Need a new Reciever on a small budget.

[mustang-gt-2002]

I would say the new Yamaha RX-V665 but to get 7.1 you would have to pay $100 more lowest I've seen it for is $399 free shipping. http://www.fotoconnection.com/p99967...-receiver.html got my Yamaha RX-V663 from here and love it good luck.

[Jeterocks]

hm, so someone who owns an Onkyo, suggesting the Onkyo. Then someone who owns the Sony, suggesting the Sony.

THE DECISIONS!

edit: oh no, now someone suggesting a Yamaha...This is getting tough to decide now.

[JJ]

Hmmm. I would sugges the Onkyo 606 unless you can find an older Yamaha 663 around. I'm not a big fan of the 665 given the power it's lost to make space for more gimmicks and gadgets. Personally, I'm not too fond of the Sony STR line, their ES receivers, ok fine - but not the STR line. Yamaha. I'm non-biased here, but I've toyed with just about every entry level/mid level receiver on the market.

[andyman1970]

Originally Posted by Jeterocks

So here are the receivers I'm looking at getting right now.

Pioneer VSX919AHK 120 Watt 7 Channel A/V Receiver -- $400

Onkyo TX-SR606 90w x 7ch HDMI Theater Receiver BLACK -- $350

Sony STR-DG920 7.1-Channel Home Theater A/V Receiver -- $400

Out of those 3, what would be my best choice or would they all be about the same in terms of features and audio/video quality?

If it were me I'd go with the Onkyo or the Pioneer. I have owned 2 Sony receivers and have had horrible luck with both of them. I personally will be investing in an Onkyo system myself as soon as I have the funds available.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by andyman1970

If it were me I'd go with the Onkyo or the Pioneer. I have owned 2 Sony receivers and have had horrible luck with both of them. I personally will be investing in an Onkyo system myself as soon as I have the funds available.

As a disclaimer, I haven't personally owned a Sony, I have gotten to hear and mess with them all on a semi-regular basis. I agree with the post above- Pioneer or Onkyo as the top two choices. My father-in-law has the Sony and it continues to do some weird things with volume jumping during commercials or when switching from DD 5.1 to stereo, etc. They supposedly also have the highest THD of the three, not something you want to shoot for.

[Jeterocks]

edit: hm, link went to the same one I linked before

So I'm between the Onkyo and Pioneer then. Leaning toward the Onkyo though because it is the most suggested and seems to be a very solid product. Anyone else have any reasons to get the Pioneer over the Onkyo?

[mustang-gt-2002]

Yamaha again. was just suggesting it becouse they make some of the best mid/high level receivers in that pirce. if you like your Marantz then by all means get a new one. do not have it replaced. maybe upgrade to the next higher model

[Jeterocks]

Alright, just read up a bit on the Yamaha...and that has bumped out the Onkyo.

I really am keeping the Pioneer in play though because I like that I'm able to connect my Ipod to the front of the thing with my USB cable so I don't have to buy a $100 ipod dock...I mean, yea I do already have the 35mm > stereo cable that I used on my Marantz but was never really happy with the sound I got from it. I had an iPod dock before (but it was stolen) and the it sounded so much better imo.

So now it is between the Pioneer and the Yamaha RX-V665.

I hate tough decisions like this.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Jeterocks

Alright, just read up a bit on the Yamaha...and that has bumped out the Onkyo.

I really am keeping the Pioneer in play though because I like that I'm able to connect my Ipod to the front of the thing with my USB cable so I don't have to buy a $100 ipod dock...I mean, yea I do already have the 35mm > stereo cable that I used on my Marantz but was never really happy with the sound I got from it. I had an iPod dock before (but it was stolen) and the it sounded so much better imo.

So now it is between the Pioneer and the Yamaha RX-V665.

I hate tough decisions like this.

The Yamaha 665 is not at all as good as its predecessor the 663, I would personally find the 663 over the 665.

[Jeterocks]

I see that the 665 has less total power than the 663, but what else makes the 663 better than the 665?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by aramis109

As a disclaimer, I haven't personally owned a Sony, I have gotten to hear and mess with them all on a semi-regular basis. I agree with the post above- Pioneer or Onkyo as the top two choices. My father-in-law has the Sony and it continues to do some weird things with volume jumping during commercials or when switching from DD 5.1 to stereo, etc. They supposedly also have the highest THD of the three, not something you want to shoot for.

