Not able to narrow down to 1. Help

[TkNeo]

I am looking for a receiver under 250 bucks..

These are the ones that i have narrowed down two. Can you guys recommend which one is better ?

ONKYO TX SR505
Price on Amazon: 249$

SONY STR DG710
Price on Amazon: 219$

Eventually i want to connect them to my IPOD and be able to control ipod songs using a remote..

I do not have a HDTV but when i do i'd like to use the HDMI port in the receiver. I don't care about blue ray or HD audio or the ability to upconvert video in the receiver. However i would get a TIVO HD soon that i'd like to hook up to this thing using HDMI..

 

[GlocksRock]

Go with the Onkyo over the Sony.

 

[Seth=L]

How many HDMI sources do you plan to have? How many HDMI ports does the TV have? If you only have 2 HDMI sources, and if the tv has at least 2 HDMI ports an HDMI switching receiver would not be necessary, at which point I would recommend the Yamaha RX-V659.

 

[TkNeo]

How many HDMI sources do you plan to have? How many HDMI ports does the TV have? If you only have 2 HDMI sources, and if the tv has at least 2 HDMI ports an HDMI switching receiver would not be necessary, at which point I would recommend the Yamaha RX-V659.

I will have 2 sources (1 from either cable or TIVO) and second from DVD both of them can go the future HDTV w/ two HDMI inputs that i am going to buy. The audio out of TV can go to the receiver. And i am fine w/ non HD audio for now.

So that way i don't need a HDMI input in the receiver but it doesn't hurt to have one. The yamaha you suggested is 50$ more than onkyo and 70$ more than Sony and doesn't have any HDMI inputs.

As for 7.1 i am not too excited. I am more than happy w/ 5.1 if at all i want to get a home theatre set up. But i just plan on using the whole thing w/ 2 speakers right now.... not at all planning for home theatre. should i just buy a stereo receiver then ?

 

[rnatalli]

I'd also go with the Onkyo over the Sony if it came down to only those two; but if you don't need HDMI, you might be able to find a Yammie, Denon, or even H/K close to this price range. The new Onkyo's do offer good bang-for-buck so you'd probably do fine with it.

 

[Seth=L]

I will have 2 sources (1 from either cable or TIVO) and second from DVD both of them can go the future HDTV w/ two HDMI inputs that i am going to buy. The audio out of TV can go to the receiver. And i am fine w/ non HD audio for now.

So that way i don't need a HDMI input in the receiver but it doesn't hurt to have one. The yamaha you suggested is 50$ more than onkyo and 70$ more than Sony and doesn't have any HDMI inputs.

As for 7.1 i am not too excited. I am more than happy w/ 5.1 if at all i want to get a home theatre set up. But i just plan on using the whole thing w/ 2 speakers right now.... not at all planning for home theatre. should i just buy a stereo receiver then ?

The Yamaha is a significantly more powerful receiver and has much more features, aside from HDMI switching, than the other two models you proposed. IMO, that Yamaha is about the best bang for buck for your needs.

 

[rnatalli]

Let's not forget what's good about low-end Sony receivers. They're the only receiver I'm able to fry my breakfast on

 

[Adam]

Between the Onkyo and the Sony, I'd also vote for the Onkyo.

 

[TkNeo]

ok i just purchased the onkyo ...will get it on Wed. will let you guys know who it goes. thanks for the input.

oh wait. i dont have speakers...i think i will just get some cheap used speakers from some local website.. as long as receiver is good, speakers won't make a big difference right ?

 

[Davemcc]

I will have 2 sources (1 from either cable or TIVO) and second from DVD both of them can go the future HDTV w/ two HDMI inputs that i am going to buy. The audio out of TV can go to the receiver. And i am fine w/ non HD audio for now.

Whichever receiver you choose, don't rely on running audio from the TV to the receiver. Run digital audio (coax, s/pdif or optical) from the Tivo and the DVD player directly to the receiver and HDMI to the TV for video. This will ensure you get the proper surround mix from digital sources. A lot of TV's will downmix digital audio to 2 channel for digital output.

