Receivers

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I have recently bought the Samsung LE46M87BDX and need a receiver and DVD player to go along with LCD.

I have been reading the August Waht Hi-Fi mag am considering the Sony STR-DA5200ES or Yamaha RX-V1700 or 2600. Can anyone help in my decision, provide any alternatives or is it worth waiting for the latest Onkyo receivers as I heard that these will be highly recommend on their release. Budget of approx £1,000

For the DVD player I was considering the Marantz DV7001 or DV9600. Again any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Budget also £1,000.

 

[Andrew Everard]

I'd be thinking Sony STR-DA5200ES or the new Onkyo TX-SR875, at around £800 and £1000 respectively. New Sony STR-DA5300ES looks interesting too, but pricier than the Onkyo and not available until October.

As far as DVD players are concerned, if you go for the Onkyo at least I wouldn't get too dazzled by upscaling, as the TX-SR875 seems to do that very well indeed. The DV7001 would be fine with a receiver like this.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks alot Andrew

Just a few quick questions while we are here.

Am I on the right track re receivers and DVD players for this price range with the LE46.

If I was looking at buying a suround sound package for this kit is it better going high-end range ie Dali Ikon 6 5.1 package or Tannoy Highline 500 to do it justice or will a cheaper system suffice. If so please advise.

Cheers

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, definitely on the right track as far as players and receivers are concerned, and I think you'd definitely benefit from using some more upmarket speakers, such as the Dail and Tannoy you mention. Cheaper speakers would 'do', but for maximum quality you won't regret buying a better package.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks alot Andrew

 

[yiannis550]

Are there any specs for this new Sony STR-DA5300ES and how it compares to the Onkyo TX-SR875? How much pricier will it be?

I am lookign into getting a reciever of about £1000 and a speaker package. I am waiting for the new B&W 600 series to have a test listening and read some reviews in order to finalise my speaker choice but I am not sure of the reciever selection yet. I would like somethign that has the latest specs in order to last me for years and also to give as good quality as possible with the speakes I will eventually choose.

Any advice and info on above recievers (especially in regards to using them with the new B&W 685 theater package) will be appreciated

 

[Andrew Everard]

The price is subject to confirmation, but it will be higher than the 5200ES's £800 or so. Just pulling together some specifications, and trying to locate a picture - as soon as I have those, I'll post a news story.

Notes I have to date suggest:

- 7x120W output
- 6 in, 1 out HDMI
- Decoding for Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio, DSD, Linear PCM 7.1
- 1080P/24, Deep Colour and xvYCC
- Video upscaling/upconversion to 1080P for one-wire connection to display
- Bravia Theatre Sync
- Digital Cinema Auto-Calibration
- DM Port for wi-fi, Bluetooth, Walkman phones and iPods

EDIT: News story now posted here.

 

[Anonymous]

CNET published a detailed review of the 5300 here:

http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/sony-str-da5300es/4505-6466_7-32552105.html?tag=box

 

[Clare Newsome]

Having just spent some considerable time down with the team testing @£1000 receivers for our forthcoming Group Test (October issue, out August 23rd), I strongly advise you wait to read that before buying, if you can.

We're testing the Sony, Onkyo, Pioneer and Arcam offerings, with in-depth reviews on each for music, movie and HD performance.

 

[yiannis550]

Great! Can't wait for the new issue then! I am buying my new system probably after October any way when we move to the new house.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Anonymous]

I have the lcd LG 32LC7R, samsung DVD-HD870, speaker front JBL LC132-1 & rear JBL control-1.
i need receiver, center speaker & subwofer.
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated?
Budget also £500.
thanks

 

[Andrew Everard]

Receiver Onkyo TX-SR505 or TX-SR605, Speakers? Well, a similar JBL would seem sensible, such as the LC1. Subwoofer? Depends what's available in your area, but the Balboa sub would seem to be a good budget choice

 

[Anonymous]

if i choice denon avr-1507 or str-da1200es & wharfedale diamond sw150?
i know much more budget.
but i want great sound.
my room 6x5.

thanks andrew

 

[Anonymous]

Hi there, i'm starting from scratch and have just bought the Mission Cubes. should I go for the Onkyo 605 or the sony 1200ES? Don't even get me started on the CD/DVD player!

