Best AV Receiver for around $500

[jjhawksjj]

I'm looking to upgrade my old Sony receiver so I can start taking advantage of HDMI connections.

Any opinions on what receiver would be the best purchase at around the $500 mark???

 

[zumbo]

Yamaha 665 on sale at 6th ave for $397.77. $499.95 retail. Authorized dealer.

http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=YAMRXV665

 

[zumbo]

The 765 would be a much better option. I would call 6th ave and see if they would do $500 on the 765. 877-684-2831

You could also try to make the offer to The Audioholics Store as well. 877-246-5427

Both are authorized dealers.

 

[sholling]

If you don't need 3D then I suggest a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR707. If you want 3D compatibility then a small step down to the newer TX-SR608 would be a good choice.

 

[DTV TiVo Dealer]

Onkyo makes very good receivers at value prices, but they do run very hot. The high temperature leads me to think they are not electrically efficient. So if you can place the receiver on an open shelf that is not inside a cabinet you should be OK with the heat dissipation.

I like Pioneer's new line of AVRs, like the VSX-1020-K that can be found for $500.

-Robert

 

[lsiberian]

Onkyo makes very good receivers at value prices, but they do run very hot. The high temperature leads me to think they are not electrically efficient. So if you can place the receiver on an open shelf that is not inside a cabinet you should be OK with the heat dissipation.

I like Pioneer's new line of AVRs, like the VSX-1020-K that can be found for $500.

-Robert

There are many possible reasons for a warm running receiver for example video processing is a great source of heat in many receivers. They aren't dangerously hot when placed in a reasonable shelf. Especially the 600 and 700 series. I'd get the 608 due to it's 3d compatibility.

 

[DTV TiVo Dealer]

Correct, ^^ VP is a major source of heat, but all receivers have VPs and don't generate the amount of heat that Onkyos do. I think it's the electrical design or the heat dissipation just may need to be re-designed. Whatever the problem is too much heat is not a good thing.

With so many great receivers available I would select one that does not generate as much heat.

-Robert

 

[dalessandro12]

Onkyo makes very good receivers at value prices, but they do run very hot. The high temperature leads me to think they are not electrically efficient. So if you can place the receiver on an open shelf that is not inside a cabinet you should be OK with the heat dissipation.

I like Pioneer's new line of AVRs, like the VSX-1020-K that can be found for $500.

-Robert

Initially I was going to purchase the VSX-820 (around $300) but after speaking with people on this board and doing my own research, I've found that they don't put out much power compared to their power rating. I understand that most units don't put out their rated power but there are other units on the market that are known to put out closer to their advertised outputs (such as Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer ELITE series to name a few).

 

[DTV TiVo Dealer]

My company is direct authorized dealers for Denon, Pioneer, Pioneer Elite, Onkyo and Yamaha so from a business point of view I have no preference.

Regarding the rated power vs. the actual power output issue, Pioneer tells me that's simply not true. From what I was told they build a very electrically efficient power amps, video-processors and power supplies that can deliver very high peak power when the demand is called for. Not sure what the truth is, but I can 100% assure you that the VSX-820-K can drive high end tower speakers at reference volume levels with no trouble and no noticeable distortion.

Personally I have several Denon, Pioneer and Onkyo receivers in my home systems. My basement theater has Denon's AVR-4810 driving a high-end 9.4 speaker system. My living room has Onkyo's SR875 and the master bed room has Pioneer's SC-25. They all perform very well and each has their strengths and weaknesses.

-Robert

 

[sholling]

Onkyo makes very good receivers at value prices, but they do run very hot. The high temperature leads me to think they are not electrically efficient. So if you can place the receiver on an open shelf that is not inside a cabinet you should be OK with the heat dissipation.

The big ones do run warm because unlike some others they have power supplies that allow them to actually live up to their spec sheet claims. However the little 6 series (at least my 606) doesn't put out that much heat. However like any receiver that puts out the rated power it does need a decent airflow. As far as electrical efficiency goes while I haven't run my big 906 through a Kill-A-Watt I'm semi-retired and run it 18 hours a day 7 days a week and my bills aren't bad at all.

I like Pioneer's new line of AVRs, like the VSX-1020-K that can be found for $500.

Here I have to respectfully disagree. I've owned two non-Elite Pioneers and wouldn't wish them on anybody.

OP,

If you don't care for Onkyo's offerings then I'd look at the new Yamahas.

 

[DTV TiVo Dealer]

I would agree about Pioneer receivers not being the best choice before 2009, but last year all professional reviews gave the best ratings to Pioneer's VSX-1019 and this year Pioneer has added many new features. In fact, Home Theater magazine gave the VSX-1019 the top award and it scored higher than any receiver in its class.