Aramis, the Pio 919/1019 is not even close to the old Pio1018, which was the one I originally was gonna get before I got the Sony. the 1018 was an Elite level receiver minus a few "features" just like the 920 is the 2400ES minus a few "features". THD on my reciever is stated at .09% not too bad.

OP, I would suggest, that you talk with Mr Roy who owned both the Onkyo and the Sony, send him a PM or something. If you could find a Pioneer 1018 that would be the money ticket, otherwise get the Yamaha 663 if you don't want the Sony. When I was shopping receivers last year, the 1018 was tops, then the Sony and Yammy were next on my list, then the Onkyo. that was my preference, I am happy, my receiver performs flawlessly.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Jeterocks

I see that the 665 has less total power than the 663, but what else makes the 663 better than the 665?

power... you want a reciever that has good power to drive your channels, personally they added features and took away power from the reciever, and it weighs 8 pounds less... means the power supply is smaller... most likely.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by callas01

Aramis, the Pio 919/1019 is not even close to the old Pio1018, which was the one I originally was gonna get before I got the Sony. the 1018 was an Elite level receiver minus a few "features" just like the 920 is the 2400ES minus a few "features".

OP, I would suggest, that you talk with Mr Roy who owned both the Onkyo and the Sony, send him a PM or something. If you could find a Pioneer 1018 that would be the money ticket, otherwise get the Yamaha 663 if you don't want the Sony. When I was shopping receivers last year, the 1018 was tops, then the Sony and Yammy were next on my list, then the Onkyo. that was my preference, I am happy, my receiver performs flawlessly.

Gotta admit I'm not familiar with the new model at all.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Jeterocks

He said he would pay the $300 to get it fixed. But at this point I payed $300 for the receiver anyway. I'm not sure if I should just get it fixed, or buy something new and have one receiver that does everything but video passthrough via HDMI (could be usefull in a bedroom/school) and another receiver that does everything for a living room.

I was thinking about not fixing the SR5002 and just using the $300 he gives me to buy something else/better/a new SR5002

Take the 300 add 50 and get a new 5002. I wouldn't get a 606 instead of a 5002 - the Marantz has preouts - the 606 doesn't - 5002 is more flexable. You might try a Yamaha 663 Its up to you

[MrRoy]

When I hooked up the Sony, I noticed it put out a wider range of sound over the Onkyo. I could hear things in movies that I couldn't hear before.

[Jeterocks]

Well it looks like Sony is back in the mix again. I would love to get the Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K or the VSX-1019AH-K but they are both just out of my price point -- by about $100.

The Yamaha 663 looks good, I don't like how it only has 2 HDMI inputs. If it had 3 or 4 it would be right up there with my top picks as well.

Right now it looks like I will buy the Sony either later this afternoon or over the weekend. I will keep hunting around for a Pioneer though because I do like the way it looks and some of the features it has to offer (direct ipod connection via usb).

I can't thank you all enough for the help. This really is very much appreciated.

edit: I'm checking out BestBuy's website right now to see what they have to offer because I just remembered I had about $80 in gift cards there. Looks like they have the VSX-1019AH-K for around $500...then with my gift cards it brings it pretty close to the price I want to pay. I might think about buying that if I can do a store pickup somewhere.

More decisions yet again!

[mustang-gt-2002]

Originally Posted by Jeterocks

The Yamaha 663 looks good, I don't like how it only has 2 HDMI inputs. If it had 3 or 4 it would be right up there with my top picks as well.

most people dont realize that you only need HDMI audio for HD-audio from a Blu-ray player. upconverting DVD players and HDTV boxs dont output HD audio. so you can use optical cables.

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by mustang-gt-2002

most people dont realize that you only need HDMI audio for HD-audio from a Blu-ray player. upconverting DVD players and HDTV boxs dont output HD audio. so you can use optical cables.

future proof yourself

i have a directv box, ps3 & my hd camcorder going thru the receiver

i never have to change the tv input

[mustang-gt-2002]

Originally Posted by DonRSD

future proof yourself

i have a directv box, ps3 & my hd camcorder going thru the receiver

i never have to change the tv input

if you never change the input all the settings will be the same. if that works for you thats fine.
for me all my settings are different for each input.

[browndk26]

How is the Sony STR-DH800 compared to the Pioneer 919 or 1019?