Recommended receiver and DVD player

[JamesT]

I'm looking to get my first DVD player/recorder, receiver and speaker system. I am definitely intrigued by the VT-12 and STF-3 system. I was wondering what receivers and DVD players would you recommend. Since I have nothing to start out with, I want to get the most compatible components that would work the best with the VT-12 system. Thanks for all your ideas and recommendations.

[Dudley]

The VT-12 does not need a fancy reciever to sound great. HSU uses the Onkyo 501 for their demos (now the 502 They like the crossover in that unit. It is $300 full retail price, and can be under $200 refurbished. I would stick with a 6.1 reciever (simplifies wiring to back center, and provides better surround).

DVD players are also all very good, and even a cheap one will give you a nice picture. If you have an HDTV some of the more expensive ones handle progressive scan better, but paying more does not always give you more. Panasonic makes some nice inexpensive DVD players.

[mikes250r]

The VT-12 does not need a fancy reciever to sound great. HSU uses the Onkyo 501 for their demos (now the 502 They like the crossover in that unit. It is $300 full retail price, and can be under $200 refurbished. I would stick with a 6.1 reciever (simplifies wiring to back center, and provides better surround).

DVD players are also all very good, and even a cheap one will give you a nice picture. If you have an HDTV some of the more expensive ones handle progressive scan better, but paying more does not always give you more. Panasonic makes some nice inexpensive DVD players.

I agree you do not need an expensive receiver to sound good. I picked up a refurbished Onkyo 601 from e-cost.com for $240 with free shipping. It looks like brand new and carries a one year factory warranty and it sounds awesome. If you are going to use it for home theater I would consider getting one with THX though.


Mike

[tafguy]

I'm looking to get my first DVD player/recorder, receiver and speaker system.Too many of us like myself, currently own receivers which don't handle new technologies like Dolby/THX Surround EX or DTS Discrete 6.1. And believe me, a lot of people, like myself, has been confused about this audio stuff. But I do now get a better picture of how good they are comparing to the old ones.

While I don't doubt the performance of the Onkyo receiver because it has already been tested and is somehow a reference receiver, I will go for a receiver, lucky you that this is your first, that will handle both Dolby/THX EX and DTS 6.1 with the preference on the latter as a must.

The reason is simple: True Rear Center Channel Signal.

While all of us don't own or plan to have new type of receivers, HSU has come up with a clever idea to allow you to bridge the rear L/R surround speakers to the center rear speaker in Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS 5.1.

In fact, with the Ventriloquist V12, they also forecast the use of the rear center channel speaker with new decoding technologies like Dolby/THX Digital Surround EX and DTS ES.

I called this: Visionary Speaker System Design.

For DVD Player, I liked SACD/DVD-A technologies. I will look for universal DVD player. Keep in mind that the receiver needs to have 5.1 Analog inputs.

Hope you can find answers you're looking for!

[JamesT]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've decided to go with the Yamaha HTR-5790 along with the VT-12 + STF-3 speakers. I also ordered the speakers stands listed in a sticky around here somewhere. I'll be getting a Sony DVD recorder for Christmas. So I'll have to wait and see how the DVD sounds through the new system but at least I should have everything wired and setup by Christmas. Santa's gonna be good to me this year. :D