Entry Level Receivers Comparison Guide

[sholling]

I'm glad I caught this article. Almost bought the Onkyo 307 until I saw the HDMI inputs are just pass through. I need a small receiver for a bedroom and will be hooking up just a PS3 via HDMI. Any other recommendations for a budget receiver that will have the HDMI decoders and actually play high def sound? The chart leads me to believe that the Denon and Pioneer would work? Or maybe just buy the Onkyo 507? Thanks.

Those are all last year's models now. Onkyo is now up to the x08 models. If you're in the US you can pick out a refurbished 607 for less than $300 at Accessories For Less. I'm not sure what a refurb 507 goes for.

 

[OUBobBud]

bit the bullet

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually picked up a Yamaha YHT-393 system for $299. It's got the audio codecs, supports HDMI1.4 and a powered sub. Seemed pretty good for a HTIB. Onkyo's similar priced system the 3300 only has a passive sub, I've only ever had onkyo so well see what this yamaha has to offer.

 

[vxcalais]

I was glad of the mention of the Pioneer 519v as being my first receiver have found it to be excellent for what i need it for, the blue ray movie here and there, plenty of divx files and the PS3. It handles all the HD audio on the Ps3 through PCMI as i was taught on this forum.