Entry level amp - help me choose?!

[PostmanPot]

You will need to look at something like the RX 467 from Yamaha I think....

+1, this is what everyone has been saying.

The "next one up" Pioneer also does repeating AFAIK. Think Juggy has it?

 

[Quantum Theory]

Repeating = sound is carried over HDMI. 1 cable.

I do not think repeating means it processes sound. It is still just switching. It needs to say HDMi audio processing or as Yamaha says, "HDMi audio return channel".

 

[PostmanPot]

I do not think repeating means it processes sound. It is still just switching. It needs to say HDMi audio processing or as Yamaha says, "HDMi audio return channel".

Repeating means that the receiver will strip audio from the HDMI input, switching means that the receiver only acts as a switch and does nothing with the HDMI signal.

 

[ToxicBunny]

HDMI Audio Return Channel means that the TV will send its audio signal back down the HDMI cable to the amp.

 

[_Jakes_]

Repeating means that the receiver will strip audio from the HDMI input, switching means that the receiver only acts as a switch and does nothing with the HDMI signal.

+1

 

[DjStyles]

This really is all to confusing.
I am also contemplating buying a decent sound setup, but it seems i have to get hold of someone who can advise me further.

 

[PostmanPot]

This really is all to confusing.
I am also contemplating buying a decent sound setup, but it seems i have to get hold of someone who can advise me further.

It's really not confusing at all.

Cheaper amps don't send audio over HDMI and are marketed as having HDMI pass-through; you need to connect the audio to the optical/co-ax port(s) (HDMI receivers have HDMI inputs, optical, co-axial, RCA...) while video goes over the HDMI cable.

Slightly more expensive amps do send audio over HDMI so you can use 1 cable for video and sound, they are marketed as having HDMI repeating.

Really depends on your budget. Most important thing to state.

 

[Quantum Theory]

So, does the Yamaha RX-V367 play sound from HDMi? The specs say HDMi repeater... If that is the case, it makes the OP's choice very simple.

I thought that repeating meant that it does the HDCP handshake, but not necessarily HDMi audio processing.

 

[PostmanPot]

Yes it does. Except it doesn't decode HD audio, for that you need the next model up.

See here:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v367-fl

What you will be missing with this receiver is any sort of native high definition HDMI audio decoding. This means no HD audio codecs like Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio. While the RX-V367 can still accept uncompressed multichannel PCM over HDMI and standard definition audio, it can't decode any of the high def audio codecs internally. While for some this isn't much of a problem, those that prefer to do all the decoding at the receiver will need to step up to a higher model.

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/home-entertainment/1279171/yamaha-rx-v367
http://hometheatergears.com/yamaha/yamaha-rx-v367-review/

Good reviews.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

There is some confusion here, and as usual the marketing dimwits are to blame.

A repeater by definition is simply meant to extend the length of the cable. Due to the 15m restriction with HDMI, a repeater in this case is meant to extend the length of the cable.

The marketing goons however have taken it to mean that it does audio over HDMI, and marketed it as such. If the product says that it does HDMI repeating, then it will do audio over HDMI, even though that is not technically correct.

Quantum Theory: You're right about HDMI audio processing, but not all product descriptions will state that. The easiest thing to do is to see if it does HDMI repeating, and if you still have your doubts, then have them test it for you

 

[Quantum Theory]

There is some confusion here, and as usual the marketing dimwits are to blame.

A repeater by definition is simply meant to extend the length of the cable. Due to the 15m restriction with HDMI, a repeater in this case is meant to extend the length of the cable.

The marketing goons however have taken it to mean that it does audio over HDMI, and marketed it as such. If the product says that it does HDMI repeating, then it will do audio over HDMI, even though that is not technically correct.

Quantum Theory: You're right about HDMI audio processing, but not all product descriptions will state that. The easiest thing to do is to see if it does HDMI repeating, and if you still have your doubts, then have them test it for you

Exactly. We sell HDMi repeaters, as well as splitter/switchers with repeating... it has absolutely nothing to do with the sound!

 

[Dolby]

I 'm not sure wtf they even make receivers that don't 'do' or process sound via HDMI.

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

I 'm not sure wtf they even make receivers that don't 'do' or process sound via HDMI.

Usually as a cost-cutting measure.