Looking for a good stereo receiver.

[Ken32]

Decided to look at a stereo receiver for 2.1 listening. I’ve seen two so far that i like. The first is an onkyo TX8270 which looks like it scored well. The second was a harman kardon HK 3770. Looks the the onkyo has better specs all over. Any other recommendations for around 500? Again, this is only stereo, i do not want any surround features whatsoever.
Thanks.

 

[Verdinut]

The Onkyo TX-8270 would most likely be the one to get in the $500 or less category.

But if I were in your shoes, I would just wait and order the Outlaw which has better specs and seems to be better built.

Here is a brief review about the Onkyo which is reported as sounding average. I am sure that you would be more satisfied with the Outlaw product:

https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/26-onkyo-tx8270-network-stereo-receiver

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/outlaw-rr2160-stereo-receiver-review

 

[John Parks]

Decided to look at a stereo receiver for 2.1 listening. I’ve seen two so far that i like. The first is an onkyo TX8270 which looks like it scored well. The second was a harman kardon HK 3770. Looks the the onkyo has better specs all over. Any other recommendations for around 500? Again, this is only stereo, i do not want any surround features whatsoever.
Thanks.

This Friday, the Yamaha R-N803 (refurbished) goes on sale for $499 at Accessories4Less: https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/cms/specials/specials/1.html

It received a great review over on AVSForums: https://www.avsforum.com/review-yamaha-r-n803-stereo-receiver-musiccast-ypao/

The R-N803 has pretty much the same internals as the A-S801 integrated amp, which was reviewed right here on AH: https://www.audioholics.com/amplifier-reviews/yamaha-a-s801-amplifier-review

If I did not already have (and enjoy!) the A-S801, the R-N803 would most certainly be on my list of candidates for 2.1 playback.

 

[snakeeyes]

Even though you don’t need surround, a Denon 3400 on sale is near that price range. Might be an option.

 

[bikemig]

The Outlaw is a fine stereo receiver. It's what I use in my stereo system. Still I really like the feature set on the Onkyo TX 8270. A networked stereo receiver is the way to go I think. Yamaha R N803 also has strong networking features with music cast. It's over the OP's budget but you can pick it up for $500 refurbished from accessories4less on it's Black Thursday sale.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrn803bl/yamaha-r-n803-2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-stereo-receiver/1.html

The sale starts tomorrow. You can pick up the Onkyo refurbished for $350.

 

[Verdinut]

I agree with John. The Yamaha R-N803 would be a better product than the Onkyo.

It is solidly built and would be an excellent option if you don't wish to spend more.

 

[snakeeyes]

I agree with John. The Yamaha R-N803 would be a better product than the Onkyo.

It is solidly built and would be an excellent option if you don't wish to spend more.

Hmm 100w/ch but the crossover to the sub only has 90hz option.

What I used for my 2.1 system in my bedroom was a Yamaha RXA770 which is 95w/ch and you can choose any crossover point. I paid $400 new on Amazon this summer.

 

[Verdinut]

Hmm 100w/ch but the crossover to the sub only has 90hz option.

What I used for my 2.1 system in my bedroom was a Yamaha RXA770 which is 95w/ch and you can choose any crossover point. I paid $400 new on Amazon this summer.

IMO, 90 Hz is a frequency that very well works with most installations. This is why Yamaha decided on this frequency.

 

[snakeeyes]

IMO, 90 Hz is a frequency that very well works with most installations. This is why Yamaha decided on this frequency.

That’s true. Usually 80 or 90 or 100 are right so 90hz is in the middle there.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I have an Onkyo txnr-808. 135x7. It’s a beast, and has connectivity with some streaming apps built in. It’s also been factory serviced by Onkyo to replace the hdmi board, and works flawlessly. You may not need multichannel but even in 2ch, this thing has power to spare. One of the few that measured close to specs. Iirc it weighs almost 40lbs
Not sure where you are located, or what shipping would cost. I’m trying to finance a Denon x4400. Pm me if your interested. I hate to let it go actually, but I have already installed my Atmos speakers and they are waiting for processing and power!!!

 

[Ken32]

Even though you don’t need surround, a Denon 3400 on sale is near that price range. Might be an option.

I bought an x4400h already. This is for a different room.

 

[Ken32]

The Yamaha looks awesome. Does it just do 8ohms @ 145watts? That’s all the info i can find.... the onkyo does 8-4-3 ohms. 240 watts at 3 ohms. That’s a bit of power!

 

[Ken32]

The Outlaw is a fine stereo receiver. It's what I use in my stereo system. Still I really like the feature set on the Onkyo TX 8270. A networked stereo receiver is the way to go I think. Yamaha R N803 also has strong networking features with music cast. It's over the OP's budget but you can pick it up for $500 refurbished from accessories4less on it's Black Thursday sale.

