Cheap receiver

[jonnythan]

I currently have a Denon 1705 that seems a bit like it's on its way out - sometimes, even when there's no sound playing, it'll just reset itself. The component inputs don't always work perfectly either.

So, I'm looking for an inexpensive replacement. The only sources I have are an HTPC with HDMI, a Wii, and a PS2. My TV is a Maxent plasma with HDMI and component inputs. It would be nice if the receiver would upconvert (transcode?) the component inputs into HDMI so I could get rid of a cable. Getting audio over HDMI would be handy as well.

Anyone have any suggestions? Inexpensive is good, but it should work well and be reliable.

 

[Seth=L]

Cheapest suggestion I have for you is the Pioneer VSX-819. It has every function that you requested and is a significant improvement over the last rendetion of a VSX-8** receiver.

 

[jonnythan]

I am understanding that the 819 doesn't upconvert component into HDMI, though. That's a key feature for me.

 

[skers_54]

Denon 590 should do that for you. It's usually 300-350 IIRC

 

[Seth=L]

I'm sorry, I was incorrect. The VSX-919 does this, but it looks like the Denon AVR-590 has a slightly lower street price. Note that the 590 only does 5.1 out of the box, which is enough for most practical applications. The Denon does have preouts for the surround back channels making it expandable to 7.1. In this case I think the Denon has really hit the mark with this receiver, pity I didn't recognize this before. It has very minimal connectivity on it but it has what the average modern user needs, HDMI inputs. It's nice they have the upconversion on the off chance the user has a legacy product that lacks HDMI output. And at 20 pounds with a chunky power supply it's got enough juice for most folks too. They didn't seem to cheapen their receivers overall like Yamaha and a few others have. Even Pioneer's 2 entry level receivers are clearly Sherwood OEMs and the VSX-919 and 1019 aren't that great either. The SC-** series is the only Pioneer receiver line I would even look at.

 

[jonnythan]

That looks like it might be just the ticket.

If I wanted something that was 7.1 and maybe with a little more power, what would be the next step up that I should look at?