Need help upgrading my receiver

[h2oyo]

Hello All,
I am wanting to upgrade my receiver. I am now using a Onkyo TX-SR308. I listen to music most of the time, CD's and streaming mostly. Moive's and TV is second for me but enjoyed by the rest of the family so cant be counted out. I have HSU Mkll bookshelf speakers and center for the front along with a HSU 12" subwoofer. My rear surround sound speakers are Polk M30's. I would like better sounding music and for the family upgraded HDMI ports for BD player and streaming movies and tv. With so many receivers out there and my little knowledge of them I am asking for ideas for my upgrade. I will have to keep this upgrade to about 4 to 500.00 dollars. So with that in mind I have no problem getting good used receivers to help make my small budget go as far as I can. I appreciate your help and ideas and look forward to understanding and making the perfect choice for my system.
Thanks

 

[PENG]

For your $500 budget it will be tough to beat this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-A830-7-2-Channel-AVENTAGE-Receiver/dp/B00BQHCCQQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421065003&sr=8-2&keywords=rx-a840

 

[markw]

To be honest, what seem to be most of your wishes and complaints won't be answered by a new receiver, or at least effectively.

HDMI ports haven't "improved" any in way way that would improve the picture or sound.

To improve the overall sound, you should be looking at new speakers, particularly the front mains and possible center.

For streaming, a Smart TV, most modern Blu-ray players and even inexpensive Roku type boxes afford more streaming options than you can shake a stick at.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

For your $500 budget it will be tough to beat this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-A830-7-2-Channel-AVENTAGE-Receiver/dp/B00BQHCCQQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421065003&sr=8-2&keywords=rx-a840

44% off is pretty good discount.

I think the Denon X3000 may be second in terms of discount @ 40% off.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-X3000-7-2-Channel-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00CALM12W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421070738&sr=8-1&keywords=denon+x3000

If I were to buy an AVR for around $500, I would get an open box from Amazon Warehouse that is "LIKE-NEW" for $446.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00CALM12W/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

 

[Steve Pitbull Potenziano]

Ill say the same thing I said in the other Thread..

Im not a Onkyo fan to many problems with solder point for the HDMI board. But Check my thread on the Sony and the Yamaha VERY affordable NEW AVRs. They are The newest ones they make and pretty bullet proof

 

[h2oyo]

Thank you for the replies, I was looking at a yamaha RX A720. As for a new receiver not being able to help much with my list, maybe lol, I will keep looking and see what I can find as an open box or craigslist etc.
Thanks for the advice

 

[PENG]

Thank you for the replies, I was looking at a yamaha RX A720. As for a new receiver not being able to help much with my list, maybe lol, I will keep looking and see what I can find as an open box or craigslist etc.
Thanks for the advice

The RX-A720 does not have the 7.2 preouts that the A820 has. For some reason the A820 is selling for more on Amazon.com than the A830 and that's why I recommended the newer A830. For $500, you get a new one with Yamaha warranty and has all the essential features plus the 7.2 preouts that you just can't get from any D&M or even Onkyo models at this price point.

 

[RichB]

^^^
Yeah, I am looking at that for a vacation home since I already have the Sunfire amp.
We want Airplay and Bluetooth for guests (rentals).

- Rich

 

[h2oyo]

More choices OMG, I do thank everyone for the help and direction. I checked out the 830. It looks like it will about cover everything I was looking and more power to boot.
Thanks

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

To be honest, what seem to be most of your wishes and complaints won't be answered by a new receiver, or at least effectively.

HDMI ports haven't "improved" any in way way that would improve the picture or sound.

To improve the overall sound, you should be looking at new speakers, particularly the front mains and possible center.

For streaming, a Smart TV, most modern Blu-ray players and even inexpensive Roku type boxes afford more streaming options than you can shake a stick at.

Imma gonna be with mark on this, new receiver would not make music sound better or improve hdmi port.
For cheap fixes try to re-position speakers re-run the audessey auto setup and possibly manually dial in the crossover settings. I do have to say that hsu horn bookshelves are great for movies, but could sound a bit harsh for some music. Not much you could do about it even with best receiver.

For streaming and stuff - i highly recommend amazon fire tv or the stick. It would do much better job than any avr

 

[GIEGAR]

Oops! Just responded in your other thread and then saw this one.

Edit 2: Moved my post to here. (Thanks Mark.)

Take a look at the factory refurbished units at Accessories4less to drive your dollar further, but "as new" with 1 year warranty.

In your price range, my recommendation is the DENON AVR-X3000 7.2 4K Ultra HD Networking Receiver w/ AirPlay.

Third from the top of last years Denon lineup; more than adequate power for your HSU's; good level of Audyssey (XT) for improved setup and sound; network connectivity via ethernet, WiFi adapter (optional) &/or AirPlay.

I think that meets most of your needs.


I prefer Denon over Yamaha, mainly for what Audyssey | Dynamic EQ brings to table in a typical (untreated) living room.

Edit 1: @BoredSysAdmin , FYI no Audyssey on the OP's Onkyo TX-SR308. Agree with your points.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I prefer Denon over Yamaha, mainly for what Audyssey | Dynamic EQ brings to table in a typical (untreated) living room.
Edit 1: @BoredSysAdmin , FYI no Audyssey on the OP's Onkyo TX-SR308. Agree with your points.

Same here re:Audyssey.

Thank for Giegar
As for SR308 - darn, Onkyo really dropped the ball by not including even most basic Audyssey MultiEQ (2 points)
Yes, with decent modern avr like X1000 or X2000 (get amazon warehouse deal) you will notice the benefits of Audyssey system, with that said - the less you spend on electronics - the more you'd have left to spend on speakers, where real big difference could gained by changing them.

As an option you could use old Onkyo with new nice speakers (lets say Ascend 340SE's) for music system and new AVR like X1000 with existing HSU/Polk for HT system