Receiver Overkill or Future Proofing?

[owasse]

I am seeking your opinions on what level of a receiver to purchase. I have been looking at the Denon 2112, Yamaha RXV 671, or the Onkyo TX-NR709 (mostly for future pre-outs). I have owned Yamaha and Denon in the past. My 1804 is moving to my brother's house.

My current system:
Denon 1804 - non hdmi (optical connection)
Infinity Primus P163 (front and surrounds)
Infinity 351 (center)
Polk 12" sub (I know - maybe next year!)
Samsung D6050 display - Smart TV
Panasonic BDT 210
Scientific Atlanta Cable box
Family Room: 18' x 24' x 8' open to kitchen on one side

My question relates to what level of receiver best matches my system as I can stream with either the display or the blu ray player. My listening preferences are movies 75% and music 25% (5 channel stereo). I prefer the option of watching cable without the aid of the receiver. I have never had audyssey so I am familiar with the usage of a spl meter and manually setting my speaker levels. Also - the receiver will live inside an audio cabinet so the question of overheating is a concern (I have read all the posts on the Onkyo etc.). My budget is $550 for the receiver and I have been looking at refurbs at A4L, although the prices on new seem to dropping daily. Am I in the ballpark or would a lesser receiver work just as well. Your opinions and advice would be most welcome.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Care to elaborate why do you feel the need to change the receiver now?

 

[jonnythan]

I assume he wants to make use of HDMI switching and HD audio.

I'd get the 709 for MultiEQ + preouts.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

All about the features you want - like networking, HDMI, DTS-HD, TrueHD.

I don't think you need to spend more than $500 on a brand new AVR.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I assume he wants to make use of HDMI switching and HD audio.

I'd get the 709 for MultiEQ + preouts.

Given bad rep Onkyo gets now days I'd rather suggest Marantz 5005
MARANTZ SR5005 100w X 7ch 3-D Home Theater Surround Receiver | Accessories4less

 

[timoteo]

I just hooked up my good friends new system. He got a Yamaha RX-V571 on sale for $249. I know its one step below the RX-V671 that your considering but because i was SO impressed with its ease of use & just plain great sound, i know youd LOVE the Network capable big brother! I own a Yamaha RX-A2000 & i couldnt be happier.

Ive owned Pioneer, Denon, HarmanKardon & now Yamaha. While all the receivers ive owned have been great in their own right, Yamaha has a loyal customer in me. They use robust amps, have a wonderful reputation of longevity & are just plain simple to use even for the wife!! I love the look of Onkyo's new lineup but just a little concerned with their dependabilty seeing their reputation of late. I love Denon as well but it took a few readings of the manual to understand how to work the thing . The Pioneer was a model a few years back but that thing just took sooo long to setup, im sure the new models have improved on this with the new MCACC. My overall satisfaction & with all the love they get in reviews leads me to recommend you go Yamaha!!

 

[owasse]

Care to elaborate why do you feel the need to change the receiver now?

Just as Johnnythan mentioned, I would like to take advantage of hdmi plus I have already committed my 1804 to my brother as a starting point in his system.

 

[owasse]

Given bad rep Onkyo gets now days I'd rather suggest Marantz 5005
MARANTZ SR5005 100w X 7ch 3-D Home Theater Surround Receiver | Accessories4less

I had a Marantz amplifier back in my college days in the mid 70's - go easy on us old guys I will give it a look. My basis for the question is as you can see from my list of components, this isn't a "Killer" system, but one that performs well and sounds clean. I've always respected the recommendations on this forum and usually receive very sound advice. I just don't want to purchase more receiver than I will ultimately will utilize.

 

[jonnythan]

That Marantz is a good deal. Preouts and MultiEQ, plus Marantz always has solid amp sections.

 

[j_garcia]

There is no such thing as "future proof" with a receiver.

 

[owasse]

There is no such thing as "future proof" with a receiver.

I agree and I'm not one to upgrade quickly just to have the latest and the greatest. After taking a close look at the Marantz 5005 and the Yamaha RXV-571, maybe I don't need a network capable receiver (that was my attempt to be somewhat future proof - at least for a couple of years).

