5.1 Setup with receiver under $1000

[jonnythan]

BTW, the PC251 is under $100 shipped on Amazon, while the PC351 is $200.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I would recommend against the 707. It does have preouts, but more importantly it lacks support for HDMI 1.4 (which is required for 3D among other things). I personally don't think preouts are a big deal and would get the 509 (or 608 if you want to upgrade to 7 channels and analog-HDMI upconversion). Or you can get a Yamaha v667, A800, or Pioneer 921 that gets you both, but at $390 shipped from Amazon. The Yamaha A700 is $360.

I personally think that 3D is not big deal and in fact could hurt your kids sight and cause headache in lots of adults...
Me and vast majority of AHer gladly skip 3d nonsense for pre-out, better video handling

Yamaha V667 or it's older versions - 665 is also a good choice.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001S2RD9A/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&storeAttribute=e&qid=1316199884&sr=1-1&submit.see-all-buying-options=see-all-buying-options&condition=all

btw: PC251 for 107 shipped here:
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Two-way-Speaker-Center-Channel/dp/B0046A8R5A/ref=pd_cp_e_pw_4

 

[jonnythan]

3D by itself might not be a big deal, but I think the latest version of HDMI is. 1.4 has been the common version on components for over a year know I think. If you're looking at pre-outs as a way to allow for future expansion of your system while maintaining core components, skipping HDMI 1.4 seems like an oversight.

 

[its phillip]

The RX-A700 is very similar to the RX-V667 but has the aventage improvements (5th foot lol) an additional year of warranty, so I'd buy that. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting a refurbed TX-SR707 though. The preouts are a big deal to some (like myself), but even if you ignore those the 707 is a solid unit with an amp rated for 4ohm loads - the 509 and other entry level units are not. HDMI 1.4 is not that important, especially if you don't give a damn about 3D.

Note that the PC251 is only ~$100 by going with a third party amazon seller, not amazon directly, and said third party is NOT an established company like wwstereo or onecall or electronics expo.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yes, A700 does pack a lot for such humble price - $360 for brand new unit with 2 years warranty. Johnny will be happy since it has dear to him hdmi version and 3d support and I'll be happy to know AVR I suggested could be later on used as pre-amp if ever need - thus making it more future proof

 

[jonnythan]

Well I guess we have a winner. OP's primary motivating factor is surely keeping the two of us happy

 

[its phillip]

The A700 should have a three year warranty actually. Normal yamaha AVRs have a 2 year warranty, and aventage products have a 3 year warranty

 

[sholling]

I agree with sholling re changing 1x2 to 1x3 models and smaller center.
But I think that you should change the AVR to Onkyo TX-SR707
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR707/Onkyo-TX-SR707-Thx-Select2-Plus-100-watts-channel-7.2-Receiver/1.html
Due to 7.1 pre-outs (if you ever decide to use hard to drive speakers)

BIC subs are ok... BUT
and thou it'll be budget breaker - I think you'd need a better sub: ed A2 - 300
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407

or if you don't mind IKEA like assembly :
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-770

I can't speak to the Dayton sub (haven't heard it) but I do like the eD and overall I agree with BSA's recommendations. I wanted to recommend the A2-300 but it didn't fit the budget. The 707 is a nicer receiver (I have one) than the AVR1612 and the only reason I didn't suggest it to begin with was the extra $50. Perhaps you could hold off on the surrounds rather than sacrifice subwoofer quality?

No way, especially not with a lower-end receiver. With those towers getting a full-range signal, so much amp power is going to be going into reproducing bass you're going to be choking.

It might not be a bad idea to just stick it through with the bookshelves for now. Another idea is to get the STF-2 or A2-300 and then just add another at some future point in time.

I agree with this. Of the two subs I'd go with the eD.

Unless there is any other better optionhttp://stores.nextag.com/cart/view?date=Fri%20Sep%2016%2011:15:46%20PDT%202011&date=Fri+Sep+16+11%3A15%3A46+PDT+2011s....this is the way I'm going to go.

So to summarize here is the set up.

