Best stereo receiver with sub out (2.1) under or around $200

[Kevin Lee]

I'm looking for a stereo receiver with a rca sub out to start up a system simply for music listening.
Right now I'm looking at this onkyo.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EE18O7W/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i2?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pd_rd_i=B00EE18O7W&pd_rd_r=5TN1R067YVEQKYX33QP1&pd_rd_w=AOoHy&pd_rd_wg=UXxXq&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=1Z01RZEQVEXV4X71WDDY&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=781f4767-b4d4-466b-8c26-2639359664eb&pf_rd_i=desktop

Feel free to give me any suggestion?
Thank you

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm looking for a stereo receiver with a rca sub out to start up a system simply for music listening.
Right now I'm looking at this onkyo.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EE18O7W/ref=s9u_simh_gw_i2?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pd_rd_i=B00EE18O7W&pd_rd_r=5TN1R067YVEQKYX33QP1&pd_rd_w=AOoHy&pd_rd_wg=UXxXq&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=1Z01RZEQVEXV4X71WDDY&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=781f4767-b4d4-466b-8c26-2639359664eb&pf_rd_i=desktop

Feel free to give me any suggestion?
Thank you

Be careful with this. It's a bit misleading, there is line level sub-out, but this receiver doesn't have bass management.
I'd have to check manual, but at best it has a fixed low pass filter.
I'd suggest this instead:
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V379BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B00V5VJ3TM

 

[Kevin Lee]

Be careful with this. It's a bit misleading, there is line level sub-out, but this receiver doesn't have bass management.
I'd have to check manual, but at best it has a fixed low pass filter.
I'd suggest this instead:
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V379BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B00V5VJ3TM

Thanks! I'll look into that.
Is bass management necessary though? The plate amp on my sub already has
volume and crossover control knobs.
Also, can you configure this yamaha 5.1 to 2.1?
Looks gorgeous and probably sounds gorgeous.

 

[KEW]

What speakers do you have?
If you do not have speakers yet, give us your total budget and let us offer suggestions on what to get.
For a music-only system, I would generally suggest you put the money for a subwoofer into your main speakers (unless your budget is fairly generous). You can always add a sub later if you desire, but our ears are most sensitive in the midrange and for traditional music, there is not so much truly deep bass (with a few exceptions such as pedal tones on pipe organs). If you listen to something like classic rock, the open low-E of an electric bass is 41Hz.
If you give us an overall budget, we can give you options with and without subwoofer for your consideration!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Is bass management necessary though? The plate amp on my sub already has volume and crossover control knobs.
Yes, it does, but without bass management, full range sound would be sent to your main speakers which may not able to play it without noticeable distortion.
Also, can you configure this yamaha 5.1 to 2.1?
Yes, absolutely.

Looks gorgeous and probably sounds gorgeous.
Yamaha has solid reputation for decent electronics even on shoestring budget. If you had only 2.0 I'd suggest to stick to stereo only models like S500 (you probably don't need radio), but if you're thinking using digital ports and subs, surround receiver is simply better choice. Thinking that rest of channels would be "wasted" is not correct, as economies of scale, V379 would sell thousands time more than any stereo only stuff.

 

[Kevin Lee]

What speakers do you have?
If you do not have speakers yet, give us your total budget and let us offer suggestions on what to get.
For a music-only system, I would generally suggest you put the money for a subwoofer into your main speakers. You can always add a sub later if you desire, but our ears are most sensitive in the midrange and for traditional music, there is not so much truly deep bass (with a few exceptions such as pedal tones on pipe organs). If you listen to something like classic rock, the open low-E of an electric bass is 41Hz.
If you give us an overall budget, we can give you options with and without subwoofer.

I plan on getting these 8 ohms bookshelves.
https://rbhsound.com/r5bi.php

I have no idea what sub I should get, but I am considering building
my own 12 inch for a senior project.
This is the driver for it:
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-rss315ho-4-12-reference-ho-subwoofer-4-ohm--295-466

You have a good point. The sub will be for later because
my system will be mainly for music.
The reason I want one though is because of movies.
My philosophy is that it's better for me to have a
2.1 as opposed to 5.1 for anything because it's better to buy 2
exceptional fronts instead of 5 descent speakers.

Thanks!

 

[KEW]

I plan on getting these 8 ohms bookshelves.
https://rbhsound.com/r5bi.php

I have no idea what sub I should get, but I am considering building
my own 12 inch for a senior project.
This is the driver for it:
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-rss315ho-4-12-reference-ho-subwoofer-4-ohm--295-466

You have a good point. The sub will be for later because
my system will be mainly for music.
The reason I want one though is because of movies.
My philosophy is that it's better for me to have a
2.1 as opposed to 5.1 for anything because it's better to buy 2
exceptional fronts instead of 5 descent speakers.

Thanks!

Great!
The RBH's are good speakers, and a DIY sub is definitely going to get you good bang for your buck.
Movies is where a sub will really make a big contribution to your sound (unless you have mini-speakers that roll-off at 80-100Hz, then you would truly need for music).

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I plan on getting these 8 ohms bookshelves.
https://rbhsound.com/r5bi.php

I have no idea what sub I should get, but I am considering building
my own 12 inch for a senior project.
This is the driver for it:
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-rss315ho-4-12-reference-ho-subwoofer-4-ohm--295-466

You have a good point. The sub will be for later because
my system will be mainly for music.
The reason I want one though is because of movies.
My philosophy is that it's better for me to have a
2.1 as opposed to 5.1 for anything because it's better to buy 2
exceptional fronts instead of 5 descent speakers.

Thanks!

Both great choices.
EMP/RBH speakers play down to 60hz f3 so it's safe to use avr x-over at 80hz.
That sub would be great in vented box of 1cuft or larger. Look for this thread for details on box construction.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/simple-12-infinity-kappa-vq-midq-plans.45528/
Have someone model sub for you for same box as above or change it to fit your requirements. (low Qts, or lower f3)

 

[KEW]

Be careful with this. It's a bit misleading, there is line level sub-out, but this receiver doesn't have bass management.
I'd have to check manual, but at best it has a fixed low pass filter.
I'd suggest this instead:
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V379BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B00V5VJ3TM

Since you are planning to use this for movies, I think it is a no-brainer that you should be looking at an AVR. Because of the economies of scale (AVR's are high-volume mass production while stereo receivers are lower volume) you can get an AVR which is equivalent (or better) than a stereo receiver for the same money. The biggest argument in my mind is that if you will not connect a TV, the AVR is a little more difficult to operate. With the front LCD panel and manual, you can do it, but they are really designed to utilize the on screen display feature with a TV as you go through the menus.
But with TV and considering you will ultimately add a sub, I believe an AVR is your best option.

Here is the AVR BSA linked as a refurb for $40 less. I can vouch for Accessories4less being a very professional and fair company to deal with and will point out that these are factory refurbished units. IOW Yamaha has refurbished these using their engineers to dictate how to evaluate and recondition equipment. This is a much better prospect than when a company sells defective products to a small third party for pennies on the dollar and the third party reconditions the units with the objective of maximizing their profits.

If you are wary of refurbs, you might consider this one:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamhtr4066bla/yamaha-htr-4066-5.1-ch-x-80-watts-networking-a/v-receiver-same-as-rx-v475/1.html

My understanding is that the HTR-4066 was either sold as part of a complete HT kit (with speakers included) or made for an distributor such as BestBuy. By changing the Model number, you cannot readily do price comparison against other options. However, you can rest assured that this is an RX-V475. The nice thing is this version sells for less because it does not have the model recognition of the RX version.