Best Low-Cost Stereo Receiver

[WorldLeader]

Hey, I am looking at putting together a stereo system for a relatively small room (an attic, 20x20 with slopped walls) and I am looking for recommendations. I am looking for a receiver that I can continue to use for a while, and take to college.

Most likely I'll be using two floor-standers and a sub, so I current sub input is a must.

I have looked at some stereo receivers from companies like Harman Kardon, like the HK 3380, but I need some other recommendations.

Please help, my budget is $350 tops.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Try www.ubid.com and www.jr.com. Also consider Harman Audio's store on ebay for HK receivers.

You can usually pick up a nice Onkyo, Yamaha, or Denon surround AVR at Ubid fairly cheap. $350 is a nice budget for an entry level unit. Don't tie yourself to two channel, because 6.1 and 7.1 offer much better bang for the buck.

 

[soundhound]

denon dra-395 ($350) is sometimes refurbished at J&R for $189. you can't beat it for that price.

 

[mike c]

for just a few bucks more, the HK3480 has 50% more wattage

 

[joetech]

I just got an HK 3380 on Ebay from Harmon Kardon for only $96.00! Most of the bidding goes higher, up around 120-130 or so but I slipped one in for a real bargain. H-K shipped the next day after paying via PayPal. in 5 working days I had a new receiver. If this was a return or refurb I can't tell. Even the plastic coating over the front display and on the remote was in place.
One review complained about a transformer hum. Yes, I hear it too if I crank it all the way up on an open channel (such as switching to the CD and turning off the CD player). I have the chassic grounded but its still there. The reviewer said he insulted the transformer from the chassic with rubber grommets. I haven't done that yet and it doesn't seem to effect the quality of the sound.
I would suggest going this route and spending the extra on the speakers. Most receivers are pretty good overall but speakers are where the real test is for a good system.

 

[soundhound]

I just got an HK 3380 on Ebay from Harmon Kardon for only $96.00!

that is quite a deal, congratulations.

i agree on spending as little as possible on a good receiver and putting the rest into the speakers. at your price point, that's where you're going to notice the most difference.

 

[T2T]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think those H/K receivers offer an adjustable crossover. You might be best to pick up one of the other H/K receivers designed for more channels, even though you won't use them. Since you'll be running a 2.1 system, you'll probably want a bit of control over the frequencies sent to your speakers and subwoofer.

Just my .02.

 

[mike c]

you're right, the 3380/3480 has no adjustable crossover.
but none of the HK avr receivers give that much power ... the 3380 is 80wpc, only the 635, 640 is closest to that but about 10x the cost (brand new)

 

[muzakluver]

Go get the HK 135 off ebay refurbed. I own the 235 for my 3rd system and have put 3 135s in clients homes. It offers all you need and has the flexibility to grow with you so you wont have to buy something else in a few years.

Cheers!

Mark

 

[Tomorrow]

Hey Mike. Are you sure it's not 10 DAYS to WAF DAY?!

 

[hemiram]

I just bought, but haven't gotten it yet, a Yamaha HTR5860 for $313.60 plus 6 cents shipping. It seems to be a decent unit, and has everything I need for now.

 

[mike c]

Hey Mike. Are you sure it's not 10 DAYS to WAF DAY?!

actually it is 9 days til my wedding. uh oh.
can I change my mind now?

 

[mattlewis]

i almost bought the denon refurb unit from JR, but decided to go with the HK3480. it has 7 audio inputs vs 3 for the denon.