no-name receivers??

[EddieG]

So, after posting a few questions I forgot to ask this one...

Being a pharmacist I always dispense generic drugs. When I need to take medicine I take generics. Are there any "generic" or no-name receivers that do a decent job at reasonable prices?

Thanks!

Eddie

 

[Seth=L]

Insignia gear isn't bad for the price (I beleive the most recent slew of Insignias are made by Sherwood, I can't be certain on that).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So, after posting a few questions I forgot to ask this one...

Being a pharmacist I always dispense generic drugs. When I need to take medicine I take generics. Are there any "generic" or no-name receivers that do a decent job at reasonable prices?

Thanks!

Eddie

Bro! Some generic receivers are approved by Audioholics because they have the same AUC, efficacy, and safety profile. However, some are really like herbal & dietary supplemental products---you just can't trust the content!

But why buy generic when you can get the Onkyo SR605 for $400? It will outperform most receivers you find at Best Buy--generic or brand name.

 

[Seth=L]

But why buy generic when you can get the Onkyo SR605 for $400? It will outperform most receivers you find at Best Buy--generic or brand name.

I have no doubt that a $400 receiver from Onkyo will outperform a $130 Insignia receiver.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have no doubt that a $400 receiver from Onkyo will outperform a $130 Insignia receiver.

Oh, are we talking about $130 receivers? Goodness.
Does it even have DTS & DD decoders?
I was thinking of comparing the $400 Onkyo to a $500 Sony, Pioneer, JVC, Panasonic, etc. $130? Goodness.

 

[davidtwotrees]

They did do an article on OEM and how mfgr's were using the same component and the only difference was cosmetic. But those were $1000 units. Acurusman hit the nail on the head- the big name guys are just battling it out in the counsumer electronic market.
And for $400 you can get a unit that will literally be able to launch a space shuttle..........then again, I don't like all those "features" which is why I have the prepro I do.
Another option is used. Or refurbished. Or discontinued. I have used all those options to buy better eqpt. that I couldn't afford otherwise. Your options are endless, and under $200 you are getting some pretty questionable gear, imho.

 

[rnatalli]

Being a pharmacist I always dispense generic drugs. When I need to take medicine I take generics.

I clearly haven't studied pharmacology to the level you have, but I thought studies showed the named brands do outperform generics. Although, probably not enough to justify the higher price.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I clearly haven't studied pharmacology to the level you have, but I thought studies showed the named brands do outperform generics. Although, probably not enough to justify the higher price.

Most people don't know this, but a lot of times, the same company that makes the brand names also make the generic. In this case, they are the EXACT same drugs, just different names! They are not about to let some other generic companies eat away at their pie.

But the FDA requires that the generics do the same thing as the brand names in terms of safety and effectivenss. The only difference will be the time it takes for the drugs to absorb into the blood. The total amont of absorption will be the same, but the RATE may differ.

For some important drugs, I wouldn't buy generics either. But for most, I would buy generics.

But receivers? I wouldn't even buy those $150 receivers for my 5 year old daughter! ****hee****hee

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

They did do an article on OEM and how mfgr's were using the same component and the only difference was cosmetic. But those were $1000 units. Acurusman hit the nail on the head- the big name guys are just battling it out in the counsumer electronic market.
And for $400 you can get a unit that will literally be able to launch a space shuttle..........then again, I don't like all those "features" which is why I have the prepro I do.
Another option is used. Or refurbished. Or discontinued. I have used all those options to buy better eqpt. that I couldn't afford otherwise. Your options are endless, and under $200 you are getting some pretty questionable gear, imho.

Yeah, like Outlaw Audio/Sherbourn, Denon/Marantz, Onkyo/Integra? I wouldn't mind getting some of those OEM.

I think I've heard claims about a $300 receiver sounding the same as a $5,000 or more system, but I refuse to believe it. Yeah, used equipments are great. EBay is great.

 

[Seth=L]

Those Insignia receivers at Best Buy have better construction than Kenwood, that is good enough for me.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I have no doubt that a $400 receiver from Onkyo will outperform a $130 Insignia receiver.

That depends. If the speakers are easy to drive and the volume is moderate, I am not sure that it would make any difference.

 

[EddieG]

Most people don't know this, but a lot of times, the same company that makes the brand names also make the generic. In this case, they are the EXACT same drugs, just different names! They are not about to let some other generic companies eat away at their pie.

But the FDA requires that the generics do the same thing as the brand names in terms of safety and effectivenss. The only difference will be the time it takes for the drugs to absorb into the blood. The total amont of absorption will be the same, but the RATE may differ.

