Ugh!!! Help!!!

[G-man]

Hello all and happy holiday's,
I am working on trying to find the right "Receiver" for my home theater and I'm hoping for some help.
I've been eyeing the Denon 1803 and 1603, as they are within my $400-ish price range.
My questions are:
What are the major differences between the two, other than the 1803 has "Phono" capability and is a 6.1 system.
Is 6.1 imperative in a home theater system?
Should I be looking at Denon or are there other receiver manufacturers I should be reviewing?
Incidentally, I was told by a retail store rep that Denon was folding. Is he out of his mind?
PLEASE HELP, as I'm losing my marbles here.

Thanks in advance!!!

G-man

[LeeS]

Can't help with the DENON questions but the 6.1 is nice to have. 6.1 gives you a rear center in addition to the L/R surrounds.

Called my favorite Video/HD store and none of the guys have seen anything in the trade magazines about DENON going out of business.

Lee

[Leth]

I highly doubt Denon is folding as for the 6.1 vs 5.1. I have a 5.1 setup using a Denon Reciever and AR speakers and have been completly satisfied by it. I didn't see a need for an additional rear center as the standard is 5.1 sound and very few DVDs are encoded in 6.1.

[57U]

A long time ago, I listened to mono.

When I bought my first Stereo about 35 years ago, I went "wow".

When I added Dolby Pro Logic about 10 years ago, I went "wow".

When I added DD5.1 about 2 years ago, I went "wow".

When I added DD6.1 just after DD5.1, I thought it was a very mild improvement, but certainly not necessary. I did it because I had the speaker "lying around".

Perhaps that will give you some perspective...

[LeeS]

Can't help with the DENON questions but the 6.1 is nice to have.

I don't imagine you guys are impressed with 7.1? :D

As an option my receiver will generate a center signal from the two surrounds when the program source is 5.1. This is most likely true of any of the 6.1 receivers. I think it gives you more control when setting up the rear channels.

Lets see, Star Wars EP 1 and 2, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Mission to Mars are EX. Those are ones that just come to mind.

Who of us just do only what is needed? But they are correct, 6.1 was not at the top of my list. I am however hooking up a second two channel amp to try out 7.1. Changing my L/R surrounds to bipolars and moving them forward. Just to see what it sounds like.

57U, you left out quadraphonic and matrix stereo :). I just had to have one of those Teac 4 channel 10" decks.

IMHO of course :D
Lee

My friend Tom, with the 50HDX82, has a $179 receiver and a $300 set of speakers. His system sounds great. Getting to 5.1 is the key!