[quote name='dallow']I'm not sure what the cheapest 1.1 receiver is (which would get you LPCM sound from your player, geko?)[/quote] Yup, HDMI 1.1 will get you LPCM audio from any format that your player supports (so everything except DTS-HD HR/MA at the moment).
[quote name='dallow']but the cheapest 1.3 receiver which decodes hi-rez tracks themselves is the Onkyo 605, which is the $350-$450 range depending on sale.[/quote] Yeah, $429 w/free shipping is as cheap as I've seen it lately. Both Crutchfield and Amazon have it for that price.
[quote name='dallow'] EDIT:You can get the Harman Kardon 247 for less than 3 bills refurbished on ebay from the authorized HK retailer.
It's 1.1 so you can send LPCM to it.[/quote] Unfortunately, while I've heard they sound great, I've also heard an awful lot of reports that they're unreliable, and HK support is piss poor. I'd personally steer clear of new, and run screaming from refurbs.
However, the Onkyo 604 (HDMI 1.1) is available for $299 direct from Onkyo, less $10 for joining their club, also with free shipping. So $329 if you want it with a 2-year extended warranty. Not a bad deal at all.
[quote name='dallow']but the cheapest 1.3 receiver which decodes hi-rez tracks themselves is the Onkyo 605, which is the $350-$450 range depending on sale.[/quote] Yeah, $429 w/free shipping is as cheap as I've seen it lately. Both Crutchfield and Amazon have it for that price.
[quote name='dallow'] EDIT:You can get the Harman Kardon 247 for less than 3 bills refurbished on ebay from the authorized HK retailer.
It's 1.1 so you can send LPCM to it.[/quote] Unfortunately, while I've heard they sound great, I've also heard an awful lot of reports that they're unreliable, and HK support is piss poor. I'd personally steer clear of new, and run screaming from refurbs.
However, the Onkyo 604 (HDMI 1.1) is available for $299 direct from Onkyo, less $10 for joining their club, also with free shipping. So $329 if you want it with a 2-year extended warranty. Not a bad deal at all.