harrisp
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Im looking at getting something like this or this, but dont know which to get, prefer the look of the Onkyo, or is there any others? (£180 budget as need to get speakers too)
Also my tv hasnt got any audio outputs for some reason so with this can I plug my xbox into one of those via an hdmi cable and run a hdmi cable to my xbox.
Is that right?
Speakers.. What sort of money am I looking at spending for a decent pair ? new or second hand?
Or even this?
[Edited on 20-11-2009 by harrisp]
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xa0s
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Onkyo 605 or 606 if you can find one for £180.
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harrisp
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Want a brand new one with warranty really.
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xa0s
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Well £180 really isn't enough for anything great. I'd personally save up for a bit and get something you won't regret. I believe a 606 is around £360, which is considered the low-end of AV receivers.
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harrisp
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Well the missus is buying it me for xmas so cant really add anything to it. Not after something great, just something to play my xbox through really and with my tv having no outputs these are the only way I can see of doing it.
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Rob R
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Will do the job and not bank busting
http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/sony/strdh500/sony-strdh500
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harrisp
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Cheers, that was one I was originally looking at but the three in my first post are in budget and wondered if they would be better, (look better).
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John
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I've got either that firt onkyo or a very similar one and it's brilliant.
Don't listen to xa0s because he's talking complete rubbish, 360 isn't considered the low end.
I've got that and a set of tannoy speakers and they are brilliant.
Probably not as good as more expensive stuff but certianly not low end by any means.
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harrisp
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quote:
Originally posted by John
I've got either that firt onkyo or a very similar one and it's brilliant.
Don't listen to xa0s because he's talking complete rubbish, 360 isn't considered the low end.
I've got that and a set of tannoy speakers and they are brilliant.
Probably not as good as more expensive stuff but certianly not low end by any means.
 Thanks, I want brand new as it is a xmas present from my gf and a 606 is around double her budget I have also seen this http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/pioneer/vsx519/pion-vsx519 which I think looks a lot better and seems very similar specced. Which tannoys are you using (if you dont mind giving me a link) as I need bookshelf speakers as I havent got much room.
What sort of speakers would I buy to add to my system for surround sound?
Sorry for all the questions
Also, Im not bothered about what is low end etc, I just want something that sounds better than my crappy hifi at the moment, although Im sure it will turn into an expensive obsession.
[Edited on 21-11-2009 by harrisp]
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Bart
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im kinda in the same boat, Ive been looking at either the Denon 1910 (£449) or the 2310 (£799).
I dont really want the lower model, purely because I know the next model up is that much better.
The low end/ high end stuff really depends on your own point of view.
I would consider the Denon 1610 (£299) the low end (Entry Level is a better term) and 1910 a small step on from that.
The 2310 is where things get interesting and is really what im looking at, not the bottom or the top.
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John
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Any of the onkyo amps is a step up from most all in one solutions.
Entry level would be a much better term.
I bet most of the people who buy the expensive stuff wouldn't be able to tell the difference, they normally buy expensive stuff just because they can, they are the ones you see posting on forums saying 'your budget is half of what I'd class as low end'.
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3804
You can get them considerably cheaper than that now though.
They are absolutely perfect in my bedroom, as I found out the other day when trying to listen to the killers dvd at about double my normal listening volume, they don't have the power at the very top of the volume range, this was well above what you'd watch any film at though.
At normal listening volumes they are clear and precise and the sub is perfectly adequate.
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DaveyLC
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Just get an xbox and setup media centre..
The XBox is subsidised so you'll get superior hardware for a lot less.
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John
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What use is an xbox as an A/V receiver?
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DaveyLC
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Maybe I should have read the post first 
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John
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Maybe you should have tbh.
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xa0s
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quote:
Originally posted by John
I've got either that firt onkyo or a very similar one and it's brilliant.
Don't listen to xa0s because he's talking complete rubbish, 360 isn't considered the low end.
I've got that and a set of tannoy speakers and they are brilliant.
Probably not as good as more expensive stuff but certainly not low end by any means.
Who are you kidding? The 605/606/607 is the lower-end of Onkyo's AV receivers. Why do people have to make things sound better than they are because they own it? No doubt the 605/606/607 is a great AV receiver and will do anything justice, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. I was encouraging him to get a 605/606/607 as they're a great AV receiver. I've had two and convinced 2 of my mates to get 'em as well.
My point was, I'd sooner wait a month and add the extra £100 or whatever and get a 605/606/607 than settle for the absolute rock-bottom of HDMI AV receivers. Even though the 605/606/607 is a low-end receiver it's still quality for the price. Don't worry, when I had my 605/606/607 I thought it was brilliant too but after you listen to a more higher-end AV receiver you'll see exactly what I'm saying.
quote:
Originally posted by Bart
I dont really want the lower model, purely because I know the next model up is that much better.
