Audiophile and videophile question

[erwin455]

Hello guys recommend me a very good av surround reciever and bluray player. Also have a question if analog is better for surround or hdmi digital. Lastly any local stores are selling it here in NY, NJ and CT? Budget 3k for both, will be using my Bose surround speakers for the meantime and will upgrade later. Not sure if it's the 7.1 or 6.1 Bose speaker that I got but it's between the two. Thanks

[merlin]

You probably want to audition top of the line Denon, Rotel or Outlaw Audio A/V receiver. They employ an HDMI 1.4 standard for HD Audio and Video. HDMI is much better for Blu-Ray sound. It is also worth checking out A/V Receiver from Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo, Marantz, Sherwood, Samsung and etc. So far, Oppo univeral player has the best bang for the buck. 2K for the receiver and 1K for the Blu-Ray = 3K

Bring your favorite movie or music to the store. Then probably buy from Crutchfield to save money on tax. LOL!

If you check out:
Best Buy Magnolia
Lyric HiFi and Video at 1221 Lexington Ave
Stereoexchange located at 627 Broadway,
Park Avenue Audio at 425 Park Ave south and Lyric

[merlin]

Read reviews here:

www.audioholics.com/

[erwin455]

Thank you Merlin! Noted

[erwin455]

What do you think about this combo Levi? Denon AVR-4311CI and marantz ud7006(blu ray). But marantz is preorder until march 4.

[merlin]

The Denon AVR-4311CI is good. I think it should be perfect for your application. Lots of features and it is future proof. www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/denon-avr-4311ci-fl. However, I think the AVR-4810CI will sound better because it uses a better DAC chip (24-bit/192-kHz Burr-Brown PCM-1804) vs 4311CI (AKM Semiconductor 24-bit/192-kHz AK4358B) chips. Just a thought.

The sound difference you may or may not hear. So back to the AVR-4311CI. If you can audition the unit at Best Buy and probably listen to them side by side.

The Marantz UD 7006 is a rebadge Denon. The Oppo BPD-95 is much better which competes with the Top Line Denon DVD-A1UDCI picture quality. The Oppo is that good!

www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-95/

Feb 2, 2011 11:58:15 GMT -5 @erwin455 said:

What do you think about this combo Levi? Denon AVR-4311CI and marantz ud7006(blu ray). But marantz is preorder until march 4.

[erwin455]

Thanks Levi, one more question. If I use the hdmi, do I need to use the 7.1 surround analogs to get a better surround sound or hdmi will be as good as the analog?

[CincoDos]

let me join here...

HDMI for sure, if you are getting the latest receivers out there with an option of getting an analog input too. So, it's up to you to play around. For me...using a Yamaha that I bought from Radioshack that was on sale,, still can enjoy Bluray audio DolbyTrueHD or DTSMA through multichannel input (analog). Maybe down the road when I'm ready to jump in to the new ones, but for now my non HDMI receiver still kicking great.

oh...+1 too that Oppo!!!! I wish, I can afford that!!!!

Oh BTW....Thanks Levi with the RS SPL Meter!!!! I will let you know for sure about the results!!!

[erwin455]

Thanks 52, just read an article about people debating that analogs are still the best for surround sound. But will try to play around for sure which one is the best.

[CincoDos]

Feb 2, 2011 15:17:43 GMT -5 @erwin455 said:

Thanks 52, just read an article about people debating that analogs are still the best for surround sound. But will try to play around for sure which one is the best.

yup...that's what I've been reading. Hope you get the latest receiver with a multichannel inputs, so you can enjoy both worlds.

[merlin]

There are many parameters that has to take into account concerning listening to the analog vs digital (HDMI). I'll try not to step on someones' toes but here are my findings. I simply tried and listened to most of them.

1. Processor analog section vs it's digital section.
2. Blu Ray player analog output vs Digital output.
3. Cables used. Cables makes a big difference.
4. Good clean power. Perhaps a dedicated circuit for audio and video not shared by other house electronics.

In summation, if Blu-Ray analog output sounds good, then I would listen to the analog output providing the A/V Receiver has a clean sounding bypass input.

To this day I think the Pioneer Elite BDP-09FD has one of the best sounding blu ray analog output. The difference with other players vs the 09FD is the Toroidal Transformer, its' 8 wolfson Dacs, audiophile capacitors and DC regulation. The analog sound competes with the sound of my Esoteric Universal CD Player. It is not better but good enough for a BluRay player.

The analog sound comparison to an Oppo 83 or to my Denon 3800BDCI has no match to the 09FD. They all have good video. However the 09FD and analog I truly like. Not even the Krell Standard DVD can match it. To each his own I am sure. If you can compare and audition them side-by-side what sounds good to your ears vs your budge should be the winner. ;D


Pioneer Elite BDP-09FD internal


Oppo 83 Blu Ray


Denon DVD-3800BDCI


Krell DVD Standard

[erwin455]

Levi nice toys! Thanks for your input, been thinking of buying a good receiver and blu ray player for a
long time but kept getting delayed because of the bike thingy.

[merlin]

Thanks Erwin. Good luck with the adventure!

For audio and video, I figured through experimentation that there is not just one box (player) that does Audiophile and Videophile at the same time to the extremes. Technology is getting better and they do get close in sound to be considered audiophile but there is still a gap in performance. Specially when tubes comes into play. Probably most consumers will be hard pressed identify the difference given the whole system in consideration.


Some more pictures of the toy and promise this would be it. It is a modified Sony 999ES with tubes for analog sound.


Modwright modified Sony DVP999ES


Tungsol 5687 triode tubes sticking out

[erwin455]

Okay I got the Denon AVR-4311CI and oppo bdp93. I can't wait for the 95 and it's also very expensive. Now I want to put two very good front speakers as main to replace my two Bose. Recommend me a good one please. Thank you. I know chute and prancing horse have good ones, saw it at the party.

[erwin455]

Installed the reciever, never heared such beautiful sounds like this before. Still waiting for oppo. Can't decide which speakers yet, recommend me audiophile people.