Best AV Receiver with HDMI from £300 to £650

[Cookie_Monster]

Given the apparent non-existence of the Sony STRDA3200ES up here (in the Glasgow area) and that that the Sony STRDA1200ES reportedly does not do multi-channel audio via the HDMI input I'm seeking an AV receiver that is available and does both audio and video over HDMI. All receivers considered except Denon given their anti-competitive ways.

Price range is from £300 to £650, it is a must that it does audio via HDMI (I've only put HDMI cables in for the DVD recorder and Sky HD box) and that it is a known performer. Any suggestions?

The Sony 1200ES would have been ideal but as said it apparently doesn't do multi-channel audio over HDMI and the 3200ES seems to be non-existant (I haven't seen any professional reviews of it) and it's availability appears limited on the web.

[miltsharman]

how about the Onkyo TX-SR674E or the denon 2307 ?

[Russ 66]

As above or Pioneer 2016

[Chelski69]

Originally Posted by Cookie_Monster

Given the apparent non-existence of the Sony STRDA3200ES up here (in the Glasgow area) and that that the Sony STRDA1200ES reportedly does not do multi-channel audio via the HDMI input I'm seeking an AV receiver that is available and does both audio and video over HDMI. All receivers considered except Denon given their anti-competitive ways.

Price range is from £300 to £650, it is a must that it does audio via HDMI (I've only put HDMI cables in for the DVD recorder and Sky HD box) and that it is a known performer. Any suggestions?

The Sony 1200ES would have been ideal but as said it apparently doesn't do multi-channel audio over HDMI and the 3200ES seems to be non-existant (I haven't seen any professional reviews of it) and it's availability appears limited on the web.

Why dont u buy from online retailer and get it shipped to Scotland ? I have the 3200ES and the sound is nothing short of breathtaking so dont make any rash decisions

[GandalfTheFat]

When you said does not do “multi-channel audio” I assume you mean it is just a switch box (which is true) – it does pass on the audio to another device
But it means you need to send the audio via optical

How long do you think it will be before someone says that taking the audio from the HDMI input is not a ‘clean’ as taking from the optical and you do not fell / hear / see / smell the base / middle / treble unless you use £4000k leads…..

So you get a £4000k lead from the DVD to the AMP and another £4000k from AMP to projector. Surely having multiple cable is BAD. I use the STRDA1200ES but only for audio and don’t put that extra switch in – I go straight from DVD to projector for that.(with a 7m £12 lead !)

I figured that the manipulation of the HDMI would just add another layer to the whole kit – and I’d wait for 12 months until something better appears !!

[proux]

Originally Posted by Cookie_Monster

apparently doesn't do multi-channel audio over HDMI .

Do you really mean SACD / DVD-A multichannels over HDMI? I dont think anyone does this ! The top Denon and Marantz models have their own digital transfers for this, but the norm is coaxial or optical for DVD movie soundtracks, and 6xRCA for high resolution surround audio

[MI55ION]

No I think he's refering to the new HD audio formats.

[Cookie_Monster]

Originally Posted by proukakis

Do you really mean SACD / DVD-A multichannels over HDMI? I dont think anyone does this ! The top Denon and Marantz models have their own digital transfers for this, but the norm is coaxial or optical for DVD movie soundtracks, and 6xRCA for high resolution surround audio

Basically what I'm after is an AV receiver that will accept both audio and video over HDMI from the DVD recorder and Sky HD boxes. I'd prefer to not add in an extra audio cable for these devices.

I'm very willing to buy the Sony 3200ES on the net and I've seen where it can be purchased but I've not seen any reviews of it yet. I have to admit this would probably be the one I'd go for if it rated well in various reviews. I assume it does accept audio over HDMI?

I have no intention of listening to SACDs or DVD audio - it's purely for the DVD recorder and Sky HD.

[rally555ron]

Also after the same answers and wanted to understand what the Sony offers (3200ES) over the Denon 2307.

