pgtr
May 1st 04, 03:26 AM
My 'ideal' AV Receiver:
AM/FM Tuner
65...100ish Watts - quality amp - but nothing real fancy or esoteric.
I've been happy w/ my current Yamaha receiver's amp (85W) for example.
2+ audio inputs:
(Tuner)
CD
Aux (TV)
Dump 'tape' & 'phono' inputs.
8+ audio/video inputs
DVD
SAT
VCR
Video Aux1 (video game)
Video Aux2 (TIVO)
Video Aux3 (2nd VCR, ... MPeg)
Video Aux3 (Camcorder)
I wouldn't mind combining CD and DVD but I'd like to see some sort of
solution to automatically switching between surround and straight
stereo mode. One back door might be to put Y splitters on the DVD and
send it's audio additionally to the CD inputs - same actual source but
two different input positions...
No 'special' FX functionality - just 3 settings:
Mono
Stereo
Dolby Surround
(I currently have a Yamaha and like the 'church' setting for certain
types of music but really never used the rest of them that much at all
- I'd miss the church setting but could live w/o it to SIMPLIFY
everything else)
Remember each setting per the input (e.g. automatically switch to
surround for video or stereo for CD...)
Preamp left, right and video outputs handy for turning on the TV and
watching/listening thru it w/o the full stereo turned on and driving
all the speakers - e.g. just use the TVs built in speakers.
Subwoofer preamp out for a powered subwoofer. Also ability to
optionally upon selection filter frequencies below subwoofer preamp
out from teh main speakers. I have full range Boston Acoustic main
speakers that I like by themselves for music - for movies I kinda like
throwing on a sub and letting it do the work... Does that make sense?
I'd like to have something I'd call 'full-time input selection' in
conjunction w/ video and pre-amp audio outputs (to the TV). E.g. I'd
like to be able to use the unit while it's 'OFF' to still select
between input sources for the TV/TV-speakers (probably would have to
be left plugged in). Many times I just don't want to power up the
receiver but still would like to watch/listen to video sources on TV
via video connections rather than ol' RF Ch. 3.
The usual stuff of course like tone controls, tuner controls and an
analog rotary dial volume control. I like a BIG display that can
actually be seen across the room (in addition to onscreen stuff).
I'm after a VERY simple design w/ the buttons rarely fiddled with like
tone and surround setting perhaps 'hidden' somehow. I'd simply like to
be able to select an input (to the TV) w/o turning it on necessarily
and other than that to turn it on, select an input and volume and
that's pretty much it. A row of buttons for radio preselects of
course.
This may be something that is better resolved in the TV itself but an
ability to deal w/ multiple types of video sources - e.g. SVideo and
regular RCA jacks. Some come in one flavor and some in the other - I'd
like to automaticaly use the SVideo if available and if not, 'default'
to the regular video connection. Like I said that might be something
better resolved in the TV?
Oh and reasonable price... ;) nothing super fancy or esoteric or
audiophile oriented - just good utilitarian functional w/ a decent
amp.
So does anybody make my 'ideal' receiver or come close?
thanks!
AM/FM Tuner
65...100ish Watts - quality amp - but nothing real fancy or esoteric.
I've been happy w/ my current Yamaha receiver's amp (85W) for example.
2+ audio inputs:
(Tuner)
CD
Aux (TV)
Dump 'tape' & 'phono' inputs.
8+ audio/video inputs
DVD
SAT
VCR
Video Aux1 (video game)
Video Aux2 (TIVO)
Video Aux3 (2nd VCR, ... MPeg)
Video Aux3 (Camcorder)
I wouldn't mind combining CD and DVD but I'd like to see some sort of
solution to automatically switching between surround and straight
stereo mode. One back door might be to put Y splitters on the DVD and
send it's audio additionally to the CD inputs - same actual source but
two different input positions...
No 'special' FX functionality - just 3 settings:
Mono
Stereo
Dolby Surround
(I currently have a Yamaha and like the 'church' setting for certain
types of music but really never used the rest of them that much at all
- I'd miss the church setting but could live w/o it to SIMPLIFY
everything else)
Remember each setting per the input (e.g. automatically switch to
surround for video or stereo for CD...)
Preamp left, right and video outputs handy for turning on the TV and
watching/listening thru it w/o the full stereo turned on and driving
all the speakers - e.g. just use the TVs built in speakers.
Subwoofer preamp out for a powered subwoofer. Also ability to
optionally upon selection filter frequencies below subwoofer preamp
out from teh main speakers. I have full range Boston Acoustic main
speakers that I like by themselves for music - for movies I kinda like
throwing on a sub and letting it do the work... Does that make sense?
I'd like to have something I'd call 'full-time input selection' in
conjunction w/ video and pre-amp audio outputs (to the TV). E.g. I'd
like to be able to use the unit while it's 'OFF' to still select
between input sources for the TV/TV-speakers (probably would have to
be left plugged in). Many times I just don't want to power up the
receiver but still would like to watch/listen to video sources on TV
via video connections rather than ol' RF Ch. 3.
The usual stuff of course like tone controls, tuner controls and an
analog rotary dial volume control. I like a BIG display that can
actually be seen across the room (in addition to onscreen stuff).
I'm after a VERY simple design w/ the buttons rarely fiddled with like
tone and surround setting perhaps 'hidden' somehow. I'd simply like to
be able to select an input (to the TV) w/o turning it on necessarily
and other than that to turn it on, select an input and volume and
that's pretty much it. A row of buttons for radio preselects of
course.
This may be something that is better resolved in the TV itself but an
ability to deal w/ multiple types of video sources - e.g. SVideo and
regular RCA jacks. Some come in one flavor and some in the other - I'd
like to automaticaly use the SVideo if available and if not, 'default'
to the regular video connection. Like I said that might be something
better resolved in the TV?
Oh and reasonable price... ;) nothing super fancy or esoteric or
audiophile oriented - just good utilitarian functional w/ a decent
amp.
So does anybody make my 'ideal' receiver or come close?
thanks!