Need a New Receiver

[Pistons]

I'm in the market for a receiver..buying in Canada..never owned one before so I'm a little rusty on what the current market offers....building a new house and will finally have a 5.1 surround sound system.....I already bought a decent set of Harmon Kardon speakers and now I just need a receiver.....I really don't want to spend more then $299+tax so I realize I'm limiting myself quite a bit but I just need a good quality and reliable receiver, don't need any crazy advanced features just the basics....I'm curious what you guys think, let me know and thanks!

[Stridulent]

If you don't want any of the features that most audio receivers have these days, and also what usually separates them in pricing, I'd recommend looking at a Harmon Kardon receiver. They are some of the better sounding ones but don't always keep up with the feature sets like network, streaming, airplay, etc.

Other than that, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, and Marantz are all great brands.

Also, please supply the model numbers and/or links to your speakers so we can better match a receiver to them.

[Pistons]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

If you don't want any of the features that most audio receivers have these days, and also what usually separates them in pricing, I'd recommend looking at a Harmon Kardon receiver. They are some of the better sounding ones but don't always keep up with the feature sets like network, streaming, airplay, etc.

Other than that, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, and Marantz are all great brands.

Also, please supply the model numbers and/or links to your speakers so we can better match a receiver to them.

Sorry about that, here's the link for my speakers
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...rchPageIndex=1

[timcat4843]

Find a receiver with Audyssey's latest speaker calibration program.
That being the one that features MultEQ XT32 with Sub EQ HT.

It does so much to improve the sound quality of your HT, that it
is well worth the few extra dollars you have to spend, to get it.

You can find it on select receivers from Denon, Marantz and Onkyo.

[Stridulent]

Originally Posted by timcat4843

Find a receiver with Audyssey's latest speaker calibration program.
That being the one that features MultEQ XT32 with Sub EQ HT.

It does so much to improve the sound quality of your HT, that it
is well worth the few extra dollars you have to spend, to get it.

You can find it on select receivers from Denon, Marantz and Onkyo.

I'm not sure he will be able to find one with MultEQ XT32 in his price range, but I definitely do recommend any version of Audyssey as well. It does a great job in configuring your speakers.

[Pistons]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

I'm not sure he will be able to find one with MultEQ XT32 in his price range, but I definitely do recommend any version of Audyssey as well. It does a great job in configuring your speakers.

How about one of these two receivers;
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...rchPageIndex=1
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...rchPageIndex=1

[timcat4843]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

I'm not sure he will be able to find one with MultEQ XT32 in his price range, but I definitely do recommend any version of Audyssey as well.
It does a great job in configuring your speakers.

He should do an online search, to see if there are any closeout deals, on receivers with the latest version of Audyssey.
That's how I found my Onkyo receiver.

[timcat4843]

Originally Posted by Pistons

How about one of these two receivers;
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...rchPageIndex=1
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...rchPageIndex=1

I would do an online search of those two Denon models, to see what there reliability is like.
Did owners have any problems with there receivers?

[Pistons]

Originally Posted by timcat4843

He should do an online search, to see if there are any closeout deals, on receivers with the latest version of Audyssey.
That's how I found my Onkyo receiver.

Yah I know what your saying, the XT32 ones are awesome but I can't justify spending that much money considering what and how much I'll be using it.....of the 2 links above, which Denon would you recommend and why?

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Pistons

How about one of these two receivers;
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...rchPageIndex=1
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...rchPageIndex=1

All the way from Nova Scotia, and a Pistons fan!!! How did that happen?

Normally when people compare AVR's, I would select the higher-end model, but between those two, I'm not sure 5watts and an extra HDMI input is worth the $70 difference alone, but the 1713 does have Audyessy XT, and that alone is worth the difference in price to a lot of people, and me included.

So, for the $70 higher price tag, it is capable of playing 5watts higher(which I doubt you really hear), 1 more HDMI input(which can be handy), and the Audyessy XT.

A few years back, I was using a Denon 789 and some speakers like the ones you are asking about, but mine were some really cheapO speakers. The Denon 789 and those cheap speaker really impressed people that heard them, and I couldn't believe how well they sounded together.

I was using them in an 1bedroom apt, with a small bedroom.

[timcat4843]

Originally Posted by Pistons

Yah I know what your saying, the XT32 ones are awesome but I can't justify spending that much money considering what and how much I'll be using it.....of the 2 links above, which Denon would you recommend and why?

Sorry, but I'm not familiar with Denon receivers.

But after doing a quick online search, I found that owners have been experiencing problems,
with both of those models.

[Pistons]

Originally Posted by HAMP

All the way from Nova Scotia, and a Pistons fan!!! How did that happen?

Normally when people compare AVR's, I would select the higher-end model, but between those two, I'm not sure 5watts and an extra HDMI input is worth the $70 difference alone, but the 1713 does have Audyessy XT, and that alone is worth the difference in price to a lot of people, and me included.

So, for the $70 higher price tag, it is capable of playing 5watts higher(which I doubt you really hear), 1 more HDMI input(which can be handy), and the Audyessy XT.

A few years back, I was using a Denon 789 and some speakers like the ones you are asking about, but mine were some really cheapO speakers. The Denon 789 and those cheap speaker really impressed people that heard them, and I couldn't believe how well they sounded together.

I was using them in an 1bedroom apt, with a small bedroom.

Haha yah man, Pistons all the way.....that 2004 team was one of the greatest teams ever, Billups #1
Thanks for your feedback, I think the 1713 is the superior receiver but only because of the Audussey XT

[Pistons]

Originally Posted by timcat4843

Sorry, but I'm not familiar with Denon receivers.

But after doing a quick online search, I found that owners have been experiencing problems,
with both of those models.

Thanks, I appreciate it.....I know for my budget I'm taking a chance, I just want to find the best out there for what I'm willing to spend

[Stridulent]

I bought the previous model, the Denon AVR-1712 at a closeout sale last May for $229. It was a great receiver for what it provided. The HDMI board went out on it recently and it is currently being repaired, although I am pretty sure the malfunction was due to power build up in the HDMI cord during an electrical storm and not the fault of the receiver (the HDMI board on my projector went out as well).

Since the repairs can take anywhere from a week to a month (under warranty), I went ahead and replaced it with a Marantz SR5007 and will use the Denon in the bedroom when it is returned. Comparing the 2, there is a difference in sound quality, but it is marginal and both sound great in my opinion.

[Pistons]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

I bought the previous model, the Denon AVR-1712 at a closeout sale last May for $229. It was a great receiver for what it provided. The HDMI board went out on it recently and it is currently being repaired, although I am pretty sure the malfunction was due to power build up in the HDMI cord during an electrical storm and not the fault of the receiver (the HDMI board on my projector went out as well).

Since the repairs can take anywhere from a week to a month (under warranty), I went ahead and replaced it with a Marantz SR5007 and will use the Denon in the bedroom when it is returned. Comparing the 2, there is a difference in sound quality, but it is marginal and both sound great in my opinion.

Thanks....I think I'll get the AVR-1713, seems like a good bang for your buck.