mbr311

Do people seriously spend that much money on speaker wires and cables (Nordost Odin)? Those things are as much as an f'ing car!!!!! Holy sh*t never seen anything like that before. lol

Well I'm definitely going to go with Monoprice, it's good to know that 14 guage is perfectly acceptable that should help with the pricing as well. The problem I'm running into is how many feet do I need lol. I can measure obviously, but I don't know if we're going to try to drill through the wall to hide the wires which would necessite me needing more wire. I dunno darnit I guess I'll get 100 feet and hope it works and if it doesn't, just re-order another 100 ft. The price difference between 100ft and 250ft is pretty substantial.

Sweet thanks guys. Mounts would be ideal but I think I'm just going to anchor them in. Don't need to go spending more money right now lol

So wait sorry to be a noob but I can hook up my 520 as an amp to my 665 and run the mains straight off the 520? Huh I had no idea you could do that.

Can I mount the S-1s just using the keyhole or do I need stands and/or mounts?

I went with a PS3, all of my research pointed me in that direction to be honest with you. All of the blu-ray players that were wireless, streamed Netflix and Pandora were getting average reviews from people and even companies like CNET. It seemed to me that there were just too many quirks that hadn't been worked out yet and people were really upset about those quirks. Everyone I knew that had a PS3 loved it. I don't even use mine for gaming at all, I use it simply for blu-ray functionality, to stream Netflix and Windows Media Player 11 so I can stream all my music I have on my computer straight through the PS3. I love that feature to death. And this thing is so easy to set up, it finds your wireless connection right away all you need is the security code, it found and connected to WMP 11 right away and streamed all my music with literally nothing done on my end and it plays blu-ray discs flawlessly, not wait time hardly at all. Upconversion on regular DVDs are pretty good as well. I'm very glad with my purchase, I know a lot of people steer away from it because they see it more as a gaming system but its so far from it lol. I have one game for it I think.

Just went to Monoprice.com using the link you gave me and got 12AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable - 100ft in white for $33.35. Why did you say it was $100 Youthman? Link: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2817&seq=1&format=2Thanks and let me know if I messed up, I went straight to the link you gave me and it was only $33.55 with shipping for 100 feet, don't know where you saw the $100 from. Maybe it was a typo and you meant 100 ft? Edit: Yea got 250 feet, that way I can also use the extra for my mains and center and I would feel like an idiot if I ended up short on the surrounds and had to re-order. $74 total not bad for 250 feet. Thanks guys!

Just wanted your guys' advice since you have all been so helpful. Right now I am using 16 guage wire to run to all my speakers. I know speaker wire does make a bit of a difference so I was thinking about changing the wire I have to my mains and center channel to this: http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KAR10SS This wire if $1.09 a foot and since my speakers are so close to my receiver it shouuldn't cost too much money. The only thiing I'm confused about is that it doesn't say taht it's a "bi-wire speaker wire" like this one: http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KAR124SS So do I need a "bi-speaker wire" or is the first one okay? Then another few questions. Subwoofer cable: http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=eKs-SW2 Is that worth it, or is there not a big differene in subwoofer cables? Also last but not least, since I'll need 100 feet at least of speaker wire for my surrounds I am just going to go to Radio Shack and get this: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049736 So if you guys could give me any feedback about my wiring choices I would as always be indebeted. thanks! Mark

Ok I just went in and manually set up my sub to be a bit louder. Not a whole lot, just bumped it up a bit. Now I have a question for you guys (probably can't answer it but I'm just looking for feedback). You think I should hold on to my RX-V520 in case I need another receiver in a different room down the road, or get rid of it? And if I get rid of it about how much could I even expect to get for it? I guess that would be the real crunch, if I could get a decent amount I'd probably sell but if not I'd probaby just keep it. Hmm tough decision. Got my surrounds today to from a fellow forum member, can't wait to get them set up this weekend.

I have a Harmony 670 I'm going to put up for sale with all the necessary thing s to go along with it (CD software, USB cord,etc...). I loved it, very easy to use, but since I got my Yamaha receiver and its HDMI switching I find it much easier to use the receiver remote along with my DTV remote than the Harmony one. So I'm going to sell it here soon on this site if you're interested. Feel free to PM me if you are maybe we can work something out before it even goes up for sale. Mark

Great that's exactly what I need to know I think I saw how to do it in the manual. It's not like I want to turn up the sub too much but I want some more thump right now so I want to turn it up just a bit. Thanks!

Well that's the case now, I an only tell when its off. It definitely got a lot quieter/softer but it still hits don't get me wrong. I would just like a bit more thump to my movies and music...so I'm wondering if there's a way to adjust the sub volume/level without messing up the rest of the auto setup.

