AVR for HT use, $700 or less budget - HELP - Blu-ray Forum

Drew664 · 01-29-2010, 10:00 PM

Needs
- Pre outs for adding an external amplifier
- Great HT sound/video, music sq is a distant second (opinion, yes, but I'm buying sight unseen or heard - reviews need to be strong)
- New HD codecs and all that comes with it
- Under $700, the lower the better

Wants
- Network compatibility mostly for internet radio
- Multiple 12V triggers, although admittedly I've never looked into this. What's the standard # AVR's come with?
- Bi amp capable

So far I've been able to find the Onkyo HT-RC180 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Network Receiver (Black) for $644.
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-RC180...4804472&sr=8-1

Anywhere cheaper? Any other options to consider?

EDIT:

As I'm reading more of the specs on the RC180, it appears that the internet connectivity is limited to a hard connection via an ethernet. Am I reading this right? I would want wireless connectivity if at all. I also got rid of the 2 week restriction as I've already nixed the idea of buying sooner vs later, lol.

nezff · 01-31-2010, 12:06 AM

onkyo makes a great receiver

VeryNew · 01-31-2010, 01:04 AM

You might want to consider the Denon 1909/789. Theres an official denon thread in here if you want to do more reading about it. Also, there's an official thread of the particular model that i've mentioned in avsforum.com. Good luck to you.

SammyG · 01-31-2010, 01:13 AM

Marantz SR-6003, good reviews from many outlets.

juanchibiris · 01-31-2010, 10:17 PM

Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-Elite-VS...item3359c38d51

Wingman1977 · 01-31-2010, 11:55 PM

Onkyo TX-SR707 for $599.00 @ B&H (unfortunately they it's on backorder).

Steve · 02-01-2010, 12:01 AM

I've had an Onkyo receiver before and they're good. However, with a budget of $700 I think you can do better. I would look hard at Marantz, either an SR5004 or an SR6003.

ZedsDead · 02-01-2010, 12:34 AM

In addition to the Marantz units mentioned I would look hard at the Onkyo tx-nr807 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-136-_-Product

It's @ $770 right now but includes tax and shipping.

If you really are firm on the budget Marantz is probably the way to go. I was going to purchase one but I ended up getting my Yamaha RX-V765 for $400 from Newegg, at that price it was a no-brainer.

nezff · 02-02-2010, 01:47 AM

that onkyo 807 looks good. plenty of power too.

pokefan · 02-02-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

Onkyo TX-SR707 for $599.00 @ B&H (unfortunately they it's on backorder).

If you don't mind factory reconditioned (I've never had a problem) check out accessories4less.com

Onkyo TX-SR707 - $499

Wingman1977 · 02-02-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokefan

If you don't mind factory reconditioned (I've never had a problem) check out accessories4less.com

Onkyo TX-SR707 - $499

I don't chance with refurbished (especially with expensive items). I'll gladly pay a extra $100 for a brand new one.

pokefan · 02-02-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

I don't chance with refurbished (especially with expensive items). I'll gladly pay a extra $100 for a brand new one.

I don't blame you, some people just don't care to mess with it. With items like this if it was an eBay refurb then I wouldn't mess with it either but when it's reconditioned by Onkyo themselves and still has a 1 year warranty I really don't mind.

Steve · 02-02-2010, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokefan

I don't blame you, some people just don't care to mess with it. With items like this if it was an eBay refurb then I wouldn't mess with it either but when it's reconditioned by Onkyo themselves and still has a 1 year warranty I really don't mind.

I know what you mean. I've also heard nothing but good about the Marantz factory refurbs.

Drew664 · 02-04-2010, 02:43 AM

Cool, at least I have some choices to look into. The more I think about my wants/needs, I am leaning more towards an AVR that has wi fi ability for internet radio. I do listen to music, but not from an analog source, so I'm not quite back to square one, but I need to refine my search parameters first. And from my initial searches into a wi fi receiver, there doesn't appear to be that much out there sadly.

