Home Theater Question

[Scoobum]

My Pro Logic Yamaha surround sound receiver circa early 90's is dieing. I have it surrounded by Paradigm speakers and a powered sub. Should I stick with Yamaha...or another brand?

[SuperSix]

I don't think I would narrow my search to a given brand - look for what fits your needs. Yamaha is indeed good..

[Steve Wood]

Sound gear is kinda like women...some are better than others, but, there seems to be no consistency.

Yamaha is still good.  Denon is generally good, and Onkyo can be as well.  Research has shown me that some models are consistently well regarded within a brand while others seem to be more problematic for some reason.

I used to do a lot of reading on places like this  http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ before buying

[Scoobum]

Thanks for the link Steve.

[daveismissing]

Denon used to have more discrete components and to me seemed to sound better.
Those Steve listed are generally good choices. I'd try to buy some model that has some real reviews.
 

[Scoobum]

Do I need 7.1...or is that overkill?

[Steve Wood]

It is neat, if you have a room that allows for a proper configuration. ..I see more movies have been including it as a sound track option-   getting to the point that you need a theater room to take advantage of such....and a night job to pay for the speakers

[Top Speed]

I find my 5.1 system to be more than adequate.  I would recommend a Onkyo.  The new models sound really good and can be configured for your exact room acoustics.  Get one with the Audyessy MultEQ that automatically adjusts using a microphone that you place in your listening area.  http://www.audyssey.com/audio-technology/multeq

[Scoobum]

It is neat, if you have a room that allows for a proper configuration. ..I see more movies have been including it as a sound track option-   getting to the point that you need a theater room to take advantage of such....and a night job to pay for the speakers

I'll have to invest in a few more Paradigm speakers.

[Scoobum]

I find my 5.1 system to be more than adequate.  I would recommend a Onkyo.  The new models sound really good and can be configured for your exact room acoustics.  Get one with the Audyessy MultEQ that automatically adjusts using a microphone that you place in your listening area.  http://www.audyssey.com/audio-technology/multeq

Doing some research I found that Yamaha has YPAO for sound optimization.

[Steve Wood]

I believe the Denons have similar as well.   I am on my third Onkyo.  First one was wiped out by lightning.  Second one I gave to my son when he needed one.  It died after a couple of years when the hdmi got screwy.  The third one has worked well.  I bought him a Denon for Christmas to replace the Onkyo and he likes the sound better, but, that is subjective.


The speaker set up software works pretty well and I like that feature.


After the one died that I gave him, I went back and did some research and found it was pretty common on that particular model and that all brands seemed to have certain models that gave problems while others seldom failed.  That is the reason the forum I listed was so useful.  It had long threads of experience on distinct models and the owner experience.


I have 5.1 and it is great for movies and sports...I would have 7.1 if I had the bux and the right shaped room.  Sound is where it is at...and I am not only talking sex