 

[j_garcia]

Heck, my receiver is about 8yrs old at this point and has no HDMI and I still use it every day. Multichannel analog inputs are the only real "future proofing" I've got I will most likely upgrade for HDMI as well, though networking capability is something that I may skip on this one. My TV has a web browser in addition to all the apps too, but I have no intention of connecting the TV directly to the web either.

 

[owasse]

Heck, my receiver is about 8yrs old at this point and has no HDMI and I still use it every day. Multichannel analog inputs are the only real "future proofing" I've got I will most likely upgrade for HDMI as well, though networking capability is something that I may skip on this one. My TV has a web browser in addition to all the apps too, but I have no intention of connecting the TV directly to the web either.

Glad to see I'm not the only one that's not in a hurry to hop on the network feature - maybe I don't fully understand the application (now or in the future). I'm just looking for a good, reliable power source for movies and music with the current audio formats.
With a television and a blu-ray player both with network capability, maybe I too should save the money and skip the network receiver.

 

[HexOmega]

Glad to see I'm not the only one that's not in a hurry to hop on the network feature - maybe I don't fully understand the application (now or in the future). I'm just looking for a good, reliable power source for movies and music with the current audio formats.
With a television and a blu-ray player both with network capability, maybe I too should save the money and skip the network receiver.

If you don't absolutely need the networking features and iPhone control app, I would HIGHLY recommend the RX-V667 (last year's model) over the RX-V671 (current equivalent model). The amplifier section, HDMI switching, and high-definition audio decoding are essentially the same among both models. To maintain the same price point but add networking features, Yamaha removed the 8-channel multichannel input and 7.2 channel pre-amp outputs from the V671. If you think you will ever want to use external amps, the V671 is not for you (while its predecessor, the V667, is more future-proof in this regard).

On Amazon, the V667 is $350 currently while the V671 is $500. For someone who doesn't need internet connectivity in a receiver, the $150 savings is a no-brainer.

 

[j_garcia]

If you don't absolutely need the networking features and iPhone control app, I would HIGHLY recommend the RX-V667 (last year's model) over the RX-V671 (current equivalent model). The amplifier section, HDMI switching, and high-definition audio decoding are essentially the same among both models. To maintain the same price point but add networking features, Yamaha removed the 8-channel multichannel input and 7.2 channel pre-amp outputs from the V671. If you think you will ever want to use external amps, the V671 is not for you (while its predecessor, the V667, is more future-proof in this regard).

On Amazon, the V667 is $350 currently while the V671 is $500. For someone who doesn't need internet connectivity in a receiver, the $150 savings is a no-brainer.

The receiver he has right now was over $2K new. A current/recent model $500 receiver offers only two potentially minor things: newer audio codecs and HDMI functionality. Aside from that, it would be a massive step down.

 

[jonnythan]

The receiver he has right now was over $2K new. A current/recent model $500 receiver offers only two potentially minor things: newer audio codecs and HDMI functionality. Aside from that, it would be a massive step down.

Well it probably doesn't actually sound any better. And if a newer one has better/more useful features, I say go for it.

 

[owasse]

The receiver he has right now was over $2K new. A current/recent model $500 receiver offers only two potentially minor things: newer audio codecs and HDMI functionality. Aside from that, it would be a massive step down.

Not sure if I made a mistake on my original post, but I currently have a Denon AVR 1804 which is just a mid level (sub $500. receiver) - don't want to mislead anyone. I wish I had a $2K receiver - but college tuitions have prevented that.

 

[owasse]

Assuming I am giving up on the network feature, which would have advantages over the other, (other than warranty). Marantz 5005 or the Yamaha RXV 667? Both were recommended by previous posters and they make good sense. The Marantz is refurbished at A4L and the 667 is brand new at amazon.

Thanks for for all your help so far!

 

[HexOmega]

The receiver he has right now was over $2K new. A current/recent model $500 receiver offers only two potentially minor things: newer audio codecs and HDMI functionality. Aside from that, it would be a massive step down.

The OP's current receiver, a Denon 1804, originally retailed for approx. $500.

Not only that, but he actually stated more than once that he is looking at receivers in the $500-$600 range.

I was just trying to make a point and potentially save the guy a few bucks.

 

[avnetguy]

I don't know about the Marantz but the 667 is a good solid unit, especially for $350 new.

Steve