Thread: Newbie to HTS

Originally Posted by jvc

Under the "Features" tab, it says that it has two optical and two digital coax inputs. It also has four HDMI inputs. This is a good number of inputs, for a receiver that comes in a system like that. If you click on the "Photo Gallery" tab, then click on "See Rear View" in the window that opens, you'll see the two optical inputs on the far left side, above the two orange coax inputs.
You shouldn't have any problems getting digital sound from your Dish receiver.

BTW..........
The HDMI inputs are only v.1.3 pass through. Not sure if you could then send the signal out as PCM, or maybe LPCM, and still get the HD audio from the blu ray movies. There is no multi-channel analog inputs on this receiver. So, if getting the HD audio from blu ray movies is important to you, you may need to step up to the next higher model (HT-S6200). It decodes the HD audio.

Amazon.com: Onkyo HT-S6200 HT-S6200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package with Dock for the iPod: Electronics

Right now it's at $588.17 with free shipping. If you can, I'd definitely go for the 6200. Same number of inputs.

You are absolutely right. I did not see this before. Thanks for the find!

Just looked and it is now $565 and some change. I will definitely go this way to save further heartache later if I choose this model.

Originally Posted by jayn_j

One more to consider:

Woot has a Sony system on sale for a good price. It is aimed around the TV sound upgrade. It uses the tiny micro speakers. I have found that these are surprisingly good for their size. As a bonus, it includes a Blu Ray player. This might be the answer to address your space issues.

Woot is selling it today only for $500. (They will sell something else starting at midnight)




Woot : One Day, One Deal (SM)

Dam, I wish I had more time to research this. This looks perfect other than the fact that I do not want DVD/BD player. The wife would love the small speakers. I got on amazon.com and read the reviews and many had problems with the so called wireless rear speakers but there is an easy fix. Do you think they will offer this deal in the future?

By the way, If I go ahead and buy the 6200 system, do I need to purchase speaker wire?

Originally Posted by Tundracat

By the way, If I go ahead and buy the 6200 system, do I need to purchase speaker wire?

I'm sure it comes with some. If it's enough, can't be known until you get it, and see if it reaches where you need the speakers to go. You can always pick some up at Lowe's or Home Depot, or even Wal Mart. I use 14 awg wire from Lowe's, and it works just fine.

Originally Posted by jayn_j

JVCs answer probably needs a bit more detail, although he is absolutely correct.

Lower cost receivers, including this one do not read the audio portion of the HDMI signal. You need to connect an optical cable as well as an HDMI one. The HDMI ports are only used for switching the video signal to the TV. This is still a good thing because the receiver will allow you to chose a source with a single button push. It will switch both the HDMI and the optical conection at the same time.

You do get somewhat better audio out of the HDMI connection, but the source needs to be sending the better format. Your 508 only has optical anyway. If you eventually upgrade to a Blu Ray or a DISH HD DVR, you would find that your audio was somewhat compromised and not the best possible. But it won't make a bit of difference with the system you have now.

Systems that do decode HDMI audio cost a couple hundred more. I find that extra cost worthwhile, but there is always a somewhat better system that costs just a bit more. The system JVC recommended fits your budget and is a good choice for where you are today.

I do plan an upgrading to Dish HD as soon as Dish retires the 110 satellite and moves all the programing to the 129 satellite. (At least that is what I was told here in Fairbanks by a local dealer...who knows if that is accurate or not). Anyway, the system JVC recomended [ame][URL="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B002C73WS6/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=AHF4SYKP09WBH&v=glance"]Onkyo HT-S6200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package with Dock for the iPod[/ame], does this decode HDMI audio? If not, I am all ears for suggestions.

What is the difference in audio quality in regards to speaker wire and its gages? I will have a 25-30 foot run to one of my surround sound speakers. Does it make any difference. Some of the reviews on the above mentioned system mentioned that the speaker wires were rather flimsy and not long enough for some.

By the way, have you ever listened to these? [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Classic-System-Black-Discontinued/dp/tech-data/B001202C44/ref=de_a_smtd"]Amazon.com: Energy 5.1 Take Classic System (Set of Six, Black): Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XvXkQp00L.@@AMEPARAM@@41XvXkQp00L[/ame]

Do they sound better than the above mentioned system? What receiver would you recommend to use with these babies? (Yeah, I know...it is going to cost me more money).

Originally Posted by Tundracat

I do plan an upgrading to Dish HD as soon as Dish retires the 110 satellite and moves all the programing to the 129 satellite. (At least that is what I was told here in Fairbanks by a local dealer...who knows if that is accurate or not). Anyway, the system JVC recomended
Onkyo HT-S6200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package with Dock for the iPod

, does this decode HDMI audio? If not, I am all ears for suggestions.

