Thinking of upgrading my receiver

[nsafreak]

Well as I've added newer components to my home theater setup I've been considering upgrading the receiver. To be perfectly honest I'm quite happy with my receiver now and I'm in no hurry to upgrade. Its just that it would be nice to have the HDMI inputs along with HDMI audio with all of the components that I have that can use HDMI audio. The thing that has me wondering though is whether or not I would notice an improvement in sound at all. Since I haven't personally listened to a properly setup system that's outputting Dolby TrueHD or DTS Master Audio. For the folks that have upgraded from a Dolby Digital system to a system that can handle the newer codecs is there an appreciable improvement in the sound? Not necessarily the quality but the immersiveness of it. Here's a list of my current setup:

Receiver: Harman Kardon AVR-235
TV: Samsung 42" DLP (720p native)
CD: Sharp MD-R3 (CD changer/Minidisc deck)
DVD Recorder: Panasonic DMR-ES15
Blu Ray: Magnavox NB500MGX (yes its the $98 Walmart one but initial impressions are favorable for me atm, will give a mini review once I've run it through its paces a bit more)
Satellite: Dish Network ViP 722k
Console: XBox 360
Speakers
Fronts: Paradigm Atom v.5
Center: Cerwin Vega V-3c (to be upgraded)
Rears: KLHs
Subwoofer: Paradigm PDR-10

Again, not looking to immediately upgrade but if you have suggestions of what receiver(s) I should look at as well that would be appreciated. Needs to have at least the same power output as my current receiver and be able to handle a minimum of 3 HDMI inputs.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I think the bigger upgrade (as you noted) is getting a matching center channel.
Is the subwoofer you have adequate for the space you're in?

If you do get a new receiver, the newer auto-calibration setups should be an improvement at least.

Just based on what you've listed there, I wouldn't think the receiver is your weak link or holding back your system.

 

[nsafreak]

Speaking of the center channel YoYo, do you have any particular recommendations? At the moment I'm thinking of getting the Paradigm CC-190 since it seems to be a good match with my current Atoms. Anything else you would recommend? Oh and folks feel free to contribute your opinions on upgrading the receiver as well. I like hearing multiple opinions Oh and for the subwoofer YoYo if anything its overkill for my current space. Previous place had a bit more room. Working on getting into a larger place but as it is now I usually have to keep it cranked down.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

The v.5 is the current generation Atom and part of the monitor lineup, correct?

The CC-190 probably makes the most sense to match with the atoms. If you had plans to move the Atoms to surround duty and get something else for the fronts (within the Monitor line), then you might want to go with one of the other Monitor line centers.

 

[Muadib]

What is it about your current system that you don't like, and how much are you looking to put into your upgrade?

 

[nsafreak]

Nothing really. About the only thing I don't like is that my receiver doesn't have HDMI inputs to do audio & video processing. But that's really it. I think I'll stick with my current receiver and work on upgrading my other speakers, center channel first.

 

[Muadib]

Which other speakers? Do you plan on moving the Atoms to surrounds, and getting something else for up front? If so, I would hold off on the CC-190.

 

[Tiamat]

I think the biggest difference is moving to a receiver that has multieqXT. This will noticeably correct frequency response aberrations due to your room interactions. These receivers also have features like Dynamic EQ that correct for loud commercials. IMHO, it is these features that are the most impressive "new" technology when moving up to buying a new receiver or pro/pro.

Just after this if not at the same time, getting a matching center would be very beneficial if you make use of it quite a bit. Either a single Atom V5 or the smallest WMTW design Paradigm center V.5 (cc190).



To sum it all up in terms of biggest improvements for your money:
1. Room Acoustics
2. Speakers
3. Electronics

Room acoustics means (at least) proper Room acoustic treatments, optimal listening position and speaker setup (including subwoofer(s)), and Audyssey (or the like) equilization products.

Speakers refers to upgrading speakers and matching speakers, upgrading subwoofers

Electronics refers to source, receiver/pre/pro upgrades notwithstanding upgrades specifically tuned to room acoustics or personal requirements of features.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
I think the biggest difference is moving to a receiver that has multieqXT. This will noticeably correct frequency response aberrations due to your room interactions. These receivers also have features like Dynamic EQ that correct for loud commercials. IMHO, it is these features that are the most impressive "new" technology when moving up to buying a new receiver or pro/pro.

Just after this if not at the same time, getting a matching center would be very beneficial if you make use of it quite a bit. Either a single Atom V5 or the smallest WMTW design Paradigm center V.5 (cc190).



To sum it all up in terms of biggest improvements for your money:
1. Room Acoustics
2. Speakers
3. Electronics

Room acoustics means (at least) proper Room acoustic treatments, optimal listening position and speaker setup (including subwoofer(s)), and Audyssey (or the like) equilization products.

Speakers refers to upgrading speakers and matching speakers, upgrading subwoofers

Electronics refers to source, receiver/pre/pro upgrades notwithstanding upgrades specifically tuned to room acoustics or personal requirements of features.

I was going to say this as well. My speakers are mismatched and way crappier than the OP's and even I noticed an improvement in not just quality but in the depth and seamlessness of the soundstage after running Audyssey XT on a nice modern receiver with adequate power compared to my previous receiver. Since it forces all your speakers to "flat" EQ by individual channel, it does a good job of covering up differences in speaker "voice" between mismatched speakers. They all end up sounding pretty much flat, and the result is that the soundstage gels together better. Obviously having identical speakers is even better, but it's less bad to have mismatched speakers than it used to be.

As for codecs, yes, the newer Blu-Ray codecs do sound better, but I think the bigger differences will come from the hopefully improved power amps and D/A converters in the new receiver. Even within a given price range of current receivers using the same codecs and same EQ processing (Audyssey XT, for example), there are noticeable differences in the sound quality and voice from model to model because of the amps and D/A.

 

[Bman123]

If you are interested in selling your current reciever please send me a message as I need a new one