Which Receiver to Buy?

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#199392 5-Mar-2009 12:08

mackian: Will the PS3 decode and send DTS-HD and Dolby True-HD through the 576 too?

PS3 can not pass (bitstream) the data straight off the bluray for a receiver to decode. PS3 has to decode everything itself and pass the raw lpcm info to the receiver. PS3 decodes all bluray audio formats that exist.

mackian: So it sounds like the benefits of the 606 (over the 576) are nullified by the PS3 decoding at the source.

This is up to you to decide what you want from the receiver and how much you want to spend. The 606 is the better receiver, but yes with regards to HD audio decoding/handling etc they are essentially the same, provided you connect to a device like the PS3 that internally decodes the HD audio formats. You're screwed if you use another device that can't decode the audio itself.

mackian: Seems the only advantage of the 606 is that it upscales analogue signal through HDMI but I've read the quality of this is poor in the 606 anyway.

I can't comment on this one, I don't have experience with the 606 sorry.

mackian: Also with the 576 - once I get an HDMI source this will take both audio and video to the TV via a single HDMI cable?

Yes and No, not quite. Say you have a surround sound source, like a bluray player. HDMI to receiver will be surround video and audio. Normally HDMI out to the TV will be video only, no sound to TV. If you turn on the option to be audio and video on hdmi out to tv, then the receiver will be 2 channel only, but yes you will then get sound out of the tv speakers.

mackian

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#199406 5-Mar-2009 14:45

Noticed the old 575 popped up on Trademe again (through hifionline) for $400, any big differences to the 576? I can see its down on power on the spec sheet.

With the Samsung LCD I've got the big video delay issues (sound is faster through external sound), I see that the 576 has the audio delay feature but can't find out at what range or whether this can be modified by source or not - anyone know?

Hopefully make the purchase this weekend!

Jaxson

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#199415 5-Mar-2009 15:28

Read:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=34&TopicId=29191
and
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=34&TopicId=29740

575 does not accept lpcm over hdmi. lpcm is the raw sound after it has been decoded by something. PS3 does all the decoding internally and only outputs lpcm. PS3 can't bitstream the compressed audio to a receiver to decode, it can only decode it all itself and output the result, the lpcm.

I'm not saying the 576 is the greatest receiver, it has quite distinct problems in some respects, but it suits being connected to just a PS3 perfectly, which is what I needed exactly. Your requirements may differ, so be aware of what you need in advance.

stevenz

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#199424 5-Mar-2009 16:29

Jaxson:
mackian: Will the PS3 decode and send DTS-HD and Dolby True-HD through the 576 too?
PS3 can not pass (bitstream) the data straight off the bluray for a receiver to decode. PS3 has to decode everything itself and pass the raw lpcm info to the receiver. PS3 decodes all bluray audio formats that exist.

I think it will pass bitstream but only over optical, not HDMI (or vice-versa). There are options to select bitstream or PCM output in the menus. I could be wrong, as there's no mention of these features in the manual anywhere as the firmware that added the feature came out after I bought the unit.

bazzer

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#199440 5-Mar-2009 17:30

stevenz:
Jaxson:
mackian: Will the PS3 decode and send DTS-HD and Dolby True-HD through the 576 too?
PS3 can not pass (bitstream) the data straight off the bluray for a receiver to decode. PS3 has to decode everything itself and pass the raw lpcm info to the receiver. PS3 decodes all bluray audio formats that exist.

I think it will pass bitstream but only over optical, not HDMI (or vice-versa). There are options to select bitstream or PCM output in the menus. I could be wrong, as there's no mention of these features in the manual anywhere as the firmware that added the feature came out after I bought the unit.

You can always check the online manual. The PS3 will output bitstreams over optical and/or HDMI, but it can't bitstram the HD audio tracks from Blu Ray. This is evidenced by the message displayed when bitstream is selected (If [Bitstream] is selected, some portions of the audio content may not be output.)

whatty

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#199473 5-Mar-2009 20:21

I have had the onkyo 605 for allmost a year paired up with a PS3. Via the PS3 decodes everything you throw at it!

mackian: Seems the only advantage of the 606 is that it upscales
analogue signal through HDMI but I've read the quality of this is poor
in the 606 anyway.

What analogue signals, no need to have any so not a issue today :P

I have had the entry level new sonys AV recievers on trial for a week and tbh not much diff allthough there is just something about the onkyo that puts it ahead of the Sony.

