Best Receiver $1600 or under? Whats your opinion?

[Footloose301]

I'm about 3 weeks from getting that paycheck that will allow me to purchase a receiver. Right now I'm leaning towards the Marantz SR8002 which is about $1600 on ebay. Anybody believe theres something better for $1600 or less? Maybe the Pioneer Elite 94TXH? The Pioneer has a bit more power(and looks better with my XBR3) also $600 cheaper, but the Marantz has 2 HDMI outputs and I have heard nothing but great reviews on this receiver so it screams quality. I'm really torn here.

[CAB]

The Marantz will do 125W (RMS) at 8 ohms to all channels while the Pioneer cannot. I like the Marantz to provide more headroom for power hungry speakers but I'd be cautious if you are unsure of the power you can provide as it draw 780W.

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by CAB

The Marantz will do 125W (RMS) at 8 ohms to all channels while the Pioneer cannot. I like the Marantz to provide more headroom for power hungry speakers but I'd be cautious if you are unsure of the power you can provide as it draw 780W.

Right now I'd only be using the speakers that came with my Onkyo HTIB then my next purchase would be the AV123 15" subwoofer for $600. So buying the Pioneer would allow me to get the sub+receiver whereas the Marantz would yield my subwoofer purchase.

[Footloose301]

Also, kind of trying to stay away from the Onkyos and Sonys because I have never been a fan of Sony audio department and I have not heard much good from the Onkyo's decoding lately....

[crackinhedz]

the fact that you even have the SR8002 as an option is crazy!

im envious.


...thats my vote.

[crackinhedz]

heck, even the SR7002 is bad ass.

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

the fact that you even have the SR8002 as an option is crazy!

im envious.


...thats my vote.

Haha thanks for the vote. I'll probably pick this one up. Probably have to get a power conditioner to go with it though.

[Driver_King]

Go for the Marantz SR8002. I'm sure it's better quality than that Pioneer.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by Footloose301

Haha thanks for the vote. I'll probably pick this one up. Probably have to get a power conditioner to go with it though.

That and a UPS for even better protection.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Go for the Marantz SR8002. I'm sure it's better quality than that Pioneer.

well, I would have to say Pioneer Elite series is very careful when it comes to the materials used in their products. "Quality" would be a tough fight against any brand.

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

heck, even the SR7002 is bad ass.

Yeah, I could save $600 with that. Looks like the only thing I'd be losing is a bit of power(110 watts vs 125 watts) and gold plated terminals...

[Driver_King]

Oh, I'm sure the materials used are fine. I just mean SQ and performance. Pioneer Elites are great recievers too. It's just I don't think it'd be a better choice over the 8002.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Footloose301

but the Marantz has 2 HDMI outputs

This to me alone, is what puts the Marantz line above most of the rest.

[Driver_King]

Have you thought about investing in a high quality subwoofer too? How about an SVS PC-13 Ultra? I just felt like asking. Seems like you want to get the best. I respect that!

[CAB]

Originally Posted by Footloose301

Right now I'd only be using the speakers that came with my Onkyo HTIB then my next purchase would be the AV123 15" subwoofer for $600. So buying the Pioneer would allow me to get the sub+receiver whereas the Marantz would yield my subwoofer purchase.

Since you don't have hungry speakers, the Pioneer is the more logical choice. I'm looking at the AV8003 to front my amps. I've grown accustomed to separates, the warmth of tubes, and refuse to replace my XLR interconnects. I'm all to pleased to take the utility hit.

[CAB]

Originally Posted by Footloose301

Yeah, I could save $600 with that. Looks like the only thing I'd be losing is a bit of power(110 watts vs 125 watts) and gold plated terminals...

You'd not be losing anything in actual power output and in fact be gaining in an actual surround sound setup. The pioneer cannot supply full watts to all channels simultaneously. It's power draw is 330W(?) vs the 7002s 750W. The 7002 isn't fibbing (as much).

[Footloose301]

Yeah so I think I'm mixed to SR7002 vs SR8002. Whether or not the extra $600 is worth it or not. Eventually I'm upgrading speakers, but can only afford to do one thing at a time.

[werewuf]

Originally Posted by CAB

The Marantz will do 125W (RMS) at 8 ohms to all channels while the Pioneer cannot. I like the Marantz to provide more headroom for power hungry speakers but I'd be cautious if you are unsure of the power you can provide as it draw 780W.

The Marantz website lists the SR8002 as being capable of 125w continuous power, not RMS, which is average power. RMS is now considered an antiquated and useless terminology:

http://www.hifi-writer.com/he/misc/rmspower.htm

www.eznec.com/Amateur/RMS_Power.pdf

[CAB]

Originally Posted by werewuf

The Marantz website lists the SR8002 as being capable of 125w continuous power, not RMS, which is average power. RMS is now considered an antiquated and useless terminology:

http://www.hifi-writer.com/he/misc/rmspower.htm

www.eznec.com/Amateur/RMS_Power.pdf

Thanks for the Internet references. While there is no real Watts RMS that's what vendors mean when they quote Watts per channel. Those CEs usually call it instead the SINE wave continuous average which equate to the same thing in real math. Are there amps made that don't use both positive and negative voltage?

[Beta Man]

Wish I had your problems! I have a 7001 and 5001 and they're both awesome......

Onkyo HTIB speakers???? What are you upgrading to???? You may be buying more AVR than you need.... just a thought....

You need to get some pretty good speakers to justify that lofty of an AVR purchase.