Home theater receivers

[bkny11203]

I am thinking about upgrading my receiver to a more newer version. I'm looking at one of these Pioneers. Audio Return Channel is not a deal breaker for me, because the receiver is gonna be on anytime I'm watching the TV.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-10...5015485&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-11...5015485&sr=8-2

What are you running? Do you have any other recommendations?

[Ken1015]

All you ever wanted to know on those receivers (and more) can be found at the following links.
VSX-1020
VSX-1120

[F.U.N.K.A.D.E.L.I.C.]

This is what I'm running...

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio..._u/?mode=model

I've had it for YEARS with no problems...and I leave it on almost all the time.

[LEONARD REMIX RROY]

This may be kinda long but, here gos....

1. If it aint THX Certified...move on.
2. 7.1 surround only adds fill sound to the rear surround speakers (which is not that serious) unless you're watching a Bluray DVD that is 7.1 converted for each speaker to only give a certin portion on the audio.

7.1 is not wack but it is a waste. At best it's a "Hey this is the newest latest greatest" - for them that want that but you are really not getting anymore than you had in the first place (((If you own a THX system))). OK, it has HDMI, Bluetooth Plug in and plenty of bells and whistles...all of that can NOT make it a Lucas Sound THX Certified Home Theather unit.

IMO...if it's not THX it's not worth it.

The units you're looking at has Dolby Pro-Logic IIz....BIG DEAL....if it's not Dolby Digital or THX, you're cheating yourself out of sound that is equal to what you hear when you are at the movies. THX is what you looking for, first and foremost.

You want a system that does not have a built in EQ...it's a movie not a party. You can EQ the music audio in a movie but what's the point in EQing someones speaking voice?

5.1 Digital Dolby THX Certified is the real deal - not all the bells and whistles that don't mean jack, especially an Ipod plug in - C'mon Son!!! a 1/8 to RCA jack is a Ipod plug in

[LEONARD REMIX RROY]

This is what I'm running...

http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio..._u/?mode=model

I've had it for YEARS with no problems...and I leave it on almost all the time.

CINEMA DSP/THX- you working with a monster!!!

[bkny11203]

Thanks guys. I keep forgetting about AVS forum. Lotta good information on there (111 pages worth). Gonna do more reading. So far it looks like it will be the 1120. THX Select 2 Certified and Dolby Digital Plus. I can get it for $472.

[Nay Sayer]

I've always heard good things about Onkyo receivers...

[LEONARD REMIX RROY]

Thanks guys. I keep forgetting about AVS forum. Lotta good information on there (111 pages worth). Gonna do more reading. So far it looks like it will be the 1120. THX Select 2 Certified and Dolby Digital Plus. I can get it for $472.

Look for this sticker on the unit.

Don't see it...don't buy it.

[bkny11203]

Look for this sticker on the unit.

Don't see it...don't buy it.

Aiight gotcha bruh. Gonna go check in the store this weekend.

[kaaos]

Look for this sticker on the unit.

Don't see it...don't buy it.

That just means the company paid extra to have that sticker. I have pc speakers that are THX certified. Nothing special.

[F.U.N.K.A.D.E.L.I.C.]

THX is really over-rated. Nice, but over-rated. You can still get excellent sound from gear that doesn't have that sticker.

And I agree with LRR...5.1 is the way to go. All those extra speakers get in the way.

For speakers...you CANNOT go wrong with Paradigm. I have the following:

4- http://www.paradigm.com/products/par...s/mini-monitor

2- http://www.paradigm.com/products/par...s/ultracube-12

It scares the children when I let it loose...LOL

[GROOVE VICTIM]

What's good BKNY! I've owned a Pioneer VSX 1020-K Reciever since last August and I have nothing but praises for this receiver. For the price, you simply cannot pass up what this receiver has already built in compared to higher priced receivers of the same Caliber. I was also looking at one of the lower end Pioneer Elite Models but I wasn't willing to pay the extra bucks for an "Elite" badge, 12 volts, and minus a few HDMI inputs on the back.

The Internet Radio feature is pretty cool and you can input your own stations like Cyberjamz, WBLS, whatever you can find. Because the receiver can access internet radio, you can access the Radio interface on your computer and control the changing of the stations via a web browser, rather than using the remote. I do not own an Iphone so I do not know how that interface works.

Overall I'm very pleased with my purchase!!!


And don't fall for that THX Certified nonsense. It's a selling point and doesn't do much.

[LEONARD REMIX RROY]

From what I've seen, systems with the Lucas stamp is the right stuff if you want that movie house sound at home.

The THX Certified sticker may be a selling point on speakers (just like the Digital ready) stickers that come on some brands but...when it comes to the head unit...your ears will tell you what is what.

My system is pretty damn old but the sound impress people that come over who have surround systems on their TV at home.

7.1 came out and after looking into it, I was not impressed. Thus far, 5.1 digital is it!

