Pioneer Elite v Onkyo v Harman/Kardon

[cduaneg]

I've been researching receivers in the $500-1000 range, and have eliminated Yamaha, Denon, and Marantz for various reasons. That leaves me with the following three receivers:

. Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH
. Onkyo TX-SR706
. Harman/Kardon AVR 354

The Pioneer seems to have more features that I will use. The only reason I hesitate is because I am not sure how Pioneer's quality compares with Onkyo and H/K. Are they pretty much the same, or would you consider one of these to be better quality over the others?

For what it's worth, I intend to integrate my new amp with my existing Panasonic TH-50PZ800U display and Sony PlayStation 3 for games and movies. I will also listen to music streaming from my laptop's optical out.

 

[Djizasse]

How about the Onkyo 805?

 

[hillbill]

While I have no experience with the H/K, the Onkyo and Pioneer I'm sure are both great Receivers. I had a mid-level Onkyo back in the early to mid 90's. Still one of the best sounding receivers I've ever owned.

Go with the features you want versus price. Then if all else fails...which one is the pertiest to ya?

 

[lsiberian]

I've owned an Onkyo 705. It was a great receiver, but the 706 is a step down in quality IMO.

Given those options I would get the HK. I really like mine. It has very nice features and seems to be a good bang for buck option.

Check out the Harman Kardon ebay store where they have HK Refurbs with full warranties for great prices.

 

[cduaneg]

I was only including current models in my research, but the Onkyo TX-SR805 sounds like an incredible deal considering it's features and the fact that it's price has come down a bit.

 

[rockybrown]

There's a lot of good options in that price range.
I really like the vsx03 and it can be had in the seven hundred range from an authorized dealer. also has a separate sub remote for zone 2.

 

[mperfct]

I got a SC-07 with warranty for a price that's on the upper end (but still in) your price range.

 

[lsiberian]

I got a SC-07 with warranty for a price that's on the upper end (but still in) your price range.

If your still selling your old Marantz that would be a great deal for the OP.

Buying used stuff from audiophiles is a great way to build a system.

 

[cwall99]

I can't address the specific models you listed in your posting, but I've been running a Pioneer Elite VSX82-TXS (or whatever the heck it's called - you gotta credit most of these companies for their ability to dream up un-rememberable names). Anyhow, I've had nothing but success with my Elite unit. It's big, it's powerful, it cranks, it's full of features that I think I haven't even begun to tap into yet. The only thing I wish it had is HDMI 1.3a, but that's a function of what was available when it came out, not of inadequate design.

Actually, I bought mine as the floor model from a local Hi Fi boutique, and so got it substantially reduced.

I also have a small Onkyo AVR that my boys use for their XBox 360. We've had that for about 8 years, and it's never had a lick of trouble.

I guess that's the beauty of solid state: if it makes it through the first year, pretty much only serious abuse is going to wreck it.

Which puts you back to your initial issue: which model has the features you think you'll use the most? I think if I were doing it over, I might pop for a network adapter so I could plug it into my home network.

Personally, though, I just don't care for the aesthetics of the HK, but that's just me. I'm sure there's a ton of HK fans out there who are willing to testify how little I know about what looks good, so we'll call that a moot point.

Besides, you realize, of course, the risk of drawing any sort of conclusion based on the sample size of a survey of people who respond to this string.

Good luck though. I'm sure any of the models you choose will rock.