I would guess a lot of us are in this boat. I too have an older piece.(Marantz 9300) Mine does have the 7.1 analog input. I also have both of the new players;bd and hd-dvd.I can comment on using the analog out/ins;with the new audio formats. My '9300 is a rec---the sound of the uncompressed audio makes it seem like I bought new separates. Whereas the sound using coax is a lot 'less'.---If you can't wait to get this new audio,get the 805. IMO,it will give you better audio,than your present processor. Just to make things complicated; all discs aren't created with the new formats and some players don't output all the new formats. I would guess,a year or so from now, all this will be resolved.
Have Processors Improved Much in the last 5 Years?
I ask this question because I am currently using a Sunfire Theater Grand II pre/pro for the home theater portion of my system. I do not use it for any two-channel operation whatsoever. This processor has served me quite well for the last 5 years and I have been thoroughly satisfied with its performance as an HT processor.
With the advent of hi-def audio and video...and the requisite HDMI connections, I now need a new processor. My Sunfire does not have the 5.1 inputs to accommodate my new Toshiba HD-XA2 hi-def dvd player, nor does it have and HDMI inputs or outputs for audio or video. I want acess to hi-def audio options that HD-DVD offer. The Sunfire will of course play Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS, but not the new hi-def audio formats.
The Onkyo TX-SR 805 receiver ($995.00) has all of the HDMI connections and the 5.1 inputs to accommodate my new HD-DVD player. My question is, will it be as good a processor as the 5 year old technology of my Sunfire? Again, all I want the Onkyo for is its HT processing features....it won't be used for 2-channel at all. It has the pre-outs so that I can use my existing HT amplifiers.
So, my basic question is, does the processor sections of today's top receivers measure up to the HT pre-pros of 5 years ago?
Also, I only need the HT processing portion of the receiver, the amplifier section and tuner section of the thing will be totally useless to me.
Does anyone make a stand-alone processor for people with 2-channel based systems that don't need a tuner, preamp or amplifier in the processing unit? I think it is horrible waste of money to buy all of those features in a receiver or a pre-pro that will never be used.
I don't look forward to spending another $3k-6k for a pre-pro laden with stuff I'll never use. Will this Onkyo reciever do the trick for me?
[http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vopin&1142632707&openusid&zzMitch4t&4&5#Mitch4t]Please Click Here to view my system page[/url] to see the other components in my system and where the receiver will fit in.
Your comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
....thanks.......mitch
With the advent of hi-def audio and video...and the requisite HDMI connections, I now need a new processor. My Sunfire does not have the 5.1 inputs to accommodate my new Toshiba HD-XA2 hi-def dvd player, nor does it have and HDMI inputs or outputs for audio or video. I want acess to hi-def audio options that HD-DVD offer. The Sunfire will of course play Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS, but not the new hi-def audio formats.
The Onkyo TX-SR 805 receiver ($995.00) has all of the HDMI connections and the 5.1 inputs to accommodate my new HD-DVD player. My question is, will it be as good a processor as the 5 year old technology of my Sunfire? Again, all I want the Onkyo for is its HT processing features....it won't be used for 2-channel at all. It has the pre-outs so that I can use my existing HT amplifiers.
So, my basic question is, does the processor sections of today's top receivers measure up to the HT pre-pros of 5 years ago?
Also, I only need the HT processing portion of the receiver, the amplifier section and tuner section of the thing will be totally useless to me.
Does anyone make a stand-alone processor for people with 2-channel based systems that don't need a tuner, preamp or amplifier in the processing unit? I think it is horrible waste of money to buy all of those features in a receiver or a pre-pro that will never be used.
I don't look forward to spending another $3k-6k for a pre-pro laden with stuff I'll never use. Will this Onkyo reciever do the trick for me?
[http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vopin&1142632707&openusid&zzMitch4t&4&5#Mitch4t]Please Click Here to view my system page[/url] to see the other components in my system and where the receiver will fit in.
Your comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
....thanks.......mitch
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