Need Receiver

[langn08]

My wife just experienced the demon in my receiver and gave me the go ahead to get a new one, I need to keep it under 350 if possible. Anyone have a suggestions?

I have a 12% off premier coupon for Best Buy that would be nice to use if I could.

[Steve]

For your price range I recommend you look at the Harman Audio store on ebay. This is a factory authorized store selling factory refurbished items. Specifically I suggest you bid on an AVR 254. It decodes all HD audio codecs and has a full set of pre-outs allowing for the addition of an amp in the future. Don't be fooled by its rating of 50 watts per channel. This brand is known for pushing the actual wattage they're rated for. Other brands that are rated for 90-100 watts per channel often only put out between 40 and 60 watts per channel when tested.

On the last page in the store there is an AVR 347 with a buy it now option for $334 and free shipping. This one may look tempting, but be advised it's an older model and cannot decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS HDMA.

*The specific 254 I linked just happened to be the first one available on page one. There are several units available.

[langn08]

Originally Posted by fireman325

For your price range I recommend you look at the Harman Audio store on ebay. This is a factory authorized store selling factory refurbished items. Specifically I suggest you bid on an AVR 254. It decodes all HD audio codecs and has a full set of pre-outs allowing for the addition of an amp in the future. Don't be fooled by its rating of 50 watts per channel. This brand is known for pushing the actual wattage they're rated for. Other brands that are rated for 90-100 watts per channel often only put out between 40 and 60 watts per channel when tested.

On the last page in the store there is an AVR 347 with a buy it now option for $334 and free shipping. This one may look tempting, but be advised it's an older model and cannot decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS HDMA.

*The specific 254 I linked just happened to be the first one available on page one. There are several units available.

Thanks for the suggestion! How about this one? I could pick it up for $290 with my premier silver coupon

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Yamaha+-...&skuId=9245471

[Steve]

If you really want to buy from BB then that's probably about the best unit you'll get in your price range. Personally I would buy the HK over the Yammy. Even though the Yammy claims it puts out 105 watts per channel, I seriously doubt you're getting much more power than with the HK. Other than one more HDMI input on the Yammy, the HK offers several features over that particular model from Yamaha. For one it's 7.1 vs. 5.1 on the Yamaha and it has a full set of pre-outs. The HK utilizes better binding posts for all speakers and has a switched outlet. It also has multi-channel inputs. I've attached pictures of the back of each unit so you can compare and see some of the differences for yourself.

Yamaha RX-V465


HK AVR 254

[callas01]

well, If you have to buy form BB only, look at the Sony DN1000, it bench tested better then the Yamahas and Pioneers and they are very user friendly. Sound Quality is nice, slightly bright but not as much as Pioneer and other units. Otherwise you can find it on amazon and newegg for about the price your seeking.

However the Harmans and Marantz that can be found on Ebay or accessories4less.com would be nice units if you dont mind refurbs. However everyone that has gotten them have never had issues, plus they have the warranties.

[langn08]

Originally Posted by callas01

well, If you have to buy form BB only, look at the Sony DN1000, it bench tested better then the Yamahas and Pioneers and they are very user friendly. Sound Quality is nice, slightly bright but not as much as Pioneer and other units. Otherwise you can find it on amazon and newegg for about the price your seeking.

However the Harmans and Marantz that can be found on Ebay or accessories4less.com would be nice units if you dont mind refurbs. However everyone that has gotten them have never had issues, plus they have the warranties.

That Sony looks real nice, I have got the feeling that I should stay away from Sony receivers on this forum so I'm not really sure. I am open to anything though.

[langn08]

Anyone have any opinions on this unit?

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR590-5...4309739&sr=1-1

[ZedsDead]

For $300 Onkyo 507
Newegg.com - ONKYO 5.1-Channel Black Home Theater Receiver TX-SR507

For $400 Onkyo 607
Newegg.com - ONKYO 7.2-Channel Black Home Theater Receiver TX-SR607

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by ZedsDead

For $300 Onkyo 507
Newegg.com - ONKYO 5.1-Channel Black Home Theater Receiver TX-SR507

For $400 Onkyo 607
Newegg.com - ONKYO 7.2-Channel Black Home Theater Receiver TX-SR607

My friend has this one and he loves it. gets a bunch of HDMI in and does all lossless as well as DSD which is important since he love SACD in it's native DSD from his Oppo player! if you can save up a little more then, I'd say go for it. use your discount at bestbuy for something else!

[horror4life245]

It's a little more than your budget, but I just bought this receiver a week ago. It's FANTASTIC and it's highly recommended. It's the Denon 1910 7.1 Channel Receiver. 4 HDMI in and 1 HDMI out and streams audio AND video through HDMI. It supports all the new Blu-Ray codecs and has a bunch of kickass features. It's worth the money and if you look hard enough, you'll get it for way less than retail.

