Well crap...the receiver I had picked out isn't available.

[Chessie]

I was on the HH Greg site and they show an Onkyo NR509, but when I tried to purchase it, it said that it wasn't available to ship. So I'm back to the drawing board. I like the Onkyo as 1)I've had 2 of them and they've been great receivers and 2) that model has the iPhone support and my son would enjoy that, oh and 3) he's used to the Onkyo operations, so it would be easier for him to figure it out.

This is for his college dorm, by the way. I bought the Energy 10.3 sub, and was GOING to get the 509, but now I'm wondering if I would be okay to the get 2012 line - the 313. It's the most basic model...not sure if it has what he wants though...maybe the 414 would be better....but I was trying to keep this as close to $200 as I could. Any thoughts?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

DENON AVR-1612 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

This one is even better Yes, it's refub, but Ac4L is a known store and the one year manufacturer warranty is same as on new product

 

[Chessie]

DENON AVR-1612 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

This one is even better Yes, it's refub, but Ac4L is a known store and the one year manufacturer warranty is same as on new product

Not looking for a refurb, but thanks. Reseller ratings on that site are hit or miss...don't want to take that chance.

 

[sholling]

Not looking for a refurb, but thanks. Reseller ratings on that site are hit or miss...don't want to take that chance.

That's up to you but many of us have had great experiences with them including twice for me. Anyway I'd look for a Denon AVR-1712.

 

[Chessie]

I found a 509 at HH Greg - but it's the last one and it's on display. No remote, no manual. Price is 229. Can you buy replacement remotes anywhere? I mean, the original unit..not just a generic one. If I can find a remote, I might go for this...it comes with a full warranty, and we tried it out in the store so I know it works.

Guess I am just hung up on the Onkyo with the iPhone support. cuz I know he'll like that. But really all he needs is a receiver that will drive his speakers (which I don't have yet) and the sub (Energy 10.3), and has a USB port on the front that he can plug into and play his iPhone, and will handle HDMI for his tv/dvd. I can get the bottom current model - the 313, on Amazon right now for $170. It IS for a dorm...so he doesn't need fancy...but will something that basic do what is needed? Thoughts??

 

[Adam]

Hi. Have you checked out the Onkyo TX-NR414 on Amazon? Just $280 brand new, and I think it has everything that you want. It's listed as the updated version to the 509 on Amazon.

 

[Chessie]

Hi. Have you checked out the Onkyo TX-NR414 on Amazon? Just $280 brand new, and I think it has everything that you want. It's listed as the updated version to the 509 on Amazon.

Thanks Adam...yeah I've looked at that one, but it's more than we wanted to spend. Budget is $600 max, less if possible. So we've spent $219 on the sub, and I found a pair of Polk bookshelfs on sale for $45 each. so...219 plus a hundred plus 280...so that puts him right at 600. I was trying to minimize the damage...do you think the 313 would work though? I mean, would it drive the sub and speakers? How much worse would it be than the 414? I actually went to the Onkyo site and did a comparison, but I'm not sure I understand all the features.

 

[Adam]

Oops. For some reason, I thought it was just $10 more than the 509 display unit. Don't tell my second grade teacher. Once you found an OEM remote for that display unit, though, it would probably be darn close.

The 313 looks like it has everything that you stated wanting...but if you haven't, I encourage you to check out the handy comparison chart of the models on Amazon. Just scroll down the page for either the 313 or 414. What you give up going from the 414 to the 313 includes cloud streaming, internet radio, and an iPhone remote application (among other things). I mention those three because your son might want those.

Neither the 313 or 414 have room calibration. For me, that is a really nice feature to have, but you'd have to go to the 515 (in this year's line) to get it.

If this isn't a suprise gift, you could always ask him if there's anything that he'd really miss between the two. Of course, if he's like I was at that age, he'll find some case for the 414...and then the 515...and then...

 

[Chessie]

Oops. For some reason, I thought it was just $10 more than the 509 display unit. Don't tell my second grade teacher. Once you found an OEM remote for that display unit, though, it would probably be darn close.

The 313 looks like it has everything that you stated wanting...but if you haven't, I encourage you to check out the handy comparison chart of the models on Amazon. Just scroll down the page for either the 313 or 414. What you give up going from the 414 to the 313 includes cloud streaming, internet radio, and an iPhone remote application (among other things). I mention those three because your son might want those.

Neither the 313 or 414 have room calibration. For me, that is a really nice feature to have, but you'd have to go to the 515 (in this year's line) to get it.

If this isn't a suprise gift, you could always ask him if there's anything that he'd really miss between the two. Of course, if he's like I was at that age, he'll find some case for the 414...and then the 515...and then...

It's not a gift...the tuition was the gift! He'll take whatever I get really...he's not that picky as he doesn't know that much about the equipment. Mom is the one that hooks up everything and teaches him how to use it. He'll learn of course...but right now he is looking to me to find him something that will work. I, as usual, am probably overdoing it.

 

[Chessie]

Just to update...

We got the NR313, the Energy 10.3 sub, and the most awesome BS-22s - the new bookshelves from Pioneer. Everything sounds perfect! And those speakers are just an insane deal, if anyone is looking for inexpensive, good speakers.

 

[Adam]

Cool - congratulations! Thanks for the advice on the speakers.