Best receiver for $600 or less?

[jjhawksjj]

I'm purchasing a surround sound system for my newly remodeled basement. I watch mostly DirecTV HD, movies, and some music.

I'd like to spend no more than $600. Can anyone provide any thoughts and reasons for their recommendations?

 

[newb]

Yamaha rxv 663

Check the posts, reviews, et all on this site...
I don't think you'll go wrong.

 

[jostenmeat]

I got a refurbed Onkyo 805 for $600. Runs warm, too warm. Popping while skipping tracks has happened on two movies, out of about a dozen. Big 51 lbs, needs plenty of ventilation. 60 amps as opposed to 36 amps of 705/605, Ultra2, MultiEQXT, preouts, Burrbrowns, can matrix 5.1 hi-def sources into 7.1. The 605 def cannot.

 

[mudrummer99]

I think in that price range, a popular recommendation would probably be the new Yamaha RX-V663 that is beginning to be shipped right now and will be available in retail stores within the next week or two. It has an MSRP of $549 but you shouldn't have a problem finding it for $499 (especially if you shop right here at audioholics store). Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[Pyrrho]

Yet another recommendation for the Yamaha RX-V663. For the money, it looks like an incredible receiver. Of course, if you stumble upon a sale on a higher model that falls into your price point, you might want to go with it. But you may not find one better in your price point. Older receivers do not have all of the latest capabilities, so you will want to consider what you want the receiver to do before you go with a closeout deal. If you don't want to bother with careful research, just get the Yamaha RX-V663 and be happy.

 

[Seth=L]

The RX-V663 not only has great features and connectivity, it has a solid little amplifier section. If you look back to the days of the Yamaha RX-V659 you will see the great applause it received for it's power section. The RX-V663 uses the same power amplifier section as the RX-V659 did a year ago or so.

 

[fredk]

The RX-V663 uses the same power amplifier section as the RX-V659 did a year ago or so.

Has anyone opened one up yet to confirm this yet?

Fred

 

[Seth=L]

Has anyone opened one up yet to confirm this yet?

Fred

The chances are very high they are the same, think about it. One, it's often cheaper to stick with something that you already designed and has been proven. Two, the power supply is the same size. Three, they don't have to re-tool much to produce the RX-V663. It's not 100% sure, but the chances are very, very, high.

 

[fredk]

The reason I am asking is because of a recent conversation I had with Tom Cumberland at Axiom. He seems to know a lot of people in the amp design world.

He told me that Yamaha has a tendancy to do completely new amp designs with each new series so it is not wise to assume anything based on specs alone.

I sure hope you are right. It seems Yamaha has been on a real mission lately. I read a private review of the 661 recently where the guy drove 4ohm speakers to decent sound levels (85-90db) without noticable distortion. The amp shut down at 100db. I thought that was surprisingly good given the price and comments on the weakness of the amp compared to the 659

Fred

 

[Seth=L]

The reason I am asking is because of a recent conversation I had with Tom Cumberland at Axiom. He seems to know a lot of people in the amp design world.

He told me that Yamaha has a tendancy to do completely new amp designs with each new series so it is not wise to assume anything based on specs alone.

I sure hope you are right. It seems Yamaha has been on a real mission lately. I read a private review of the 661 recently where the guy drove 4ohm speakers to decent sound levels (85-90db) without noticable distortion. The amp shut down at 100db. I thought that was surprisingly good given the price and comments on the weakness of the amp compared to the 659

Fred

To clarify, the RX-V661 does not use the same amplifier section as the RX-V659 (I realize you know this, just clarification). They cut it from that receiver and put it in the RX-V861 that series. You will see that the RX-V663 and RX-V863 both have the same amplifier this year, which is a disappointment to me. The RX-V863 does not add enough features to necessitate the $400 price increase in my humble opinion.

 

[rnatalli]

Another vote for the Yammie 663. The Pioneer 1018 is due this summer which from the looks of it should be a great deal also.

 

[Maximan]

I was at BB last night and they are closing out the 661.They had a new one for 299.00 and an open box for 249.00.I think for the price you cant go wrong.

 

[leo1058]

Can't lose with a Yamaha 663.

 

[PENG]

The chances are very high they are the same, think about it. One, it's often cheaper to stick with something that you already designed and has been proven. Two, the power supply is the same size. Three, they don't have to re-tool much to produce the RX-V663. It's not 100% sure, but the chances are very, very, high.

I don't know why the 663 and the 863 are 13.6 oz lighter than the 659 and 1 lb 5 oz lighter than the 657. I hope the later models just have lighter chassis.

 

[jjhawksjj]

Best Receiver for under $600

Well, I appreciate everyone's input. It sounds like the 663 is at the top of the list to look at. Kind of funny that everyone mentioned that particular model. When I was at my local high end retailer, that was the exact model the store person mentioned.

I was looking at the Onkyo 605 because of their high ratings but I'm a bit put off by the comments about them running hot and having some issues because of running so hot.

 

[Seth=L]

I don't know why the 663 and the 863 are 13.6 oz lighter than the 659 and 1 lb 5 oz lighter than the 657. I hope the later models just have lighter chassis.

Or a more efficient transformer with the same form factor.