Budget Receiver Search

[slugbug]

Currently using an old Kenwood VR410 receiver and would like to update to something newer with HDMI ports. 5.1 is enough as I doubt I'll ever have room to add extra speakers for 7.1.

- Was looking at the Onkyo DV414 but after reading about firmware problems people are having I'm not sure now. Also has a clunky looking on screen GUI.
- Another option could be the Denon AVR-1713. Any other receivers in the sub $350 CDN price range worth looking at?

My speakers: http://www.athenaspeakers.com/products/audition-series/
-B1 Fronts, R1 rears, and C1 center channel. Subwoofer is an older D-BOX 10" which still kicks butt.

[repete66211]

If I were doing a budget receiver I'd get the best Onkyo or Denon I could afford, so you're on the right track. (Having owned both, if all things were equal I'd lean toward Denon.) Once I had determined it had the right connections I'd get the one with the best version of Audyssey, even if it meant buying last year's model.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by slugbug

Currently using an old Kenwood VR410 receiver and would like to update to something newer with HDMI ports. 5.1 is enough as I doubt I'll ever have room to add extra speakers for 7.1.

- Was looking at the Onkyo DV414 but after reading about firmware problems people are having I'm not sure now. Also has a clunky looking on screen GUI.
- Another option could be the Denon AVR-1713. Any other receivers in the sub $350 CDN price range worth looking at?

My speakers: http://www.athenaspeakers.com/products/audition-series/
-B1 Fronts, R1 rears, and C1 center channel. Subwoofer is an older D-BOX 10" which still kicks butt.

God may bless you with a bigger home, or apartment someday, and you'll never know, what the future have in store for you! If I were you, I would go for an inexpensive 7.1 receiver because, they're just as affordable as a 5.1 receiver, with HDMI ports as well. Whenever you have the extra space to accommodate the extra 2 surround back speakers, you'll be 7.1 ready!

[moebeus1975]

Even though I am an Onkyo fan, out of those two, I would go with the Denon due to the fact it has Audyssey MultiEQ XT, whereas the Onkyo has 2EQ which doesn't eq the subwoofer. Before the receiver I have now, I had one with 2EQ and there is a huge difference between the two.

[pentatonic]

Those are good recommendations but I know that being in Canada makes it harder to find in that price range but I think the best you could do with your budget would be the Onkyo TX-NR515 from NCIX (they are authorized dealer) and this is probably the best receiver you can get new right now. It is there weekly special and might end today, not sure.

Edit: Seems Visions has the same deal valid till the 23rd, as well as Gibbys

Best Buy now price matches any Canadian vendor, internet and all, so with the 10% of the difference it's even cheaper and def a good receiver with great features for the price, IMO your best bet right now.

[slugbug]

I hadn't checked this weeks NCIX sale yet. That's a great price for a 515, thanks

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by slugbug

I hadn't checked this weeks NCIX sale yet. That's a great price for a 515, thanks

Yep, and the same price a few places also, just price match at Best Buy for 10% of the difference, and less trouble if you want it now instead of shipping.

[slugbug]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

Yep, and the same price a few places also, just price match at Best Buy for 10% of the difference, and less trouble if you want it now instead of shipping.

bestbuy.ca doesn't have the 515 online, do they have it in store?

[solarrdadd]

and if hi-rez audio streaming is your thing from either your pc or a networked drive (NAS) the 515 can stream via ethernet port up to 192/24 wav, flac audio files as well as wma, wmall, aiff, apple lossless, mp3 etc at their respective resolutions. it streams pandora spotify and all of the other online favorites. it even streams dsd audio so it's a complete DAC package.

i'm thinking about buying one for my bedroom and giving my daughter the current 509 recevier that's in there now.

i also think that for all you get for the price, it's hard to beat! (did i just say it's hard to beat!?! )

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by slugbug

bestbuy.ca doesn't have the 515 online, do they have it in store?

You're right, seems they use to carry it, maybe they stopped or I'm wrong. Then just order from Visions or Gibbys, check shipping prices if any, and also depending on where they are shipping some provinces like BC only asks for GST, so you save your PST, and if they ship for free, cheaper still, all are authorized dealers so no worries.

Edit: Well Visions is store only, Gibbys is in Ontario so they will charge both taxes and around $14 shipping. NCIX as free ground shipping (only 2 days longer usually) depending where you are they will just charge the GST. That's wwhere I' d get it, only thing you might have to wait a few weeks, but that depnds on you and the possible savings.

[slugbug]

Centre HiFi has it in store but their price match policy is for local stores only.

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by slugbug

Centre HiFi has it in store but their price match policy is for local stores only.

Just order it from NCIX, I've been buying all my PC stuff from them for ages, have spent many thousands there and their CS is excellent, 1 tax and if you do experience problems Onkyo does have local authorized repair shops. They also offer extended warranties if interested though I wouldn't for an avr with a 2 year warranty.

[slugbug]

Called NCIX and they had no idea when new stock would be arriving. Their site says 2-3 weeks but it may be even longer.

Ended up getting an open box Denon AVR-1713 from Future Shop for $332.99 plus tax and scored a $50 gift card for free. Since they closed down certain stores they have a printable coupon (to get up to $100 in free gift cards) on their site for use at 1 of 5 other locations in the area.

[CanadianEH]

Originally Posted by slugbug

Called NCIX and they had no idea when new stock would be arriving. Their site says 2-3 weeks but it may be even longer.

Ended up getting an open box Denon AVR-1713 from Future Shop for $332.99 plus tax and scored a $50 gift card for free. Since they closed down certain stores they have a printable coupon (to get up to $100 in free gift cards) on their site for use at 1 of 5 other locations in the area.

Where did you find the coupon? One of the stores in my area closed last week.

[slugbug]

Originally Posted by CanadianEH

Where did you find the coupon? One of the stores in my area closed last week.

Check this forum thread: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/merge...-14-a-1295964/

[Yungheat]

I would go with yamaha rx373 or rx473 there on sale all the time at newegg.com

[CanadianEH]

Originally Posted by slugbug

Check this forum thread: http://forums.redflagdeals.com/merge...-14-a-1295964/

Perfect. Thank you! Guess my new receiver will be purchased sooner than planned.

[Formula271]

Originally Posted by repete66211

If I were doing a budget receiver I'd get the best Onkyo or Denon I could afford, so you're on the right track. (Having owned both, if all things were equal I'd lean toward Denon.) Once I had determined it had the right connections I'd get the one with the best version of Audyssey, even if it meant buying last year's model.

I would add Marantz to your list. The NR1403 is in your price range. I feel Marantz really has a wonderful, warm, almost "tube-like" sound.

For this price range of receiver, I don't think you could go wrong with Denon, Marantz, or Onkyo.