Budget 5.1/7.1 receiver suggestions

[jinjuku]

Hi all,

Just ran into the limit with my trusty Denon AVR-85, it doesn't do DTS

So what is out there for under $350? Looking for 5 or 7.1 primarily. A mic input for room eq would be nice also.

Used/Refurb is ok by me.

Thx

 

[Adam]

I'd recommend that you check out the Onkyo 505. Their 500 series receivers have gotten great reviews these past few years. The 505 is 7.1 and can do two-position auto set-up with a mic. Brand new, on sale, it should go for about $250.

EDIT: Actually, $250 at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR505-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B000OBOGEG/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-3538471-7783352?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1182449544&sr=8-1

 

[Adam]

There's also the Onkyo 575 that's almost in your price range ($360), but I don't know much about it:

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR575-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B000OBOGEQ/ref=pd_bbs_4/102-3538471-7783352?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1182449796&sr=8-4

 

[mjhamre]

Just picked up a Yamaha 661 and set it up last night, and am very happy with it so far. Pretty sure I paid $340 and it will take a 5.1 signal and matrix it into 7.1 (which I don't think the budget Onkyos will do, they support 7.1 but only with 7.1 input).

2 hdmi in, and 3 component, all reassignable. Does not convert component to hdmi (which I think one of the budget Onkyos might) so you will need to run both to your tv, but for me that was not a problem at all.

I'm planning to use it as a pre-pro with a 3 channel dedicated amp for the front LCR channels.

The budget choices these days are pretty overwhelming, with the number of features that get packed into modern amps, hope you find something you are happy with.

--Matt

 

[BabelFish]

I would second the onkyo suggestion

 

[darien87]

I would second the Yamaha 661 suggestion. I LOVE mine. But you'd probably be happy either way. Both Yamaha and Onkyo make great products.

 

[pupuplader]

I love my Yamaha 661, got it for $340 great features and plenty of inputs.

 

[mazersteven]

Get it while it's HOT

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR4001

Again get it while it's HOT

http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_RX-V1600_840_Watts_7.1_Ch._A/V_Home_Theater/a11046538.html

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http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKTXSR604

 

[mazersteven]

This receiver can be had for under $350 if you shop around the net

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200502

 

[Seth=L]

The RX-V661(HTR-6060) is the newer version of the RX-V659(HTR-5960)

The RX-V1600 converts all video inputs to HDMI, so that is nice feature. The RX-V1600 shows up on those sites for low prices frequently because it is a tad older, but still packs a lot of bite for the price. It has more power than other receivers that have been mentioned here as well.

Good luck to you.

 

[jinjuku]

How about the H/K AVR 340 Refurbed for $389. Is it worth the stretch?

Since I have everything running through my (tuner, HD-DVD drive etc...) I don't need HDMI switching/passthrough.

Thx

 

[patnshan]

How about the H/K AVR 340 Refurbed for $389. Is it worth the stretch?

Since I have everything running through my (tuner, HD-DVD drive etc...) I don't need HDMI switching/passthrough.

Thx

If you don't need HDMI, I would look at an older model marantz personally. The sound quality is amazing. ac4l has them as well.

Pat

 

[mazersteven]

The sound quality is amazing.

Pat

Here we go again.

 

[Leprkon]

Denon AVR-2106 ??

http://dakmart.com/itemdetails/30630/173/

 

[patnshan]

Here we go again.

Not sure what you mean. I have one and that is my opinion. I believe the OP was looking for opinions. I don't believe that "here we go again" is an opinion or even helps this person with their question. Right?

Pat

 

[Seth=L]

Not sure what you mean. I have one and that is my opinion. I believe the OP was looking for opinions. I don't believe that "here we go again" is an opinion or even helps this person with their question. Right?

Pat

I think he was joking a little. But in reality, receivers in the same price bracket/weight class sound virtually the same. A buyer should really look at features, build quality/reliability (Marantz has great build quality), and price.

Getting absorbed into the idea of receivers that sound vastly different is not what I consider to be a practical or useful comparison, it is subject to bias. Dealers will tell you Denon has warm sound and Yamaha has a cold forward approach. That is insane, because they sound pretty much identical given each receiver is working under the same comfortable operating conditions. Granted a more powerful receiver is going to sound better at higher levels, it stands to reason that it would because it is more powerful and can handle low impedances induced on it better than a less adequate receiver/amp.

 

[mazersteven]

But in reality, receivers in the same price bracket/weight class sound virtually the same.

I Agree

Not the right thread to flame war about this. (I say flame war because that's what always happens with this topic).

 

[Seth=L]

I Agree

Not the right thread to flame war about this. (I say flame war because that's what always happens with this topic).

We don't want it too, and I understand people feeling very strongly about these things. I used to believe that Yamaha had a cold presentation, well I got passed believing that. If you really think about it, everything you see, feel, hear, touch, and smell is based on belief. Since nothing can be completely and solid proof (no, not even science laws are proven). It is more a psychology thing than a physical thing.

 

[jinjuku]

The decision

I have finished performing what I like to term 'due diligence' and am going with the Yammy 661. They packed a whole bucket of features into this thing....

Thanks for all your help, it was fun looking at Onkyo, Denon, Marantz, H/K, Pioneer etc...

 

[mazersteven]

I have finished performing what I like to term 'due diligence' and am going with the Yammy 661. They packed a whole bucket of features into this thing....
...

But wait a minute. How about