To the original question, Onkyo over Sony.

 

[zumbo]

ok i just purchased the onkyo ...will get it on Wed. will let you guys know who it goes. thanks for the input.

oh wait. i dont have speakers...i think i will just get some cheap used speakers from some local website.. as long as receiver is good, speakers won't make a big difference right ?

Uh oh!

 

[Seth=L]

I LOL'D.

Speakers should always be chosen before amplification. It most likely won't be a problem for you, but it is always wise to select speakers before the receiver or other components.

 

[zumbo]

I LOL'D.

I'm still ROFL'ING.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_seeall_1/103-8506857-0501464?ie=UTF8&rs=&keywords=bic america&rh=i:aps,k:bic america,i:electronics

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_e/103-8506857-0501464?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias=electronics&field-keywords=infinity+primus

 

[TkNeo]

lol. !

anyways it is what it is...

Can you guys recommend some speakers for under 150 bucks. (2 speakers)? i intend to use the speakers for long long time ! i was at best buy and listened to klipsch speakers they sounded really good. The size of my room is 18 feet by 16 feet.

 

[zumbo]

lol. !

anyways it is what it is...

Can you guys recommend some speakers for under 150 bucks. (2 speakers)? i intend to use the speakers for long long time ! i was at best buy and listened to klipsch speakers they sounded really good. The size of my room is 18 feet by 16 feet.

Did. Post#13.

 

[Davemcc]

ok i just purchased the onkyo ...will get it on Wed. will let you guys know who it goes. thanks for the input.

oh wait. i dont have speakers...i think i will just get some cheap used speakers from some local website.. as long as receiver is good, speakers won't make a big difference right ?

How did I miss this. You must have posted while I was still typing my reply. Anyway, yes, speakers will make a huge difference. They are perhaps the single greatest selection that you have to make. I guess it's just so easy to assume that people asking about receivers already have speakers. So often people ask what seems to be a simple question and in return get bombarded with a bunch of questions in return (like what speakers are you using, what size room, etc.). I will make a mental note to try and ask these questions on a more regular basis.

 

[TkNeo]

Is something like this
Bic America

good enough for a 18 feet X 16 feet room ? i looked at other bic america speakers but they appear expensive..

I listened to Klipsch - Synergy III 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers at best buy and they sounded good. I also listened to bose 301 and thought they were crappy !

so would the bic america's be better than the ones above ?

 

[3db]

I would choose PSB Alpha Ts

Is something like this
Bic America

good enough for a 18 feet X 16 feet room ? i looked at other bic america speakers but they appear expensive..

I listened to Klipsch - Synergy III 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers at best buy and they sounded good. I also listened to bose 301 and thought they were crappy !

so would the bic america's be better than the ones above ?

over any of the ones you are looking at. If you want to keep the speakers for a long time and not get tired of muddied bass and midrange or piercing treble, I suggest you audition a pair of PSB AlphaTs

 

[rnatalli]

lol. !

anyways it is what it is...

Can you guys recommend some speakers for under 150 bucks. (2 speakers)? i intend to use the speakers for long long time ! i was at best buy and listened to klipsch speakers they sounded really good. The size of my room is 18 feet by 16 feet.

Here are a few to check out in your price range. Klipsch is good too, but you should audition a few others to be sure.

Mission
http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/4714b9930038a1f02740ac1003410642/Product/View/2321

Boston Acoustics
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=25410

Wharfedale
http://www.tsto.com/cgi-bin/TSTO.storefront/4714b9930038a1f02740ac1003410642/Product/View/2099&2D1

Mirage
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-XD29KlkliHB/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=37900&i=653OMN150&search=Mirage+VENDORID653&searchdisplay=Mirage&tp=186

Monitor Audio
http://saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/bronze_gala.htm

 

[TkNeo]

oh come on. This should not be this hard.

I thought speakers would be easier to pick than the receiver. I would get my receiver tomorrow but no speakers to test it. YUCK !

How does one decide ? i have to buy online to its not that i can listen to a few and compare them ! What am i looking for in a speaker. I think i am willing to spend 200$ on the speakers now !