Dyn owners-- what HT receiver do you use

[LordoftheRingsEE]

---Jason, why don't you get a real receiver; the Onkyo TX-NR5010?

* That thing is a RECEIVER! ...Not a Mickey Mouse.
And that 'thing' drives a pair of 4 Ohm loudspeakers no problemo. Heck, it is THX Ultra2 Plus certified! ...3 Ohms. ...And in a big room. ...And all the speakers; surrounds too.

[doggiehowser]

I'm waiting for the pre/pro version of the 5010 or the Marantz 8801

Full 11 channels. XLR outputs, XT32, LFC, DSX, DTS Neo:X.

Yummy

[LordoftheRingsEE]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

I'm waiting for the pre/pro version of the 5010 or the Marantz 8801

Full 11 channels. XLR outputs, XT32, LFC, DSX, DTS Neo:X.

Yummy

-----Same here; that would be the Onkyo PR-SC5510 pre/pro.
Beautiful looking (in my book), and Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and Audyssey MultEQ Pro Ready too.

And the Marantz AV8801 without Audyssey MultEQ XT32, just forget it!
Looks real cool though from the front (if you like that 'hublot', porthole) and the rear (XLR, but not truly balanced though).
...Same for the Onkyo/Integra (about XLR).
But I bet that the Marantz sounds sweet also; but still lacking the very important XT32.
{Well, supposedly it will have XT32; better be for 3,200 clams! And that would be the 1st ever Marantz pre/pro to include XT32.}

[doggiehowser]

The 8801 is based off the Denon 4520 so I suspect it should have XT32.

I'm curious about how it isn't fully balanced though. How does one tell?

[LordoftheRingsEE]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

The 8801 is based off the Denon 4520 so I suspect it should have XT32.

I'm curious about how it isn't fully balanced though. How does one tell?

-----Perhaps you are right about XT32. I will confirm it when I'm 100% sure.

As for truly balanced; you'll have to pay much more than the asking price of that new Marantz pre/pro mate!
...The Denon AVP-A1HDCI retails for $7,500 and it's an older model without all the newest features. ...And it's a bargain too!

Also, the Cary Audio Design Cinema 12 surround Processor has true, differential balanced XLR outputs, and retails for only $4,995.
Auto Setup/Room EQ: Proprietary, buggy, and simply not recommended by Cary Audio! They recommend that you set things up manually.
Video Processing: No. ..Switching only.

Fully balanced from input to output, and well implemented, means big dollars in 99.99999% of all electronic cases.
If that Marantz was it would say; but it doesn't, only XLR balanced connections. And the same for that Onkyo (Integra equivalent) pre/pro.

[doggiehowser]

It does have XLR inputs though which may mean it's balanced but with some parts which are SE converted to balanced.

The thing is there are no spec sheets around so hard to say anything definitive.

I know about the Denon but they really should have made it an 11 channel DSX/NeoX implementation. Sigh. So close.

[LordoftheRingsEE]

---Like I said, from all the Denon/Marantz (and even Integra/Onkyo) surround processors, only the Denon AVP-A1HDCI is truly fully differentially balanced. And it is very well documented with internal pictures and schematics.

That new Marantz AV8801 just ain't.

_________________________

Anyway I feel a bit guilty here as this thread is 'bout receivers, and not pre/pros.

[LordoftheRingsEE]

---Jason, could you please tell us more about your Home theater room (how big), all the speakers, how many of them, exactly which ones (model numbers, and perhaps with pictures); so we know for sure if an AV receiver is adequate enough.

Plus, most importantly, what kind of budget you have in mind?

A receiver is fine because you can also use it as a pre/pro anytime you feel like it by adding external amplification.

Me, personally, I'm a sucker for Audyssey MultEQ XT32, and the cheapest receiver having it is the Onkyo TX-NR818; about $799 street.

There is also the Sherwood Newcastle R-972 with TRINNOV for only $599. ...Brand new with a 3-year warranty (was originally $1,800).

The Denon AVR-4311CI (XT32), if you can find one, would be roughly $1,200.
Its replacement, the AVR-4520CI retails for $2,500.

Then you have an Onkyo TX-NR3010 for roughly $2,000 (Audyssey MultEQ XT32) and probably even less (street wise). Or last year model, the 3009 for about $1,000 or so (XT32 as well).

Those guys (receivers) are not true power amps (like 500 watts per channel into 4 Ohms), but for most folks they're just fine. It all depends of what your answers to my above questions will be, and how truly loud you like watching movies and listening to multichannel music. But the size of your room and the impedance and sensitivity of your speakers, plus if you are using a sub (or two), are the most important stuff here in determining your appropriate and personal requirements.

And I don't even talk about ergonomics and esthetics. ...Plus the full universe of features!

[LordoftheRingsEE]

---...And I'm convinced that you aren't looking for true high-end sound, right?

[banswee]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRingsEE

---Jason, why don't you get a real receiver; the Onkyo TX-NR5010?


* That thing is a RECEIVER! ...Not a Mickey Mouse.
And that 'thing' drives a pair of 4 Ohm loudspeakers no problemo. Heck, it is THX Ultra2 Plus certified! ...3 Ohms. ...And in a big room. ...And all the speakers; surrounds too.

LOL.

BOB, mickey mouse still makes me smiles. So no need to change now. I really have no dedicated room right now-- the kids are growing fast.