THX vs. DTS

I agree with Tim, don't waste your time with recivers. They are unrelable, amps and Pre/pro is the way to go.

I have had my amps for 7 years now, when new technology, like DTS, DD, PL2 comes out, I just have to spen money on the preamp.

Much better off in the long run

Personally, THX certified AVR have come down in price substantially. For example, consumers can buy over the Internet a Yamaha RX-V1400, THX certified w/ MSRP $799, for roughly $600. Such unit does video up conversion for ease of use; decodes THX format, Dolby ProLogic IIx, DTS; offers 2-channel stereo, 7-channel stereo, direct bypass; and, functions as pre-amp. Of course, there are non-THX units w/ MSRP of $199, which offers DTS w/ basic S-video switcher and no pre-amp output w/ about 45wpc. On the other hand, there are high-end units costing few grands, which offers lots of bell and whistles, decodes all formats, and still have lots of juice left w/o restraining power. It's true that THX decodes more bass. I could detect the subtle difference when switching back and forth between THX and DTS on AVR, and the movies used for testing were Finding Nemo and Monster Inc. (both THX format). It depends on your budget. If you want to spend $200 for DTS only, go for it. If you want to save the headache and possibly heartache, spend 3X more to get RX-V1400. If you want warmer sound, get a multi-channel amp or THX amp. If you want to your neighbor to knock down your door, get Ultra-THX amp. If you want the entire neighborhood to know your door down, get dual SVS subs.

THX isn't really the issue. The issue is DTS or DD encoding. Anything preceding THX will not use these encoding schemes and if your spending any money on a home theater system you are wasting your time with such a piece of equipment. The sound dynamics on modern DVDs from either of the these encoding schemes is what the medium is all about. Otherwise you might as well concentrate on good two channel equipment and be done with it. Anything with DTS and DD encoding will be THX certified. This was only an issue several years ago with early dolby prologic system that didn't necessarily include THX certification.

Or....

You can forget about making G. Lucas wallet fater and buy a Denon 3803/3805 and forget about THX and get a fine receiver.

Brgds,

There is a LOT of misunderstanding of what THX is all about. Originally, in terms of circuitry in a pre-pro, it was about post-processing the signal(Cinema EQ, timbre matching, adaptive decorrellation, etc.) in a Dolby Pro-logic system to make the signal match what you would hear in your all-THX system to what is experienced in a THX movie theatre. THX post processing is present in all processors that decode Dolby Digital EX. Also much of the original technology was incorporated in Dolby Digital such as adaptive decorrellation. Also, DTS is not incompatible with THX. THX timbre matching, adaptive decorrellation and cinema EQ can be added on top of DTS in some THX certified pre-pro's such as Lexicon's from as far back as the DC-1 in 1997. And the pre-pro is only one part of the standard THX recipe. With compatible THX amplifiers, speakers, etc. that has been set up to specification, THX certifies will meet a certain level of performance, that you will hear at home what the director intended. THX is really about quality and trying to quantify and set standards for superior home theatre performance. It is not the only way to great home theatre, it is merely a path that has been set up systematically to provide to you that what you hear in your home is what was recorded and experienced in a THX dubbing studio.