My wish list. (Please advise)

[RacerX]

What I want in my next AV receiver in order of importance:

1) Decode all current HD audio codecs.
2) 7.1 or 7.2 speaker output
3) 4 or more HDMI inputs + 2 HDMI outputs
4) Network capable - Home network + internet radio
5) Around 100 watts of GOOD CLEAN output
6) Upgradeable firmware (future proof as much as possible)
7) Good company reputation (Pioneer over Dynex // Marantz over RCA etc..)

10) THX Certified

Can this be done for around $1000?

Thanks for the help.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by RacerX

What I want in my next AV receiver in order of importance:

1) Decode all current HD audio codecs.
2) 7.1 or 7.2 speaker output
3) 4 or more HDMI inputs + 2 HDMI outputs
4) Network capable - Home network + internet radio
5) Around 100 watts of GOOD CLEAN output
6) Upgradeable firmware (future proof as much as possible)
7) Good company reputation (Pioneer over Dynex // Marantz over RCA etc..)

10) THX Certified

Can this be done for around $1000?

Thanks for the help.

Once you look at features like networking and internet capability, you're looking at very high end stuff that's going to be a bit beyond $1,000 (more like $1,2000-$1,600). You'll also be looking at higher rated output power, again, driving up the price.

Your best bet is to dial back on the network stuff, and get a good home theater PC (which need not be expensive) to handle Internet and audio archive chores. An HDMI video card that has good sound output can cost under $50. You can put together an entire HTPC that handles your audio chores for about $400, and it's much more flexible and versatile than anything built into receivers anyway.

For the rest of your requirements, you're now well under $1,000, with some solid choices from Pioneer, Denon, and Yamaha. I leave Onkyo off the list, mainly because once you get into their really premier line, they're a bit overpriced.

I prefer Pioneer Elite - take a look at those, see if you see what fits the bill.

[RacerX]

Nice suggestion! As it so happens, this new AV Receiver will be replacing a very good and still working Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX.

So, if I up the ante to around 1200 - 1400 (my original 1000 + the 400 for the HTPC) does that put me into another league?

A home theater pc doesn't really interest me at this time, although it is a great suggestion, and proves the creativity of the folks in this forum!

Thanks again!

[Steve]

My Pioneer Elite SC-25 has all of those features and I bought mine for $1048 from 6th Ave Electronics. I've known of other people buying them for around $1100. They're out there if you're patient and shop around.

UPDATE: Over on AVS forum people were reporting on the 28th of this month that they were buying them from BB/Magnolia for $999. I would look into that ASAP!! Start looking at the top of page 39 of the SC-25/SC-27 thread over there and see what you can find out.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by RacerX

Nice suggestion! As it so happens, this new AV Receiver will be replacing a very good and still working Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX.

So, if I up the ante to around 1200 - 1400 (my original 1000 + the 400 for the HTPC) does that put me into another league?

A home theater pc doesn't really interest me at this time, although it is a great suggestion, and proves the creativity of the folks in this forum!

Thanks again!

Looks like another poster has seen units meeting your spec and price range. I'm just wary of hard-wired feature sets in receivers, that are best handled by computers - obsolescence can be a headache.

Anyway, his suggestions are interesting, take a hard look!