BEST RECEIVER w/ HDMI for the MONEY

[roger259]

I have a Yamaha RX-V659 and love it. I'm thinking about upgrading to a receiver that has HDMI. Which HDMI receiver has the best bang for the buck?

 

[Ares]

That would all depend on how much you are looking to spend.
1) What is your budget?
2) What features are you looking for besides HDMI?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I know what I personally wouldn't buy -- Onkyo.

I think if Emotiva were to come out with a new receiver based on the UMC-1, that would be the best bang for the buck.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I know what I personally wouldn't buy -- Onkyo.

-1 , I love my 805, and thou I know newer 8 series came out power crippled, Onkyo still makes some powerful receivers, just not current best bang for a buck anymore...

I think if Emotiva were to come out with a new receiver based on the UMC-1, that would be the best bang for the buck.

+1

If want to be AVR today - I'd pick one of lower Denon models

 

[Jefft54]

roger259,
You'll get as many recommendations as there are posters. Ares is right, too many unknown variables. I just upgraded from a 7-year-old HK to the Pioneer Elite 23. To me, great bang for the buck. To someone wanting to spend $399, it's not. Check out audioholics AV reviews and buying tips sections. Lots of good system recommendations within various budgets.

 

[speakerman39]

Most of the receivers under $1000 will sound about the same. As such, it is best to focus on the features that the op needs. Most receivers now come with hdmi. The question is, however, what other features does the op desire/need? Perhaps, the op can share with us more specific info regarding his goals with respect to his budget. Personally, I am more of a Denon fan myself.



Cheers,

Phil

 

[dapack69]

Onkyo or Denon

 

[Kaz-maN]

Yamaha rx-v765 wouldn't be a bad choice for the money. Plus you can bi-amp your fronts with it. I believe it goes for around $500.

 

[tom67]

I also have the RXV 659 and had similar thoughts of upgrade......aside from HD sound from Blue Ray, I don't see any major advantage of a new receiver....and to get a noticable improvement in performance, you would have to go over 1k in my opinion. I frankly see no need to pass a video signal through a receiver as just one more possibility of degraded signal. I decided to wait for the "next big thing" whatever that will be...I think your amp is better than the RX-V 765...just my $.02

 

[Shrivel]

I frankly see no need to pass a video signal through a receiver as just one more possibility of degraded signal.

One of the beauties of HDMI is that the video signal remains digital for the entire chain. As long as your receiver is just switching the video and not doing any processing to it, then there will be no degradation. The signal will either get there or it won't.

 

[eurovw89]

roger259,
You'll get as many recommendations as there are posters. Ares is right, too many unknown variables. I just upgraded from a 7-year-old HK to the Pioneer Elite 23. To me, great bang for the buck. To someone wanting to spend $399, it's not. Check out audioholics AV reviews and buying tips sections. Lots of good system recommendations within various budgets.

Jeff54,
Where is this av review and buying tips section? i have been looking and cant find...must be blind?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Onkyo TX-SR607. About $300. Lots of HDMI inputs (six of them, including one in front),
and a great performing receiver too, with a tremendous value.

 

[sholling]

Despite the FUD Onkyo is still about the best bang for the buck. The 80x series is less of a bargain than they were in the old days but the 807 is still a good receiver and the rest of the line are values exceptional.

 

[mannoiaj]

It will depend alot imo on what speakers you are driving. If you have tough to drive speakers, you may need a receiver with a robust amplifier section or a receiver with pre-outs that you can hook an amp up to.

 

[RaT]

How about this one, under $500....

Yamaha RX-V863BL Receiver

 

[James NM]

Jeff54,
Where is this av review and buying tips section? i have been looking and cant find...must be blind?

Here is the review section and the buying guide section:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews
http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides

 

[grayster]

I'm partial to the Yamaha RX-V1065BL... yeah, I like seeing the album art, and the HDMI up-conversion is swell, so there's only one HDMI cable between the receiver and the screen, minimizing cable-clutter.

 

[renegade87]

I picked up an Onkyo TX-NR905 in June of '08 on clearance (Amazon - 30% off suggested retail) and I love it. The competing Denon (4308 at the time I think) was significantly more money (like $2500 as I recall). But the Denon did have WiFi going for it as opposed to just ethernet on the Onkyo. But the Onkyo had 10W/channel more power. Not a huge difference. But when it comes to power I'm not a big fan of paying more for less.

Yes, the 905 does run hot, but not enough to cook hot dogs on as some may have suggested. 145w x 7 is nothing to sneeze at without having to pay greater than $2000! If your timing is right, you can even find value at the top end.

Other than Onkyo, I have to agree with many here who believe that Yamaha presents several solid receivers with significant value.

Denon is Denon. Great reputation. But you pay for that quality!

 

[GlocksRock]

Check out the refurbished Denon units over at ecost.com that will likely be your best solution for getting the most bang for the buck.

 

[cmstric]

i picked up a new denon avr-1909 fro $375