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Clare Newsome"]Having just spent some considerable time down with the team testing @£1000 receivers for our forthcoming Group Test (October issue, out August 23rd), I strongly advise you wait to read that before buying, if you can.

We're testing the Sony, Onkyo, Pioneer and Arcam offerings, with in-depth reviews on each for music, movie and HD performance.[/quote]

Thank you. I've just read the article. In fact, I agree with your conclusion. However, on the pages following the Group Test, you review Audiophile Mains Leads. After seeing that article, I doubt I can take a single word printed in the magazine seriously ever again. Not even the page numbers.

 

[Anonymous]

I was looking at the SOny STA range primarily the 3200, but now SOny have bought in the STR-DG910 which has thrown a spanner in the works it's cheaper - £270-£300, upscales to 1080i, hdmi's both video and audio and 7.1. On paper it seems too good to be true, can anyone offer advice in this? Is it too good to be true?

 

[Andrew Everard]

I know the WHFSV guys have the STR-DG910 - test coming up in the November issue, out in about four weeks I think. AFAIK it's in a Group Test/Supertest with all its rivals at this price level - I was a bit busy keeping these forums going last week, but got the feeling there was some heated debate going on over the test. Watch this space, as they say...

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="TheDaveWalker"]

[quote user="Clare Newsome"]Having just spent some considerable time down with the team testing @£1000 receivers for our forthcoming Group Test (October issue, out August 23rd), I strongly advise you wait to read that before buying, if you can.

We're testing the Sony, Onkyo, Pioneer and Arcam offerings, with in-depth reviews on each for music, movie and HD performance.[/quote]

Thank you. I've just read the article. In fact, I agree with your conclusion. However, on the pages following the Group Test, you review Audiophile Mains Leads. After seeing that article, I doubt I can take a single word printed in the magazine seriously ever again. Not even the page numbers.
[/quote]

 

[Andrew Everard]

I'm sure TheDaveWalker will be pleased you quoted his post - did you want to add anything, or should I delete your quote?

 

[Anonymous]

Regarding Audiophile Mains Leads, the best article I have found so far regarding this matter is at http://www.avihifi.co.uk/Important/kettle.html

As for the 5300ES, I can't find anything at all about it this side of the pond - surely the review couldn't possibly be entirely fictional, does anybody have any more info on avaliabilty of this and the other amps in the Group Test...?

 

[Anonymous]

Hello Claire and Andrew,

I was wondering when "entry level" "high end" receivers are going to be tested. Receivers like Marantz's SR7002, Denon's 3808, and Yahama's RX1800 were mentioned in this month's issue as new products that will be tested soon. I was wondering if NAD, Cambridge Audio, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sony, Nakamichi, Harmon Kardon, and Outlaw products will be a part of the test.

My other question was regarding high current amplifiers. I once owned a Marantz SR7000 receiver which I upgraded to Denon's 3801 for features. The Marantz seemed to be a high current receiver because my main speakers, which were 4ohm speakers, sounded very bass-y at low volumes. The Denon didn't have the same effect on my speakers. I was under the understanding that only NAD, Cambridge Audio, Nakamichi, Harmon Kardon, and Oulaw receivers were high current receivers. I had a friend who had a T761 NAD receiver that was hooked up to B&W 603 speakers with a matching centre speaker and 601s as rears. His system was so dynamic, that he never wanted a sub-woofer.

Why does WhatHiFi?, my favourite AV/Music magazine, never go into detail about current when doing group tests? I know that there is no set industry guideline regarding power ratings, but it would be nice if every company followed NAD's example!

Thanks in advance for any information you have... and keep up the great work!

John from Canada!