Home stereo/audio question...

[gmccall]

I got a Kenwood VR-605 receiver for Christmas and noticed it doesn't have a 5.1 channel input... How important is this and should I pay the extra and exchange it for a model that does? I'm not an audiophile and just plan on hooking this up to my tv, 5 disc cd changer and x-box system. I have looked around the net but I'm so new to this that 99% of the audio conversations are over my head. Can someone give me a layman's definition of 5.1 channel input? Do I need it to get the best sound from the xbox? grrr...so many questions, LOL.

Thanks.

 

[GasX]

5.1 only matters if you have 5 speakers and a subwoofer and are planning on watching movies in surround sound (which can be a VERY good thing).

 

[DaveJ]

Looks like your receiver can handle Dolby Digital and DTS. The 5.1 input is analog, and is only useful if you're going to hook up a DVD-Audio or SACD player to get multichannel music. So you most likely don't need it...

[edit] To get surround sound from your receiver, hook your Xbox or other device to one of the digital inputs... that'll do the trick...

Dave

 

[T2T III]

Looks like your receiver can handle Dolby Digital and DTS. The 5.1 input is analog, and is only useful if you're going to hook up a DVD-Audio or SACD player to get multichannel music. So you most likely don't need it...

And on most receivers these connections are essentially useless. To be used properly with SACD or DVD-Audio, you need to be able to provide adequate bass management. Finally, the newer receivers are providing this option on some higher-end models. I love nice audio gear, but I don't see myself trying to replace my CD collection with DVD-Audio or SACD discs when they are still $18.00+ each.

 

[BigSmooth]

5.1 analog inputs used to be great for "digital-ready" receivers that could not actually decode Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Instead they relied on an external decoder or a DVD player with 5.1 channel analog outputs to decode the signal for them, then the receiver could pass through/amplify the signal and you'd still get 5.1 channel digital sound.

However, that was about 5 years ago or more. Even very cheap receivers can do Dolby Digital now. Multi-channel analog inputs are still a nice thing to have "just in case", but they're certainly not necessary.

 

[MichaelD]

You don't need them. You wouldn't use them even if you had them. Your receiver has digital inputs. As Bigsmooth said, older receivers w/5.1 inputs were used with older DVD players that didn't do DD/DTS decoding. You're fine. Enjoy your new receiver.

 

[gmccall]

Thanks to everyone for your help, and it looks like I won't need to return my receiver after all I guess I need to take a crash course in Stereo terminology, but I have always had a "tin-ear" and never had too much of an interest in anything of that nature.

Anyway, I really appreciate the help and have a great holiday!