Need a new receiver

[Illusio]

I'm looking to get a new receiver to replace my 10 year old Pioneer (who has been a good receiver for me all these years).

Since my plasma is now wall mounted and I only ran 1 HDMI and 1 Component, I want something that can switch the video for me. Right now I have 2 hdmi inputs and 2 components. Unplugging/replugging things is a pain. I have a set of Orbs for my speakers, so something that will make them sound good is always a plus 🙂

Any suggestions? Budget is around $500

 

[Slick5150]

You currently have 2 HDMI and 2 Component devices? (I'm not sure I'm reading your setup properly). Do you need more than 2 HDMI inputs? Do you want the Component converted to HDMI so you only need to run 1 cable to the TV?

 

[krotchy]

Going also off what Slick is asking, do you want the HDMI to do audio processing as well? At 500 dollars you definitely can find one that accommodates.

My suggestion is the Onkyo 606. It has HDMI and Component switching, so you can pass through both signals to the TV as a 2->1 switch, or you can have it sample the component to HDMI, and send all 4 to the TV via 1 cable. It just came out, but should be available under 500 dollars around the web, I havent looked into it much, since my Onkyo 605 and 705 in my bedroom and living room are kicking just fine.

Other good receivers to look into in that price range are Denon and Pioneer, though I don't know if either has released and 2008 models yet.

 

[erwos]

The Onkyo 606 isn't a bad choice at all - I'd definitely recommend it.

 

[Illusio]

Originally posted by: Slick5150
You currently have 2 HDMI and 2 Component devices? (I'm not sure I'm reading your setup properly). Do you need more than 2 HDMI inputs? Do you want the Component converted to HDMI so you only need to run 1 cable to the TV?

Sorry for the confusion. Correct, I currently have 2 hdmi (dish network and PC) and 2 component (dvd player and Wii). There is a wall plate for the component and hdmi, each already hooked up to the TV.

All the audio is going from the sources to the receiver. And the speakers wires go from the receiver to the wall plate out to the surround speakers. (I don't use the TV speaker).

Does that all make sense?

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: Dark Jedi

Originally posted by: Slick5150
You currently have 2 HDMI and 2 Component devices? (I'm not sure I'm reading your setup properly). Do you need more than 2 HDMI inputs? Do you want the Component converted to HDMI so you only need to run 1 cable to the TV?

Sorry for the confusion. Correct, I currently have 2 hdmi (dish network and PC) and 2 component (dvd player and Wii). There is a wall plate for the component and hdmi, each already hooked up to the TV.

All the audio is going from the sources to the receiver. And the speakers wires go from the receiver to the wall plate out to the surround speakers. (I don't use the TV speaker).

Does that all make sense?

Yep.

The Onkyo 606 others mentioned would be fine, but for Onkyo I'd go with the 705 as its far more powerful. It has 3 HDMI inputs and can also be set to convert your component video inputs to HDMI so you'd only need the 1 HDMI cable going to the TV (though I'm blanking at the moment whether that's limited to 720p or not). But if you already have a component wall plate hooked up, you might not care about that anyways.

Other good options in your price range:
Yamaha HTR-6160
Denon AVR-1908

 

[s44]

Yeah, the 705 also has a full set of pre-outs, if you ever want to get even more power...

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Slick5150

Originally posted by: Dark Jedi

Originally posted by: Slick5150
You currently have 2 HDMI and 2 Component devices? (I'm not sure I'm reading your setup properly). Do you need more than 2 HDMI inputs? Do you want the Component converted to HDMI so you only need to run 1 cable to the TV?

Sorry for the confusion. Correct, I currently have 2 hdmi (dish network and PC) and 2 component (dvd player and Wii). There is a wall plate for the component and hdmi, each already hooked up to the TV.

All the audio is going from the sources to the receiver. And the speakers wires go from the receiver to the wall plate out to the surround speakers. (I don't use the TV speaker).

Does that all make sense?

Yep.

The Onkyo 606 others mentioned would be fine, but for Onkyo I'd go with the 705 as its far more powerful. It has 3 HDMI inputs and can also be set to convert your component video inputs to HDMI so you'd only need the 1 HDMI cable going to the TV (though I'm blanking at the moment whether that's limited to 720p or not). But if you already have a component wall plate hooked up, you might not care about that anyways.

Other good options in your price range:
Yamaha HTR-6160
Denon AVR-1908

How is the 705 "far more powerful"? The 606 has more HDMI inputs(4), it can convert component to HDMI, it also upconverts sources to 1080i.

The only case where the 705 is "more powerful" is in power per channel where it rates at 100W/ch as opposed to 90W/ch. That means the 705 can go 10/90*3dB = 1/3 dB louder. Not really "far more powerful".

EDIT: and as s44 says, it does have preouts...however, I doubt the OP is too concerned about that with the orbs he owns.