Anyways, thanks for the suggestions!

horror4life245 · 02-07-2010, 05:34 AM

You may want to look at the Denon 1910 7.1 Channel Receiver. It's only 90 Watts per channel, but they're true watts and sound pretty fantastic. I have the receiver myself and have some seriously strong speakers attached to it and they all sound loud and amazing.
I bought the receiver for $430, but that was when I talked the guy who worked at a small time audio store down to that price from $500. It also has all the new codecs, 4 HDMI in, 1 HDMI out. It comes with a mic to auto set up your speakers and how loud each speaker should be from your main listening station. You can modify the distances and such. It's an awesome receiver and I'll use it for a LONG period of time and it will only be slightly warm.

Irrob · 02-07-2010, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horror4life245

You may want to look at the Denon 1910 7.1 Channel Receiver. It's only 90 Watts per channel, but they're true watts and sound pretty fantastic. I have the receiver myself and have some seriously strong speakers attached to it and they all sound loud and amazing.
I bought the receiver for $430, but that was when I talked the guy who worked at a small time audio store down to that price from $500. It also has all the new codecs, 4 HDMI in, 1 HDMI out. It comes with a mic to auto set up your speakers and how loud each speaker should be from your main listening station. You can modify the distances and such. It's an awesome receiver and I'll use it for a LONG period of time and it will only be slightly warm.

This receiver does not have pre outs for an external amp, just a sub out.

callas01 · 02-07-2010, 02:11 PM

You could also consider the Sony 2400ES, it has pre-outs, is bi-amp capable, HT video and audio processing is excellent in my 920, so the 2400 should be easily as good or better. The Digital Media Port so you can connect ipods and other things.

Price should be right around $700 or so.

I know everyone thinks Sony receivers are sucky, but it seems this year they are proving to be better then several of the other brands. The ES models are very good receivers. I think you would be impressed overall with them.

Steve · 02-07-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by callas01

You could also consider the Sony 2400ES, it has pre-outs, is bi-amp capable, HT video and audio processing is excellent in my 920, so the 2400 should be easily as good or better. The Digital Media Port so you can connect ipods and other things.

Price should be right around $700 or so.

I know everyone thinks Sony receivers are sucky, but it seems this year they are proving to be better then several of the other brands. The ES models are very good receivers. I think you would be impressed overall with them.

I have no experience with Sony receivers, but I've always heard they're nothing special except for the ES series. Those seem to have a great reputation.

callas01 · 02-07-2010, 11:11 PM

Well if you ever go buy an audio store that has Sony recievers check them out. My 920 is the same as the 2400ES, minus the RS232 port, Advance GUI, Pre-outs and Bi-amping, but it still uses the same Power Supply and Amp, and I can tell you that its a nice receiver. I like the Yamaha, Marantz and Denons better, I am not an Onkyo fan, I don't like the sound of their receivers. Pioneers are OK, there is something about them that just isn't my taste, but I would want to listen through my speakers not the Polks and Klipschs I've heard them on at BB.

Not to mention, the DN1000 is bench testing better then all the other Pioneer and Yamahas, the Onkyos aren't testable, go figure, in its class.

01-29-2010, 10:00 PM	#1
Drew664 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:South Dakota Home Theater Gallery:28 Blu-ray collection:68	AVR for HT use, $700 or less budget - HELP Needs - Pre outs for adding an external amplifier - Great HT sound/video, music sq is a distant second (opinion, yes, but I'm buying sight unseen or heard - reviews need to be strong) - New HD codecs and all that comes with it - Under $700, the lower the better Wants - Network compatibility mostly for internet radio - Multiple 12V triggers, although admittedly I've never looked into this. What's the standard # AVR's come with? - Bi amp capable So far I've been able to find the Onkyo HT-RC180 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Network Receiver (Black) for $644. http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-RC180...4804472&sr=8-1 Anywhere cheaper? Any other options to consider? EDIT: As I'm reading more of the specs on the RC180, it appears that the internet connectivity is limited to a hard connection via an ethernet. Am I reading this right? I would want wireless connectivity if at all. I also got rid of the 2 week restriction as I've already nixed the idea of buying sooner vs later, lol. Last edited by Drew664; 01-29-2010 at 11:01 PM.

