AV Processor upgrade

[El Hefe]

Hello all,

Back in Dec 2007, I have leaped into the Blue Ray mania by purchasing the Sony BD player below. At that time, I was just using a Samsung 32" HD Ready LCD TV. It was already a big improvement than DVD. But then a few weeks back, I have purchased a 40" Full HD LCD TV and now the pictures looks livelier than ever. However, now I feel that there is a missing link which is the True HD sound of Dolby DIgital and DTS-HD. My Yamaha AV receiver has served me well since the year 2000 but now I feel that I need to get anew AV receiver to fully appreicate Blue Ray.

Need advice on which model is the best in the market now. I have always been a fan of Yamaha but still open to other brands as well. I know that there is one available model which is RX-V1800 http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/av/products/ht/rxv1800.html

Anyone of you have tried this unit before? Here in Malaysia, I can purchase it at 550 GBP. What is the price there in the UK?

My current Home Cinema set up:

1. Pioneer DV-400V 1080p upscale DVD player

2. Sony BDP-S1E Blue Ray disc player

3. Yamaha RX-V795aRDS processor

4. Philips 250 GB DVDR 7300H HD and DVD recorder

5. Samsung LA40N81B 40" Full HD LCD TV

6. Infinity Primus Center Speaker

7. Wharfedale WH2 Series Rear Speakers

8. Mission M34i Floorstanding Speakers

9. Wharfedale SW150 Subwoofer

10. ASTRO satellite receiver

 

[El Hefe]

Hello all,

Back in Dec 2007, I have leaped into the Blue Ray mania by purchasing the Sony BD player below. At that time, I was just using a Samsung 32" HD Ready LCD TV. It was already a big improvement than DVD. But then a few weeks back, I have purchased a 40" Full HD LCD TV and now the pictures looks livelier than ever. However, now I feel that there is a missing link which is the True HD sound of Dolby DIgital and DTS-HD. My Yamaha AV receiver has served me well since the year 2000 but now I feel that I need to get anew AV receiver to fully appreicate Blue Ray.

Need advice on which model is the best in the market now. I have always been a fan of Yamaha but still open to other brands as well. I know that there is one available model which is RX-V1800 http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/av/products/ht/rxv1800.html

Anyone of you have tried this unit before? Here in Malaysia, I can purchase it at 550 GBP. What is the price there in the UK?

My current Home Cinema set up:

1. Pioneer DV-400V 1080p upscale DVD player

2. Sony BDP-S1E Blue Ray disc player

3. Yamaha RX-V795aRDS processor

4. Philips 250 GB DVDR 7300H HD and DVD recorder

5. Samsung LA40N81B 40" Full HD LCD TV

6. Infinity Primus Center Speaker

7. Wharfedale WH2 Series Rear Speakers

8. Mission M34i Floorstanding Speakers

9. Wharfedale SW150 Subwoofer

10. ASTRO satellite receiver

 

[Andy Clough]

I don't know if it's available in Malaysia, but one of our current favourite multichannel receivers capable of handling all the new high-definition sound formats is the Onkyo TX-SR606, which you can read all about here.

 

[El Hefe]

I went to have a look at the SR606 today. What would be the big different from the SR605? Here in Malaysia, its a different of 50 GBP in price between them where the SR 606 is selling at GBP 450. How does it compare to the Yamaha model I mentioned?

 

[Anonymous]

I had my eyes on the Yamaha RX-V863 and did an in-depth analysis of it's features, compared with the Denon 2308 (i think it was), the Yamaha was preferred because it had the new a/v formats for BD. I briefly had a look at the Onkyo 605 and then the 606, giving preference to the 606, primarily because it was the newer model, considering all factors (price/brand/features etc.) I decided to go for the RX-V863 over all the other options. When I got to the shop, the sales rep quoted me a reasonable price on the RX-V1800, I told him to beat a price I'd be given the other day, which he did so I elected to go with the 1800 - I'm pretty happy with it too, I'm sure you will be.

 

[El Hefe]

iSilver,

Why did you purchase the RXV1800 instead of the RXV-863 since you did the analysis for it?

 

[Anonymous]

I went with theÿRX-V1800 over theÿRX-V863 primarily because I got a better price on the 1800 than I thought would be possible.

In Australia, the recommended retail price for the RX-V863 was AU$1599 and theÿthe RX-V1800ÿis AU$1999 and I knew the 863ÿcould be purchased for around $1200 at a reliable discount retailer so that was within my budget. On the way to buy the 863 I dropped into a hi-fi retailer and had a demo of the 1800 (an 863 wasn't set-up to audition) and he quoted me AU$1490 cash price on the 1800.

I then took off to the discount retailer and had a chat to the sales consultant about the price of both models, after a bit of negotiation he gave me a best price of $1450 on the 1800 so I went with that instead. I had $1200 to spend so added $100 cash from my pocket and put the other $150 on credit.

I did compare theÿRX-V1800 with theÿRX-V863 during my research and knew that the RX-V1800 had more power, lower THD, more inputs and outputs and Zones etc. but the only thing theÿRX-V1800 didn't have which theÿRX-V863 did have is bluetooth for connecting say, a mobile phone, to the amp to listen to music, and I can't imagine wanting to do that much anyway so I didn't think I was losing much.

The RX-V863 is the same breed as theÿRX-V1800ÿand I think I would have been as happy with theÿRX-V863 if I had have purchased it for $1200 instead, my problem is that I can't help myself when it comes to sticking to a budget!!

 

[El Hefe]

U got a really good price for the 1800. Here in Malaysia, the best offer I got is equivalent to Aust $1800 even though the unit is made in Malaysia

I have been eyeing the 1800 for some time now. BUt the Onkyo 606 was offered to me at $1450. Hence the contemplation. I have always used Yamaha. Tried out Sherwood and Sony a few years back. Didnt like it for home cinema.

You are right on the bluetooth. I would not want to use it as well. And congrats on keeping to your budget. Something that I need to learn