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrn803bl/yamaha-r-n803-2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-stereo-receiver/1.html

The sale starts tomorrow. You can pick up the Onkyo refurbished for $350.

Do they have a return policy if I’m not satisfied?

 

[Verdinut]

The Yamaha looks awesome. Does it just do 8ohms @ 145watts? That’s all the info i can find.... the onkyo does 8-4-3 ohms. 240 watts at 3 ohms. That’s a bit of power!

It has a power rating of 100w/ch both channels driven at 8 ohms with only 0.019% THD

Here is a partial section of its specs:

R-N803 Network Stereo Receiver

Receiver / Integrated Amplifier Network section DLNA Version 1.5 File Format MP3, WMA, MPEG4 AAC, WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD Wi-Fi Yes (with Wireless Direct) AirPlay Yes Bluetooth Yes (SBC / AAC) Minimum RMS Output Power 100 W + 100 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.019% THD) Maximum Power (4 ohms, 1kHz, 0.7% THD, for Europe) 160 W + 160 W Maximum Power(8 ohms, 1 kHz, 10% THD) 145 W + 145 W High Dynamic Power/Channel (8/6/4/2 ohms) 140 / 170 / 220 / 290 W Frequency Response 0 ± 0.5 dB / 0 ± 1.0 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (CD) 100 dB (Pure Direct on, 200 mV) Audio In / Out 10 / 2 Digital Input Yes (Optical / Coaxial) Phono Input Yes USB Input Yes

It can put out up to 290 watts per channel for an instantaneous peak at 2 ohms. It really has excellent specs and an adequate power supply.

One of the PROS for this receiver is that the components are not as crammed as in most AVRs. This should contribute to more reliability and a better longevity.

Here is the American link: https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/hifi_components/r-n803/index.html

The Canadian link: https://ca.yamaha.com/en/products/audio_visual/hifi_components/r-n803/index.html

 

[lovinthehd]

Here's the A4L policy for returns https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/cms/returns/returns/1.html

 

[bikemig]

Do they have a return policy if I’m not satisfied?

Here's the A4L policy for returns https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/cms/returns/returns/1.html

I'm pretty sure they do but that link will answer your question. I've been happy with the gear I bought from them. I just wish they had a frequent flier program given how much stuff I've bought from them,

 

[bikemig]

The Yamaha looks awesome. Does it just do 8ohms @ 145watts? That’s all the info i can find.... the onkyo does 8-4-3 ohms. 240 watts at 3 ohms. That’s a bit of power!

That's dynamic power. The listed specs on the Yamaha and the Onkyo are similar: they both do 100 watts into 8 ohms, they are both 4 ohm stable, they both have bass management, and they both have fine but somewhat different networking features, they both have digital inputs but only the Onkyo has HDMI inputs, they both have good dynamic power ratings as well.

Here is a link on the difference between continuous and dynamic power:

http://faq.yamaha.com/us/en/article/audio-visual/hifi-components/stereo-receivers/rx-v361_black__u/1347/2439/what-s_the_difference_between_continuous_rms_and_dynamic_power_

Here's a difference between the two: the Yamaha weighs 24 pounds, the Onkyo weighs 18. A heavier unit is generally a good thing I think. Also Yamaha--for what it's worth--generally has a better reputation in terms of reliability and quality. For what it's worth, if you google for reviews of the units, you'll find a lot of the Yamaha, not so many of the Onkyo.

Personally I like the networking features on the Yamaha. Music cast which is Yamaha's multi-room audio system is very good. It will be easy to add other music cast devices but you're stuck with Yamaha's products which are obviously good. Both the Yammy and and Onkyo have airplay which is device independent. The Onkyo has google chromecast which is also a good multi room audio system and it is device independent. You can add a google chromecast node for $35 which far and above the best networking deal out there. And only the Onkyo has HDMI which you may or may not care about.

 

[Ken32]

So, would a stereo of similar price sound better than a avr receiver?

 

[snakeeyes]

So, would a stereo of similar price sound better than a avr receiver?

This is one of those things that people will not agree on. In my opinion a similar priced AVR will sound the same and give you more features.

 

[PENG]

I bought an x4400h already. This is for a different room.

I bought a x4400h, but I wish I had kept the x3400h for my other room for a 2 channel system and sell my Marantz AVP instead. Yes, the x3400h is that good, sounds incredible but true, to me anyway. In my opinion, it is the best value for $599, beats any current two channel receiver or even integrated amps at that price point.