Is it just the ability to pass Audio over HDMI

[marksimonwright]

Cambridge Audio are bringing out (Dec or January) a 7.1 AV Receiver with HDMI swithcing. Approx cost = £600.

Whilst I am no expert, I can confidently say that this received will be better than anything Sony produces upto a £100 and, will certainly match Dennon with a price tag of £800.

Only snag is that you have to buy from Richer Sounds, not sure where the nearest one to you would be, but you can buy online

[Coolit]

How about the Onkyo TX-SR804Eit will stretch your budget a bit though to £700.

[Cookie_Monster]

I've been to the Richer Sounds stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh before so accessing them would be no issue. I'd definitely wait if that Cambridge Audio solution turned out to be decent performer.

As for the Onkyo 804E it is perhaps slightly out of budget - it would really need to have some spectacular reviews to be considered at that price.

EDIT - Though on further look that Onkyo does indeed seem rather nice - has there been any magazine reviews of it?

[Coolit]

There are no reviews that I'm aware of yet.

I have a silver one on order with AV-sales, there was a problem with the European shipment (got hijacked ) so it's been delayed a little. I was quoted a 2 week wait almost a week ago, so if your after an amp RIGHT now you would have to look elsewhere, if you can wait a week or so it should be worth it.

I went to buy a complete setup, SVS speakers/sub with a Pioneer VSXAX2AS Receiver (similar features, same price band) from av-sales but was told by one of there installers/techs that the 804E would be a far better amp for my speaker combination and so decided to wait, figured whats 2 weeks considering the cost and how long I'd have the system for, it gives me time to position and cable my speakers anyway.

As there are no reviews yet, you would be buying blind, for obvious reasons I cant recommend it yet other than to say it seems to fit you needs

[Cookie_Monster]

To be honest I'm in no rush to buy - I'd be quite happy to wait until after Christmas to buy an amp if it means getting a better one. The TV and DVD recorder I have will keep me ticking over until then.

[Chelski69]

But then again you can wait till after Easter to get a better one, then you can wait until summer to get a better one or finally I'm sure there will be a better one next xmas.

It will never end - there is always something better coming around the corner but you have to get on the bus at some point !

[Knyght_byte]

at this stage in the life of amplifiers, i would personally be waiting till easter, whilst HDMI 1.3 isnt the be all and end all, it certainly tidies up a few questions and saves any bother, should also mean most amps around that time, even cheaper ones, will have more than 2 HDMI inputs and hopefully 2 HDMI outputs.....

[jmcardle]

I thought all HDMI connections/cables carried sound? Otherwise it's DVI (video only).

Am I missing something?

[Cookie_Monster]

Originally Posted by Chelski69

It will never end - there is always something better coming around the corner but you have to get on the bus at some point !

That is indefinitely true - I've done that more often than not with my PC.

At the end of the day if I come across one that does the job nicely (and does accept sound over HDMI) then I will be a happy chappy. I'm not too bothered about HDMI v1.3 as it seems largely irrelevant given that my TV and DVD recorder (a Samsung LE32R73BD and a Panasonic DMREX75) will not have HDMI v1.3. The setup will only be as good as its weakest link after all.

Originally Posted by jmcardle

I thought all HDMI connections/cables carried sound? Otherwise it's DVI (video only).

Am I missing something?

That's what I used to think as well but apparently the cheaper units like the Sony 1200ES do not accept audio over the HDMI connections, which seems highly bizarre to me. Is the point of HDMI (aside from having a better picture quality) not to do away with the plethora of both audio and video cables after all?

[Knyght_byte]

Originally Posted by Cookie_Monster

That is indefinitely true - I've done that more often than not with my PC.

At the end of the day if I come across one that does the job nicely (and does accept sound over HDMI) then I will be a happy chappy. I'm not too bothered about HDMI v1.3 as it seems largely irrelevant given that my TV and DVD recorder (a Samsung LE32R73BD and a Panasonic DMREX75) will not have HDMI v1.3. The setup will only be as good as its weakest link after all.



