Replacing VSX-920 - Onkyo, Sony, or Pioneer? Please help?

[Geekomatic]

Hi all,

I'm looking at four AVR's. The 920 had net-radio, component in (we have need of), & upscaling (for older game consoles). It also had (though not exactly a break-deal) the ability to run two zones.
I've been out of retail for a while so no longer well-versed in AVR's & this is an insurance claim that has already dragged on for far too long. These are what I've been offered as possible replacement-- though I can go for something else if it's in the same ballpark in price (& their supplier can get it).

Of these four, does anyone here own or can speak to best choice? Or love something of similar specs?

[font="&quot"]http://www.pioneer-audiovisual.eu/eu...oducts/vsx-930[/font]

[font="&quot"][font="&quot"]http://www.intl.onkyo.com/products/a...vers/tx-nr545/[/font][/font]

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-home-en...-black/763479/

https://www.jbhifi.com.au/tv-home-en...ceiver/702221/

Cheers!

[font="&quot"]*help*[/font]

 

[simonlewis]

Out of the four you mention i would go with the onkyo 646 as it has DTS:X but it doesn't have audyssey which could go against it.

 

[bigboss]

DTS:X is useful only if you plan to invest in immersive audio. What do you mean by "it doesn't have Audyssey which could go against it"? What's Audyssey?

I would look at Yamaha's Aventage series of AV receiver as well. What's your budget?

 

[Son_of_SJ]

Audyssey is a method of setting the correct speaker volumes in a surround-sound system. It also meaures speaker distances from the receiver. It uses a microphone (usually supplied with the receiver). Used by Denon and Marantz receivers. It is their equivalent of Yamaha's YMPAO, Pioneer's MACC, etc.

 

[Geekomatic]

Hi bigboss,

I think I have to stay within the original RRP of $1100 AUD. Right now, our JBHiFI is having an AVR sale, so I'm getting better than normal pricing which is why I need to move quickly.

I wonder if the person before meant ATMOS? I don't know what audyssey is either?

Ta!

 

[Son_of_SJ]

I wonder if the person before meant ATMOS? I don't know what audyssey is either?

No, I certainly did NOT mean Atmos, grrr!!! Audyssey is one of the set-up methods that comes FREE with the receiver's software, built into the receiver. You don't have to use it if you don't want to. My Denond AVR-4810 in the parlour does use it though, and I find its suggested settings for speaker levels to be accurate, apart from the centre (which Audyssey sets to be about 4dB too low) and the subwoofer (which Audyssey sets to be about 3dB too hight). So I adjust the Audyssey-suggested values manually for the center speaker and subwoofer..

See this http://www.audyssey.com/ and this http://www.audyssey.com/solutions/home-theater.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

By the way, Geekomatic, I see from your signature that you still watch VHS tapes. I have VHS player/ recorders in all my rooms! *dance4* (There was no room to add them to my signature!)

 

[Son_of_SJ]

Further by the way, Geekomatic, perhaps you could amend your signature to show us what make and model number your television and Blu-ray player are? Just curious!

 

[Geekomatic]

Hi Son_of_SJ

I've added the TV, but I'm about out of space to do the rest for now...We had a lightning storm in Jan. & I'm getting the items replaced, sloooowly (you know insurance co's?). I also live in Western Australia- the running joke being that "WA" means "wait awhile" & it's very true.

The blu-ray was the excellent & cheap Laser BDL-BD1000 which featured region-free blu-ray!! I'm replacing it with the 3000 model & hoping it is still so. Also lost & had to replace: Edifier clock-radio, PS3, Netgear Modem/router, Linksys MediaHUB NAS (+1TB extra drive added), & my beloved VSX-920!!!

Insult to injury-- I'm currently on hold to the insurer again-- I just dropped & ran over my own effing mobile! I know- what an idiot...I was about to leave & stopped to chase the cat back into the house & the phone must've slid out of my armload of stuff I was carrying- right under the tyre. Gah!

PS: I looked up Audyssey & also ACCU EQ, YPAO, & MCACC. I'm not quite as well-versed as you all are. I just want a decently built & decently sounding system w/o going broke (single mum, here). SInce the insurer is suggesting these, I'm trying to determine which is most like what I lost. I'm thinking the 930, only because it seems to be the only one specifiying video-upscaling. I'm wondering what the VHS would look like w/o it & if it means it can upscale 1080 to 4k? You can se I'm out of my depths? ANy extra info to help my decision making is so appreciated. I need to decide this weekend.

Cheers

 

[bigboss]

Audyssey is a method of setting the correct speaker volumes in a surround-sound system. It also meaures speaker distances from the receiver. It uses a microphone (usually supplied with the receiver). Used by Denon and Marantz receivers. It is their equivalent of Yamaha's YMPAO, Pioneer's MACC, etc.

I know that, my Marantz has Audyssey.

Wanted to check Simon's understanding of it, since he put Audyssey as a negative.

I would suggest you buy the AV receiver based on performance regardless of the technology it employs for calibration / room correction.

Atmos and DTS:X both are examples of immersive audio, requiring you to put extra speakers in the ceiling or height speakers. Have you got any plans for that? If not, don't worry about it.

Leave video upscaling for the TV to sort out, not the AV receiver.

VHS will look worse on a 4K screen as compared to a full HD screen.

 

[simonlewis]

Onkyo used to do audyssey but they dropped it to cut costs and their own version is rubbish.

 

[bigboss]

Onkyo used to do audyssey but they dropped it to cut costs and their own version is rubbish.

Fair enough. *good*