Suggested AV Receiver: $300 to $400??

[mrm1233]

Hi.

You may have to excuse me for making this post because I'm sure similar have already been made. I know next to nothing about audio visual equipment.

I'm looking to purchase a new AV Receiver for between $300 and $400. We'd be using it in our living room, which is about 15 feet long by 10 feet wide. We have AV123 Strata Mini Speakers and an Hsu subwoofer. We won't be using any back or side speakers and I want the new receiver for playing music, not for anything else.

Looking over what I've seen, these are the possibilities I've come up with so far:

1. Pioneer 819 or 919,
2. Denon AVR-590 or 1610,
3. Yamaha 465 or 565,
4. Onkyo SR507

Any other suggestions/recommends would be appreciated.

Thanks very much.

 

[sholling]

If you're in the US then you way want to consider a $300 factory refurbished Onkyo TX-SR607 from Accessories For Less. They don't ship outside the US.

 

[Edmonton]

2.1 music only?

Harman Kardon 3490 - pretty sure it can be had for under 300 brand new at several internet dealers

 

[mrm1233]

Thanks for both of your replies.

Yes, I'll be only playing 2.1 music and I'll look into the Onkyo TX-SR607 as well as the Harmon Kardon.

Thanks again.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would look at these Denon receivers from eCost.com:

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/ecce/category/category.aspx?category=155438257&p=1&manufacturer=Denon

 

[pzaur]

Try www.dakmart.com also. Their search engine is pretty weak, though. You can't narrow or sort by price point.

Dakmart is a Denon Authorized retailer for A/B/refurb stock equipment.

-pat

 

[Whitey80]

2.1 music only?

Harman Kardon 3490 - pretty sure it can be had for under 300 brand new at several internet dealers

Haven't ever owned one, did some serious research when buying my Pioneer Elite into Harmon's flagship models and came up with some (by some, I mean a ridiculous percentage) severely dissatisfied owners over the build quality of their units. Constant failures and repairs. I steered clear.

 

[mrm1233]

Thanks again. I'll let you know what my decision (I'm not ready to buy yet but I'll be buying soon.

 

[Avalon65]

Hi.

You may have to excuse me for making this post because I'm sure similar have already been made. I know next to nothing about audio visual equipment.

I'm looking to purchase a new AV Receiver for between $300 and $400. We'd be using it in our living room, which is about 15 feet long by 10 feet wide. We have AV123 Strata Mini Speakers and an Hsu subwoofer. We won't be using any back or side speakers and I want the new receiver for playing music, not for anything else.

Looking over what I've seen, these are the possibilities I've come up with so far:

1. Pioneer 819 or 919,
2. Denon AVR-590 or 1610,
3. Yamaha 465 or 565,
4. Onkyo SR507

Any other suggestions/recommends would be appreciated.

Thanks very much.

I don't think you should be looking for an AV receiver (5.1/7.1). It sounds to me like you want stereo receiver or 2-channel receiver with subwoofer output capabilities(2.1) I assume your sub is active, correct? I would suggest the Yamaha RX-797(100 wpc) or the RX-497(75 wpc). Both have subwoofer outputs. I own both. The RX-497 is powers my garage and patio(A & B) speakers. The RX-797 powers my 2.1 bedroom setup. I did a lot of research on this and Yahama was one of the only receiver manufactures that offer the sub out capabilies in a two channel receiver(2.1 system).

I would stay away from lower cost HT receivers. In your price range, they don't have the quality horsepower you'll want to drive the Minis and your money is wasted by paying for a lot of HT features you won't use. Ebay has numerous RX-797/497s for sale in your price range by gray-market sellers. If you're patient you'll find a used one for sale by a real end-user. I'd go for with RX-797 because of the extra power it has and the fact that it has pre-outs so down the road you can add an external amp to boost your power even more. I got lucky and found my 797 on one of the audio forum/classified sites and the 497 I found on craigslist.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

 

[ksw311JMM]

I bought my Onkyo TX-SR608 off buy.com. They have some pretty crazy deals and many of the items are free of shipping charges. As I was shopping around a few weeks ago I saw some very good deals. Check there as well.

 

[pzaur]

The 797 is still an AVR. It handles video. The only differences are that it cannot handle the modern audio and video codecs and does not have surround capabilities.

There is no benefit to not having these (HDMI, DTS-HD, DDHD) capabilities in a receiver. The subtraction of them only requires the end user to purchase a more "complete" unit to handle modern codecs later on if the need arises.

I'm all for future proofing to the best of one's ability.

-pat

 

[Avalon65]

I was surfing this morn and discovered that Marantz also makes a nice 2-channel receiver with the sub out option. Here's a link to their site for specs.

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2555.asp#

Although the price for it may be a touch north of your budget you may be able to surf for a better price.

Also if you're NOT needing AM/FM capabilites and really want to get the best quality sound within your budget, I'd also look into integrated amps. These units provide preamp functions and amp functions in one unit. They are basically a receiver without an AM/FM tuner.

 

[mrm1233]

Thanks again Avalon65.

I've taken a quick look at the Yamaha RX-797and the RX-497. My impression is that the 497 would probably be "enough" (at least for now).

Please let me know what you think of these other possibilities (they fall within the same general price range):

1. Harmon Kardon 3390, or
2. Pioneer 820K (I think this is an A/V receiver), or
3. the Denon 591

Thanks again.

 

[dapack69]

Onkyo TX-8555 would be another one to look into.

 

[Avalon65]

dapack69 offers another good suggestion too.

I just searched eBay and saw that a used Marantz SR-4023 sold last week for just over $200. That was a good buy.

If you're thinking Denon, stay with the DRA line-up. That is there stereo receiver series.

I like Pioneer, but not up to date with their stuff. I'm not a fan of HK products.

 

[Avalon65]

Thanks again Avalon65.

I've taken a quick look at the Yamaha RX-797and the RX-497. My impression is that the 497 would probably be "enough" (at least for now)....

It's a good choice, but keep in mind it does NOT have pre-amp outs, which means you cannot connect it to an external amplifier. So you're eliminating an upgrade option if down the road you want greater power than what the internal amp of the receiver offers. I like to keep my upgrade options open and since you threw in, "at least for now", I get the impression you may be thinking of bigger things ahead.