For some important drugs, I wouldn't buy generics either. But for most, I would buy generics.

But receivers? I wouldn't even buy those $150 receivers for my 5 year old daughter! ****hee****hee

So what is the minimum you would spend on a receiver? As for generic a/v equipment, I was thinking about my TV. I read that with TV's the basic components are pretty much all the same, so I bought an Olevia LCD TV for a good price. It turns out that Consumer Reports gave my set a top rating! My father just bought a Vizio TV which I think is part of Sony??? (I may be wrong about this).

I guess with audio receivers the same principle about the tv's is not the same.

I'm looking Ebay and found the Yamaha HTR-6040 for $200 and the Sony DG510 which got a few good reviews on Cnet. Are you familiar with these models?

Thanks!

Eddie

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I am not sure that I have a lower limit as far as a receiver and DVD player. The cheapest available willl do just fine. I think it is neccessary, however, to invest some $ in the speakers as they are what make almost all of the audible difference. Also, speakers with low impedance and/or low sensitivity will require a better receiver (as will a desire for ear-bleeding volume.)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So what is the minimum you would spend on a receiver? As for generic a/v equipment, I was thinking about my TV. I read that with TV's the basic components are pretty much all the same, so I bought an Olevia LCD TV for a good price. It turns out that Consumer Reports gave my set a top rating! My father just bought a Vizio TV which I think is part of Sony??? (I may be wrong about this).

I guess with audio receivers the same principle about the tv's is not the same.

I'm looking Ebay and found the Yamaha HTR-6040 for $200 and the Sony DG510 which got a few good reviews on Cnet. Are you familiar with these models?

Thanks!

Eddie

I wouldn't mind getting a Vizio thin panel.

The minimum that I would spend on a brand new receiver would be $400. But eBay is great because you can get a $1,000 receiver for $200 or $300, if you don't care about the new features like HDMI 1.3, Dolby TrueHD, & DTS-MA.

I would pick the Yamaha over Sony any day. Receivers I would buy include Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha, Outlaw Audio, Marantz, Pioneer Elite.

 

[markw]

First off, your choice in speakers should guide your receiver's choice.

Some speakers are easy to drive and will sound decent/good with almost anything. Some are harder to drive and will require an amp with a little more "oomph" to get the most out of them.

Likewise, how loud you expect to be listening can affect the equation as well.

Then it all boils down as to what features you want on the receiver. this is where it gets tricky. Separating the sizzle from the steak.

Effectively, sometimes the main difference between receiver teirs is the features moreso than a performance upgrade. A few extra watts means less in your ears than the advetising would have you believe.

 

[BMXTRIX]

In general, the answer is no.

At most price points there is a manufacturer that has a product that excels for the money. Onkyo has some very inexpensive receivers and HTIB systems that are well ahead of the curve. At the mid-level, Pioneer, Yamaha, and Denon really begin to fire things up. Then there is a top level which starts to get very 'personal' instead of 'value' oriented.

So, while there is the Insignia brand (Best Buy brand) it is going to deliver what you pay for it, not some extraordinary value. There are brands, most notably Bose, which are overpriced for the quality you get and are easily bested by lesser expensive products on the market.

The first thing? Figure out what you want and how much you can afford, then come back with a specific budget or target number. You will get some honest answers to your question with actual products instead of random suggestions which may, or may not, do anything to meet your budgetary constrictions.

In general: I would avoid off-brand names. They are typically shoddily built pieces with zero customer service. If you have issues, there will be very limited service and support available for you, and the stores you buy them from will not be the type that will be capable of offerring assistance.

In your terms: It is like asking if there is an OTC version of a good drug. Yes, there may be some out there, but if you have issues with it, and the store you bought it from has no pharmacy, what do you have left to help with any issues/side-effects? Some random Chinese/Korean company? Not exactly where most people put their health.

 

[flippo]

Look used

I just bought an Onkyo tx-sr602 receiver for 169$ at a pawn shop and it sounds wonderful with great features. So go ahead and look around you might be suprised.

 

[alexsound]

So, after posting a few questions I forgot to ask this one...

Being a pharmacist I always dispense generic drugs. When I need to take medicine I take generics. Are there any "generic" or no-name receivers that do a decent job at reasonable prices?

Thanks!

Eddie

What is you idea of a "reasonable price" ?

 

[EddieG]

What is you idea of a "reasonable price" ?

M budget is $300 MAX.

 

[MDS]

M budget is $300 MAX.

No need to go generic even if they do exist. For $300 you can get an Onkyo 505 or a similar model from Yamaha or Denon even if you pay full retail at a place like Circuit City.