Looking to upgrade my receiver.

[libbs]

I'm going to need to upgrade my Denon AVR 1908 really soon. Here is the future plans for my HT:

1) New Receiver
2) Emotiva XPA-3
3) Paradigm PDR-100
4) Emotiva UPA2

Now I'm on a budget and this is the order of things to be bought over the next 1-2 years. I'm looking to spend $500 on the receiver. I need the 7.2 with pre-outs. Looking around, most models look to be out of my price range, then I came across the Yamaha RX-V667.

http://ca.yamaha.com/en/products/aud...product_lineup

Anyone have feedback on this Yamaha unit? Or is there a better unit in my budget? Thanks

[lojack1976]

Take a look at the RX-V867 instead. Its less than $500 HERE on Amazon right now. Its beefier and more feature rich than the 667. If you're willing to splurge a little more than you should consider THIS Pioneer VSX-33 which personally think is the better receiver. I own the 867 by the way. Its a very good receiver, but I find it a bit lacking with movies. Its great for music though. I've demoed the VSX-33 several times and its got a more dynamic sound and I find it to be more flexible. One thing I don't like about the Yamaha is that you cannot set the crossovers. The Onkyo TX-NR708 HERE is another option worth taking a look at. I would suggest that you demo these receviers first hand to decide which you prefer, because all of these brands sound drastically different.

[libbs]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

Take a look at the RX-V867 instead. Its less than $500 HERE on Amazon right now. Its beefier and more feature rich than the 667. If you're willing to splurge a little more than you should consider THIS Pioneer VSX-33 which personally think is the better receiver. I own the 867 by the way. Its a very good receiver, but I find it a bit lacking with movies. Its great for music though. I've demoed the VSX-33 several times and its got a more dynamic sound and I find it to be more flexible. One thing I don't like about the Yamaha is that you cannot set the crossovers. The Onkyo TX-NR708 HERE is another option worth taking a look at. I would suggest that you demo these receviers first hand to decide which you prefer, because all of these brands sound drastically different.

Thanks for the input. I wish there was a place around here where I could demo these products.

[Almadacr]

I would wait if your timing is a 1-2 years , since electronics will change every year , by that time older units will have a price change . One thing is for sure those prices look great buying truth amazon , with futureshop or best buy you wont get this prices specially on the Pio Elite .

[libbs]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

I would wait if your timing is a 1-2 years , since electronics will change every year , by that time older units will have a price change . One thing is for sure those prices look great buying truth amazon , with futureshop or best buy you wont get this prices specially on the Pio Elite .

Good point. My Denon runs my speakers just fine.

[centauro74]

Denon 3311ci, excellent receiver, Audyssey MultEQ XT is the bomb, i used to have the yamaha 663 and the surrounds are more pronounce and the subwoofers sound stronger. You can get a great deal on the denon from 6ave or electronics expo with a coupon or calling directly.

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by centauro74

Denon 3311ci, excellent receiver, Audyssey MultEQ XT is the bomb, i used to have the yamaha 663 and the surrounds are more pronounce and the subwoofers sound stronger. You can get a great deal on the denon from 6ave or electronics expo with a coupon or calling directly.

I think you must have missed where he said his budget is $500. You can't get the 3311ci anywhere near that price. In fact there are no Denon options in his price range that will have pre-outs.

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by libbs

Thanks for the input. I wish there was a place around here where I could demo these products.

Another option that came to mind is THIS Marantz SR5005. It doesn't have a fancy GUI, but other than that its pretty close to the higher end SR6005. If you don't mind refurbished products and you don't have the desire to do 3D then you should consider the Onkyo HT-RC180 HERE for $400 plus shipping. Its a clone of the TX-NR807 which is a monster of a receiver. Other refurb options are THIS Marantz SR5004, THIS SR6004, and THIS SR6005.

Question...do you have a Best Buy Magnolia store near you? If so then you should be able to demo the Marantz, Yamaha, and Pioneer offerings. Not all but some Magnolia stores have Onkyo as well.

Edit: I just noticed that you are in Canada. In that case I don't know what's available to you. How is Future Shop's selection? Are any of these brands available to you to demo there? Also, accessories4less.com does ship to Canada. I don't know if any the other sellers do.

[libbs]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

Another option that came to mind is THIS Marantz SR5005. It doesn't have a fancy GUI, but other than that its pretty close to the higher end SR6005. If you don't mind refurbished products and you don't have the desire to do 3D then you should consider the Onkyo HT-RC180 HERE for $400 plus shipping. Its a clone of the TX-NR807 which is a monster of a receiver. Other refurb options are THIS Marantz SR5004, THIS SR6004, and THIS SR6005.

Question...do you have a Best Buy Magnolia store near you? If so then you should be able to demo the Marantz, Yamaha, and Pioneer offerings. Not all but some Magnolia stores have Onkyo as well.

Edit: I just noticed that you are in Canada. In that case I don't know what's available to you. How is Future Shop's selection? Are any of these brands available to you to demo there? Also, accessories4less.com does ship to Canada. I don't know if any the other sellers do.

Selection at the Futureshop is crap....Sony, Yamaha, and Samsung really (and none of the good models). And whatever they do have is never set up for a demo. Thanks for that site. I'm thinking I'm going to have to order from the audio store down the street from my parents (official Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo dealer).

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by libbs

Selection at the Futureshop is crap....Sony, Yamaha, and Samsung really (and none of the good models). And whatever they do have is never set up for a demo. Thanks for that site. I'm thinking I'm going to have to order from the audio store down the street from my parents (official Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo dealer).

Hey i got my Pio 1125 at futureshop its the same as the Elite VSX-32 minus the 12v triggers and the amber screen but even at boxing day it cost me 749$ plus taxes , that`s why i said the the 33 for 579$ its a great price

[callas01]

Originally Posted by libbs

Selection at the Futureshop is crap....Sony, Yamaha, and Samsung really (and none of the good models). And whatever they do have is never set up for a demo. Thanks for that site. I'm thinking I'm going to have to order from the audio store down the street from my parents (official Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo dealer).

based on this dealer down the street from your parents, Id see what close out models or demo models they have in your price range, like the Marantz 5005, Onkyo 708 or Yamaha 800 series, and then demo to see which you like the best.

[Pondosinatra]

Well I have a Yamaha VSX-32 receiver and I like it. But honestly I preferred the sound out of my ancient Marantz AV9000 better - however because it was so old it couldn't do DTS-HD so I ended up upgrading.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Well I have a Yamaha VSX-32 receiver and I like it. But honestly I preferred the sound out of my ancient Marantz AV9000 better - however because it was so old it couldn't do DTS-HD so I ended up upgrading.

I think you mean Pioneer....

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by callas01

I think you mean Pioneer....

[libbs]

Originally Posted by callas01

based on this dealer down the street from your parents, Id see what close out models or demo models they have in your price range, like the Marantz 5005, Onkyo 708 or Yamaha 800 series, and then demo to see which you like the best.

That might be what I'll do. I go home in august and I'll check it out then.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by callas01

I think you mean Pioneer....

Well if you want to get technical about it...