Since everything is working fine,what, if any, would the advantages be for me to switch from Bitstream to Linear PCM? That's the only thing I haven't done yet, and if it's beneficial let me know and I'll do it. Thanks Mark

Yep that worked too. You guys seriouly are life-savers, I was about ready to take this thing back to BB totally bummed becasue I got it for $385 instead of $499 just because it was out of box but came with manual, registration card, remote manual, FM antenna, microphone and of course the remote. I think this is even easier to use than the Harmony One remote, all I have to do is hit the Scene buttons "Blu Ray, DTV, CD, or Radio" button and switches the input right away. So I guess I'll be selling my Harmony One remote. I cannot get over the quality of sound difference between my 520 and the 665. HDMI pass through is the sh&t. It makes the sound like 100x better, I mean I have my receiver set at -40 watching a movie right now, I'm hardly using any of its power. And I will get my surrounds by the end of this week as well so finally (for the time being until I move into another house) I am done with my system. Yea it feels good. I'm surprised this receiver got bad reviews everything CNET wrote that was negative I haven't noticed in the slightest. Everything is very user friendly (it was my dumb-azz that couldn't figure out the PS3 that was user error), everything is very easy to set up. easy to switch inputs and rename inputs to make it more user friendly, upconversion on audio is amazing, haven't noticed a real difference in video upconversion but I mainly watch 1080i HD and maybe there just isn't a huge difference in video upscaling. But anyway, very happy right now thank you guys so much for helping out. One last thing though, I know you can set up your speakers with the mic and that's how I did it for each input, but I think the bass in my sub needs to get bumped up (coming from the reciever) because -4 movie depth isn't hitting like it used to after it calibrated each speaker. I think it toned down my sub to better match my mains and center. Any idea how to manually send more power to the sub w/out mesising up the rest of my speakers? Thank you all so much again I honestly would have never figured any of this out because I haven't gotten a new receiver in 12 years. I'm still debating on whether I should try to sell my 520 or just keep it in case I need another receiver in another room down the road. Hmm...

Wow awesome that's exactly what the problem is all of it fixed by messing with the PS3 and not the receiver. It's still not recognizing my center channel and sub it's only recognizing my mains so I'll have to see what's up with that but I just got volume. Thank you so much. I am using the mic right now to set up the speakers, if this works then all is golden and I will be so f'in happy I got this thing for $385 out of box and it is 100x better than my 520,I cannot get over the sound quality difference running everything through HDMI cables. Sweet and thank you so much guys you are a lifesaver!

Well I went ahead and picked up the Yamaha it was just too good of a deal. Hooked up PS3 to receiver using HDMI, named the input "Blu Ray" and hooked up the DVR to the receiver using HDMI, named it DTV, then hooked up the receiver to the TV using HDMI. Audio is 1000x better its not even funny. I used the microphone to set up the speakers. I was even able to set up the Scene buttons so that you can just press them and it goes straight to DTV, PS3 or Radio with the sound programs already set in. Another nice feature. Now here's the problem. On the Blu Ray output there is NO AUDIO. Usually right underneath the volume it will show which speakers are in play (2 fronts, center, sub, etc..). On HDMI 1 Blu Ray there are no speakers shown, I am not getting any volume, and when I hit "Option" and go to "Volume Trim" and go down to "Signal Info" is says the following: HDMI1 Option Audio Format - No Signal Channel ______ Sampling __________ Bitrate ___________ Video In HDMI 1080p Out HDMI 1080p So it's not getting an audio signal, it doesn't say how to fix it in the manual or on-line and I even tried calling Best Buy Geek Squad and they couldn't figure it out. I already tried putting it into a different input and it still does not get an audio signal, I have tried switching cables to a newer version (HDMI 1.3B) and it still is not receiving an audio signal. So on my PS3 I get video but no audio. I have no idea how I'm going to fix this other than to try to call Yamaha customer service tomorrow. I guess if that doesn't work I'll have to return it which is a bummer because I got it for $387 and it's usually $499. If I return it and get a new one I'll get the RX-V565 because it is substantially cheaper and there's no way I'm paying $499 for this thing. If anyone has any ideas I would reallly appreciate it, it is really annoying that audio doesn't work on PS3, I just feel like it should be a simple issue to resolve but I can't figure it out. Thanks

Well that's what I pointed out, the newer model of what I have looks great but it's a 5.1 system. It has great specs and got a great write up (RX-V565) but I'm worried that down the road I'll want a 7.1 receiver to add 2 more speakers when I get a bigger living room when I move here in a few years. So I don't want to have to upgrade again down the road, this one I want just like my RX-520 to last 10+ years. That's why I really like Yamaha and will probably stick with it I've never had a problem, I leave it on all day for the dog and its never even had a hitch/blip in 12 years. I just really want HDMI component switching and upscaling, plus with their YPAO setup will be perfect for me...calibrates all the speakers. I'll wait to utilize this until my surrounds come in next week, but I dunno..the RX-565 actually is 7.1 I just looked it up, but it's around the same price as the open box RX-V665 and I have to assume the 665 is the better model. I dunno I'll talk to the "experts (lol)" at BB and see what they have to say about the difference between the two. And as someone pointed out, if I don't like it I'm getting such a good price that I can probably just sell it for what I paid for it. I haven't decided if I should sell my current 520 or keep it in case I need another receiver for a different room. Hmm...

