Please recommend the most suitable receiver for me.

[tyz]

Hey guys, thanks for your time. Take it easy on me. I'm new to everything in the realm of home theater and as indicated by my post count, I'm just another lurker.

Piecing together an entry level home theater is a project I've been contemplating for a while. A couple of slick deals on items I've had my eye on surfaced recently so I caved in, wound up making headway by picking up an LG 32LF11 and the Energy Take Classic 5 Pack. My BR player is a PS3 (shocking, I know).

A 5.1 system will meet my needs perfectly. My current room is on the small side and I'll be shipping out with the Air Force in the near future so this will get the job done in a dorm room as well. Therefore, longevity isn't a concern of mine seeing as how I won't be looking at upgrading for years. All I want is the highest quality receiver, preferably in the $200-$300 range, that will optimize this 5.1 channel / 32" arrangement.

Again, thanks for taking a look!

[kpkelley]

If you don't mind refurbished, you can get an Onkyo HT-RC160 for $320.

[tyz]

Refurbished doesn't bother me but that's stepping out of my price range and seems excessive, no?

[kpkelley]

The only other receivers in that price range that I feel comfortable recommending are:

Yamaha RX-465(MSRP $380, can be found online for around $300)
Sony STR-HD700(MSRP $300, can be found online for under $230)

[Rob J in WNY]

Originally Posted by tyz

Refurbished doesn't bother me but that's stepping out of my price range and seems excessive, no?

tyz,

I'm guessing that the Onkyo mentioned above would be a good receiver for you. Yes just $20 over your price range, but it does decode advanced lossless multichannel audio (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio). Of course, your PS3 will decode lossless audio and can send the decoded PCM audio to a receiver which does process multichannel PCM over an HDMI connection.

I know these terms might be over your head right now, but get to know them. Lossless audio is VERY much worth reaching for, and is obtainable now in inexpensive receivers.

Keep in mind that very often, stretching your budget by even a little can pay big dividends, especially if you can be patient for a great deal or promotion - like new car dealers, there's always something better next week.

Another receiver well within your price range, brand new, from Newegg.com is the Pioneer VSX-819H-K, which does decode advanced lossless multichannel audio and has 3 HDMI inputs (1 output - to connect to your TV). It's a 5.1 channel receiver. $249.99 with free shipping to lower 48 states. Newegg is a very reputable company which many people, including myself, have made purchases from.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882117302

If you can stretch your budget a bit more, you can get the Pioneer VSX-919AH-K for $329.99 (again, free shipping to lower 48 states), which offers 7.1 channels (you can always shut off the receiver's surround-back channels for 5.1 channel opeation, and get speakers for 7.1 later on) and a few more features over the VSX-819H-K.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882117301

I have owned a variety of Pioneer products over the years (and currently own a beautiful and amazing Pioneer Elite SC-05 receiver), and I feel I can confidently recommend the brand.

This receiver should fit your needs nicely, as would the Onkyo.

Good luck in your search.

[mugupo]

Originally Posted by tyz

Hey guys, thanks for your time. Take it easy on me. I'm new to everything in the realm of home theater and as indicated by my post count, I'm just another lurker.

Piecing together an entry level home theater is a project I've been contemplating for a while. A couple of slick deals on items I've had my eye on surfaced recently so I caved in, wound up making headway by picking up an LG 32LF11 and the Energy Take Classic 5 Pack. My BR player is a PS3 (shocking, I know).

A 5.1 system will meet my needs perfectly. My current room is on the small side and I'll be shipping out with the Air Force in the near future so this will get the job done in a dorm room as well. Therefore, longevity isn't a concern of mine seeing as how I won't be looking at upgrading for years. All I want is the highest quality receiver, preferably in the $200-$300 range, that will optimize this 5.1 channel / 32" arrangement.

Again, thanks for taking a look!

Also consider call local retailer because they might had better price than big store chain.

[tyz]

Wow, really appreciate your input kpkelley and Rob J!

Believe me, I know how reliable Newegg is. They've processed many orders from me, including said set of Energy speakers in the OP. I'm not that out of the loop, man! My problem is that my brain turns to mush when I try to wrap it around tech specs and electronic mechanics. It's a curse, I swear.

It's looking like a toss between the two Pioneer receivers that Rob J so kindly brought to my attention. Guess it just boils down to waiting 'til the end of the month and seeing how much I have to spare. The VSX-819H-K will tide me over but man, I would love to pony up the difference for the VSX-919AH-K. Packs a bigger punch and a prettier package.

Are there any other significant differences between the two I should know about aside from the obvious steps up in channel capability and HDMI ports?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Great recommendations here for you tyz!

