Need a New Receiver (A/V Idiot)

[rcpratt]

Our surround sound that was pre-wired in our condo is being installed tomorrow (!!!) as a surprise Christmas present. Unfortunately, the women involved were not aware of the need for a receiver to power and control the system. We have a shitty old receiver that we are currently using for our speakers in the kitchen, but it's quite near death and wouldn't be able to handle both systems anyways.

So...I am needing a new receiver. I would prefer to spend as little as possible, this is certainly not going to be some crazy setup.

Basic setup and requirements:

• TV
• Cable Box/DVR (AT&T)
• PS3/Other Media Box
• Kitchen Speaker (2.1)
• Family Room Surround Sound (5.1)

Everything I have is HDMI-compatible, I believe, although the TV probably only has 2 HDMI ins. Both speaker systems are currently just set up as stranded speaker wire.

I'd love to be able to have some remote (i.e., android app) control of the system and streaming to the system if possible, I assume some receivers would have that capability by now. Don't want to spend double for it, though.

Suggestions...!?

 

[Paul98]

Looks like you need something with two zones and a good number of HDMI inputs. I would also strongly recommend good room correction.

Something like the denon 2113 or X2000 would work for a system like that.

 

[LikeLinus]

Agree with the Denon X2000 suggestion. Provides a second zone, Audyssey MultEQ XT, 7.1 (upgrade path) and network connectivity with app control.

 

[rcpratt]

Definitely looks like it would meet my needs. I was (probably naively) hoping that I would spend a few bucks left than $650. Is there anything with similar features/quality below that range?

 

[queequeg99]

Depending on how price sensitive you are, the Denon E400 is also a good choice. It has the next lesser level of Audyssey than then x2000 but it can still EQ your subwoofer. It also has the same 2-zone features. But it does have just 5 hdmi inputs on the back vs. 6 for the x2000 (both also have one input on the front). You can often find it on sale from authorized resellers for $300.

 

[rcpratt]

Just ordered the X2000. All things considered, I guess I'm okay splurging a little bit on some equipment that should last a relatively long time.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[queequeg99]

Just ordered the X2000. All things considered, I guess I'm okay splurging a little bit on some equipment that should last a relatively long time.

Thanks for all the help.

I think you'll like it. You mentioned something about an android remote app. You may (i.e. probably) will find that the Denon-published Android app is not good. There is a third party app that does a good job of providing basic remote functionality. I don't recall the name of it right now but a little searching should get you to it soon enough (it handles both Denon and Marantz AVRs).

 

[LikeLinus]

I got an x4000 for Xmas eve to replace my avr-591. I love it so far and haven't had any issue with the denon remote on my ipad. I know it had some issues originally, but it sounded like they've done some upgrades the past few months.

I also have, but do not currently use, iRule. Roomie remote is another one of the ones I hear people recommend.

 

[rcpratt]

Best Buy (my choice only because I could get it same-day) rang me up for $500 even though everything on their website seems to indicate the full $650 retail. Sweet.

 

[boomhower]

Good choice, it'll serve you well.

 

[rcpratt]

Love it so far. Had a few issues setting up my PS3 properly, as I didn't realize that it was set to only output only some 2-channel PCM stream. I ended up enabling every audio output, which I think works, although the receiver doesn't know exactly what it's getting (it displays "Multi Ch"). It shows it receiving all 5.1 channels though, so I think it's working properly.

Got to test the ProLogic II and Neo:6 settings while my PS3 was configured improperly; they sounded pretty darn good. Didn't realize I wasn't getting the actual 5.1 at first.

The app certainly isn't aesthetically ideal, but it works and does pretty much everything I want it to...except the stupid Android version won't stream music directly from the phone. I'll have to root my phone again and just use DLNA, I suppose? Either way, one way or the other it does everything I want.

Thanks guys.

 

[Anubis]

set your PS3 to bitstream the AVR should then show the correct format (DTS-HD or whatever)

 

[rcpratt]

I don't think my PS3 is new enough to support bitstream, from what I read? I have an old fat one.

 

[Anubis]

itll do some of the formats the option is there i have one as well, and a slim

IIRC its only actually missing one of them

it wont really make any difference in SQ itll just show on the display and the blue light (assuming denon still uses it) will come on for DTS MA and Dolby True HD

 

[s44]

I'll have to root my phone again and just use DLNA, I suppose?

Why would you root the phone? Just buy the BubbleUPnP full license; it's easily the best DLNA controller/playback/server app (though I'd personally run a real server like Serviio off your desktop for home use, with Bubble as the control and your AVR as the renderer).