best below $300 hdmi receiver ???

[mtbmtb01]

i'm looking for a good A/V receiver on a low budget. which one has the most bang for the buck? i was thinking in the $250 range unless great deal for about $300 pops up. i don't mind refurb. any suggestions?
5.1 would be ok since it's in the bedroom, but i guess now everything is 7.1.
i'd like one with hdmi inputs to plug in a blu ray (how's the samsung units - i looked at a 1500) and my diectv hd box and an output to the tv. i'd like to have ones that carries sound and video to cut down on cables so no separate audio connection is necessary .
is the Marantz SR4002 receiver my best bet or is there something else? Marantz Factory Refurbished - $259.99
harmon kardon AVR-247 - $175-200 + $25 on ebay refurb.

 

[Adam]

I don't know much about Marantz, so I can't speak to that model. I'll suggest that you take a look at the Pioneer VSX-918V. It's $242 at Amazon right now.

 

[mperfct]

I'm just happy to see that there actually is enough tech out there for a thread titled like this to actually exist.

 

[lsiberian]

i'm looking for a good A/V receiver on a low budget. which one has the most bang for the buck? i was thinking in the $250 range unless great deal for about $300 pops up. i don't mind refurb. any suggestions?
5.1 would be ok since it's in the bedroom, but i guess now everything is 7.1.
i'd like one with hdmi inputs to plug in a blu ray (how's the samsung units - i looked at a 1500) and my diectv hd box and an output to the tv. i'd like to have ones that carries sound and video to cut down on cables so no separate audio connection is necessary .
is the Marantz SR4002 receiver my best bet or is there something else? Marantz Factory Refurbished - $259.99
harmon kardon AVR-247 - $175-200 + $25 on ebay refurb.

I suggest you sit on accessories4less.com and keep your eye out for any 606 refurbs.
The SR4002 is a very good receiver for that price. The HK is not recommended becasue it doesn't decode the new formats. FYI check accessories4less for Marantz Madness.

 

[lsiberian]

I don't know much about Marantz, so I can't speak to that model. I'll suggest that you take a look at the Pioneer VSX-918V. It's $242 at Amazon right now.

Don't know about the low end pioneer stuff. They used to have really bad QA on the low end stuff.

 

[rnatalli]

I suggest you sit on accessories4less.com and keep your eye out for any 606 refurbs.
The SR4002 is a very good receiver for that price. The HK is not recommended becasue it doesn't decode the new formats. FYI check accessories4less for Marantz Madness.

The 4002 won't decode HD formats either. I believe it will accept them over HDMI in PCM format.

OP, if you go with a $250-$300 receiver, be sure it will at least accept PCM over HDMI meaning you need to get something like the Panny BD35 that is capable of internally decoding HD formats and outputting them via HDMI.

 

[lsiberian]

The 4002 won't decode HD formats either. I believe it will accept them over HDMI in PCM format.

OP, if you go with a $250-$300 receiver, be sure it will at least accept PCM over HDMI meaning you need to get something like the Panny BD35 that is capable of internally decoding HD formats and outputting them via HDMI.

Yeah your best bet is to be on the alert list for accessories4less list for the 606. When they get them which is rare don't hesitate. Just go for it.

FYI if you go up to 400 you can get an Onkyo 705 a very good long term receiver can even be used as pre-amp if that ever becomes your fancy.

 

[mtbmtb01]

thanks for the reply. guess i should of said this is just for the bedroom where i just got a samsung ln52a750. i want to replace my sammy htib. i have purchased a lot of 12 infinity tss 1200 speakers that i plan on using and getting a cheap 10" or 12" sub. i'm really on a budget here since i was only going to buy a ln46a550 and have spent about $800 over my budget.
i'm still looking so please keep any suggestions coming.

 

[mtbmtb01]

been looking at these:
Marantz SR4002 vs Harman Kardon HK AVR 247 vs Pioneer VSX-918V vs Yamaha RX-V463BL
i see when accessories4less list for the 606 it is $300 which i might could swing. is it much better than the others listed?

 

[lsiberian]

been looking at these:
Marantz SR4002 vs Harman Kardon HK AVR 247 vs Pioneer VSX-918V vs Yamaha RX-V463BL
i see when accessories4less list for the 606 it is $300 which i might could swing. is it much better than the others listed?

The 606 is another level of reciever, but it's not always in stock. If you are patient you could probably nail one.

Of the first 4 listed I would go for the Marantz. I know they make good quality receivers at your level. But I recommend you try to wait until you have the funds to get a 606. That way you will be able to decode the new formats. And you will get the best budget receiver on the market IMO.

 

[Adam]

That way you will be able to decode the new formats.

The Pioneer 918 will also decode the new formats.

 

[TimPFla]

The Pioneer 918 will also decode the new formats.

I am looking to get a new receiver as well. I have the Onkyo 304... I want a upgrade in power just a tad louder. I have been looking at the refur onkyo 606 but have heard they aren't as reliable as they used to be. With that said I keep going back to the Pioneer 918. the biggest feature it has for me is MCCAC..Also i plan on getting a Ps3 soon. I love the look of the Pioneer...Any advice??

 

[rnatalli]

The Pioneer 918 will also decode the new formats.

To clarify, the 918 will not decode TrueHD and DTS-MA. It will accept already-decoded PCM over HDMI.

 

[mtbmtb01]

i ended up with a refurb onkyo 606. $271 w shipping from ecost.
thanks for all the replys.