Please Suggest me a Receiver: Budget $1,000

[blushiz]

Well, after a year with my nice Sony $249 receiver, I'm back for a REAL upgrade. You guys here at blu-ray recommended me my first one, and I'm hella thankful. However, the boy's toy needs to go. So, can anyone please recommend me a nice receiver for > $1,000 (preferred speakers included within the price)? I'm looking for full HD quality audio with HDMI passthrough for my PS3. I don't need the best of the best, but I'd like the best without being extreme and getting the big funky $5,000 receivers.

[JJ]

$1,000? Easy!

Onkyo 606 as your receiver - $320.00

eD a2-300 subwoofer - $315.00

Polk Monitor 50s - $260.00

Polk CS1 Center channel - $90.00

And a kick-behind 3.1 setup for around $1,000.

Cables extra, If you want rears, I'd go with some of the Polk satellites!

[lojack1976]

I have an even better suggestion. Go with the Onkyo 606 receiver for $320, but get the Energy Take Classic 5.1 speaker setup for $599. Check them out at the following link: http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...-5-1-overview/ You can get these online from Amazon, and Circuit City even carries them in-store.

[JasonR]

That eD sub would eat that 8" Energy for breakfast, as far as the surrounds I am not sure about that being any improvement either.

[lojack1976]

Yeah, that sub would eat it for breakfast based on everything I've heard about it. I have not heard it myself, but the number of users that love it can't be wrong. If the Energy sub doesn't satisfy it can be upgraded later, but I think he would be quite happy with the Energy sub since its definitely not crap. He'd be getting a great 5.1 setup for less than a grand plus future upgrades would be easy. He could buy a couple of Energy towers for the fronts and move the two bookshelfs to the rear for a terrific 7.1 setup. I think the speakers are much more important than the sub, at least in my opinion, and its a quicker path to a complete surround setup. I personally prefer a 5.1 or a 7.1 setup since I watch a lot of movies, and I would NOT be happy with a 3.1 system. But hey, that's me. If he happens to prefer Polk speakers then by all means he should go that route. If he would be happy with a 3.1 setup then that's cool too. I am only offering an alternative choice which I personally think is better. That doesn't mean that you or he will think its better. Its just my opinion that I'm offering. You would go one route, and I would go another, but ultimately, the user will decide what's best for him.

[darkpoet25]

The OP can always go to www.crutchfield.com and look at the recievers and speakers. When you get an idea of what you like, take down the names and model numbers. Try to find a store near you that carries those items and audition them. Once you do this, I recommend shopping around online and find the best deal(s) you possibly can. After that, hook up your new equipment and enjoy.

[NASMAN48]

I just purchased a few weeks ago the Sony STR-DG820 and it seriously is good. The sound that comes out of it is excellent. I know that a lot of people will suggest the Onkyo brand, and I would have been one of them, but I am glad I picked up the 820 and especially for the price. I got mine for $310 shipped. The normal price is $400 plus shipping. It was through www.igotadeal.com. Check them out. Received the stereo in less than a week all brand new, not refurbished.

[lojack1976]

When I bought my receiver I was looking at the Sony too. It was on sale and about $75 cheaper than the Onkyo at the time, so I went to Circuit City to check it out, but unfortunately they didn't have it hooked up. Personally I like Onkyo and I always know what to expect from them. Some people complain about heat, but I've never found a problem with it. My plasma puts out much more. LOL. I have never been a huge fan of Sony audio equipment, their speakers in particular, but I thought I'd give it a whirl if it sounded good, but I couldn't test it and went with the Onkyo. I have heard good things about the newer Sony receivers though they are a little underpowered. They exaggerate the specs quite a bit, but the sound quality is supposed to be much better than their older receivers which weren't bad, just not great. I think the speakers are going to make the biggest difference in the sound quality department. Sony may be a good choice for you, especially since the price has dropped considerably. I've yet to hear anyone say they didn't like it after buying it.

