Entry Level Receiver

[Buckeyefan 1]

Even at just 40 watts?

Well, my stereo receiver gets 45 watts and it gets plenty loud enough with efficient speakers, so I guess.

I do like the looks of HKs.

That 45 watt HK is all about current. If HK rated their receivers like the rest, they'd be twice the others output. HK is in a different ballpark altogether. High end equipment.

 

[rschleicher]

DD-EX, DTS-ES, and PLIIx are only applicable if you intend to run 6 or 7 speakers (not counting subwoofer(s)).

DD-EX is simply creating the extra back-surround channels from a DD 5.1 source. DTS-ES does the same thing from a DTS 5.1 source. PLIIx is the 6.1 or 7.1 channel "enhancement" of PLII.

(PLII differs from the original Pro-Logic in that it creates five channel output from 2 channel sources, whereas the original Pro-Logic only created four channel output, with a single surround signal. PLIIx goes one step further by also creating the additional back-surround channels. PLII is a huge improvement over Pro-Logic, but you may or may not place that much extra value on PLIIx.)

H-K's Logic 7 is (I thought) Harman-Kardon's proprietary "equivalent" of PLIIx. Many people seem to like it more than PLIIx, but you will probably view PLIIx as entirely adequate.

 

[Polkfan]

I agree, those things are junk. They are even worse than those junk Pioneer units.

There's nothing like thoughtful blanket statements about equipment.

 

[Takeereasy]

the 135 sold for $212.50. To get that same receiver at futureshop it is $700 Canadian.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

And I'd hardly call it an entry level receiver. This is still a good buy:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39794&item=5769076659&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[Takeereasy]

Compared to other Harman's it's entry level . He shoots he scores. LOL, sorry, I'm feeling a little silly tonight.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Nice. Now categorize this one...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sherwood-Surround-Sound-Receiver-RD-6500-/sem/rpsm/oid/108452/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Then tell me why this is a home theater receiver:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7016481&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03031&id=1099394773324

Ah ha! Now you are drooling over that AVR135. No pun intended on the rusty nail issue. Sorry to hear about your mishap. Ouch.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

To be honest, I've been leaning toward the Sherwoods simply because they were THE product at one time. I can get the next step up, the 7500 for less though.

200 watts total power: 100 watts x 2

Well, that certainly isn't "home theater" but I don't ever recall marketers claiming a 100 watt per channel receiver put out 200 watts. Usually it was described at 100 watt RMS. Why the deception these days with the adding all channels together to come up with some outrageous wattage amount?

 

[Takeereasy]

Sherwood products have me very confused. I too thought that they had a great reputation. Is Sherwood the same company as Sherwood Newcastle? I think so, and both are under sherwoodusa.com, but the difference in receivers and the seperates they put out seems extreme to say the least. That goes for cost and quality apparently if you look at the reviews. Why would this company leave such marginal products in it's lineup?

P.S., thanks for the sympathy Buckeye, I didn't get any at home. Just a bunch of mean comments about how nice the peace and quiet is.

 

[shokhead]

Sherwood products have me very confused. I too thought that they had a great reputation. Is Sherwood the same company as Sherwood Newcastle? I think so, and both are under sherwoodusa.com, but the difference in receivers and the seperates they put out seems extreme to say the least. That goes for cost and quality apparently if you look at the reviews. Why would this company leave such marginal products in it's lineup?

P.S., thanks for the sympathy Buckeye, I didn't get any at home. Just a bunch of mean comments about how nice the peace and quiet is.

I would put Sherwood just below JVC,Kenwood,Tech.

 

[Takeereasy]

Even their seperates and upper level reveivers? I'm only asking because you see such good things written about them generally. I don't know anyone who owns one, nor have I ever heard one so I can't say anything about them, either positive or negative. It just strikes me as odd that the company can have such a disparity between it's entry level and its mid to hi-end models. An entry Yamaha is still a good deal for $200. Same for Denon, and most other reputable companies. Maybe that's why Sherwood can be compared to these brands.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

I read a few reviews of their Newcastle stuff and it's very favorable. Supposedly they are trying to recapture their former greatness with this equipment. Not sure where the lower end stuff stands though. I'm thinking they have a sort of Pioneer mentality. The Pioneer Elite is the higher end stuff and the plain Pioneer is meant to compete with the lower ended Yamaha, Onkyo, JVC and Sony stuff.

 

[Topher]

I have a Sherwood RV-5030 (loaned to my brother-in-law) & it's a really nice piece for a pro-logic unit. Pre-amp out, power-amp in for the main channels.
Back in it's day, it & the RV-6030 always got good reviews. Sound & Image did a review & the channel separation was very good. The Canadian Sound & Vision reviewed the RV-6030 & rated it quite highly.
The problem is, there seemed to be a period where they didn't really upgrade their basic units. Perhaps they were focusing on the Newcastle stuff. Other manufacturers passed them when it came to features such as inputs.
If the Newcastles were easier to find, I'd look into them when upgrading. Up here in Canada though, they're priced like Harman/Kardon.

 

[sudyke]

I know, its been a while since you've started this thread, but Justin Case you haven't bought your reciever yet: I would recommend the Pio VSX-814! IMO (which probably many will argue with) this is the best buy in the price range! You can get it at Best Buy for 209$ I think! It may not be the best-of-the-best in sound quality, but it has the MCACC which will make setting up very easy! Also, it has many-many features that not many have in this range!

Whatever your choice, have fun!

 

[sudyke]

Can you post what you have chosen?

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

I haven't chosen anything yet. Several things have come up.

1) The wife wants a house first, so any money saved for HT is now earmarked for that.

2) When we get the new house, I think I'll save up and get something mid-level, not entry level, with floorstanders for what I'm dreaming will be my HT room instead of just a "living" room.



Thanks for all the opinions, though. Always good to be armed with knowledge.

 

[sudyke]

"1) The wife wants a house first, so any money saved for HT is now earmarked for that."

I feel so much sorry for everyone dealing with this problem! I feel so lucky: I live at my spouse's house, and it took me about 15 min.s to convince her to have our bedroom as also an HT room! I love waching movies and listening to music in bed!