Best value below $500 today?

[yatesd]

Hi Everybody,

I have read through many of the posts and in this price class the Onkyo 605 seems to be highly regarded. However, recent price drops on some models may change the rules of the game. For instance, the HK 347 may be overpriced at $800, but at less than $500 is this the better value?

Background Info: I currently own a Mitsubishi DLP high definition TV, Sony STR-575 receiver, and have some Bose speakers (won through an incentive program). I would mainly like to upgrade my reciever for better sound quality, HDMI outputs, and potential multiroom capability.

So I have been looking at prices and reviews all over the place. The Onkyo's seem to be the hot product this year, but this is also reflected in their street prices (new, no eBay).

Here is my short list with current prices from Amazon:

Harmon Kardon 347
$428

Onkyo 605
$379

Yamaha RX-V661
$499

Sony STR-910
$389

What do you think? Are there any major advantages/disadvantages to choosing one of these over another?

BTW, the remote doesn't matter much to me since I just purchased a Harmony 550.

--
Doug

 

[rnatalli]

I believe the 661 can be had for less than $499. That's a fine receiver and would be my first pick with the Onkyo following closely. I despise Sony products nowadays and the HK's aren't as good as they used to be IMO.

 

[abefroeman]

I believe the 661 can be had for less than $499.

$349.95 <--this is the cheapest I could find. Unless you want to head to ebay.

 

[dekard]

I despise Sony products nowadays.

Please dont take this the wrong way, I'm just wondering if you can expound on why you *hate* Sony so much. Thats a pretty big generalization against an arguably well regarded manufacturer.

Also, I'm thinking about buying a HK, why shouldn't I?

 

[HiJon89]

Best value under $500:
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/PioneerReceivers/VSX-1017TXV-K

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver upgrade?

Don't expect better sound quality from the receiver upgrade if you plan on keeping the Bose speakers. I am not familar with that Sony model, but any low end receiver has enough power to drive Bose cubes to distortion.

For a sound quality upgrade, consider adding a sub or new speakers for the L/C/R channels. The speakers (and the room) are the most important audio component.

 

[John Bailey]

Keep the Sony for now and put the money into different speakers. For the money it'll make a much more positive difference.

John

 

[yatesd]

What about this system?

I may step down one level on the reciever and then add Infinity Speakers. I can get the TSS-1200 for about $600 (plus stands) or an Infinity Primus setup using (4) P252's, (1) PC350 and (1) PS210 sub for about $700 (no stands necessary so the price is a wash).

So for $1,024 I can get the HK247 and the infinity Primus setup. This is available through a company discount. What do you think?

--
Doug

 

[jcPanny]

Infinity Beta series

How about discounts on the infinity Beta series? I think they are above the Primus line.

I would aviod satellite speakers like the TSS systems.

 

[patnshan]

The 605 is a fine receiver if you don't have 7 speakers. If you do, yamaha is a better recommendation IMHO. The 605 can't matrix the rear surrounds with PLIIx.

The pioneer will not do HDMI audio, so I'd whole heartedly NOT recommend that. For $500, it's ridiculous to leave that out.

Pat

 

[patnshan]

I may step down one level on the reciever and then add Infinity Speakers. I can get the TSS-1200 for about $600 (plus stands) or an Infinity Primus setup using (4) P252's, (1) PC350 and (1) PS210 sub for about $700 (no stands necessary so the price is a wash).

So for $1,024 I can get the HK247 and the infinity Primus setup. This is available through a company discount. What do you think?

--
Doug

Check out polks at outpost.com. The R50's in cherry (better than mine) are often priced really nicely. For a sub, look at the H100 from BIC/Hsu. You can do much better than the sattelites and still stay in your budget.

Pat

 

[pressa]

Im new to this stuff but will the 605 allow me to play music from my ipod on all 5 speakers? Im not sure which decoder allows that to happen.....

Thanks for the help

 

[Alex2507]

How about discounts on the infinity Beta series? I think they are above the Primus line.

I would aviod satellite speakers like the TSS systems.

The TSS speakers are only good down to 120hz I believe. The Primus line is good and the Beta's are supposedly better but I would do some checking on that. They are definetly more expensive.

 

[GregLee]

The pioneer will not do HDMI audio, so I'd whole heartedly NOT recommend that. For $500, it's ridiculous to leave that out.

Pat

Perhaps that's fair, speaking very generally. But personally, having no need for HDMI audio, I bought a Pioneer 1017 for $425 which I'm happy with. I use it for TV channel surfing, and the 1017 automatically switches between input audio formats and converts each to 7.1 sound, for pcm, DD 2.0, and DD 5.1. I don't think all receivers do this (but I don't know about the other ones mentioned in this thread).