Looking at used receivers, need help

[Wolfram23]

Hi guys. I'm quite unfamiliar with home audio hardware and specs, though I do know the basics. Specifically though, I'm looking at upgrading my p.o.s. RCV receiver for something decent. My speakers are quite low end, just got a pair of Polk Audio bookshelf speakers (RS150? Something like that) and for center and satellites I have these Precision Acoustics speakers (80W 8ohm I think).

Anyway, the receiver I'm using is already quite old and it was crappy even when I bought it. Some "300W" RCV all-in-one gibberish. The only good thing is that it has Dolby Digital (for my PS3).

Well, basically I'm not looking to spend an arm and a leg here. I just want something that'll last me a few years and have DD, DTS and some digital inputs (already checked the rear connections via pics and these ones all seem to have optical). Also, I still have the crappy 8" RCV sub and it is not a powered sub so I don't know whether these receivers will be able to power it? Seems like they usually have a sub pre-out now.

Ok, onto the candidates! I just put this list together from local kijiji ads.

JVC RX-888VBX $95 (or an RX-888V for a tad more... assuming "BX" is better?)
Marantz SR6300 $125
Harmon/Kardon AVR 300 $150
Onkyo TX-SR600 $150
Onkyo TX-DS747 $200

That's basically it. I'm kind of leaning on the AVR 300 just because I've always heard Harmon/Kardon is boss, but my dad's got a very, very nice Onkyo (with H/K speakers) and I definitely notice that it's a quality receiver. Seems like the JVC is good as well, and I don't know a thing about Marantz.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Of course I'd rather spend the least possible, but if it's worth it to spend that extra $25 or $50 then that's fine

 

[markw]

Several things to keep in mind

First off, make sure whatever you get has a working remote. As you may already know, some functions are unavailable without one.

An owners manual is nice but you can probably find one at retrevo.

Also, and this is the biggie: When you buy private and pay cash, you have absotively, posilutely, no recourse if it ain't all you expect it to be, and that includes 100% functional.

You might want to consider going a little more for a factory authorized refurb, like those at Accessories4less. Then, all things mentioned above are not an issue.

BTW, all the receivers you mention, and those at A4L require powered subs.

 

[Wolfram23]

Hi, thanks for replying!

I'll definitely make sure there's a remote, then. I realize there's a risk in buying used but of course, it's also the cheapest option. I'm not going to buy right today, I'll probably spend the weekend researching more ads as well as local A/V shops but basically I just want the best quality hardware for a decent price.

As for the powered sub... well, not a problem right now. I'm in an apartment and already got in trouble for noise with my PC speakers haha. Decided to go buy Sennheiser PC 350 headset instead of worrying about being too loud.

 

[Wolfram23]

I can't seem to edit my original post but I just realised the Harman Kardon is the AVR 330, not the 300.

Looking at reviews it seems the AVR 330 and the TX-SR600 are probably best bang for the buck. Assuming they're all hunky-dory (working fine, have remotes) which would you guys rather choose?

 

[its phillip]

IMO, they are all overpriced considering how old they are. If I had to choose one, it would probably be the AVR330 though.

 

[Wolfram23]

Well of course I'll see if I can get it for less, $150 is the asking price is all. Thanks for your input! While I know what you mean - the AVR 330 is, what, 6 years old? - getting anything newer and of equal quality is hundreds more so I figure if it's in good working condition it's probably a nice starting point for me.

I checked some local shops online and they really don't have anything less than $300 for the low end stuff (well, Onkyo, H/K, etc).

 

[sholling]

I agree that's too much for that age, but that depends on where you live. I wouldn't give anywhere near that much for those old receivers.

 

[Wolfram23]

Hm... well I mean I'll definitely try to talk him down, but considering my options it doesn't seem all that bad to me.

I mean, looking at new stuff the cheapest they have is, for example,

Pioneer VSX-521-K $280
Sony STR DH520 $250
Onkyo TXSR309B $300

Sure, the Harman Kardon is old, but it's got significantly more features and power than these new bottom-of-the-line ones, right? Maybe prices are higher here in Canada (probably, actually).

Looking at higher end used stuff, I mean, I'd love to just go buy the used Onkyo TX-SR806 THX Ultra2 Plus for $500, or hell there's even a Yamaha HTR-5990B with Klipsch RF-25 6 speaker system (2-RF25 fronts, 1-RF25 center, 2-RS25 rear and 1-RW8 sub) for $1400, but it's a little out of my price range right now. I wish I could be a true audiophile but unfortunately I have many other expenses that have to take priority :/

 

[Ryan8886]

I've had my AVR 330 for many years. It was a top quality unit when it came out....definately an excellent "bang for buck" at the time...but like you said earlier...that was at least 6 years ago. I can't speak on what a good price to pay for it is...but it's a solid piece of equipment. Mine was a demo model I bought from Circuit City before they went under. I've had only one issue all these years that was resoved early while still under warranty. Offer the guy $80...see what happens. If it has a working remote and isn't beat to snot I don't think $100 would be too far out of whack for it. Good Luck!

 

[ElCid79]

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR THE PS3!

Make sure that the receiver can decode a PCM bitstream from HDMI. The PS3 does all decoding on board, therefor as technology changes the PS3 does all of the heavy lifting and just sends the stream to your receiver to be output. The receiver does no actual decoding. Just amplification....

 

[Seth=L]

None of the receivers that he is looking feature HDMI. I'll concur that the best option of the mentioned receivers would be the Harman Kardon AVR-330. It has preamplifier outputs for all channels and probably the most robust amplifier section of the ones mentioned as well. The Onkyo TX-DS747 is so old it only has Dolby Digital.

 

[afterlife2]

I second: Accessories4less: High End Audio at Low End Prices!

 

[Ryan8886]

None of the receivers that he is looking feature HDMI. I'll concur that the best option of the mentioned receivers would be the Harman Kardon AVR-330. It has preamplifier outputs for all channels and probably the most robust amplifier section of the ones mentioned as well. The Onkyo TX-DS747 is so old it only has Dolby Digital.

Seth is correct...no HDMI on it (that was still too high-end when the 330 came out). However the amp on it is solid and it has pre-amp outputs. I've used it mainly as a pro/pre-amp for the last few years since i added my Emotiva to the rack. But it held it's own even before that addition.