[DiverSpear]

I know you wanted a package for $1K but you can get my receiver, Sony 5300ES, new from Amazon for 1080.00 since the 5400ES is out now. Re-use your speakers and save up for new speakers. I'm just not that impressed with Onkyo's gear, but that is just my opinion, just like some people don't like Sony.

[cdot2four]

Denon 1909 > onkyo 606 more money $600 but a way better receiver. I have heard a shit load of problems with the 606 messing with the picture and other crap.

Then use the other $400 for 2 tower speakers like klipsch RF 52 and save for center and surrounds plus sub. U already have a "kids system" lol save up for a bomb ass system.

[lojack1976]

Frankly, I've never heard anyone say that they preferred Sony receivers over Onkyo, and there is a big difference between a $400 and a $1000 receiver. You shouldn't even try to compare. It was also stated that he wanted to spend $1000 on his total setup, so any suggestions should help him achieve that. Not everyone has a fortune to spend on the latest toys. The idea is to get him the best for his budget, and IF you're going to spend $1000 on a receiver there are other options besides that Sony you suggested. Higher end Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, Marantz, etc....these are other valid choices that the he may prefer IF he were going to spend that much on a receiver.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

Frankly, I've never heard anyone say that they preferred Sony receivers over Onkyo, .

I'd say I'm indifferent between the two.

[Lucy Diamond]

The Yamaha RX-V1800 is amazing and it is UNDER a grand.

[blushiz]

Haha, yes. 1,000 for a receiver alone is a bit much for me. I would like to at least get a few speakers to boot. I don't mind if the receiver is a little expensive, as I can always upgrade my speakers little by little (buy a couple at a time).

Everything seems like a tough choice. I'm stuck between these..

Sony STR-DG820
Denon 1909 (less this, as I heard it lacked features..)
Onkyo 606

Can somebody please help me tip the scale. :S

[NASMAN48]

I saw someone mention the Sony 5300, too expensive for what you get. I think for someone that is trying to get a whole set up for less than $1000, go with the Sony 820 (anywhere between $299 - $399). Then get 7 speakers if that is what you are looking at hooking up and you should still have some money to spare. I am trully impressed with the 820 and I was very skeptical and was looking at the Onkyo myself. Once I heard it all hooked up at my house I was completely impressed and especially for the money. I have watched many a movies in both HD and Blu Ray over the past few weeks and it totally blows away my last receiver, which was a 6.1 surround sound system.
Just something to think about before you spend an arm and a leg and still feel you haven't got all you are looking for.

Good luck to you and hope you enjoy what you eventually decide to purchase.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by cdot2four

Denon 1909 > onkyo 606 more money $600 but a way better receiver. I have heard a shit load of problems with the 606 messing with the picture and other crap.

Then use the other $400 for 2 tower speakers like klipsch RF 52 and save for center and surrounds plus sub. U already have a "kids system" lol save up for a bomb ass system.

That Denon may be a better receiver, but the "shit load of problems" is FUD. It can't upscale over component to 1080p, and it runs hot, but these aren't problems- they're just the way the receiver works. I get kinda tired of seeing one issue with a great bargain receiver get blown out of proportion.

(And for full disclosure I own the Onkyo 605).

[bdrex28]

Originally Posted by cdot2four

Denon 1909 > onkyo 606 more money $600 but a way better receiver. I have heard a shit load of problems with the 606 messing with the picture and other crap.

Then use the other $400 for 2 tower speakers like klipsch RF 52 and save for center and surrounds plus sub. U already have a "kids system" lol save up for a bomb ass system.

If you're spending that on a receiver, get the Pioneer 1018.

[callas01]

Here is something you may consider. Using ugotadeal.com

Either Receiver Onkyo 606 or the Sony STR-DG920 $399.

