Best 7.2 AVR below $400

AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Seriously, Fry’s had the brand new Denon X3500 on sale for $539 the past few days.

A4L has the Denon X3500 REFURBISHED for $800.

Why?

And this is just one of many examples through the years.

Why justify buying refurbished extremely complex electronics (not vacuum cleaners and toasters) when year after year we see BRAND NEW AVR on sale throughout the year for about the same price or less from Amazon, Fry’s, Newegg, Electronics Expo, etc.?

Why?
 
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lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Hey if I can get a new unit for nearly the same, let alone less, than a refurb, definitely going that way. In store demo units (used) or open box (used) if has a full warranty is a good thing, especially when all the accessories are present. It's all about good shopping :)
 
moves

moves

Audioholic Chief
To be or not to be, that is the question. :D

Bottom line, the FACT is, Refurbished is NOT BRAND NEW. That’s an unequivocal fact. Nothing to debate here.
Whether its a fact or not, there are companies that don't follow your standard definition. Its good to be aware of this just in case. You might be able to find a great deal with only the box that is damaged.
 
moves

moves

Audioholic Chief
Seriously, Fry’s had the brand new Denon X3500 on sale for $539 the past few days.

A4L has the Denon X3500 REFURBISHED for $800.

Why?

And this is just one of many examples through the years.

Why justify buying refurbished extremely complex electronics (not vacuum cleaners and toasters) when year after year we see BRAND NEW AVR on sale throughout the year for about the same price or less from Amazon, Fry’s, Newegg, Electronics Expo, etc.?

Why?
I agree that if the electronics is in fact REFURBISHED i.e. repaired in some way, it rubs me the wrong way as well.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
Whether its a fact or not, there are companies that don't follow your standard definition. Its good to be aware of this just in case. You might be able to find a great deal with only the box that is damaged.
If the outer packing box is the only thing damaged, then it’s called “Open Box” and you get the full 3YR factory warranty just like new warranty.

Why would the retailers screw themselves by labeling it “Refurbished” to get a 1YR or less warranty and reduced resale value?
 
moves

moves

Audioholic Chief
If the outer packing box is the only thing damaged, then it’s called “Open Box” and you get the full 3YR factory warranty just like new warranty.

Why would the retailers screw themselves by labeling it “Refurbished” to get a 1YR or less warranty and reduced resale value?
tell it to the guy that sold me the vacuum cleaner.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Refurbished is going to mean different things in different consumer electronics categories (like someone's vacuum) mentioned to an extent I suppose. It doesn't mean an avr was necessarily repaired but seems more about returns from the guy who is one of the major sellers of them here in the US. Granted, he's involved, but probably has better sources of information than we do, and he doesn't do any refurbishing himself, he gets factory refurbished gear (of course not really the factory since largely the factories are overseas and only a US service contractor is involved). See what I copied from a comment Mark Sabbarese (owner of accessories4less.com) made in a FB forum in my post #19. Generally the warranty is only 1 year but I have seen 2 year offered on some higher model line models, too.

At a B&M retailer an open box could be something they received damaged in transit, or an in-store demo model or even something returned they are reselling, and terms can vary, I've seen open box as-is as well as with full warranty so it's not like open box has a particular meaning, would depend on the retailer....but if they're certifying to the manufacturer the whole warranty is still in effect (and they found all the accessories), that can be a very good deal.
 
moves

moves

Audioholic Chief
Definitely, you can get great deals on refurbished items. Just gatta proceed with caution.
 
Sef_Makaro

Sef_Makaro

Audioholic
It’s a bit of a gamble when over $200. :)
Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket! My last 4 receivers have been from A4L, only had any issue with one of them which could have been user error. 3 of my last 4 TVs have been floor models. I’ve only upgraded for a bigger display.

Most recent I got a RX-A3080 for around 40% off because it was a refurb. It came with a 18 month warranty and all the accessories.

When I bought my PB-2000s one had a bad amp. SVS helped me troubleshoot it and sent me a new amp for free, but that was also a new unit.

I haven’t owned as much equipment as some of you have it I seem to have had good enough luck that I won’t hesitate to buy another refurb if the price is right and from a decent vendor. I’m sure my mind will change if/when I get burned on something expensive.
 
S

snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket! My last 4 receivers have been from A4L, only had any issue with one of them which could have been user error. 3 of my last 4 TVs have been floor models. I’ve only upgraded for a bigger display.

Most recent I got a RX-A3080 for around 40% off because it was a refurb. It came with a 18 month warranty and all the accessories.

When I bought my PB-2000s one had a bad amp. SVS helped me troubleshoot it and sent me a new amp for free, but that was also a new unit.

I haven’t owned as much equipment as some of you have it I seem to have had good enough luck that I won’t hesitate to buy another refurb if the price is right and from a decent vendor. I’m sure my mind will change if/when I get burned on something expensive.
Ya if you have multiple receivers, no big risk. I purchased a floor model RX-V3300 back in 2003 that was a great buy. I replaced it in 2017 with a RX-A2060. That 3300 was a heavy beast! :)

I also have bought speakers from A4L but they were new actually. The Canton Vento 820.2. It feels like eternity to ship a pair of speakers from Florida to Seattle though. :)
 
Sef_Makaro

Sef_Makaro

Audioholic
Ya if you have multiple receivers, no big risk. I purchased a floor model RX-V3300 back in 2003 that was a great buy. I replaced it in 2017 with a RX-A2060. That 3300 was a heavy beast! :)

I also have bought speakers from A4L but they were new actually. The Canton Vento 820.2. It feels like eternity to ship a pair of speakers from Florida to Seattle though. :)
No kidding! I live in near Olympia myself. I made the mistake of ordering on Christmas Eve...., there’s another 4 days. FedEx seems to only update tracking once every 2-3 days so I get pretty anxious lol.
 
S

snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
No kidding! I live in near Olympia myself. I made the mistake of ordering on Christmas Eve...., there’s another 4 days. FedEx seems to only update tracking once every 2-3 days so I get pretty anxious lol.
Ya FedEx updates are a joke. LOL :)
 
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
Ya FedEx updates are a joke. LOL :)
FedEx is a joke. Those throwers did their d@mndest to destroy my speakers coming from Maryland! They got themselves 4/5ths of the country to destroy sh!t, and they try every M-F'n chance they get. I was so grateful my Outlaw subs shipped from Oregon!!! I don't wanna think about what woulda happened to them if FedEx had ANY more time with them!!! :eek::eek::eek:

:p
 
O

Ortiz

Audiophyte
I don’t know if it is the best, but Costco has the Yamaha TSR-7850 for $400. It’s 7.2.2, 95W @ 8 ohms. It has latest features so check the specs.
 

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