You're right, when I upgraded from my 606 to my 806 it made the world of difference. The clarity and power was simply in a different league. I then went and listened to a 906 and it made my AV receiver sound like a toy. At the end of the day though, you'll never have the best so you just need to settle. The 606 will be fine for most people. When I first got my 605 after upgrading from a all-in-one system it sounded the utter nuts.
quote:
Originally posted by John
I bet most of the people who buy the expensive stuff wouldn't be able to tell the difference, they normally buy expensive stuff just because they can, they are the ones you see posting on forums saying 'your budget is half of what I'd class as low end'.
Utter, utter bollocks. Seriously. I have both a 606 and a 806 at my house right now. Come round and listen to both play a decent FLAC audio track and tell me you can't tell the difference. When I read your first post I gave you the benefit of the doubt but after reading that one it's clear that you really are bigging it up more and more just because you own it. 
As I said, they're great receivers, but to say "I bet most of the people who buy the expensive stuff wouldn't be able to tell the difference" is fucking ridiculous. Hop over to AVForums and write that and be prepared to be laughed off the forum.
EDIT: I've just seen your speakers. In that case, you're probably right. You wouldn't notice much of a difference at all...
[Edited on 22-11-2009 by xa0s]
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xa0s
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By the way, harrisp, what devices are you planning on connecting to the AV receiver? If you can list the devices and what inputs they use it'll give us a better idea in offering advice. If you're considering getting speakers similar to John's you may well benefit in just getting a all-in-one system. The Xbox 360 doesn't send HD codecs so a digital optical connection will do just fine for sound. Unless you're considering getting a PS3 or Blu-ray player in the future there's no real need to get a HD AV receiver as it'll go wasted. You can get some extremely powerful AV receivers for your budget if you're not after HDMI connectivity.
It's all down to what you want really, but like I said, list your inputs required and it'll give us a much better idea.
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harrisp
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Im getting confused now, I will just be using my xbox for now but I will be getting a blu-ray player after xmas, (will be plenty of questions about that) I cant add anything to the budget so am stuck at £200, I have looked for secondhand 606/7s and cant find anything within a reasonable distance, because if I was going secondhand a would want to see it first.
Thanks for the help everyone but can we not turn it into an argument.
Edit: Whats the 506 like? can almost get a brand new one in budget.
[Edited on 22-11-2009 by harrisp]
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Nath
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I have a second hand Sony STR-DE875 and a pair of Mordaunt Short MS904 floor standers.
Bonus was the Amp set me back £30 from a mate, and the speakers I got from another mate as he claimed a free pair on the insurance when his roof caved in due to flooding So I got them for £100.
And they sound ace 
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John
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I know the difference btw xaos, I'm well aware of whats good and whats not.
avforums was also who my point was aimed at, people with lots of money but little clue.
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xa0s
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quote:
Originally posted by harrisp
Im getting confused now, I will just be using my xbox for now but I will be getting a blu-ray player after xmas, (will be plenty of questions about that) I cant add anything to the budget so am stuck at £200, I have looked for secondhand 606/7s and cant find anything within a reasonable distance, because if I was going secondhand a would want to see it first.
Thanks for the help everyone but can we not turn it into an argument.
Edit: Whats the 506 like? can almost get a brand new one in budget.
[Edited on 22-11-2009 by harrisp]
It sounds like you're not after a lot so the 506 will do fine. It really is rock-bottom of HDMI AV receivers but it's still an upgrade from a all-in-one system.
Try AVForums and eBay for 2nd hand 605/606/607. I had a 605 and it was a great little amp.
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harrisp
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only thing with the 506 is it says it doesnt support hd sound, what is that? It can still take sound through hdmi cant it?
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Rob R
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Probably only has video hdmi pass through. To get sound would either have to connect via optical or rca.
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harrisp
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quote:
Originally posted by Rob R
Probably only has video hdmi pass through. To get sound would either have to connect via optical or rca.
So I couldnt just plug the hdmi lead from my xbox into that and have sound?
Seems pointless, might aswell just get a amp hadnt I.
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Dom
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Registered: 13th Sep 03
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quote:
Originally posted by John
avforums was also who my point was aimed at, people with lots of money but little clue.
Overall i would say that AVForums is pretty good, but there is a lot of bull that gets spouted and it generally is full of people splashing money at this and that when it reality you wouldn't notice much of a difference.
I find the HiFi sub-forum over on overclockers.co.uk is pretty good, certainly a lot less bollocks (ie: 500 quid HDMI cable will improve your PQ).
Plus my 2 pennies, the cost of a 906 isn't really worth it unless you need it for AV switching. As sound-wise you could get a decoder and power amp(s) (or just head down the active monitor route) setup for similar money (secondhand) that would that would show it up.
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