Best receiver for 300-400 bucks?

B

bacchus99

Junior Audioholic
I'm working on my first home theater. Let me tell you what I have and need. I do not have a nice HD TV YET. I will eventually. For me the HD movies are going to be what I'll want the TV for. Not that interested in regular HD tv programming. So until Blu-ray comes down and gets alittle more popular I don't see the point in getting the TV yet. I'll hang on to my POS 27" tube TV for now. But what i figured i could go ahead and get and enjoy now is the sound system.

I have an old system that consists of a old jvc regular receiver, bose 301 speakers(i know i know). I plan on keeping the bose for my left and right and buying a center channel speaker(not sure which one yet). The house we bought has 2 rear channel pioneer speakers already mounted on the wall(not sure how they sound). Figured I go ahead and use these. So i need a receiver, a center channel and a sub to get 5.1 going in the house. We also have 2 outdoor speakers on the porch so i'll need a receiver with dual zones or whatever it is called. I was thinking about the Onkyo RX-SR606/605 or the Yamaha RX-V663. I figure i'll need 2 or 3 hdmi inputs: 1 for bluray, 1 for cable box or satellite, and MAYBE one for xbox 360. Which is the better receiver out of those 2. What other receivers make and models should i be looking at given the above? Basically i need help. I used to be in to all this but have been out of it for about 14 years! Sorry for the long first post. Any help is much appreciated!
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
off the top of my head:

605 cannot matrix PCM for rears. (non factor for you with 5.1, big problem for me since I have 7.1).

605 does not have pre-outs, and the 663 does. (non-factor for you? big problem for me cuz I like using my beefy NAD amp).

The 605 can set different x-over points per speaker at the same time. the 663 x-over setting is for all speakers simultaneously (outside of running as "large").

If it was me, id get the Yammy, but I have my own particular needs.
 
R

rnatalli

Audioholic Ninja
The Yammie 663 would be my first pick. The Onkyo 606 is an excellent choice as well, but as was already pointed out, no pre-outs.
 
B

bacchus99

Junior Audioholic
I don't think I'd ever have the need for the preouts as long as I was happy with the power the amp provides. I tend to like to have alittle more power than i'll ever use. I don't like to crank an amp almost all the way to get the desired volume. I definitely want to feel the movies but not come out with ears ringing. If need be I have an older Yamaha EQ that isn't amplified but sure does about double the perceived "power" of my old JVC amp.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
I would pick the Yamaha as well, better track record with HDMI as well as preouts should you ever decide in the future you want or need them. Look at it this way. The Yamaha is an excellent inexpensive preamp and if you stumbled across a great deal on a power amplifier or you get speakers that are hard to drive you would have the option to expand on the Yamaha. If you go with the Onkyo you are stuck with what it's got inside it, which I can't say anything about (I don't know much about the TX-SR606's amp section).
 
B

bacchus99

Junior Audioholic
So far the yamaha is winning. Any other make/models worth looking at in the 300-400 dollar range? The yammy only has 2 hdmi in slots which concerns me some.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
So far the yamaha is winning. Any other make/models worth looking at in the 300-400 dollar range? The yammy only has 2 hdmi in slots which concerns me some.
None that appeal a great deal. The Onkyo has more slots, but you can always get a switcher.
 
B

bacchus99

Junior Audioholic
Yeah the yamaha really looks good for the bang for the buck. Has a nice processor too. I'm really starting to zero in on it. I have found it on the web for $378ish here and there. Where would you all recommend getting one for the best price. The $380 looks alot better than the $499 at big stores. I wonder how some are able to sell a new in box for that price. If i can't get it for 400 or under i probably will not be able to get one. :(
 
GlocksRock

GlocksRock

Audioholic Spartan
I love my Yamaha RX-V663, I can't reccomend it enough, especially for $400.
 
B

bacchus99

Junior Audioholic
Ok. Looks like i'll probably go with the yammy 663. It looks to be about the best bang for the buck i'm willing to spend. Next question. Is it even worth getting the 663 if i don't have a HD tv? Or should I buy everything at the same time and know all the technologies will mesh? I plan on having one in the next 5 or so years i guess(kinda waitin on one more good price drop and for bluray to get more popular and cheaper). I figured I could enjoy the big sound now even with an old tube TV. My dvd player only has coax digital out tho. No optical! I'll prolly get digital cable or satellite so i can have surround for the regular tv too.

Where is the best/cheapest place to get a 663?

Time to start shopping Subs and a center. Any suggestions? I'll probably post this question in another forum too.

Thanks for the help!
 

Latest posts

newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top