And it's true that high-powered receivers create more heat, but none as much as Onkyos. Don't misunderstand my comments, I like Onkyo's receivers, they deliver a great sound and excellent value as they are lower priced than most others in the same class. If you buy an Onkyo just be sure it's ventilated well enough to dissipate the heat.

-Robert

 

[anamorphic96]

The new Onkyo 608 model has a cooling fan so they run nice and cool now. The newer models coming out later will probably follow suit.

 

[DTV TiVo Dealer]

That's good news.

I don't want to come off as if I don't like Onkyo, but again I must say why buy a receiver that needs a fan to help cool it when you have so many other great options.

-Robert

 

[anamorphic96]

That's good news.

I don't want to come off as if I don't like Onkyo, but again I must say why buy a receiver that needs a fan to help cool it when you have so many other great options.

-Robert

I see nothing wrong with using a fan. Especially when you consider most people leave less than ideal space to keep there receivers cool. Some people stack componets right on top of the receiver. With no thought put into how it's going to cool itself or thinking the 1/2 inch space between componets is enough.

If you look at as many galleries as I have all over the internet you will see it's a very common problem. A problem that a simple fan can cure. Especially the way Onkyo used it on the 608.

http://www.areadvd.de/hardware/2010/onkyo_tx_sr608.shtml

Even the Pioneer 1019 from last year used a cooling fan.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://z.about.com/d/hometheater/1/0/e/3/1/pio1019insidefront.jpg&imgrefurl=http://hometheater.about.com/od/avreceiversseparates/ig/Pioneer-VSX-1019AH-K-Gallery/Pioneer-VSX-1019AH-K-Front-Ope.htm&usg=__-TLdFaQHjTYThxo2wlzB6X4z-rk=&h=583&w=890&sz=581&hl=en&start=40&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Jzwn0ztiRrF8PM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=146&prev=/images?q=pioneer+vsx-1019ah-k&start=21&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=o4X&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&ndsp=21&tbs=isch:1

Many manufactures have used or use fans to help with cooling. Most fans only come on when needed. HK, Pioneer, Onkyo, NAD, and Yamaha have all used fans to cool receivers.

 

[lsiberian]

I see nothing wrong with using a fan. Especially when you consider most people leave less than ideal space to keep there receivers cool. Some people stack componets right on top of the receiver. With no thought put into how it's going to cool itself or thinking the 1/2 inch space between componets is enough.

If you look at as many galleries as I have all over the internet you will see it's a very common problem. A problem that a simple fan can cure. Especially the way Onkyo used it on the 608.

http://www.areadvd.de/hardware/2010/onkyo_tx_sr608.shtml

Even the Pioneer 1019 from last year used a cooling fan.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://z.about.com/d/hometheater/1/0/e/3/1/pio1019insidefront.jpg&imgrefurl=http://hometheater.about.com/od/avreceiversseparates/ig/Pioneer-VSX-1019AH-K-Gallery/Pioneer-VSX-1019AH-K-Front-Ope.htm&usg=__-TLdFaQHjTYThxo2wlzB6X4z-rk=&h=583&w=890&sz=581&hl=en&start=40&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Jzwn0ztiRrF8PM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=146&prev=/images?q=pioneer+vsx-1019ah-k&start=21&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=o4X&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&ndsp=21&tbs=isch:1

Many manufactures have used or use fans to help with cooling. Most fans only come on when needed. HK, Pioneer, Onkyo, NAD, and Yamaha have all used fans to cool receivers.

A lot of the need is due to the type of amp used. Still I think it's a nit picky reason to select a receiver. Besides I belief Pioneer doesn't use AS. Which is very good for theater setup.

 

[anamorphic96]

A lot of the need is due to the type of amp used. Still I think it's a nit picky reason to select a receiver. Besides I belief Pioneer doesn't use AS. Which is very good for theater setup.

What do you mean by AS ?

 

[paulsonn]

I'm curious what "AS" means too.

 

[allargon]

I'm looking to upgrade my old Sony receiver so I can start taking advantage of HDMI connections.

Any opinions on what receiver would be the best purchase at around the $500 mark???

Have you considered looking at a previous year model like an Onkyo 805 (Yeah, right. Well, maybe you can find a 806 or a HK 254 or a Yammy.) on E-bay or Audiogon? I'd trust those sites before I bought anything from Buy.com again.

 

[Pyrrho]

I'm looking to upgrade my old Sony receiver so I can start taking advantage of HDMI connections.

Any opinions on what receiver would be the best purchase at around the $500 mark???

Actual prices vary so much from time to time, that it is hard to give a definitive answer to your question. I would look at Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, and Pioneer, not necessarily in that order.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you don't need 3D then I suggest a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR707. If you want 3D compatibility then a small step down to the newer TX-SR608 would be a good choice.

The 608 can be had for $379 brand new on amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BIFOL8/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ABNH5G9QYRAK3

This thing has SNR & crosstalk that matches the "superbly measured" Emotiva UPA-7.