Sony speakers, which aren't the best I know, but they are really much better than most people give them credit for. And the 920 is a really good receiver, it is what I am upgrading to soon. Its full-bandwidth rated like the Onkyo.

Center SS-CN5000 $64
Fronts SS-F7000 $130
Rears SS-B1000 $46
Sub SA-W3000 $124

Total $365 roughly, and then you can buy the receiver for about $399

Total package $763 plus shipping and cables. You could even add another set of rears for 7.1 or an additional center channel for 6.1. and still be well below budget.

[mediaguy]

I echo others that the Sony STR-DG820 or 920 would be excellent receiver choices, especially for the money. I do sway more towards the warmth of the Sony ES line but those receivers (at least historically) have started at $1000.

I have a friend who likes his Onkyo 605. He hated the setup process but the sound is good. To me, Onkyo, Pioneer, and Yamaha receivers under $1000 sound a bit too tinny.

Read online (like crutchfield) for good customer rated speakers, but I'd go to a store and listen to them, if possible.

Frankly, your speakers are just as important as your receiver or TV (or projector/screen) choice so get a great receiver (not totally awesome) and use the extra cash to beef up the sound with decent speakers.

I love warmth and personally find DCM speakers (hard to find) awesome with great balance and rockin' sub-base even without a sub ... but of course I have the matching killer 12" sub which can (for kicks and giggles) literally rock the pictures off the wall in my theater.... not recommended with wife/kids at home

[lojack1976]

Hey Beta Man, I see you have a Marantz 7001 receiver which I hear is also a great choice(never heard one myself), though more expensive than the Onkyo and the Sony receivers suggested, and those B&W speakers...VERY NICE! I can't afford the speakers you have not to mention that snazzy house which is coming along quite well. I'm an apartment dweller for now. Like I said though, I prefer Onkyo over Sony any day of the week, but that's not to say that Sony's are bad...not by any means. I just think when you are talking the same price points the Onkyo is the superior choice, especially when you get to the $1000 range, but as I pointed out there are other choices in that price range that I would also take a look at if I were to spend that amount of money. For what he wants to get with his budget I would suggest he look at the Sony dg720(only if PS3 is your Blu-Ray player) and dg820 for the fact that they offer a very competitive value. When I bough my receiver it was to replace the HTIB Onkyo receiver that I though was pretty good. Of course the 605 was a very noticeable upgrade in the sound quality department, and when I swapped the Onkyo speakers for the HK speakers I now have it was like night and day. The Onkyo speakers were muddy and had nowhere near the clarity my HK's have, but then again Onkyo isn't known for their speakers. I would also offer these speakers as another value oriented choice. The HKTS 11 has been replaced with the HKTS 18 but its the exact same setup complete with a very competent 10" sub...MUCH better than the Onkyo sub I had, and the Onkyo was a decent performer for the price. If you like JBL speakers like me then these are for you. They are very similar designs since HK owns JBL. This setup can be had for like $450 on www.jr.com. They offer a JBL setup that's cheaper, but not quite as nice in the subwoofer department. My HKTS 11 speakers were being phased out when I bought them for $320 which was a total steal. I almost went with the Klipsch Quintet II's for $250 with free shipping on www.vanns.com(not currently in stock but available on Amazon for $299 free shipping) and a BIC/Acoustech H-100 sub for $250 free shipping on Amazon. There's always the Polk RM6750 speaker package for under $300 shipped on Amazon, and I still like the Energy package which is the way I would go if I had a grand to spend at once. Of course my theater was gradually altered over the course of a few years. I arrived at my current setup based on listening to some different speakers and doing a lot of research online using both professional and user reviews. I also checked around this forum and AVSforum quite a bit. After extensive research I purchased based on my listening, the reviews, and price, and I'm 100% satisfied. I will probably order a pair of extra speakers to go back to a 7.1 setup which is what I had with the Onkyo speakers. For best results, go and listen to various speakers and compare. Then see what you can afford to spend or save for based on what you like.