What do I need in a new Receiver?

[ForeverAutumn]

Well, you have the potential to cross the threshold into audiophildom (dumb)?

Absolutely! And it scares me.

Personally I'd say forget the whole surround sound thing and get yourself a very good integrated amp. I really like MAF's suggestion of Cambridge Audio. Through a set of decent speakers, a whole 'nother post, stereo movies would probably sound a whole lot better than what you got anyway. Music was most important to me as well. I could have grabbed something with a whole lot more bells and whistles for the money I spent on a preamp/processor but music sound quality was a whole lot more important to me.

Thanks for adding another level of complexity to the situation Jim. Do you know how long it took us to agree on a TV? We started this process in FEBRUARY!!! I would have had the TV purchased, hooked up, and been watching Lost in HD a week after I got my bonus...if I didn't have a husband to slow everything down.

An Ipod could be connected through an auxiliary input but I doubt there's too many integrated amps with built in connectivity. Generally the folks buying these are most interested in sound and usually that doesn't really fit with Ipod. I suppose there are always exceptions, I really don't mean to offend : )

I completely agree. The reason for the iPod is that we currently have a 6-disk DVD player so I can shuffle to my heart's content. If we replace it, it may be with a single disk player and that will cramp my style. The iPod is for the times when I want quantity and diverse selection over quality.

A good integrated amp will last a music lover for many years. Long past all of the changes in decoding schemes and trumped up soundfields that multichannel receivers support. Why pay for 7 amps when all you really need is 2 good ones?

just another perspective.

It's definately something to consider. But some of the music DVDs have some nice 5.1 mixes that I think I'd miss. I appreciate the alternate perspective though. It is something to think about.

Good luck and have fun. There really is no right answer. When you find what you want, it will be a perfect fit regardless of what we think.

jc

I hope so. If it's not, then I'll sell it and start over.