~ Home Theater receiver: Which?
 

I have a nice Yamaha RXV-2095 receiver, a great unit - problem is it doesn't have component video inputs for HD TV. The Yamaha I have was the standard about 3 yrs ago. So what unit is the 'slam-dunk' great receiver out there under $1,000?

TIA!
Craig

Have a look (and listen!) at the Denon AVR 3805. Awesome receiver! Has received many great reviews. I bought one a couple of months ago and love it. It's a very musical sounding unit, with lots of inputs and features.

Bose Lifestyle. Hands down.

I have a late 90's top-of-the-line Denon (AVR5600 IIRC) and it has been very impressive for a single-box unit. I suspect they have a model in the 1K ballpark.

Yamaha's are always highly rated, and you are used to their user format/interface. Might want to stick with that brand for those simple reasons.

Are you sure you can't just do with a switch/coupler/adapter of some sort?

Did you buy from a high-end shop that knows your face and equipment, and can answer your questions?

No highs, no lows, must be Bose! Sorry, couldn't resist.

For home theater, Denon! Very high quality descrete amplifiers for each channel. They also have mult room controls built in. Other brands might have that now too though. Yamaha also makes good amplifiers too.

Others to check out:
Marantz SR-18
Denon AVR-3805
B&K AVR-101
Onkyo TX-NR901
Harman Kardon AVR-7300
Yamaha DSP-A1, RX-V3300

Then there is always the option of a nice mid-level component system (Adcom,Nad,etc.) instead of an all-in-one box.

So what flavor was the Kool-Aid?

Hey, thanks for the responses, it helps quite a bit.
I researched the heck out of the components the first go around,
and figured the list would know the good stuff for the receiver change out. I really like the Yamaha I have now - just no way to
input component (& in my case, high definition) or HDMI signals into the receiver.

THX!

Yamaha's are always highly rated, and you are used to their user format/interface. Might want to stick with that brand for those simple reasons. Are you sure you can't just do with a switch/coupler/adapter of some sort?

Thought of that.
I did buy an adapter that senses changin input signals ($200) but am thinking that I may 'do it right' and get a receiver that can also take HDMI signals. The shop set me up with the adapter box -

That's the one I have. I just can't decide on which speakers to get. I'm currently running mid level Infinity book shelf and they work ok. I was looking at Klipsch. Input?

I didn't want to say it, but it needed to be said:)

That's what I have! Great sound, but complicated remote. (I'm a geezer.)

I've never been a fan of klipsch and/or horn-loaded drivers. Some people swear by them, but I've never heard a pair that sounded good (to me). I would also avoid the chain-store "high-end" stuff like Bose, Polk, Infinity, Altec, Kef, etc. I would rather buy a pair of nice used real reference-level loudspeakers, than a new pair of any of the aforementioned stuff. I'd call around to see if there are any independant Audiophile shops around. A lot of them also sell used gear on consignment, and good deals can be found.

Some of the better mid/high-end stuff IMO:
Dynaudio
JM Labs (Focal)
Thiel
Totem
Joseph Audio
Verity
Definitive Technology
Von Schweikert
B&W
Paradigm

Yeah, the remote has been a sore subject with alot of people who bought the 3805. I already had a Philips Pronto remote, so it doesn't bother me. I just keep the Denon remote in a drawer. I'm using Vandersteen 2Ci's as my mains and the Denon drives them nicely. The Denon replaced an upper end Onkyo that I've had for years, and I can't get over how much better it sounds. I'm really happy with it!

Receiver - Outlaw or Denon
Speakers - EFE Technologies, Ed Frias is the owner and a heck of a nice guy.

How about a home theater processor and seperate amps? Try some out in person before deciding. Check out Krell Heat and Theta Digital Casablanca units for processing and Krell, Theta Digital, and Outlaw for amplification. Don't forget a good subwoofer and amp as well.

A few years back I had a Denon 3200 receiver and ran it through some older A/D/S speakers. It sounded OK, but kinda bland. I bought a Krell 300i integrated amp and ran my Denon amp output for the front speakers into the Krell's input. The speakers really came alive and the soundstage I had heard people talk about before suddenly became apparent. I later sold it to support my Porsche habit, but I plan to buy another one day. Be sure to listen to them in person because some people say the Krell amps sound harsh. YMMV.

Good Luck.

The rest of my components:

Sony progressive DVD
Hughes HD satellite receiver ;-)
Full M&K setup incl 2 M&K subs - 1 MX-125 & 1 MX-350

9 foot screen ;-)

Oooo... Good stuff. I have an MX-125 as well. I couldn't imagine having another one. It rattles my house, and both of my neighbors’ houses. Truly unbelievably deep clear bass.

I had my neighbor call 1 time and ask "Is everything ok?" ;-)
BoOm, ThUd