Question about watts per channel

So currently I own the Yamaha 7.1 Surround sound receiver the model is HTR-5760. The system is great but has no HDMI hookups and doesn't have the latest decoders like DTS-HD decoder, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio. My current system is 700w and does 110wx7. I was looking today at an Onkyo receiver, this one to be exact http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=208513#CustomerRatings It has the latest codecs but says it only does 90 watts per channel and the one I have now does 110 watts per channel but is an older model because it lacks hdmi and the latest decoders. My question is, even tho the Onkyo is newer, is it better than my current receiver because my current receiver boosts more watts than the Onkyo.

I'm not sure what you want here but the wattage means little. The old Yamaha is pretty limited as far as connections go but that is a factor of being old and not of being inferior. What equipment are you needing to connect?

This would be much closer in power/specs to your old receiver plus having all of the new decoders and HDMI connections - http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR705/Onkyo/TX-SR705-7.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-BLACK-/1.html

Thanks for the input.

So currently I own the Yamaha 7.1 Surround sound receiver the model is HTR-5760. The system is great but has no HDMI hookups and doesn't have the latest decoders like DTS-HD decoder, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio. My current system is 700w and does 110wx7. I was looking today at an Onkyo receiver, this one to be exact http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=208513#CustomerRatings It has the latest codecs but says it only does 90 watts per channel and the one I have now does 110 watts per channel but is an older model because it lacks hdmi and the latest decoders. My question is, even tho the Onkyo is newer, is it better than my current receiver because my current receiver boosts more watts than the Onkyo.

Danh26,

Watt ratings do not always tell the whole story. The newer reciever might have lower wattage, but might be able to more evenly and continuously deliver the current needed. I know of more expensive receivers (like Rotel) that are only rated at 70 wpc. But they will outperform lesser receivers with more watts.

A rule of thumb I use when comparing reciever is to look at the weight of them. The more a reciever weighs, the more likely it will be able to deliver the power. This is because the extra weight is typically in the power supply. Better power supply, better watts.

If a receiver says it has 100 wpc and weighs 23 lbs is compared to another receiver that says it delivers 80 watts and weighs 31 lbs. In this case, I would give the heavier unit more consideration. BTW, the Rotel reciever I referenced about weighs nearly 40 lbs.

If the weights of the Yamaha and Onkyo are similar, I think you will like the newer chips and codecs that the Onkyo has. I have uncompressed audio in my system and it is very much worth having.


Hope this helps.

Friend, it is called headroom. When your unit peaks out on watts it is usually a bass signal. If your amp has "headroom" it has a strong power supply able to deliver the kind of electricity to the huge magnets on your sub or speaker system. Weight is one way to measure an amps/receiver's ability to deliver, another way is to take a heavy laden CD with interludes of strong bass and if the amp/receiver has tone controls, put them on neutral and do not let the sales person tell you any different. Please stay away from the stuff designed to play on car stereos and go to James Taylor's "Gaia" on the Album "Hourglass" has an awesome bass line with a kick drum back up. Paul Simon's Album, "You're the One" the cut is "Old" it has lots of great stuff to audition an amp/receiver. Finally, one of the great bass players Flim Johnson had a group called Flim and the BB's. The album is called TriCycle and the cut is the same.
All great audition CD's. Go and listen, try to match speaker to what you have and for God's sake don't let anyone sell you Bose. Some of the old classic Bose are great, but as the motto goes: "No highs, no lows, it must be Bose." Don't get me wrong, for mid range and small size they do a great job, but if you are in to critical listening, they will always fall short. Think of it this way, how many recording studios use Bose speakers in their facility? NONE!!!
Good luck,
Parasound.

This would be much closer in power/specs to your old receiver plus having all of the new decoders and HDMI connections - http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR705/Onkyo/TX-SR705-7.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-BLACK-/1.html



i wouldnt recommand the SR705, I heared it has some serious lag issues, get the SR606 or the SR805(a bit expensive tho ..)

i wouldnt recommand the SR705, I heared it has some serious lag issues, get the SR606 or the SR805(a bit expensive tho ..)

Heard from whom? Mine works just fine and has no lag issues, neither does my neighbors.