, marantz, onkyo, harman/kardon, etc... Take a look at the next step up. Remember that halving the power output of a receiver only cuts the output of the speakers 3 decibels, a just noticable change in the volume. I have an 80 watt receiver in my main room that is about the same size as what you are talking about. It gets louder than what I find comfortable to listen to before it starts to break up.

My speakers are also fairly sensitive though too. 91 db with 1 watt at 1 meter. If you have speakers with a low sensitivity (85 or below) you may have to look for an amp with more power.

Chromy

08-26-1999, 06:44 AM

What Chromy said.

If you can swing it, the Marantz 585, which lists for around $650, is a bulletproof, high quality entry level receiver that does Dolby Digital. I do not think it does DTS. Yep - I'm biased - I have the Marantz 780. H/K is another good option - with a DD receiver that can be had for somewhere around 450 - 500. I've had great luck with both brands over the years.

08-23-1999, 05:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
tim s	A beginner requests receiver help I am looking at setting up a hometheater this winter in what I consider a small room (12' x 17'). I am content with what speakers I want and which DVD player to go with, but the question of a good receiver is really vexing me. I am not looking for anything to blow the roof off of my house, yet I would like a good sound for what I am paying. I am looking at spending @$400. The two models I have checked out so far that have DD/DTS (a must have) are the Pioneer VSXD608 and the Techics SA-DX930. Just as soon as I read some positive reviews, I read a few bad ones as well. What, if anything, can you guys recommend? Do you like either of these products, or should I be looking at something else? (keeping in mind pricepoint and the DD/DTS factor). Thanks for your time

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08-23-1999, 10:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
K-Von	Check out http//:www.audioreview.com. You should find some pretty good reviews there.

08-24-1999, 02:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
*Chromy* Producer/Admin Coffee Boy Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Greater Seattle Area, WA	Well, at that price point, I would go out and listen to and play with all of the contenders and make your decision on what you see-feel about them after that. Why is DTS important to you? Unless you listen to surround music (soon to be taken over by DVD-Audio I think) it really shouldn't be a factor. DTS seems to be falling short on it's DVD titles that it is coming out with, not to much selection. That and with alot of differing opinions about the difference of the encoding schemes... Not to get you wrong, I have DTS in my secondary system, but I haven't used it very often at all, and hindsight being 20/20 I would have rather gotten a lower powered, higher quality receiver... with DTS not being a factor. That being said... Look at what's out there (if anything) from Yamaha, marantz, onkyo, harman/kardon, etc... Take a look at the next step up. Remember that halving the power output of a receiver only cuts the output of the speakers 3 decibels, a just noticable change in the volume. I have an 80 watt receiver in my main room that is about the same size as what you are talking about. It gets louder than what I find comfortable to listen to before it starts to break up. My speakers are also fairly sensitive though too. 91 db with 1 watt at 1 meter. If you have speakers with a low sensitivity (85 or below) you may have to look for an amp with more power. Chromy

08-26-1999, 06:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
JoeW	What Chromy said. If you can swing it, the Marantz 585, which lists for around $650, is a bulletproof, high quality entry level receiver that does Dolby Digital. I do not think it does DTS. Yep - I'm biased - I have the Marantz 780. H/K is another good option - with a DD receiver that can be had for somewhere around 450 - 500. I've had great luck with both brands over the years.