Yes, this will decode the high definition audio formats. The receiver in this package is the venerable Onkyo 607. It is well regarded around here as the best value in a low cost receiver. It has clean sound, a large number of HDMI ports, will decode the advanced audio codecs and has the Audessey calibration features. I have an earlier version of this receiver in my bedroom system and find it well suited to HT applications.

The speakers are "no name" but seem reasonable. Amazon is selling the receiver alone for around $500. That would allow you to get a different set of speakers. I have heard the set included in this bundle and they are a good bargain for the price. Basically $100 for a 5.1 speaker set. There is a newer model coming out, so you may be able to shop for bargains over the next month or so as well.

Originally Posted by Tundracat

What is the difference in audio quality in regards to speaker wire and its gages? I will have a 25-30 foot run to one of my surround sound speakers. Does it make any difference. Some of the reviews on the above mentioned system mentioned that the speaker wires were rather flimsy and not long enough for some.

I would suggest throwing away the wires that come with it. Go to the local Ace Hardware and get 100 ft of 14 or 16 gauge lamp cord and use that. The wire that comes with te unit is 26 gauge and has too much resistance for any run over 6 feet.

Originally Posted by Tundracat

By the way, have you ever listened to these?
Amazon.com: Energy 5.1 Take Classic System (Set of Six, Black) (Discontinued): Electronics

Do they sound better than the above mentioned system? What receiver would you recommend to use with these babies? (Yeah, I know...it is going to cost me more money).

I have never heard the Energys. I'm a Klipsch fan myself. However, they are popular here, and there is a thread on this forum (used to be a sticky) dedicated to these speakers. Look there.)

Good luck with your search, and please report back.

The Energys are a nice small compact speaker system. They produce pretty good sound for the size. I bought my daughter a set last year when she went off to college to use with a Denon receiver. She was the hit of her dorm.

S~

Originally Posted by Tundracat

By the way, have you ever listened to these?
Amazon.com: Energy 5.1 Take Classic System (Set of Six, Black) (Discontinued): Electronics

A very good 5.1 speaker set for a small room. No satellites can compete with full-size speakers (especially in mid-range), but when the space and the budget are limitted, these Energy speakers make a great choice. Just don't drive them at full power, or you can burn them.

Originally Posted by jayn_j

Yes, this will decode the high definition audio formats. The receiver in this package is the venerable Onkyo 607. It is well regarded around here as the best value in a low cost receiver. It has clean sound, a large number of HDMI ports, will decode the advanced audio codecs and has the Audessey calibration features. I have an earlier version of this receiver in my bedroom system and find it well suited to HT applications.

Is the receiver you are refering to the TX-SR607? How can you tell? The reason I ask is that the specifications of the physical size of the receiver on the HT-S6200 system is 17 1/8 x 5 15/16 x 12 15/16 (W xH x D). On the TX-SR607 receiver the specs are exactly the same with the exception of the height. TX-SR607 is exactly one inch taller. I can not find the exact match between HT-S6200 and its stand alone receiver. Why is the height thing critical? Because the shelf I plan on putting this thing on is only 7 inches high from top to bottom which gives the shorter receiver one inch to breathe. I literally have no other place to put it if I want to remain married. (By the way, the width of the cabinet that I plan to put the receiver in is only 18 inches wide.) Which brings up another question? Will the heat of the unit cause it to burn up eventually or worse start a house fire?

Originally Posted by Tundracat

Is the receiver you are refering to the TX-SR607? How can you tell? The reason I ask is that the specifications of the physical size of the receiver on the HT-S6200 system is 17 1/8 x 5 15/16 x 12 15/16 (W xH x D). On the TX-SR607 receiver the specs are exactly the same with the exception of the height. TX-SR607 is exactly one inch taller. I can not find the exact match between HT-S6200 and its stand alone receiver. Why is the height thing critical? Because the shelf I plan on putting this thing on is only 7 inches high from top to bottom which gives the shorter receiver one inch to breathe. I literally have no other place to put it if I want to remain married. (By the way, the width of the cabinet that I plan to put the receiver in is only 18 inches wide.) Which brings up another question? Will the heat of the unit cause it to burn up eventually or worse start a house fire?

It won't start a fire, but it may shut down from the heat. It all depends on whether you like your music LOUD. Many complain that the 60X series runs hot. I haven't had that problem, but I try to keep my system open with a lot of airflow space and I also run at moderate volume levels.

the sides may not be as much of a problem. The 60X series does not have side ventilation holes, counting on vertical convection for cooling.

If you are running it in this tight spaces, you might want to consider mounting a small muffin fan at the rear to force air through the space.