Best bang for the buck at $350-400?

[acritzer]

I'll just keep spamming questions out there as I do my searching.

Next one....out of the receivers that have been tossed around on this thread, do any have HDMI passthrough? This would actually be very nice for my house, where the wife and kids watch "normal" TV a lot with just the TV speakers.

Looks like the Pioneer 1020 is 530ish....too high for me. Really need to stay around 400.

[McGarnigal]

HDMI Passthrough is a very bad thing, it means it passes hdmi video to your tv, but for audio you need an optical cable from your blu player to your receiver

[lojack1976]

You're talking about being able to pass the HDMI signal to the TV even when the receiver is off right? The new Onkyos do this. The Onkyo 608 is HERE on Amazon for $466.59 shipped. That may be your best bet overall in this price range. Its probably the most powerful receiver around for the money too. I personally didn't go with it because I wanted a sleeker looking unit and the Onkyo looks nearly identical to past Onkyo offerings.

I have a 605 which is a great unit, but I didn't want that look for my living room again since I've made so many changes. I also wanted the sound of the Pioneer. I do like Onkyo's sound, but I prefer Pioneer's. That's just me. Like Callas said the Yamaha 765 is a great offering that's going for $400 lately, but in all honesty the 608 is probably the better buy since its more powerful and offers a host of new features.

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by McGarnigal

HDMI Passthrough is a very bad thing, it means it passes hdmi video to your tv, but for audio you need an optical cable from your blu player to your receiver

Oh. Well is there a feature that allows you to watch cable TV without turning on the receiver? I'd like to have the option of using the receiver sound, or not...because if the family situation. I guess I might be able to run multiple outputs from the cable box?

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

You're talking about being able to pass the HDMI signal to the TV even when the receiver is off right? The new Onkyos do this. The Onkyo 608 is HERE on Amazon for $466.59 shipped. That may be your best bet overall in this price range. Its probably the most powerful receiver around for the money too. I personally didn't go with it because I wanted a sleeker looking unit and the Onkyo looks nearly identical to past Onkyo offerings.

I have a 605 which is a great unit, but I didn't want that look for my living room again since I've made so many changes. I also wanted the sound of the Pioneer. I do like Onkyo's sound, but I prefer Pioneer's. That's just me. Like Callas said the Yamaha 765 is a great offering that's going for $400 lately, but in all honesty the 608 is probably the better buy since its more powerful and offers a host of new features.

Is there a model below this with a similar feature? 460 is stretching it a bit.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by acritzer

I'll just keep spamming questions out there as I do my searching.

Next one....out of the receivers that have been tossed around on this thread, do any have HDMI passthrough? This would actually be very nice for my house, where the wife and kids watch "normal" TV a lot with just the TV speakers.

Looks like the Pioneer 1020 is 530ish....too high for me. Really need to stay around 400.

I know on sonys you just have to switch it in the receiver to TV and the speakers stay quiet, only the TV speakers play... then just switch it back to amp for movies or for your viewing. Most receivers should have something like that... but maybe they don't IDK each MFGs features by heart.

with my setup if I change it back to TV only, everyone gets mad at me... I have a 3 and 6 yr old....

As Lojack said your blu-ray player will upconvert, not the receiver. video will just pass through to the tv untouched. only the audio will be extracted.

You should go listen to the receivers yourself. You may find you like the sound of one over the other, and luckily most BBs have all these receiver AND your speakers. I don't like Onkyos sound, Lojack does... so its hard to say exactly what YOU will like coming through your speakers. You may prefer something else.

[acritzer]

Okay. I guess I'll really have to devote some time to going out and listening to stuff. Based on my reading, and all of the input I'd say it's between. Denon 1910. Sony 1000. Yamaha 765 and maybe the Pioneer 1019.

The Sony's price looks good, especially considering the review comments. Bummer that the feature that would work well for me isn't that common; being able to plug the cable box into the receiver, for sound when wanted, but not HAVE to turn the receiver on to watch "normal" TV. I'll have to investigate if my box will allow for multiple outputs...HDMI and composite, probably not but there might be a way to work it out.

[lojack1976]

If cost is a big concern you should consider the Onkyo 508. I'm not sure but I think it also passes the signal when the receiver is off. Its $325.35 shipped on Amazon right now. You can also look at the Pioneer VSX-920 which is basically a 1020 without the fancy GUI, the iPhone remote apps, and two fewer HDMI ports. Its $389.99 shipped from Amazon.

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

If cost is a big concern you should consider the Onkyo 508. I'm not sure but I think it also passes the signal when the receiver is off. Its $325.35 shipped on Amazon right now. You can also look at the Pioneer VSX-920 which is basically a 1020 without the fancy GUI, the iPhone remote apps, and two fewer HDMI ports. Its $389.99 shipped from Amazon.

Are there not many reviews out there for these two? I haven't found much.
Man, this is eating up my evening. Need to let it sit for a while. Don't be surprised though if I pop in tomorrow with another thread entitled. "Pioneer 920, or Onkyo 508?"

