Looking for a 50th bithday AVR

[TwinDad]

Hello,

Just turned 50 and need help picking out an AVR that is very musical sounding.
Also, I heard about an AVR that takes my Cable DVR which is at 1080i and upconverts the cablevision movies to 1080P. I am not interested in 3D AVR's as I am legally blind in my left eye and 3D does not work for me. My room size is 20" L X 12'6" W with 8' ceilings. I would happily consider 2009 products as well as 2010 products. My price point is $5,000.00USD.

I have a Sony 40" flat screen, Oppo 980H which I am trading up to the BDP 83 Special Edition, Scientific American Cable Box HD 1080i DVR, Also hooked up via component cables is my twin sons Nintedo Wii. In storage I have 2 different Sony VHS players for special memory tapes - weddings, births,1st home, etc.

It is very important that besides being an an AVR noted for it's ability to play music wonderfully - that in addition it plays my SACD in multichannel format via DSD through the HDMI.

Please help me. My dad suffered a severe stroke a year ago and has since had a heart attack and 2 severe seizures 2 weeks ago. I am the caregiver and have had to put my hopes of a Home Theater on hold while I tend to my Dad.

Very Truly Yours,

Eddie

[Mr Peabody]

Eddie, is the $5k budget for speakers and everything or just the receiver? With that budget you should get separates if budget doesn't have to buy speakers as well. In separates, I'd enter with Emotiva, www.emotiva.com. From there I'd look at Rotel or Marantz. If wanting very good and shooting the whole budget look at Anthem.

I'd still look at Rotel for a higher end receiver. You always have good performing mass market brands like Onkyo, Marantz or Denon but they won't match Rotel in the sound quality department. NAD receivers may be another higher option along with Rotel, I'm just not sure how well they are keeping up with the latest technology.

Your Sony TV should already step up the 1080i to 1080p providing your TV is 1080p, if not, upsampling is pointless any way. When looking at a receiver or A/V preamp you want upsampling so your VHS and other lower rez video signals will pass via HDMI.

Speakers vary quite a bit and more personal, this is something you will have to go take a look at. In your large room you should listen to the Klipsch Reference series. There are several other good brands like Paradigm, B&W, Dali, Monitor Audio, Energy etc.

[PeruvianSkies]

I really like the Denons in this range or Marantz and Pioneer Elite can save you some cash. I believe that the Denon flagship could be found for about $5,000 despite the fact that they list for a bit more. You really can't go wrong with the musicality though of Denon, they build phenominal receivers with all the bells and whistles and pay attention to all the nuances for audiophiles while putting it all inside one hefty package. I think their flagship receivers weighs about 60 lbs.

[TwinDad]

Mr. Peabody and Peruvian Skies,

Sorry for the confusion I have $12,000 US Dollars to spend on a killer 5.1 speaker system and a great AVR. I do not want to go separates because my $1200 audio furniture will not fit everything. Any ideas now that I have clarified myself. I have not picked out the speakers, subwoofer, or AVR.

Thanks,

Eddie

[dakatabg]

Mr. Peabody and Peruvian Skies,

I have $12,000 US Dollars to spend on a killer 5.1 speaker system and a great AVR.

You can buy a big killer with that amount of money!

[Mr Peabody]

If I had that budget and only room for a receiver my choice would be this Arcam receiver without a doubt, http://www.hometheatermag.com/receiv...0_av_receiver/

My personal choice in speakers and you have the budget is Dynaudio. You may want to also audition brands like B&W, Paradigm, or Klipsch Reference, not everyone tends to like the same thing in speakers. I also highly suggest checking out Martin Logan.

[blackraven]

For that budget, I would take a look at the PSB Synchrony line. Awesome speakers. The Synchrony one's list for $5kpr but can be had for less. The Synchrony Two's cost less. They also make bookshelfs for the surrounds.
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony

http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/408psb/

I would consider a higher end Denon receiver http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/5118.asp or Marantz http://us.marantz.com/Products/3230.asp

and an Oppo BD83se or nuforce edition for a bluray/cd player. http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83se/

http://www.nuforce.com/hi/products/o...83se/index.php