As a side note, please put aside some $$$ for the various connections you'll need like 2 HDMI cables from PS3 to Receiver, and Receiver to TV. Some speaker wire will also be need obviously and perhaps some banana plugs for easy connectivity (but it isn't absolutely essential).

Check out MONOPRICE.COM for some great pricing!

John

[dg5150]

tyz - I can't say anything about the 819, but I have owned the 919 for about 4 months and I absolutely love it. It sounds great, has the option for 7.1, and the ipod control is awesome. Well worth the money - a great receiver at an even better price.

[tyz]

Good news, I purchased my receiver!

Originally Posted by kpkelley

If you don't mind refurbished, you can get an Onkyo HT-RC160 for $320.

In the end, I landed on the HT-RC160 as suggested by kpkelley because Newegg currently has it price cut at $350, non-refurbished and they're adding Onkyo's iPod dock for free. See for yourself here. The wait is killing me!

I know a better deal on a superior receiver is bound to taunt me come Black Friday but hey, getting this out of the way means more money to blow on Blu-ray's and games!

So I have a birthday right around the corner and I'm hoping my parents will be kind enough to pick me up a sub to complete my home theater. I wanted to take the easy way out by getting Energy's ESW-8HG since it matches my speaker set but after some extensive research, I've read that this is a rather weak sub.

You guys got any opinions on what an appropriate sub to accompany this rig would be?

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by tyz

Good news, I purchased my receiver!



In the end, I landed on the HT-RC160 as suggested by kpkelley because Newegg currently has it price cut at $350, non-refurbished and they're adding Onkyo's iPod dock for free. See for yourself here. The wait is killing me!

I know a better deal on a superior receiver is bound to taunt me come Black Friday but hey, getting this out of the way means more money to blow on Blu-ray's and games!

So I have a birthday right around the corner and I'm hoping my parents will be kind enough to pick me up a sub to complete my home theater. I wanted to take the easy way out by getting Energy's ESW-8HG since it matches my speaker set but after some extensive research, I've read that this is a rather weak sub.

You guys got any opinions on what an appropriate sub to accompany this rig would be?

Congrats on the receiver. But, where did you ever get the idea that your Home Theater would be complete; they are never complete.

Rich

[tootall82103]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Congrats on the receiver. But, where did you ever get the idea that your Home Theater would be complete; they are never complete.

Rich

Don't say that! This stuff is too expensive to never be complete!

[Yautja]

Best thing you can do I shop around for prices, looks at different brands & have a look for peticular models & see if they have received good reviews or awards same goes for the speakers, take a few cds & movies along with you & make sure you get them to play them & see what u like !
Price, looks, construction, ease of use, sound etc, etc

[callas01]

Originally Posted by tyz

Good news, I purchased my receiver!



In the end, I landed on the HT-RC160 as suggested by kpkelley because Newegg currently has it price cut at $350, non-refurbished and they're adding Onkyo's iPod dock for free. See for yourself here. The wait is killing me!

I know a better deal on a superior receiver is bound to taunt me come Black Friday but hey, getting this out of the way means more money to blow on Blu-ray's and games!

So I have a birthday right around the corner and I'm hoping my parents will be kind enough to pick me up a sub to complete my home theater. I wanted to take the easy way out by getting Energy's ESW-8HG since it matches my speaker set but after some extensive research, I've read that this is a rather weak sub.

You guys got any opinions on what an appropriate sub to accompany this rig would be?

I would say look around as much as possible, and try to listen to the subs your interested in if you can. I can suggest that the Acoustic Audio subs are very nice for the price you pay. I paid about $150... You can get them at thedeepdicount.com and there is a thread in the subwoofer section you should probably check into. It sounds like you are a thrifty shopper, so the AA may be perfect for you. I would suggest no smaller then a 10", unless you plan to buy dual 8"s, but that is up to you.

Congrats on the Onkyo, probably a better purchase then the Pio 819/919 and yammy listed above.

[tyz]

Hey guys, thanks again for your feedback.

Definitely aiming for a 10". For the time being, I'm eyeballing The Speaker Company's ASW-10 (a replica of the now discontinued Energy ESW-10) unless somebody can point me in the direction of something with the specs to outperform this sub at a similar price.

The frequency response range is representative of how low and high the sub can reach, correct? I'm clueless as to what the wattage output entails however.

Originally Posted by callas01

It sounds like you are a thrifty shopper, so the AA may be perfect for you. I would suggest no smaller then a 10", unless you plan to buy dual 8"s, but that is up to you.

Congrats on the Onkyo, probably a better purchase then the Pio 819/919 and yammy listed above.

Guilty as charged, I'm 100% a thrifty shopper! Thank you, sir.

You fellas have been refreshingly kind and helpful.