Fronts: 2x P163 $171
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Two-way-Bookshelf-Satellite/dp/B0045NCB32

Rears: 2x 153 $150
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Two-Way-Bookshelf-Satellite/dp/B004649W1Y

Center: PC251 $107 (only 1 in stock)
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Two-way-Speaker-Center-Channel/dp/B0046A8R5A

Sub: eD A2-300 $415
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407

Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR707 (refurbished) $347
http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=item&id=ONKTXSR707

Total = $1223 shipped

It's a little over budget but upgrades seemed necessary. Only questions I have left is if it is okay to buy the receiver refurbished and a good place to buy the PC251?

Thanks to everybody! I really appreciate the help and greater utility in my money spent.

See bolds above.

You have to decide if you want 3D support. 3D seems to be a short lived fad but your taste may be different. If you want 3D then you'll have to go with the little Denon or others to stay in budget.

 

[its phillip]

I doubt that seller for the PC251 is an authorized seller.

 

[jonnythan]

HDMI 1.4 is not just about 3D. It supports higher resolutions (4K) and ARC. Regardless, I couldn't buy the older technology when I can get the newer, more future proof version at the same price. OP can make his own decision though.

 

[jonnythan]

I doubt that seller for the PC251 is an authorized seller.

Amazon isn't an official seller either, BTW.

 

[sholling]

I doubt that seller for the PC251 is an authorized seller.

Okay the World Wide Stereo through Amazon for $149 shipped. I've had good experiences with WWS.

http://www.wwstereo.com/website/ecommerce/productdetail.aspx?product=PC251BK

 

[its phillip]

Yes, wwstreo is solid and authorized (as are several others).

http://www.infinitysystems.com/home/where_to_buy/default.aspx?Language=ENG&Region=USA&Country=US#authorized_online

Amazon isn't an official seller either, BTW.

True, but I'd be more willing to give amazon my money and deal with them than some seller called BLINQ who normally sells cellphone accessories

 

[jonnythan]

Oh I don't disagree, just pointing it out. I didn't know until I looked it up just now. Infinity has a rather short list of authorized online retailers, as it turns out.

 

[its phillip]

Yeah, it's surprisingly short. Amazon should fix that and become an authorized seller

 

[skeletor6]

Hdmi doesn't matter to me in terms of 3d....but as far as higher resolutions I may be looking to get a dell u3011 which is 1280p I believe....but that would be years from now so id weigh heavier on having pre-outs

Thanks everybody for the help when I get to my desktop ill be sure to add thanks to all and respond to a couple responses regarding skipping on the surround speakers for now and going with a better sub

 

[its phillip]

The U3011 is 2560x1600

 

[skeletor6]

The U3011 is 2560x1600

Yeah and come to think of it they don't even support hdmi to push that resolution right now they use something else I can't think of the name but that means hdmi 1.4 is not an issue

 

[skeletor6]

The RX-A700 is very similar to the RX-V667 but has the aventage improvements (5th foot lol) an additional year of warranty, so I'd buy that. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting a refurbed TX-SR707 though. The preouts are a big deal to some (like myself), but even if you ignore those the 707 is a solid unit with an amp rated for 4ohm loads - the 509 and other entry level units are not. HDMI 1.4 is not that important, especially if you don't give a damn about 3D.

Note that the PC251 is only ~$100 by going with a third party amazon seller, not amazon directly, and said third party is NOT an established company like wwstereo or onecall or electronics expo.

So what's the difference between a RX-A700 and the TX-SR707, besides the fact that I'd have to get the TX-SR707 refurbished to equal price.

It seems like A700 is the way to go after reading BSA's, Jonny's, and Phillip's posts.

 

[jonnythan]

Not a whole lot really. The Yamaha is rated at 90 w/channel full-range with 2 channels driven while the Onkyo says 100. That's less than 1 dB of difference. They both do analog - HDMI upconversion, have preouts, both have auto-calibration routines (Onkyo has Audyssey MultiEQ, the Yamaha has their own YPAO). Look through the feature and connectivity lists to see if either one has something a little more obscure that you like.