Best entry level AV Receiver in your opinion ?

[Elandyll]

I am perusing forums left and right for a possible future buy of a HD audio AV receiver.
A recent comparison guide by Audioholics was, I thought, very informative, but I figured, hey, why not ask their opinion to the Blu community?

I decided to include in the Poll receivers (specifically HD decoding capable receivers) starting around $300 and up to $500 -max-, and always preferably in the middle (the goal is really to see what might be the best bang for the buck).

Receivers included:

Denon AVR 590
Pioneer VSX 919H
Yamaha RX-V565
Harman Kardon AVR 255
Onkyo TX-SR507
Sony STR-DH800

so .. What say you ?

Edit: some are reporting the possibility of finding the Pioneer 1019 within the price range.
If this would be your choice, please feel free to vote for the 919 and indicate in a post below that you'd go for the sub $500 1019
This being said, the goal is not necessarily to be rigth at $499.99, but the best bang for the buck in the middle (around $400) if such a thing exists

[rlf3911]

If you're willing to buy used or recertified, you can get a super nice receiver for the same price range.

If not, I'd go with the Onkyo. Great receivers.

[HomeTheaterVirgin]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

I am perusing forums left and right for a possible future buy of a HD audio AV receiver.
A recent comparison guide by Audioholics was, I thought, very informative, but I figured, hey, why not ask their opinion to the Blu community?

I decided to include in the Poll receivers (specifically HD decoding capable receivers) starting around $300 and up to $500 -max-, and always preferably in the middle (the goal is really to see what might be the best bang for the buck).

Receivers included:

Denon AVR 590
Pioneer VSX 919H
Yamaha RX-V565
Harman Kardon AVR 255
Onkyo TX-SR507
Sony STR-DH800

so .. What say you ?

I think you can get the Pionner VSX 1019 for a little less then 500.00

[Bad8511]

Originally Posted by HomeTheaterVirgin

I think you can get the Pionner VSX 1019 for a little less then 500.00

Yes, the Pioneer VSX-1019 for sure!

[AKORIS]

[
Denon AVR 590
Pioneer VSX 919H
Yamaha RX-V565
Harman Kardon AVR 255
Onkyo TX-SR507
Sony STR-DH800

so .. What say you ? [/QUOTE]


In the past I've owned PIONEER, SONY, and several YAMAHAS

what I currently own and I'm most happy with is the ONKYO (and it was a
$500 receiver so not anything to break the bank)

[DCunited]

The Pioneer does not play very loud, Tested it out at bestbuy with polk speakers. I had to crank it all the way to here good audio and the yamaha RX-V1065 that bad boy for 899 play loud and clean, Also try the onkyo 607 706 or the new 707 Would be better....

[Pondosinatra]

I've always thought Yamaha had the best all around line up.

[bhampton]

Hey,

I voted for the Denon because every since I've used Denon AVR's I've been fully happy with them.

I don't know much about the 590 but I think this is the AVR I have...

http://www.dakmart.com/product_info....oducts_id=6530

It's under $369 factory refurbished but this is an authorized dealer.

p.s. Actually I have the 788 and this is the 887 ... whatever... they look the same and have similar specs. This one is actually much nicer than mine. All I know is buying a refurbished Denon AVR from Dakmart is fun and cheap!

=Brian

[repete66211]

I'm a cheapskate who would gladly go with a Denon or Yamaha if they were the same price, but for value I say Onkyo.

[kpkelley]

I voted for the Onkyo, but would suggest the 607, which is being replaced soon so prices are starting fall...Link

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I voted for the Onkyo, but would suggest the 607, which is being replaced soon so prices are starting fall...Link

They just came out with the 607 this year and they're already replacing it?! Are you sure about that?

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by repete66211

They just came out with the 607 this year and they're already replacing it?! Are you sure about that?

A few months ago, Onkyo broke into the realm of height channels witht he TX-SR607, the world's first Dolby Pro Logic IIz-equipped A/V receiver (reviewed in the latest issue of Sound & Vision). The 7.2-channel receiver could use Dolby PLIIz to turn its rear surround channels into height channels, mixing audio for speakers mounted above the L/R channel speakers to add a sense of height to the home theater experience.

Onkyo is expanding its PLIIz selection with two new A/V receivers, the HT-RC160 and HT-RC180. They're the debut models in Onkyo's new "HT Series" of receivers, using similar features and aesthetics as the receivers found in Onkyo's all-in-one home theater kits. The RC160 is eerily similar to the SR607, sharing nearly identical specs. Both receivers have Dolby PLIIz, analog-to-HDMI Faroudja upconversion, TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding, and Onkyo's "U-Port" upgrade slot for optional iPod dock or HD Radio accessories. It only has 5 HDMI outputs compared to the SR607's 6, but it also has a slightly lower price of $549.

The RC180 takes a rather significant leap beyond its little brother. The receiver is THX Select2Plus certified, and has a variety of networked media options including Pandora and Rhapsody support built-in. It also has a price tag almost double the RC160, at $1049.

The HT-RC160 is available now, and the HT-RC180 will ship later this month.

Link

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Link

Although it expands the options a bit, I wouldn't call the HT series replacements. Though with the exception of the extra HDMI and 10 more w/channel of the 607 they are strikingly similar.

[Casey]

onkyo 507 is amazing for the price

i love mine

[mjbethancourt]

Pioneer 1019 comes in right at $500, and is as good or better than any of those options on the list... personally, I'd just kick in another $100 and go Marantz, but hey, I'm not the one setting the parameters on the poll.

[mj79]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I voted for the Onkyo, but would suggest the 607, which is being replaced soon so prices are starting fall...Link

Seems like a good deal. New full warrantied 607 for $380 shipped?? I might have to look at this one!

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by mj79

Seems like a good deal. New full warrantied 607 for $380 shipped?? I might have to look at this one!

I think for an entry level receiver, this is a solid buy, as Onkyo does a good job of serving this particular market (not that they don't serve other markets as well either .)

[Bullet]

Originally Posted by Bad8511

Yes, the Pioneer VSX-1019 for sure!

+1

Next purchase.

[ozzman]

Personal preference and needs
For me Yamaha and Denon would be in my top two,not necessary in that order

[serenity]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

I voted for the Onkyo, but would suggest the 607, which is being replaced soon so prices are starting fall...Link

No its not a replacement. Just another option with a slightly different feature set at a slightly lower price. Something Denon already does with there lineup.