My advice save till you can afford the 606 and even if you do not make sure you get at least 3 HDMI inputs on the AV! You do not want to mess around with seperate switchers, pain in the butt

I have a six series Samsung and with the onkyo 605 I have run out of HDMI inputs!!! Even with the harmony one its a pain if you run out of I/P

Dingbatt

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#199618 6-Mar-2009 14:20

Not sure if you are near a JB HiFi but I see in their latest flyer that they are doing the Onkyo 606 for $996. What I didn't realise was it only upscales to 1080i (not a concern as all my sources are hdmi and upscaled anyhow).

Still leaning towards a Yamaha or Denon tho'.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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mackian

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#199793 7-Mar-2009 18:53

Thanks mate - just went down to JB to have a chat with a guy there I've dealt with before and he did the 606 for $900 flat so it's now sitting in the lounge! About to start the setup process now ...

Dingbatt

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#199810 7-Mar-2009 21:11

Glad to be of assistance. Happy listening.

By the way, Which JBHF? Could you PM me, I'm just interested to see if it is the same staff member that I have done quite a bit of business with (without broadcasting it).

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

mackian

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#199833 7-Mar-2009 23:30

Done

gibbo1967

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#200392 10-Mar-2009 13:21

I have run across this forum and this is the info I have been researching .....I too have been considering the onkyo 606 and PS3 combination with updating my HT rig.
I wonder if I went to Hardley Normal with a JB Hifi catalogue that they would match the dael or better it for the 606?

Dingbatt

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#200398 10-Mar-2009 13:41

gibbo1967: I have run across this forum and this is the info I have been researching .....I too have been considering the onkyo 606 and PS3 combination with updating my HT rig.
I wonder if I went to Hardley Normal with a JB Hifi catalogue that they would match the dael or better it for the 606?

They were certainly willing to (albeit for a different receiver) when I talked to them this morning.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

mackian

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#200834 12-Mar-2009 14:49

Onkyo 606 is working out great so far, though have been flat out this week and not much of chance to play around. Having everything through a single HDMI cable has resolved the audio sync issues associated with my Samsung and the sound is great (finally showing what my Yamaha speakers can do).

On setup a ran into an issue with my Philips DVD Recorder, all signals both DVD and TV out had a line (white dashes) running along the top of the screen (from left to center but strangely not all the way across), Sky Digital though was fine. I resolved this by turning off progressive scan on the player settings. Last night I had the same occurance but this time through Sky (never happened before), only on one channel and only for one particular program.

Not a major but was just very strange and would like to resolve it if it occurs again. Any ideas?

lchiu7

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#200893 12-Mar-2009 19:50

Jaxson: Read:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=34&TopicId=29191
and
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=34&TopicId=29740

575 does not accept lpcm over hdmi. lpcm is the raw sound after it has been decoded by something. PS3 does all the decoding internally and only outputs lpcm. PS3 can't bitstream the compressed audio to a receiver to decode, it can only decode it all itself and output the result, the lpcm.

I'm not saying the 576 is the greatest receiver, it has quite distinct problems in some respects, but it suits being connected to just a PS3 perfectly, which is what I needed exactly. Your requirements may differ, so be aware of what you need in advance.

Well I finally installed my 576 after having it in a box for nearly 4 months! I just couldn't bear the thought of delving behind the current receiver and all the cables and dust bunnies but had to bite the bullet one day.

Complicated by the fact my current AVR didn't have HDMI switching (I have 3 devices that use HDMI) so I had an external switcher whereas the 576 can switch 3 HDMI inputs so more cabling rethinking required.

Anyway to cut a long story short, installed it, ran all HDMI through the 576, re-programmed the 880 and now I can enjoy lossless audio (TrueHD and DTS HD Master) on my PS3 and DD+ and TrueHD on my Toshiba HD-DVD player since both internally decode the HD and lossless formats and output as LPCM.

Need to do more extensive testing but the audio sounds fuller (if that is the term) than regular DTS or DD.

Only gripe with the unit - there are no preamp outs so I cannot route the front channel signals to an external equaliser and different amp which I need if I am to utilise my preferred speakers which require active equalisation (and they are not Bose!)

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Jaxson

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#200969 13-Mar-2009 10:28

mackian: Thanks mate - just went down to JB to have a chat with a guy there I've dealt with before and he did the 606 for $900 flat so it's now sitting in the lounge!

Sh1t that's a good price, well done. What city/JB Hifi store did you get that from?

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