No I think you're right but it's sllightly misleading. When I saw this I almost jumped out of my shorts because thsi WAS the receiver I wanted. I was just shocked to read the reviews on it and that's the only thing making me sit at home and not jump in the car and head straight over to BB to pick it up. I just want to make sure if I get another receiver that's gonna last me 10 years that its the right one know what I mean? I've been THRILLED with what I currently have but I need HDMI switching. So that's why the 663 or 665 is so appealing has tons of features for relatively cheap. But when I read that their were a few "problems" with the 665 that the testers didn't like I started to look around a bit more. If you think those aren't a big deal I'm all good that's why I post on here to get feedback.

My friend has the 663 and he loves it as well. I've heard the 663 is actually better than the 665 at least from looking at the reviews. I don't know if Best Buy still sells the 663 though. I just found this 5.1 (since I only have mains, sub, center and surrounds) Yamaha RX-V465 or RX-565 and it's getting good reviews and I can use HDMI component switching or should I just invest in the 7.1 surround one so I don't have to upgrade in case I get another set of speakers I want to hook up? The fact is the 465 will work for me right now, I have no plans of getting another set of speakers in this house but at the same time I definitely don't want to be "stuck" with something down the road that doesn't meet what I'd like to do. It's just tough because this one is pretty cheap and I could probably buy it today no problem. I might go take a look at the 665 tomorrow again and see what they have to say at best buy but they are usually full of proverbial sh*t so I never know what to think. 465: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001S2RD9U/ref=asc_df_B001S2RD9U1072203?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=nextag-ce-delta-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B001S2RD9U

The only thing I'm worried about with the Yamaha is that it isn't getting great reviews. They are saying that you cannot assign audio inputs, has poor image quality on upconverted analog video signals and doesn't sound as good as previous Yamaha receivers: http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/yamaha-rx-v665bl/4505-6466_7-33528102.html That is strange, that is the worst review I've ever seen of a Yamaha receiver, I have always had great luck with them and never seen anything like this. I might just hold off to get the Onkyo it seems like it has tons more features (6 HDMI inputs vs. 4 on the Yamaha) and is getting rave reviews. I could even get the SR-607 which is still full of features and is more in the Yamaha price range. Hmm....I really like the price on the Yamaha that's what really gets me the most I can get it for uber cheap out of the box and it still comes with everything I need, warranty is still good too.

You guys aren't lying about always wanting to upgrade, I am always thinking of ways to get bettter speakers even though for the room size I'm in this system is actually pretty darned good. But I am always looking for a good deal to make it even better lol

Well I was kind of set on the Onkyo TX-SR707 for $499-$600 to replace my Yamaha RX-V520 with. I really want HDMI capable upscaling plus if I run everything through HDMI it's gonna make the sound so much better and hopefully the picture better. With the V520 I have to use digital optical cables to connect the component to the receiver and I know HDMI cables are better for sound than digital optical cables. Now I must say I really love my Yamaha, I have had it for 12 years and it has NEVER had a problem, I leave it on all day and have been for 7 years (have a dog, just leave the radio on for him so he can jam all day lol). I mean this thing is just bulletproof and very easy to use. I was set on the Onkoyo TX-SR707 because so many people have been lauding it - shoot even the TX-SR607 seems like a good system and I can obviously get that for less. However I just went into Best Buy yesterday and they had a Yamaha RX-V665 open box for like $350. Like I said with my affination for Yamaha's plus looking at what the V665 can do it seems like a pretty good upgrade as well and for a hell of a lot less. What are your guys thoughts, pick this one up or wait it out for the TX-SR707? Thanks! Mark

I can second the quality and the affordability of the cables that KnuKonceptz sells they are great. And they are almost local to me so I can get their stuff in like 2 days it's nice.

Yea I saw this suggestion in the other thread (I should probably have this locked since its more of a technical thing and we're having two threads now how do I go about doing that so we can keep it in one thread) and I like the Belkin better just from reading what you gave me and looking at the specs.

Oh okay I was looking at the 20 and it was 1 grand I was like holy sh*t lol. Weird that I've seen two good articles both for the Belkin and the Furman. I guess everyone is going to have their own personal opinion and I guess in the end either one is going to be better than the Monster one I am currrently using. Just have to keep my eye on ebay, even though I just found a Yamaha RX-V665 open box at Best Buy for like $349. I almost bought it on the spot it was such a good deal ($499 new). So many things to do, such little time (and money) lol