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HT Receiver going into only 2 channels

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My neighbor has a hi def TV and a DVD player. He wants to add a receiver and only have left and right channels running out of it. Our cable TV boxes have l and R outputs. If he buys a DVD player which can be switched to 2 channel output would a stereo receiver, as opposed to a HT receiver be what he needs? Other suggestions? TIA

Follow Ups:

RE: HT Receiver going into only 2 channels - John C. - Aussie 11:28:00 06/07/08 (0)
Agree with David on his recommendations.

Although 2CH is the only focus at this time, it would be wise for your friend to go for a 5 channel receiver. My suggestion would be to look for a used Denon 3805 or similar and can be purchased used for around the $400 mark. A Google search will reveal sources. I purchased one of these some time ago for a third system and can recommend the sound and flexibility.

With this it is relatively simple to add a sub and/or a couple of rear speakers for effective ambiance.

I did not have a good experience with a NAD receiver but have had A1 reliability etc with their integrated amps & receivers. The NAD receiver I had just died and was not worth repairing - I had someone try to do this but was unsuccessful as they are a nightmare to work on.

Denon and Onkyo seem to have the best reputations.

John
Sadly (or is it happily?) an incurable audio-video nutter with an indecent number of toys. Classical music forever!!!!
RE: HT Receiver going into only 2 channels - David Aiken 06:12:35 06/05/08 (0)
What AV receivers can offer that you don't get in a stereo receiver is a sub output; automated channel setup which does as good a job, or better, of sub integration in my experience than many people can do on their own and with a lot less effort; electronic room EQ functions such as the Audyssey system used by Denon, Onkyo, and some NAD receivers; plus video switching if it's required which is unlikely if your neighbour has only the DVD player for video input.

If he isn't going to add a sub or any other video sources and doesn't want room EQ functions, then a stereo receiver will work fine. If he's likely to add a sub and wants a simple, easy way to ensure that it gets set up correctly, then an AV receiver will do that very well for him and the room EQ certainly can help as well.

I'd tell him to be certain about where he's going in the medium to long term before making his decision. If he buys an AV receiver he may well start wondering whether it's worth doing something about the other channels and who knows where he will end up once that happens. I only had a 2 channel AV system a couple of years ago and then I added a 7.1 channel receiver for some of those benefits I mentioned in my first paragraph. I now have a 6.1 system. The system can grow to use up all of those unused inputs and outputs on the back of the receiver. It may not be a good idea for him to go the AV receiver unit if he wants to limit himself to stereo, the temptations may get the better of him as they did of me.

NAD used to make, and may still make, a basic 2 channel receiver with video switching and a sub output, and an inbuilt DVD player. That was what I was using before I got the 7.1 channel receiver and it did a very good job of what it did. It may well prove a good one box solution for your neighbour if he's satisfied with a 2 channel setup.

David Aiken

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