Am considering a change of AVR mainly to accommodate HDMI sources. I have a 7-8 year old Yamaha RX-V650 still rendering flawless service. No problems with it at all, ever. It had consistently got 4/5 star reviews. The AVR is used predominantly for movies and a little for casual music - more like ambient sound (from speaker B connection).
With a USA visit coming up in Jan, I have the following options as I see it:
1. Keep the Yamaha and get a Panny BDT500 BDP with 7.1 channel analogue out for HD audio and a switcher (do these always work as expected?) for other sources. Here I do not get multi channel audio out from my laptop. Is that important for me? Can't really decide! Not a deal breaker, I suppose. Here an HTPC could also be considered of which I have absolutely no knowledge, I must confess. I am no DIYer or tweaker. That said, I am fairly comfortable with replacing drives in my desktop. I do not do any gaming whatsoever.
2. Get an Emotiva UMC-200 (no step-down transformer needed!) and use it as preamp keeping the Yamaha as power amp. This has "only" 4 HDMI inputs which are enough for me as of now in any case. In this case will I be able to use "Speaker B" from the Yamaha? If not, it will be disappointing.
3. Get a new AVR. Here I need 7.1 speaker setup, front speaker B option, HDMI standby bypass & preferably two HDMI outs. Have shortlisted Onkyo 626, Yamaha 673 or 675, Pioneer 1123 or 923 and Marantz 6007. Have I missed out any? Unfortunately Denon is out coz of no speaker B option.
Would like to keep it below 60k for the AVR if bought in India. Could go higher by 10-15k (read Marantz) if there is a definite advantage. Am undecided if I should buy from the USA during my visit in Jan. There is always such a long shopping list, isn't there!! You should see my Amazon wishlists! The Emotiva at 10 Lbs would be relatively easy to accommodate.
What will go well with my current speakers, the Quad Lite?
How reliable are technoguru and infibeam for AVRs? Both are slightly cheaper than hifimart.
If I get a new AVR, the BDP can be Pioneer 450 or 160 from eBay.in. Any opinions on this? Is anybody using either?
Any idea what would I be able to sell the RX-V650 for?
With a USA visit coming up in Jan, I have the following options as I see it:
1. Keep the Yamaha and get a Panny BDT500 BDP with 7.1 channel analogue out for HD audio and a switcher (do these always work as expected?) for other sources. Here I do not get multi channel audio out from my laptop. Is that important for me? Can't really decide! Not a deal breaker, I suppose. Here an HTPC could also be considered of which I have absolutely no knowledge, I must confess. I am no DIYer or tweaker. That said, I am fairly comfortable with replacing drives in my desktop. I do not do any gaming whatsoever.
2. Get an Emotiva UMC-200 (no step-down transformer needed!) and use it as preamp keeping the Yamaha as power amp. This has "only" 4 HDMI inputs which are enough for me as of now in any case. In this case will I be able to use "Speaker B" from the Yamaha? If not, it will be disappointing.
3. Get a new AVR. Here I need 7.1 speaker setup, front speaker B option, HDMI standby bypass & preferably two HDMI outs. Have shortlisted Onkyo 626, Yamaha 673 or 675, Pioneer 1123 or 923 and Marantz 6007. Have I missed out any? Unfortunately Denon is out coz of no speaker B option.
Would like to keep it below 60k for the AVR if bought in India. Could go higher by 10-15k (read Marantz) if there is a definite advantage. Am undecided if I should buy from the USA during my visit in Jan. There is always such a long shopping list, isn't there!! You should see my Amazon wishlists! The Emotiva at 10 Lbs would be relatively easy to accommodate.
What will go well with my current speakers, the Quad Lite?
How reliable are technoguru and infibeam for AVRs? Both are slightly cheaper than hifimart.
If I get a new AVR, the BDP can be Pioneer 450 or 160 from eBay.in. Any opinions on this? Is anybody using either?
Any idea what would I be able to sell the RX-V650 for?
hyeah: & you wouldn't need a step down transfromer :clapping:
