Need a new receiver. PLZ HELP

[jagxtype]

Looking at a refurb AVR 630 or a New AVR 247.

Wondering which one is the better value. I do not have HDMI anything, so thats no in question. Does the 247 have more features? Is the 35 more watts really enough to notice a huge difference? I like loud clear sountracks and music. What would everybody recommend?

 

[jagxtype]

any info at all?!?!?! I need to buy this by tomorrow. Can get the new AVR 347 or the refurb AVR 630. Both are $500 through someone i know. PLZ i need your opinions and expertise!!! Dont be afraid to give me an answer, i am open to all suggestions.

 

[mazersteven]

I think I would look at this receiver before the HK's.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Id=4192491&JRSource=googlebase.datafeed.ONK+TXSR705B

 

[Seth=L]

Between the two receivers you have selected I would likely choose the H/K AVR-347, just in case you think you might upgrade in the future and have HDMI sources and a display. Both will handily power most speakers adequately, if you have 4 ohm rated speakers I might suggest going with the more powerful AVR-630. Either is a good choice.

The Onkyo TX-SR705 is another good option, that packs a ton of features for the price. It is pretty in line with the AVR-347 in terms of power, the AVR-630 probably has more power though.

Hope this was helpful.

 

[jagxtype]

I think I would look at this receiver before the HK's.

Although i do like the onkyo brand, i prefer the HK. The HK is more of the sound i like. But thanks for the suggestion

 

[jagxtype]

Between the two receivers you have selected I would likely choose the H/K AVR-347, just in case you think you might upgrade in the future and have HDMI sources and a display. Both will handily power most speakers adequately, if you have 4 ohm rated speakers I might suggest going with the more powerful AVR-630. Either is a good choice.

The Onkyo TX-SR705 is another good option, that packs a ton of features for the price. It is pretty in line with the AVR-347 in terms of power, the AVR-630 probably has more power though.

Hope this was helpful.

I will most likely be buying a REALLY good home theater when i decide to upgrade. This will become a bedroom unit (is right now b/c i live at home still while going to college and am only 19) I am not sure, but i think that IPOD bridge (have an optical output on my computer sitting right nect to it) and HDMI (never plan on upgrading the rest of my stuff to HD) are the only "feature" differences in the models. I think going with the avr-630 would be a good idea. I just dont want to put all my eggs in one basket.

 

[Seth=L]

I will most likely be buying a REALLY good home theater when i decide to upgrade. This will become a bedroom unit (is right now b/c i live at home still while going to college and am only 19) I am not sure, but i think that IPOD bridge (have an optical output on my computer sitting right nect to it) and HDMI (never plan on upgrading the rest of my stuff to HD) are the only "feature" differences in the models. I think going with the avr-630 would be a good idea. I just dont want to put all my eggs in one basket.

You don't think you will ever upgrade to HDMI(HD)? If you don't mind my asking why don't you think you will?

 

[jagxtype]

this system will never upgrade to hdmi. I cannot justify spending 5000 on a monster plasma, 500 on a dvd player for it, and have mediocre speakers and a mediocre receiver. The one i am planning on buying will most likely go to the bedroom for listening when this happens. I will buy a preamp/amp combo with great speakers to match for the HD system. Plus, why do i need hdmi on the receiver when i can just wire it directly to the tv if i do decide to convert to HD on this sytem. Either way, i really dont need HDMI. Thoughts....?

 

[mazersteven]

Although i do like the onkyo brand, i prefer the HK. The HK is more of the sound i like. But thanks for the suggestion

What is the difference in sound?

 

[Seth=L]

this system will never upgrade to hdmi. I cannot justify spending 5000 on a monster plasma, 500 on a dvd player for it, and have mediocre speakers and a mediocre receiver. The one i am planning on buying will most likely go to the bedroom for listening when this happens. I will buy a preamp/amp combo with great speakers to match for the HD system. Plus, why do i need hdmi on the receiver when i can just wire it directly to the tv if i do decide to convert to HD on this sytem. Either way, i really dont need HDMI. Thoughts....?

You can get a nice 32" LCD for less than $1000 and a PS3 for $400. Oppo upscaling (HDMI) players can cost less than $200.

 

[jagxtype]

screw PS3....its the gayness. I dont watch enough TV to give a crap at the moment. I 90% of the time listen to music. Its the 10% that i keep a AVR instead of a stereo setup. This is the justification that i have made why not to go HD while still living at home. When i get a home of my own and get settled in, i will then have a dedicated theater room that will be on par with some of the best. I know, it just blows peoples minds that i do not want HD. But w/e. Like said before, if i did decide to go HD for whatever reason, i would just run the HDMI directly to the TV and use optical/coaxial for sound. HDMI is going to be improved many times in the next years and all the stuff that everybody is spending money on now, will be outdated. I will wait given that my needs will be met by the AVR 630 for the time being. I will let a tv do the hdmi switching if i do that route. Just tossing that out there. Thoughts?

 

[jagxtype]

What is the difference in sound?

my opinion is that it sounds no better than my mediocre/entry pioneer that i have Yes, it has more headroom and dynamics, but the sound is the same. The HK on the same speakers sound much warmer and has a lot more depth to it. IMO anyhow...everybody has different tastes

 

[Seth=L]

A clearly stated reason why not to go HD, I concur.

I don't have HD yet, but I am itching now that I have a PS3 in my home.

 

[jagxtype]

I was looking for backing on whether the avr 630 and avr635 were the same and had no response. So after a 3 hour bout of researching, i purchased a refurb AVR 635 from harman online off of the ebay store. It was a best offer or 600.00 buy it now. I offered $450 and instantly i was sent a message saying that i had won it. So i now have an avr 635 for under $500 to my door. Wish me luck guys on it being in good condition! I can't wait to get it and push it to the limits (of course after fully reading the manual and perfecting the settings to my likings).

Another question though...

I have primus 250's main, primus 150's rear, polk CSM center channel, and polk PSW10 subwoofer. Currently i have all monster cable 12 guage running the speakers. The runs are about 10ft to the mains, 6ft to the center and 25 to the rears. Is this going to be sufficient to get maximum performance?

 

[Seth=L]

I have primus 250's main, primus 150's rear, polk CSM center channel, and polk PSW10 subwoofer. Currently i have all monster cable 12 guage running the speakers. The runs are about 10ft to the mains, 6ft to the center and 25 to the rears. Is this going to be sufficient to get maximum performance?

The H/K will power all your speakers great, however the weakpoint in your system at the moment is the subwoofer. Getting even a budget subwoofer like the Onix X-Sub from www.av123.com would be an upgrade from the Polk. I would recommend looking at Velodyne, HSU, and SVS for a new subwoofer. There are other brands to look at as well, those are just the three that come to mind.

 

[jagxtype]

The H/K will power all your speakers great, however the weakpoint in your system at the moment is the subwoofer. Getting even a budget subwoofer like the Onix X-Sub from www.av123.com would be an upgrade from the Polk. I would recommend looking at Velodyne, HSU, and SVS for a new subwoofer. There are other brands to look at as well, those are just the three that come to mind.

Thank you for the suggestion, but beleive it or not, in a bedroom this thing is LOUD! It rattles the windows already and you can feel it throughout the whole house. I listen to it hard with music and movies all the time and it has never bottomed out or crackled or whatnot. I have it just how i like it. I put the subwoofer where the listening spot was and then moved around the room until i found a sweet spot and that is where the sub sits. Has great dynamics and sounds very clean and is blended perfectly. Most of my friends do not even know i have a sub Its not even turned nearly all the way up and has never hit the clip no matter how hard i push it. I like it personally. Any bigger of a sub would be too much for my room and just take up more room Just a matter of opinion i suppose.

 

[Seth=L]

Thank you for the suggestion, but beleive it or not, in a bedroom this thing is LOUD! It rattles the windows already and you can feel it throughout the whole house. I listen to it hard with music and movies all the time and it has never bottomed out or crackled or whatnot. I have it just how i like it. I put the subwoofer where the listening spot was and then moved around the room until i found a sweet spot and that is where the sub sits. Has great dynamics and sounds very clean and is blended perfectly. Most of my friends do not even know i have a sub Its not even turned nearly all the way up and has never hit the clip no matter how hard i push it. I like it personally. Any bigger of a sub would be too much for my room and just take up more room Just a matter of opinion i suppose.

There is a difference between loud bass and accurate bass. Cerwin Vega speakers go loud, but they aren't accoustically accurate.

The X-sub has a smaller footprint than the Polk.

But if you like it, then there isn't reason the change it.

 

[jagxtype]

There is a difference between loud bass and accurate bass. Cerwin Vega speakers go loud, but they aren't accoustically accurate.

The X-sub has a smaller footprint than the Polk.

But if you like it, then there isn't reason the change it.

But my polk is free

Its actually very accurate if your not trying to over drive it. Which i have no problem with since i am not using it in a 1600sq ft room or anytihng like that.
I will justify a purchase of a subwoofer if this one ever goes bad. I do like it too. Sounds great! Oh and i have always hated cerwin vega

 

[Seth=L]

Oh and i have always hated cerwin vega

I hate Cerwin Vega too, and I hate when people think that they are good high end speakers just because they paid $400 for them. LOL

I am glad you are happy with the subwoofer.

 

[jagxtype]

Just would like everyone to know that i appreciate the help. Though i know a bit about electronics and how to make a good sounding HT, i am still a newb compared to some here. I might just have to stick around here for a little bit