I've been threw 3 units over the years, unit 1 had no THX sticker (was not out yet) and did it's do for VHS Stereo Playback.

Unit 2 had the Lucas Ltd sticker and Dolby Pro Logic, great sound and had a feature on it called Theather. Push that button and the sound was sweet. Worked well until I upgraded to DVD.

Unit 3, current one...when a DVD is made in 5.1 sound (for the lack of the proper term) my head unit clicks and it displays Digital Dolby / THX on the sound mode window. While watching - say, Set It Off. As Jada Pinket is being dragged away by a friend when her brother got killed, you don't see her on the screen but you can hear what she is saying via the left front speaker THEN the sound pans to the left rear surround speaker. The sound equals what you would hear if you were standing in there at the body and listening to her from the body to a point in the distance. Love that Digital / THX mode.

When I play movies that were not remade in 5.1 like, 70's movies, I play them analog in Theather Logic or Pro Logic II mode and the sound is great, not as descret as 5.1 but better than standard stereo.

Note: I am no expert and I am giving you recomendations from my trial & error experience of setting up a home theater system.

I've seen all the bells and whistles of cyber connect, Ipod etc but I really don't need any of that. The (special Ipod input) is more of a selling point than a needed feature IMO, just like if a old reciever had a Walkman input. Who can't plug a 1/8 to RCA jack from Ipod to Audio / Video input #2 or 3 (one of which will be located on the front side of the unit) and get sound?

I base what I state on experience alone. I saw that Kaaos said something about PC Speakers. He just wanted to post something, nothing more or less. Say the convo was about V6 / V8 engines and creative ways to put NOS or some sort of other highspeed stuff on it? I drive a four cylinder car - but I throw it in the game because it had eletronic fuel injection? There are time to speak and time to be silent, shame that some just don't know their place.

[Swann]

The thing about THX is it's meant to be a system. This means every piece of equipment in your system must be THX-certified to get the planned benefits. So, unless you buy an entire THX system there's no need to be that concerned about getting a THX-certified receiver. A non-THX receiver built by the same manufacturer will typically give a less expensive alternative that's still very good.
Right now, the top home theather receiver brands are Marantz, Denon and Onkyo (pretty much in that order). Pioneer's Elite line has always been good and Yamaha is pretty good as well (although Yamaha has recently fallen behind Onkyo).
One of the most important numbers to consder (IMHO) is the THD or total harmonic distortion. This basically tells how clean that receiver will play. The lower the number, the better. You can have a 50-75 watt receiver with good clean power that will sound better at loud (movie watching) volumes than a 100+ watt receiver with unclean power.
I agree that 7.1 is not that necessary because there simply is not a lot of source material recorded in 7.1. The formats you really want are DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby Tru-HD. These kick plain ole Dolby Digital's a$$. Amd these are pretty much standard on the latest Blu-ray discs.
I think the other big feature is that the unit is network receiver. These include an ethernet port that hooks the receiver to your internet and allow you to tap into internet radio and music on your computer.
I currently have a Denon AVR-3808CI receiver (which is a few years old now, but will all of the above features) Kef XQ fronts and center and a pair Kef Q15.2 bookshelfs for my surrounds, along with an M&K MX-105 Dual 12" sub.
Hope this helps.
Swann

[LEONARD REMIX RROY]

The thing about THX is it's meant to be a system. This means every piece of equipment in your system must be THX-certified to get the planned benefits. So, unless you buy an entire THX system there's no need to be that concerned about getting a THX-certified receiver. A non-THX receiver built by the same manufacturer will typically give a less expensive alternative that's still very good.
Right now, the top home theather receiver brands are Marantz, Denon and Onkyo (pretty much in that order). Pioneer's Elite line has always been good and Yamaha is pretty good as well (although Yamaha has recently fallen behind Onkyo).
One of the most important numbers to consder (IMHO) is the THD or total harmonic distortion. This basically tells how clean that receiver will play. The lower the number, the better. You can have a 50-75 watt receiver with good clean power that will sound better at loud (movie watching) volumes than a 100+ watt receiver with unclean power.
I agree that 7.1 is not that necessary because there simply is not a lot of source material recorded in 7.1. The formats you really want are DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby Tru-HD. These kick plain ole Dolby Digital's a$$. Amd these are pretty much standard on the latest Blu-ray discs.
I think the other big feature is that the unit is network receiver. These include an ethernet port that hooks the receiver to your internet and allow you to tap into internet radio and music on your computer.
I currently have a Denon AVR-3808CI receiver (which is a few years old now, but will all of the above features) Kef XQ fronts and center and a pair Kef Q15.2 bookshelfs for my surrounds, along with an M&K MX-105 Dual 12" sub.
Hope this helps.
Swann

Makes more sense than someone saying the THX stickers are useless sales points.

I like the breakdown on DVD vs BluRay.

