What THX Ultra 2 receiver should I get?

[CrimsonKing]

I am buying an SVS PB13-Ultra along with the Energy Reference Connoisseur series after Christmas. I want my receiver to have THX Ultra 2. I have been looking at the Denon and the Onyko receivers. Basically I want to know what I should go with. Or if I should just get some Marantz seperates. I will be mainly using this setup for home theater.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Denon AVR-5308ci.....end of story....

Edit: But the Marantz separates would be fantastic as well....but if you want to go that route....that opens a whole other can of worms. Or you can go all out and get the Denon separates...

 

[CrimsonKing]

I can't afford the Denon separates. Going to find it hard to afford the Denon AVR-5308ci. I'm wondering if the Onkyo is a solid receiver or if there is anything in the 1500-2500 dollar range with THX Ultra 2 that I should go with. Do the Marantz separates even have THX Ultra 2? How many watts per channel should my receiver be to power the speaker system I want? I don't want to under power them.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well the marantz separates are going to run you over that price range as well. You can find the 5308 refurbished but the price is still around $3,200 I believe. You know that the THX rating does not bear a whole lot of weight in real world use and is mostly a rating of the amplifier. You can can get many very high performance AVRs that are not THX Ultra-2 rated...

In your price range I would consider the Onkyo TX-NR905 or 906....both can be has on Ebay from authorized dealers for far less than you max of $2,500. You can also look at the Denon 4308ci would be a good choice but does not have the THX rating. Separates are more tricky in that price range....If you could get the old forum price special on a Denon 3808ci for $1099 and then you could pick up a Sunfire TGA-5200 for $1599 on Audiogon and that would total $2,700 and would be a great combo...

Lots of possibilities in this price bracket but these are a few ideas...

 

[mike c]

THX 2 is a standard that requires receivers to meet certain SPL requirements.

there are other receivers without THX2 certification that can still meet these requirements

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I would drop the critria of THX2 certification. I don't have it and my set up sounds better than any THX Theater I have ever been to for a movie.

THX is just costing you more money and adding no "BANG".

 

[captiankirk28]

I can't really comment on a bunch of the others but i really like my Pioneer ELITE VSX-94THX at 180 watts X 7 it has plenty of power and it is THX 2certified. I think i paid around $1500 for mine when i bought it, and it has alot of feachers and plays all the new HD formats. It also runs very cool even when listing loud for a very long time.

 

[Gov]

THX 2 is a standard that requires receivers to meet certain SPL requirements.

there are other receivers without THX2 certification that can still meet these requirements

Pioneer Elite SC-05 would have meet that!

 

[GlocksRock]

Check out the new higher end Yamaha receivers, they are very nice, and I would be willing to bet they exceed the THX requirements as well.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Denon AVR-5308ci.....end of story....

I second that motion.

Well, seriously, most of these receivers are so close in terms of everything.

 

[CrimsonKing]

Would the Denon AVR-989 or Yamaha HTR6290B be a good pick? Again, I'm looking at mostly home theater usage.

 

[Seth=L]

The receivers I would consider for myself in that price bracket would be the Onkyo TX-SR876 (or the previous year's 875) and the Pioneer Elite SC-05. Both receivers have an awesome amount of power that isn't easily rivaled by competitors. I would venture to say that no manufacturer has a receiver as powerful as those two in that price range.

On top of that both offer tons of features, and the Pioneer's sex appeal can't hurt either.

 

[zumbo]

I would take a long hard look at the Yamaha RZ-V3900 and RX-Z7. Pretty slick units.

Or, you could buy a lower-end unit with all the features you need, and add an external amp. Tons of amp options. You will want to be sure the receiver has pre-outs.

I chose the RX-Z7, and I will be using it as a pre-pro. I already have an external amp from my current system. I started-out with a lower-end receiver that fit my needs for the start-up system, waited four years, and purchased a pretty nice piece.

Buying a mid-fi, pre-out equiped, receiver with an external amp is a good way to get started.

EDIT. Links:
RX-Z7(can be used as a pre-amp later)
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=5016802&CTID=5000300
RX-V3900(can be used as a pre-amp later)
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=5016803&CTID=5000300
RX-V1900/863/663(pre-amp options to meet budget now)
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/compare/Detail.html?compitem1=567571&compitem2=5016804&compitem3=567570&CTID=5000300&VNM=LIVE&comp_items=5016804&comp_items=567570&comp_items=567571&B_compare.x=42&B_compare.y=9

 

[CrimsonKing]

I haven't considered the pioneer elite sc-05. It looks like a really slick unit. What is the quality of that unit compared to the onkyo tx-sr876 or the denon avr-3808ci? The pioneer elite sc-07 is also in my price range. Never really like the looks of the yamaha units. Also what about the marantz SR8002?

 

[Gov]

The receivers I would consider for myself in that price bracket would be the Onkyo TX-SR876 (or the previous year's 875) and the Pioneer Elite SC-05. Both receivers have an awesome amount of power that isn't easily rivaled by competitors. I would venture to say that no manufacturer has a receiver as powerful as those two in that price range.

On top of that both offer tons of features, and the Pioneer's sex appeal can't hurt either.

The SC Elites are extremely sexy

 

[Rogozhin]

I've used Onkyo, HK, and Pioneer receivers and the best one for me has been my Pioneer Elite 92. I had it running all of my speakers and it sounded wonderful, but I'm a believer in outboard amps to run the front end, so now I've some inexpensive (nad2100, two nad2155) amps to run the front end and it's quite amazing!

I'm sure the denon and yamaha receivers are just as robust and full featured as the Pioneers, but I really do think that the Pioneer AVRs are much 'sexier'.

Goodluck with your purchase!

 

[Sherardp]

^ +1, love the pioneers, SC-05 is very good AVR for the price, cant beat the IceAmps either, they sound outstanding, and will drive your setup without issue. Here's my SC-07.

 

[zumbo]

Never really like the looks of the yamaha units.

Just to be sure you know you don't like the Yamaha, I want to point out what I like about the Yamaha look. I like the clean front without many knobs and buttons, and their smooth edges.

Also what about the marantz SR8002?

I had the Marantz SR-8002 at the top of my list, but it lacks up-conversion to 1080p, if that is important to you. If you really look into the fine details, it lacks a lot, compared to the other units. It does seem to have a healthy amp section, but once you get to that price-point, they all do.

 

[CrimsonKing]

So if video processing is unimportant to me, which I think it is. Which unit will provide the best sound for movies and music? The Onkyo TX-SR876, Denon AVR-3808CI or the Pioneer SC-05?

 

[zumbo]

So if video processing is unimportant to me, which I think it is. Which unit will provide the best sound for movies and music? The Onkyo TX-SR876, Denon AVR-3808CI or the Pioneer SC-05?

Of that list, the 3808 would be my pick.(everything considered) The sound will be the same for each unit.(audibly) The abilities and features may not.