[Steve]

Originally Posted by lojack1976

I know you like Marantz a lot, but I gotta ask....why do you keep recommending this receiver when its known to be very problematic? There are several ongoing threads around the net including avsforum discussing the failure rate of the 5004/6004 series receivers. Then there's also the fact that Marantz has consistently denied that there is a problem with this line of receivers until recently.

To anyone out there looking at Marantz the 5003/6003 series receivers are the ones to go with if you can get them. The 5004/6004 line should be avoided until Marantz corrects the problem. Also keep in mind that many buyers have lost their money because Marantz has refused to honor warranties on this line. This should concern anyone considering this manufacturer IMO. Look at the ongoing thread over on avsforum before making the plunge people.

I wasn't aware there were any issues with it. I've just always thought it was a great receiver for the price. I'll look into it though because I don't want to be recommending gear that has issues. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[browndk26]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Oh. Well is there a feature that allows you to watch cable TV without turning on the receiver? I'd like to have the option of using the receiver sound, or not...because if the family situation. I guess I might be able to run multiple outputs from the cable box?

Just connect your cable box to the TV via HDMI(or component). Then you can watch TV with normal sound.

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by browndk26

Just connect your cable box to the TV via HDMI(or component). Then you can watch TV with normal sound.

Yeah, but then I lose the option to use receiver sound if I'm watching sports or a movie.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Yeah, but then I lose the option to use receiver sound if I'm watching sports or a movie.

really I think once you and your wife gets used to using the receiver all the time... you or her wouldn't think about ever going back....

actually I just asked her and she said she wouldn't ever go back to tv speakers, she said that would be like watching NON HD programing.... its not gonna happen..... she's an HD snob................. see what you could create.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Steve

I wasn't aware there were any issues with it. I've just always thought it was a great receiver for the price. I'll look into it though because I don't want to be recommending gear that has issues. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

steve I think its the POP of DEATH, that he is referring too..... I haven't heard of any issues outside of that.

[browndk26]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Yeah, but then I lose the option to use receiver sound if I'm watching sports or a movie.

Connect the STB to the TV, AND connect the STB to the AVR and then AVR to TV. Then you can use the AVR or TV depending on the show. I am like callas01, I use the AVR for all TV shows but the wife uses the HTIB on the living room TV selectively.

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by callas01

really I think once you and your wife gets used to using the receiver all the time... you or her wouldn't think about ever going back....

actually I just asked her and she said she wouldn't ever go back to tv speakers, she said that would be like watching NON HD programing.... its not gonna happen..... she's an HD snob................. see what you could create.

Lol...maybe, but I'll have to be careful about what I might create. Stupid question, what about having the receiver on all the time? Increase in electricity bill? How much juice are we talking about?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Lol...maybe, but I'll have to be careful about what I might create. Stupid question, what about having the receiver on all the time? Increase in electricity bill? How much juice are we talking about?

I have a house in the hills.... its cold and hot depending on the time of the year and our average electric bill is about $60, in the summer it goes up because we HAVE TO run the A/C.....

honestly I can't say it uses that much electricity at all.... not enough to really make a significant change in the bill

[lojack1976]

Originally Posted by Steve

I wasn't aware there were any issues with it. I've just always thought it was a great receiver for the price. I'll look into it though because I don't want to be recommending gear that has issues. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Yeah its too bad. I myself looked at this receiver quite a bit before I decided I wanted HDMI 1.4, but the pop of death thing is quite prevalent and Marantz as done next to nothing to resolve it with customers. Its a very common problem. Many people have reported having it occur within minutes of using it for the first time. Marantz is generally known as a reputable company, but they flat out denied there was a problem for months and refused to assist customers. It makes me take pause when a company conducts themselves like this.

They've really damaged their reputation with this. Its not even the problem itself that's bad, but its their reaction to it. Had they conceded that there was a problem and took care of their customers so many people wouldn't be angry. Its not like Marantz has a history of problematic products. I just know that I will probably never purchase a Marantz after this because I have no faith in their customer service and warranties anymore. The trust their name once carried has been destroyed in my eyes.

[erict]

I just want to chime in and say I was in the same boat wanting a receiver that was able to pass through sound and picture without having to turn the receiver on so it made it easier for my wife when she was home watching TV. Having a harmony remote cured this issue so my wife only has to hit one button to turn everything on. I wouldn't have it any other way and my wife loves the remote. I just couldn't imagine listing to the TV speakers with all my gear sitting there.

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by erict

I just want to chime in and say I was in the same boat wanting a receiver that was able to pass through sound and picture without having to turn the receiver on so it made it easier for my wife when she was home watching TV. Having a harmony remote cured this issue so my wife only has to hit one button to turn everything on. I wouldn't have it any other way and my wife loves the remote. I just couldn't imagine listing to the TV speakers with all my gear sitting there.

I've heard people say that exact same thing before. I managed to sell my old Onkyo 6.1 speaker set through craigslist. If I can offload the receiver for a decent amount I'll get real serious about a new one. I'll probably go listen somewhere, but after doing lots of reading the Pioneer 920 looks real nice.