I doubt if i'd invest in BluRay for the sake of sound. I'd have to replace each and every movie I have with BluRay. I can only imagin how much better DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby Tru-HD is when compaired to the old top of the line DVD Dolby.

All the movies I own are not recorded 5.1 but, to have some of them old 70's joints on DVD is really great IMO.

I cant see movies like Blacula, Get Christie Love, Cleopata Jones, Foxy Brown, Uptown Saturday Night (some of my 70's stuff) being made BluRay / remastered DTS or Tru-HD.

[DJ Teji]

I thought long and hard about this set up and asked loads of question on AVforums.com, which helped me to decide on my final choice of equipment.

Here's a little list of what I used.

EQUIPMENT
Panasonic G20 50" Plasma Viera Cast
YAMAHA RX V 2065 AV Amp
Monitor Audio Radius HD 250 Speakers X 5
BK Electronics XLSS 400 Subwoofer
Sony BDP 370 Blue Ray Player
Virgin Media V+ Box
Sony Play Station 3
Nintendo Wii
QNAP TS-210 Turbo NAS server 2TB Ethernet Hard Drive
Router - Apple Extreme (N Spec)
Netgear GS605 - 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
Wireless Wii Bar
Nevo Q50 Universal Remote
Nevo Connect RF Extender

Here's a few pics of my set up



I think you can use an Ipad as a universal remote too, but would need setting up by someone who knows what they're doing!

Keep doing your home work and AVForums is definitely one of the best place to get advice from.

The Pioneer is a great AMP BUT Still check the comarison reviews on AVForums to see what's the best bang for your buck around our budget.

Teji

[LEONARD REMIX RROY]

I thought long and hard about this set up and asked loads of question on AVforums.com, which helped me to decide on my final choice of equipment.

Here's a little list of what I used.

EQUIPMENT
Panasonic G20 50" Plasma Viera Cast
YAMAHA RX V 2065 AV Amp
Monitor Audio Radius HD 250 Speakers X 5
BK Electronics XLSS 400 Subwoofer
Sony BDP 370 Blue Ray Player
Virgin Media V+ Box
Sony Play Station 3
Nintendo Wii
QNAP TS-210 Turbo NAS server 2TB Ethernet Hard Drive
Router - Apple Extreme (N Spec)
Netgear GS605 - 8 Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Switch
Wireless Wii Bar
Nevo Q50 Universal Remote
Nevo Connect RF Extender

I think you can use an Ipad as a universal remote too, but would need setting up by someone who knows what they're doing!

Keep doing your home work and AVForums is definitely one of the best place to get advice from.

The Pioneer is a great AMP BUT Still check the comarison reviews on AVForums to see what's the best bang for your buck around our budget.

Teji

I love the on wall speaker mounting, wanted to do mine like that but my wife didn't like it so I tried to do a more camouflage thing.

Slinglink box (not shown) for wireless internet connection to my dish units

Five Kenwood CRS-300 Speakers.

Sorry about the glare from the flash
Dynex 46" LCD HDTV


Kenwood KRF-X9050D Head Unit - THD 0.05%

Shot of given sound features


Kenwood KR-V7060 for my sub woofer - THD 0.9%


Memphis M112-40 longbody side ported sub box.
Not made for what I am using it for but it sounds great,
blend in well with the system.
Some AV Recievers require the use of a powered sub, I am not a fan of powered subs for suround systems.


Company enjoying Luther Vandross



The DVD Player and dish box are HDMI-ed to the TV.
The audio is from the DVD player is connected Optical (for playing my 5.1 DVD's in THX mode) I use the RCA out when viewing my 70's movies that are not 5.1 and play em Pro Logic II.

Not really High End but i'm very satisfied with the sound I get and most people that come over say "Damn, it sounds like a movie theater in here".

It ain't Bose but it's clean & if I wanna bang the box for a party at the house, it's all good.

[bkny11203]

The only reason I'm even updating is because my current receiver a Pioneer VSX-D606s has a problem with the left rear surround. It is very very low and can not be compensated for. I've had it since around 98. It's Dolby Digital & DTS and sounds great...other than that problem.

I'm trying not to be too cheap, but looking around for all the features and different models at the best bargain. At $472...I'll take the 1120 with the 7.1 & hope be set for the future. The 1020 is not too much cheaper.

[LEONARD REMIX RROY]

The only reason I'm even updating is because my current receiver a Pioneer VSX-D606s has a problem with the left rear surround. It is very very low and can not be compensated for. I've had it since around 98. It's Dolby Digital & DTS and sounds great...other than that problem.

I'm trying not to be too cheap, but looking around for all the features and different models at the best bargain. At $472...I'll take the 1120 with the 7.1 & hope be set for the future. The 1020 is not too much cheaper.

Good luck in your quest!

I am no expert in the area of Home Theater but I hope some of the info I posted helps you.

I really like the changes via BluRay but...my movie collection is as best as it's gonna get and 5.1 is enough for me.