Stick or twist ?Do I need a true HD amp onkyo 605 ?

[admin_exported]

Hi

I need an answer to a question and I thought this would be the best place to get a definative answer.

I have built a media pc which plays HD and Blu-ray through my current system fine and I use a Pioneer vsx 859rds anp which is superb with 5.1 and DTS, but i keep reading about how much better dolby true hd is etc and am wondering two things ?

1/ If I swap to an Onkyo 605 will it decode the hd audio (via hdmi) from the pc?( I read somewhere that you still need a proper player to do the decoding)

2/ If it can decode the hd audio will it sound that much better ?

Please can anyone advise me on this.

Regards.

Bc.

 

[Anonymous]

No one got any ideas ?

 

[VoodooDoctor]

If you can output Bitstream via HDMI then you can send it to the amplifier for it to decode.

The difference is astounding (more than the picture improvements for HD). Watched Robbie William's Live at the Albert Hall (yeah, yeah) with the DTS Master Audio soundtrack (HD-DVD) on Christmas Day and the quality was phenomenal. If you get good speakers and the 605 I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply.

I can output by either hdmi or optical from my pc. my fear was that the amp would not decode the new audio, and would only give me what I get from the pioneer( which is great)

I do intend to buy a player eventually but decided the pc was best way to start and I have not been disappointed.

My current system is mission fronts and mordant short bi rears with a yamaha sub(tight budget again!) which I am more than happy with. My fave would be Matrix Hd dvd, Casino Royale Blu ray and AC/DC live in Munich dvd in dts all of which sound superb!

Is it true the Onkyo runs hot ?

Many thanks once again.

Bc.

 

[VoodooDoctor]

The 605 will definitely decode the HD sound.

There is a lot of worrying on the net about the Onkyo's running hot. They are designed to run hot is the official reply on another website. My 905 gets pretty toasty over the Reon video chip. I think too much is being made of this issue. As long as you have ample clearance to allow air movement there shouldn't be any problems.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks once again.

I think the Onkyo is about the same size as the pioneer which would give it about an inch and a half to two gap all around.

I feel an order coming on !

Cheers.

Bc.