Confruzzled in AVR world

[LuxAeterna]

Yet another newbie begging for forgiveness of ignorance but wanting wise advice from experienced audiophiles...

Equipment I have:
Paradigm Atom v.2 bookshelf speakers (4): 80w, 89dB
Paradigm Center CC-170 v.2: 105w, 90dB
Paradigm Subwoofer PDR-10 v.2: 100w
- Speakers were purchased in 2003/2004
Dell Plasma W4201C TV: 1080i (not p)
Cox HD Cable Box

Other Specs
Room size is small (15ft x 20ft).
Primary purpose for AVR is video, tv and minimal music
Budget - less than $500 (if that's reasonable)

I'll buy a new Blu-Ray player soon but only have a super cheap DVD player now.

I need an Amp and have driven myself crazy reading reviews. Any recommendations?

 

[Chopin_Guy]

What is your budget for the AVR?? How large is your room and what are your generally listening habit/levels??

Be much better able to help you with this info...

 

[LuxAeterna]

Knew I forgot some specs. Thanks - thread updated.

 

[blued888]

I would highly recommend the Yamaha RX-V663, it can be had for around $350. You may also consider the Onkyo TX-SR606 and possibly a Denon 1909. The latter two do not have pre-outs though.

 

[skizzerflake]

I would also recommend a Yamaha if your budget is constrained. They are good solid units with understandable setup menus, generous power output, a good feature set per dollar and good basic sound. They have a pure stereo mode for turntables that can switch out all of the digital features and just amplify. You get lots of bang for the buck.

 

[rnatalli]

Yamaha 663, Onkyo 606, HK 254, and Pioneer 1018 can all be had for around $400.

 

[blued888]

Pioneer 1018

The white display lights on that one absolutely look sleek!

 

[Chopin_Guy]

For your budget I would go with the Denon 2308ci...it is on sale at 6ave for $478 which is a good deal on this $800 AVR...the other suggestions you have gotten are quality AVRs as well...

 

[LuxAeterna]

Thanks to each of you for all of your input! You guys are AWESOME!

I'll have to see if I can get my husband to budge just $100 more for the Denon. Otherwise, Yamaha - here I come.

 

[Nomo]

Unless I'm mistaken, the Denon lacks analog pre-outs.
A bad thing to me. Not that your speakers need an external amp, but if a change in speakers is a possibility it may be a deal breaker.

My choice would be the Yamaha 663.

 

[bandphan]

Or the 1018 pio

 

[Pyrrho]

Unless I'm mistaken, the Denon lacks analog pre-outs.
A bad thing to me. Not that your speakers need an external amp, but if a change in speakers is a possibility it may be a deal breaker.

My choice would be the Yamaha 663.

I believe it also lacks the latest surround formats that are on Blu-Ray.

At the price point we are discussing, I would go with a Yamaha RX-V663:

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=567571&CTID=5000300

I don't think you will find a better receiver than that for the money that it will cost.

Whatever you buy, make absolutely sure that it can deal with HD Audio format support: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio. If it cannot deal with all of these formats, it is already obsolete.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Yeah, I agree with what has been said about the Denon 2308ci....my apologies as I hadn't looked at that unit in a while, but it does not offer the HD codecs (or pre-amp outs) which is a big downer as you will have to use analog interconnects from a Blu-ray player that decodes internally in order to take advantage of the HD codecs. This totally defeats the simplicity of bitstreaming it via HDMI to the reciever...

Definitely go with the Yammy or the Pioneer...The only other option might be, I found the Denon 2808ci which is a nice step up from the 2308cu for $620 shipped on amazon...great price on a $1,200 AVR but this is $120 over your $500 limit....