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01-31-2010, 12:06 AM	#2
nezff Banned Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Louisiana Home Theater Gallery:36 Blu-ray collection:25 Blu-ray reviews: 4 Trading Score:5	onkyo makes a great receiver

01-31-2010, 01:04 AM	#3
VeryNew Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Vancouver Home Theater Gallery:27	You might want to consider the Denon 1909/789. Theres an official denon thread in here if you want to do more reading about it. Also, there's an official thread of the particular model that i've mentioned in avsforum.com. Good luck to you.

01-31-2010, 01:13 AM	#4
SammyG Special Member Member since:Feb 2009 Location:Douglassville, PA Blu-ray collection:1034 Trading Score:7	Marantz SR-6003, good reviews from many outlets.

01-31-2010, 10:17 PM	#5
juanchibiris Member Member since:Jan 2010 Location:Medellin, Colombia.	Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-Elite-VS...item3359c38d51

01-31-2010, 11:55 PM	#6
Wingman1977 Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:The empire state Trading Score:23	Onkyo TX-SR707 for $599.00 @ B&H (unfortunately they it's on backorder).

02-01-2010, 12:01 AM	#7
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	I've had an Onkyo receiver before and they're good. However, with a budget of $700 I think you can do better. I would look hard at Marantz, either an SR5004 or an SR6003.

02-01-2010, 12:34 AM	#8
ZedsDead Senior Member Member since:Jul 2009 Home Theater Gallery:28 Blu-ray collection:94	In addition to the Marantz units mentioned I would look hard at the Onkyo tx-nr807 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-136-_-Product It's @ $770 right now but includes tax and shipping. If you really are firm on the budget Marantz is probably the way to go. I was going to purchase one but I ended up getting my Yamaha RX-V765 for $400 from Newegg, at that price it was a no-brainer.

02-02-2010, 01:47 AM	#9
nezff Banned Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Louisiana Home Theater Gallery:36 Blu-ray collection:25 Blu-ray reviews: 4 Trading Score:5	that onkyo 807 looks good. plenty of power too.

02-04-2010, 02:43 AM	#14
Drew664 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:South Dakota Home Theater Gallery:28 Blu-ray collection:68	Cool, at least I have some choices to look into. The more I think about my wants/needs, I am leaning more towards an AVR that has wi fi ability for internet radio. I do listen to music, but not from an analog source, so I'm not quite back to square one, but I need to refine my search parameters first. And from my initial searches into a wi fi receiver, there doesn't appear to be that much out there sadly. Anyways, thanks for the suggestions!

02-07-2010, 05:34 AM	#15
horror4life245 Banned Member since:Nov 2009 Location:California Blu-ray collection:165 Trading Score:4	You may want to look at the Denon 1910 7.1 Channel Receiver. It's only 90 Watts per channel, but they're true watts and sound pretty fantastic. I have the receiver myself and have some seriously strong speakers attached to it and they all sound loud and amazing. I bought the receiver for $430, but that was when I talked the guy who worked at a small time audio store down to that price from $500. It also has all the new codecs, 4 HDMI in, 1 HDMI out. It comes with a mic to auto set up your speakers and how loud each speaker should be from your main listening station. You can modify the distances and such. It's an awesome receiver and I'll use it for a LONG period of time and it will only be slightly warm.

02-07-2010, 02:11 PM	#17
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	You could also consider the Sony 2400ES, it has pre-outs, is bi-amp capable, HT video and audio processing is excellent in my 920, so the 2400 should be easily as good or better. The Digital Media Port so you can connect ipods and other things. Price should be right around $700 or so. I know everyone thinks Sony receivers are sucky, but it seems this year they are proving to be better then several of the other brands. The ES models are very good receivers. I think you would be impressed overall with them.

02-07-2010, 11:11 PM	#19
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Well if you ever go buy an audio store that has Sony recievers check them out. My 920 is the same as the 2400ES, minus the RS232 port, Advance GUI, Pre-outs and Bi-amping, but it still uses the same Power Supply and Amp, and I can tell you that its a nice receiver. I like the Yamaha, Marantz and Denons better, I am not an Onkyo fan, I don't like the sound of their receivers. Pioneers are OK, there is something about them that just isn't my taste, but I would want to listen through my speakers not the Polks and Klipschs I've heard them on at BB. Not to mention, the DN1000 is bench testing better then all the other Pioneer and Yamahas, the Onkyos aren't testable, go figure, in its class.

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