Help finding the right home audio receiver

[AtomSmasher]

Ok, heres the deal.  My parents are buying a 42'' plasma HDTV which is cool, but their stereo is 15 years old and doesn't have surround sound.  What good is HDTV without surround sound    Anyways, I was thinking of getting them a new 5.1 receiver for their stereo for Christmas.  The problem is their current reciever has a built in a/b switch so that it plays on the speakers inside the house or on the speakers outside or both at the same time. 

So basically the receiver I'd want to get would have 5.1 for inside speakers, 2.0 for outside speakers and a switch to easily change it back and forth.  And my budget has a max of $250.  Anyone have any ideas?

[shmokes]

Check out Yamaha.  They have probably the best sound for the price these days.  If you've got a big budget you can definitely do better, but in terms of value Yamaha is tough to beat.

Try this one - HTR-5850

I'm pretty sure that not only has compenent inputs for HDTV switching, but it will upconvert composite/S-video signals to component.  That's not a feature you generally see in a sub-$500 receiver.  In a sub-$300 receiver, forget about it.  Nevertheless it seems to be there.  Also make sure you check out the reseller.  Lot's of shady NYC vendors in the audio/video/camera market.  They'll quote one price online and require you to speak to them over the phone to "verify" the order, where they relentlessly try to upsell you with expensive accessories.  Some of them will simply not sell you the product if you refuse to buy their accessory packages.  Plenty are great, though...just check ratings.

[AtomSmasher]

Thats exactly what I'm looking for, thanks a ton.

Just one question, is the only reason you didn't recommend the HTR-5840 because it doesn't upconvert composite/S-video signals to component?  Its $30-50 cheaper and I know my parents are not going to connect much to their TV so theres enough video connections on the TV itself. They will only use the stereo for dvd's and music, not for regular tv or vcr tapes.  I agree for the money the one you recommended is a better deal, but I'm pretty sure its extra features wouldn't get used.  Is there another difference between the two models that I'm not seeing?

HTR-5850: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/HTIB/HTR5850.htm
HTR-5840: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/HTIB/HTR5840.htm

[Jabba]

Look into MARANZ....High end stuff, but man, its sweet. I have one of these and once you've listened to one, you aint goin back...Dad will be suitably impressed with your research into HIS listening pleasure...

http://us.marantz.com/

[AtomSmasher]

Hmm, it appears every product in the Yamaha's HTR series has an a/b switch.  Since all I'll be able to hook up is 5.1 (they don't want speakers in the center of the ceiling so 6.1 and 7.1 won't be hooked up)  and their video will be going directly to the tv I could probably just get them the cheapest available in the HTR lineup, which looks to be the HTR-5730.  I was hoping my sisters would go in on this with me, but they've apparently already done their shopping so I'm on my own and cheaper is better

Anyways, its only $140 with free shipping at amazon so it seems like its definately the best deal, it seems to have everything they will need, and its gotten a number of good reviews at amazon.
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001XAJ70/qid=1133582907/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-8334815-4769533?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

[shmokes]

Look into MARANZ....

Hah!  That's possibly the worst advice ever.  It's like someone saying they want a new car but only have $12,000 to spend and sending them to the BMW lot     Great equipment, though (from what I've read).

I'm not personally familiar with any of those receivers in the HTR line.  I just did a quick search for an inexpensive Yamaha receiver cos they make really great stuff for the price.  Just make sure that, even if it doesn't do upconverting to component, that it at least has component inputs. 

As for them not using the 6.1 or 7.1 that's good if they're using the A B switch thingy to have speakers in a different room.  With most inexpensive receivers (probably all of these, from 5850 down) you have a choice of having 5.1 in one room and stereo in another, or 6.1/7.1 in a single room.  Generally you can't do both without spending quite a bit more money.

Incidentally, I'm getting a Pioneer VSX-1015TX for Christmas.  I'm excited.

[Jabba]

Hah!

[Generic Eric]

Thats exactly what I'm looking for, thanks a ton.

Just one question, is the only reason you didn't recommend the HTR-5840 because it doesn't upconvert composite/S-video signals to component?  Its $30-50 cheaper and I know my parents are not going to connect much to their TV so theres enough video connections on the TV itself. They will only use the stereo for dvd's and music, not for regular tv or vcr tapes.  I agree for the money the one you recommended is a better deal, but I'm pretty sure its extra features wouldn't get used.  Is there another difference between the two models that I'm not seeing?

HTR-5850: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/HTIB/HTR5850.htm
HTR-5840: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/HTIB/HTR5840.htm

Other than the upconversion you mention and the wattage I posted, the 5840 wasn't HDTV compatible.  Besides those things, I didn't notice anything.

[shmokes]

What do you mean by HDTV compatible?  The 5840 has component inputs.  Is the frequency on those connections too low to support HDTV?

[pointdablame]

Look into MARANZ....High end stuff, but man, its sweet. I have one of these and once you've listened to one, you aint goin back...Dad will be suitably impressed with your research into HIS listening pleasure...

http://us.marantz.com/

Holy Crap dude... I know shmokes already said it but... you recommended Marantz with a $250 budget?

Why don't you tell him to get a Sunfire amp and some Wilson speakers as well?