That's what I used to think as well but apparently the cheaper units like the Sony 1200ES do not accept audio over the HDMI connections, which seems highly bizarre to me. Is the point of HDMI (aside from having a better picture quality) not to do away with the plethora of both audio and video cables after all?

the idea of HDMI is indeed to be one connector....however to keep costs down on cheaper amps, the HDMI input/outputs are just switchers, so you can pass the video and sound via the amp in to the TV......in some cases (ie when you spend a bit more money) you can process the video from the HDMI in some way or another (ie scaling) or strip the sound off from the HDMI and process it in the receiver.....however this all adds to the cost, so whilst HDMI was still in its infancy, it presumably seemed pointless to manufactuers of amps to strip the audio from the HDMI and just get people to keep using optical/coax.......i would imagine by next march most models around £500 or even cheaper if lucky will process the audio, and most around or above £500 will also scale....who knows tho.....lol

[jmcardle]

[Mod Comment - Knyght_byte: text edited to reflect changes in thread]

Isn't HDMI supposed to incorporate HDCP by definition? Therefore, any HDMI equipment the OP buys cannot be, by definition, a simple switcher. It has to incorporate HDCP otherwise it isn't HDMI. And HDCP extends to audio so, if it's a genuine HDMI plug it has to incorporate audio. If it doesn't, the signal it carries isn't fully HDCP protected and therefore it isn't HDMI.

[rjzebay]

Pioneer VSX-AX4ASI-S
7.1 Channel Home Cinema Receiver
£779.01
Inc VAT @ Digitaldirect.co.uk

[ani4ani]

Originally Posted by jmcardle

[Mod Comment - Knyght_byte: text removed as housekeeping due to quoted text being edited:end Mod Commnet]
Isn't HDMI supposed to incorporate HDCP by definition? Therefore, any HDMI equipment the OP buys cannot be, by definition, a simple switcher. It has to incorporate HDCP otherwise it isn't HDMI. And HDCP extends to audio so, if it's a genuine HDMI plug it has to incorporate audio. If it doesn't, the signal it carries isn't fully HDCP protected and therefore it isn't HDMI.

I think the source HDMI, e.g. from a Hi Def Player, Sky HD etc has to incorporate HDCP within the HDMI Circuitry , whereas an AMP that does not generate the material can just act as a switch - I think that's the way it works?

[Knyght_byte]

i'm sure the amp needs to have HDCP too to guarantee a handshake....i think it might depend on how it switches.......i guess if its literally just a 2in1 switch with no processing or upconversion/downconversion available then it might be ok......but if it can strip the sound, scale the pic or upconvert etc then i reckon it has to HDCP handshake.....

but then some equipment might refuse....i reckon my Denon 3910 probably would.....sadly i dont have a HDMI amp so cant comment for definite...lol

[Cookie_Monster]

That Pioneer looks like some beast but is well out of my price budget. However, I was speaking to a certain lad at a certain company who would be willing to supply the Denon 2807 over a telephone order for a nice looking price. I am highly tempted to go down that route as it appears the 2807 is a sound performer (perhaps to complex for some to grasp initially). Can anybody confirm if the amp itself does accept audio over the HDMI (from the DVD recorder and Sky HD box)? I would assume that it does that the sort of price it sells for.

[huntere]

Originally Posted by Cookie_Monster

Basically what I'm after is an AV receiver that will accept both audio and video over HDMI from the DVD recorder and Sky HD boxes. I'd prefer to not add in an extra audio cable for these devices.

Sadly for Sky HD no choice. At present Sky HD does not output audio of any description over HDMI. Whether it will remains to be seen.

[Cookie_Monster]

Originally Posted by huntere

Sadly for Sky HD no choice. At present Sky HD does not output audio of any description over HDMI. Whether it will remains to be seen.

Darnit that's a bugger. Looks like I might have to put in a toslink cable then.

[huntere]

Originally Posted by Cookie_Monster

Darnit that's a bugger. Looks like I might have to put in a toslink cable then.

Its either that or subtitles