[langn08]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

[callas01]

Originally Posted by langn08

That Sony looks real nice, I have got the feeling that I should stay away from Sony receivers on this forum so I'm not really sure. I am open to anything though.

well it is interesting that JasonR and I and several others that have had Sony's have no problems with them.
I think what it is is that Sonys haven't tested well when put on a bench test, ironically the DN1000 has better results on the bench test then the pioneers and yamahas, putting out twice as much power with multiple channels operating as the Pio's and about 20 more watts then the Yamahas.

And i wouldn't just listen to a bunch of Sony haters. I don't care for the sound of Onkyo receivers, yet I don't crap on them. And with the number of bad HDMI ports and other issues they have been having, on this forum, they still don't get a bad rap? Hey whatever, I would let your ears decide.

Mr Roy, he has an Onkyo 605 and the Sony 920 and said the Sony presented more detail and was equally as powerful as the Onkyo.

Personally I wouldn't just go by some haters comments. Check it out for yourself.

[langn08]

Originally Posted by callas01

well it is interesting that JasonR and I and several others that have had Sony's have no problems with them.
I think what it is is that Sonys haven't tested well when put on a bench test, ironically the DN1000 has better results on the bench test then the pioneers and yamahas, putting out twice as much power with multiple channels operating as the Pio's and about 20 more watts then the Yamahas.

And i wouldn't just listen to a bunch of Sony haters. I don't care for the sound of Onkyo receivers, yet I don't crap on them. And with the number of bad HDMI ports and other issues they have been having, on this forum, they still don't get a bad rap? Hey whatever, I would let your ears decide.

Mr Roy, he has an Onkyo 605 and the Sony 920 and said the Sony presented more detail and was equally as powerful as the Onkyo.

Personally I wouldn't just go by some haters comments. Check it out for yourself.

+1 Thanks for the advice, I'm on my way to BB to hear for myself!

[langn08]

Ok guys so I went with the Denon 590. I was able to pick it up for $309. Now I am using my PS3 with this so what audio settings do I need to change so my receiver decodes?

[callas01]

set the decode priority to mix

[langn08]

Thanks guys! It's amazing how this unit is rated at 75W per channel but sounds WAY better than my Yammy 463 (rated at 105W)

Total price actually came to $309 ($350 at amazon) I guess you can get a good deal at Best Buy once and a while

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by langn08

Thanks guys! It's amazing how this unit is rated at 75W per channel but sounds WAY better than my Yammy 463 (rated at 105W)

Total price actually came to $309 ($350 at amazon) I guess you can get a good deal at Best Buy once and a while

Congrats langn...did you listen to the Denon and compare it to the Sony or Onkyo before buying it? Also, do you know what speakers that had hooked up to them? I am just curious if you did give the receiver a test and what you thought of the sound between the receivers.

[langn08]

Originally Posted by Fors*

Congrats langn...did you listen to the Denon and compare it to the Sony or Onkyo before buying it? Also, do you know what speakers that had hooked up to them? I am just curious if you did give the receiver a test and what you thought of the sound between the receivers.

Good question! My local best buy has a "great" setup in the Magnolia setion running to some ML speakekers that I was able to Demo. They did also have the Sony DN1000 That sounded pretty good but all the extra bells and whistles really didn't appeal to me. I checked out the Yammy 465, Onkyo 607, and a Pioneer (forgot the model #) which all performed well. I felt after a good listen the Denon gave great sound at a reasonable price.The Onkyo 507 actually did not impress me at all and ended up at the bottom of my list. I spent a good 2 hours going through the avail receivers at BB and am glad I took the time to listen.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by langn08

Good question! My local best buy has a "great" setup in the Magnolia setion running to some ML speakekers that I was able to Demo. They did also have the Sony DN1000 That sounded pretty good but all the extra bells and whistles really didn't appeal to me. I checked out the Yammy 465, Onkyo 607, and a Pioneer (forgot the model #) which all performed well. I felt after a good listen the Denon gave great sound at a reasonable price.The Onkyo 507 actually did not impress me at all and ended up at the bottom of my list. I spent a good 2 hours going through the avail receivers at BB and am glad I took the time to listen.

Nice job. I am sure this will keep any buyers remorse at bay. Plus, you got the features you wanted with the sound you were looking for. From my understanding, Denon receivers produce a nice, smooth and powerful sound that is quite close to it's stated specs. Sounds like you got yourself a winner there, congrats again!

One last thing, what would you compare the ML speakers too in reagrds to their sound?

[langn08]

Originally Posted by Fors*

Nice job. I am sure this will keep any buyers remorse at bay. Plus, you got the features you wanted with the sound you were looking for. From my understanding, Denon receivers produce a nice, smooth and powerful sound that is quite close to it's stated specs. Sounds like you got yourself a winner there, congrats again!

One last thing, what would you compare the ML speakers too in reagrds to their sound?

yea, I am happy with the purchase.

I actually requested to have Dave & Tim thrown in on Blu and was able to kick back and truly experience Martin Logan's. I really have not heard anything like them! They sounded a bit bright but SOOOO CLEAR it was completely tolerable (if that makes sense). I really was expecting overpriced average performance but They are up there (for me) with Paradigms as far as comparable sound quality.