Time for Upgrade? -- HDMI home receiver vs. toslink or coaxial receiver

HomeTheaterNoob · Apr 29, 2015

Hello, everyone.

I've provided a bunch of background information on my set up and wiring in here in hopes to receive some quality input from this community.

Currently, I run my DirecTV & Xbox One HDMI outputs to TV's HDMI input. To play the play audio on my old (RCA input-only) receiver, I run a 3.5mm-to-2RCA cable from the TV's 3.5mm output to the receiver's RCA inputs. In sum, HD video, analogue audio.

My current receiver (I'm using only stereo operation):
Make/Model:.........................JVC RX-517VTN (using only stereo [surround is busted, anyways])
At stereo operation:..............80 watts per channel, min. RMS, both channels driven into 8 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz with >4 THD%
Frequency Response...........10 Hz to 30 kHz (+/-1 dB)
THD (8 ohms, 1kHz):.............0.06% at 70 watts output

Speakers:
› 2 Floorstanding Pioneers...........................SP-FS51-LR
› Enclosure.................................................Bass-reflex Floorstanding Type
› Configuration............................................3-way
› Frequency Range....................................45 Hz-20 kHz
› Nominal Impedance ..................................6 Ohms
› Sensitivity (2.83 V) ...................................87 dB
› Maximum Input Power ..............................130 W
› Crossover Frequency...............................2.5 kHz
› Woofer......................................................Triple 5 1/4”
› Tweeter .....................................................1”

Now, as to the original question:

(1) Considering my speakers and current receiver, would the shift from analogue to HDMI audio be noticably different, if not better? I'm currently disappointed by the audio as it seems to lack crispness (could be the receiver itself and/or the speakers rather than analogue audio itself, though), and its constantly fluctuating in volume.

(2) How bad in terms of specs (distortion, frequency response) is my current receiver?

(3) In general, would an HDMI-based sound have a noticeable difference in quality in comparison to a toslink or coaxial-based sound? I realize this question depends on which receiver I get. As I'm on a budget, I'm considering buying these in the local classified:

Harmon/Kardon AVR 85 -- this might be a steal. It's old, but a lot of audiophiles seem to be praising it
Sony STR-KG700
Onkyo TX SR503S 7.1,
Pioneer HTP-2900 5.1

Thanks for any and all help!

i7Baby · Apr 29, 2015

1) No. I don't notice the difference.

2) You need to post the % harmonic distortion figure. If below 0.5% then it should be OK

3) No.

Maybe a new home theatre would help. I got a second hand one off eBay for $50 - Panasonic SA-BT200 - and its been great.

thee_prisoner · Apr 29, 2015

What is your budget? Thx for the good info provided.

1) Even though analog can have great sound but it can be inconvenient in terms of the number of inputs/outputs and cables. HDMI will be a better choice especially since it's getting hard to find analog except for the mid to higher audio components.

Your speakers are low end but if you want to keep them, that's ok. Speakers are the most important part of audio. They have the hardest job reproducing sound. The volume fluctuation could be a number of things like the source material, amp problems and etc.

If you doing home theater, a decent center channel speaker will help a lot. It provides the dialog for more crispness and provides some sound effects. A center speaker(don't go cheap, unless used) is very important for HT!

(2 Don't worry about unless the receiver amps(common problem with receivers) are having problems. 99% people in the world can't hear the difference.

3) HDMI is the future and optical/toslink/coaxial are limited in terms of the bandwidth that they can provide. For HT optical IMHO is a dead tech. And hopefully a dead tech for consoles, PC and etc because at least the way it's now, it will never get better. HDMI over optical in a stereo situation, both are good.

The Harmon Kardon 95 is a great receiver as receivers go. The problem is the surround formats are so limited because the tech is old. It might be a good purchase if you plan on powering more speakers. If you're going to upgrade, you might as well get the current tech in terms of surround sound formats; even if you don't plan on using them right away.

On the other receivers, if you can post some links that would help. I'm really anti receiver so I'm critical.

To give you a small idea on what I based my HT on in terms of pre amp/surround processors, the Outlaw audio :http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/975.html

PS: If you plan on building up your system over time go quality used products. If you have a local stereo store in town I would start their to get an idea.

Happy listening, the Prisoner...

HomeTheaterNoob · Apr 29, 2015

Thanks for the reply, prisoner.

Yes, now that I think about it, HDMI is the best route to go. If I were to get a receiver without HDMI inputs & and only Toslink inputs, then in order to get the digital audio that I want, I'd have to get an HDMI audio de-embedder to de-embed the digital audio from the HDMI inputs (DirecTV & Xbox) and output it to the Toslink input in the receiver, and connect the HDMI output of the de-embedder to the TV . . . right?

But this is anywhere from $20 to $40, and I am on a budget. I'm going to keep my floorstanders for awhile, and I plan on adding more in the future (probably 5.1).

So, my budget for a receiver is $100 more or less (looking through craigslist and the like). I figure that I ought to be looking for an HDMI receiver with at least Dolby Pro Logic II, as that will be crucial for stereo sound upconversion to 5.1 when I eventually get there.

Have you any experience in a 3.1 HT set-up? I'd like to add just a woofer and a nice center speaker without the additional speakers (for aesthetic and financial reasons, I live in an apartment).

Any other tips?

Thanks!

thee_prisoner · Apr 30, 2015

Optical to HDMI in are both digital(HDMI has much more bandwidth). It wouldn't be a converter like digital to analog. For the long run, having HDMI is your best choice since it will be cheaper than keep buying older stuff. Look for a receiver that has HDMI and discreet 5.1 at least. This way if you decide to get a bluray player for example it will be ready for the surround.

Used is a great option, best to look at receivers that can do 5.1/7.1 discreet channels, not simulated 5.1/7.1 like Dolby II. Most of those will include Dolby II for stereo options to get surround sound if you want. Well recorded stereo sound can be very impressive too.

Best option starting out is 3.0 option. Front mains plus a center channel, for HT like stated above is very important! You mains might provide decent bass sounds. A sub is not necessary unless you really want a lot of bass but won't be conducive to apartment living. Adjustments on the receiver will be enough to configure it to your liking. Spend the money on a decent center channel.

Happy surround, the Prisoner...

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Time for Upgrade? -- HDMI home receiver vs. toslink or coaxial receiver

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