cainlevy

So now I'm educating myself on the advantages of pre-pros. The idea is that a receiver is essentially a pre-processor and amplifier all in one? And a pre-pro will still handle A/V source switching, it just hands the decoded audio signal to an amplifier to do its own thing? My budget for this component (whichever route) is around $600, though I would probably cave on a good deal for a better investment. I should probably make sure to save money for a few more speakers in my setup, though. [*-)] Speaking of codecs, do these devices usually allow firmware or software updates or is the decoding usually handled by something that can't be modified post-market like an integrated chip? Seems a bit silly for new codecs to make digital audio electronics obsolete when PCs have been dealing with pluggable codecs for years. Although maybe that's not a concern for me, since I'll be sourcing most everything from a MythTV box and should theoretically have good control over audio format.

A couple of years ago I found the money to buy a pair of RF-62s, a Sonic T-Amp, and a Squeezebox. That was fantastic -- music streamed wirelessly into my living room! But the goal all along has been to take my RF62 investment and start building out a HT setup. The time is now. Currently I have a HTPC (MythTV) sourcing digital cable and DVDs and connecting directly to a HDTV. The TV has left/right audio outputs that I've plugged into my T-Amp, and from there to the RF-62s. The sound is alright, but the setup is annoying because I can't control the RF62 volume except by getting up, walking to the TV, adjusting the T-Amp's volume knob, sitting down, realizing that I overcompensated, and eventually giving up to enjoy whatever it is that I'm doing. I need a receiver. And, well, probably a subwoofer and rear channels and a room that isn't as narrow, but first things first. What should I watch for? I know that eventually I'll want 5.1 surround sound, and that I currently need one HDMI connection and two component connections, but my eyes glaze over when I start reading that one receiver has decoders X, Y, and Z but this other receiver has Y, Z, and some super-special tech like Audyssey DynamicEQ or CinemaFILTER (yes, I'm looking at Onkyos []). Also, I did discover that not all receivers are capable of spilitting the audio out of HDMI and sending it directly to the speakers? How can I know which receivers have this shortcoming? Thanks in advance!

Nope, no Magnolia. Supposing I could get someone at Best Buy to take my money, they could probably special order the RF-62 for me. Or maybe I could pick them up at another branch when I'm out and about, then just have them serviced locally if need be. But Michael, you're saying that the warranty service just isn't as important for passive speakers. It's symbolic, though - a standard 5-year warranty tells me that you guys really build durable products that you're willing to bet I won't have a problem with. That right there is comforting. So what's the benefit to me of going through an authorized dealer? Especially when it's this difficult in my particular area (SE corner of Washington, by the way).

I'm rather new to the home audio "thing", which I try to excuse by being new to the home "thing". But I do love music and am confident I could learn to be discerning about speakers given the chance. My budget for a pair of floorstanding speakers is <= $800, plus some tax. My problem, though, is that the closest retailer I can find is Best Buy, who steadfastly refuses to provide me with any decent customer service over the phone or in person. Why go through the trouble to find an authorized dealer when you dread the thought of servicing warranty through that dealer? And anyway they only stock the Synergy line. So the closest authorized Reference dealer is 70 miles away in a direction I never drive - again, not a lovely prospect for servicing warranties. Usually I do my shopping online. And I can find some discounts on RF speakers online, new and used, but neither way gets me warranty support. Purchasing online means giving up on warranty service anyway, since the cost of round-trip freight isn't trivial compared to the <$800 price tags I'm looking at. In the end I'm looking at four options: Wait for a road trip to some major city (4+ hour drive one-way) and pick up speakers from an authorized dealer there. Forget about warranty service and purchase online, new or used. Any recommendations? Buy Synergy speakers from Best Buy. I'd rather not give my money to such a unfriendly business, though. Find another speaker line sold in a 60 mile radius. My basic criteria are price (<= $800), efficiency (92db+), and reputation among people more knowledgable than myself. What say you all? I'd love some advice.