Help me choose a receiver!!

[smihalik]

I have ordered a set of paradigm millenia 20 LCR's. Will be ordering millenia ADP's and an SVS pb12 plus soon. Now I need a receiver. What would you recommend? Ill be hooking up a ps3, wii and HD PVR. I want something that will play all the latest audio formats. Not sure how much to buget for this, Ive already blown most of it on speakers, so bassicaly I'll be breaking out the credit card for this and don't want to spend too much. If anyone could point one out on sale, or better clearance, that would be even better. Thanks in advance.

 

[smihalik]

also I like the idea of ID companies if anyone could suggest something good.

Sorry for the extremely generalized nature of this thread, I realize it probably doesn't fit within the "forum rules". I would like to hear some opinions from some of you more seasoned "audioholics" though. Digging through dozens of reviews takes forever and I'm sure as hell not putting my trust into the kid at bestbuy. So I turn to you fellow audiophiles!

 

[murl]

I still say the Onkyo TX-SR606 is alot of bang for the buck. You can pick them up for $400 at one of the companies on nextag.com.

I have a Denon, very pleased with it, other members also like the Yamaha receivers, but I have only listened to one or two. My friend has a high dollar Denon and I like it very well. Really depends on what you want to spend. If you don't want to spend alot of money I would go with the onkyo tx-sr606, I liked it alot, and was about to buy it but I got a super deal on the Denon.

Free Shipping!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543836-REG/Onkyo_TX_SR606B_TX_SR606B_Home_Theater_Receiver.html

 

[lsiberian]

I still say the Onkyo TX-SR606 is alot of bang for the buck. You can pick them up for $400 at one of the companies on nextag.com.

I have a Denon, very pleased with it, other members also like the Yamaha receivers, but I have only listened to one or two. My friend has a high dollar Denon and I like it very well. Really depends on what you want to spend. If you don't want to spend alot of money I would go with the onkyo tx-sr606, I demoed it alot, and was about to buy it but I got a super deal on the Denon.

Or you could get the superior 705 for around the same at accessories4less.

I think the 705 is the way to go. You can even get an external amp later down the line because of it's pre-outs.

 

[murl]

Or you could get the superior 705 for around the same at accessories4less.

I think the 705 is the way to go. You can even get an external amp later down the line because of it's pre-outs.

True, thats a good buy, or the 805 for $80 more bucks. I'd get the 805 hell of a receiver for 500.

 

[murl]

I didn't see that those were recondiotioned

 

[lsiberian]

I didn't see that those were recondiotioned

Believe me they work just fine. I have a 705. I don't think going 805 is a good idea unless you have the space in your rack and can give it the proper cooling. The power coming out of the 805 is much higher, but if you really want power then you can always add an amp later on with the 705 and use it for decoding the hd stuff.

 

[bandphan]

I would ask what your budget is?

 

[smihalik]

I would ask what your budget is?

I'm looking around $500 ish. I could streach a bit higher, I'd say 750 max.

 

[Midcow2]

Some other brands that are good

I'm looking around $500 ish. I could streach a bit higher, I'd say 750 max.

Onkyo is good.

I would also look at Yamaha RX-V663 or RX-V863 if you can find it in your price range.

Denon is another good brand as well as Marantz.

Denon AVR-1909

Marantz SR4003


Good luck!

MidCow2

 

[smihalik]

I didn't see that those were recondiotioned

Is that bad? I mean generally speaking, am I asking for trouble with a reconditioned product?

 

[lsiberian]

Is that bad? I mean generally speaking, am I asking for trouble with a reconditioned product?

No that can be a good thing in some circumstances. Usually they go at a fraction of the cost and have nearly as much product life span left in them.

I have had zero problems with Refurb or even used products. (that weren't self inflicted)

I suggest you get the 705 and then save the rest of your 750 for other stuff. The 705 is receiver that can be turned into a pre-amp very easily if you find you need additional power. If your using 5.1 you can also bi-wire the fronts.

The THX modes are very good for movies and games. I highly recommend them. Although Direct is the best.

 

[smihalik]

No that can be a good thing in some circumstances. Usually they go at a fraction of the cost and have nearly as much product life span left in them.

I have had zero problems with Refurb or even used products. (that weren't self inflicted)

I suggest you get the 705 and then save the rest of your 750 for other stuff. The 705 is receiver that can be turned into a pre-amp very easily if you find you need additional power. If your using 5.1 you can also bi-wire the fronts.

The THX modes are very good for movies and games. I highly recommend them. Although Direct is the best.

Sorry for the newbie question, but what exactly is a pre-amp?

 

[audion3wb]

I own a Onkyo 705 and I am happy with its performance. I don't know how cool the other brands of AVRs run but I will say that I find my 705 to run considerably hot.

I originally bought a 605 but returned it because it does not have pre outs for an amp and it didn't have very many HDMI inputs either. If you think you will ever want to upgrade to an external amp make sure to get a receiver with pre outs. As far as the THX modes are concerned it turns out to be a moot point for me. All but 1 thx mode are geared for a 7.1 system so if you have a 5.1 you cant even access 90% of the THX matrix options. That and personally I like playing movies in their native format. I play DD in DD or DTS in DTS and I feel they sound the best to my ear.

Onkyo has more features for the money than any other receiver out there and they make pretty good products from my limited experience. The big thing is figuring out what features you need and then seeing which receiver best suits your needs before purchasing.

 

[audion3wb]

Sorry for the newbie question, but what exactly is a pre-amp?

A straight pre-amp is just a processor. It has no internal amp and only decodes audio/video and routes it to where it needs to go. I am using my 705 as a pre-amp because I am using the pre out connectors on my 705 to my seperate amp. I don't use the internal amp in my 705 at all so it is being used as just a pre-amp or "processor".

The benefit being that external amps are typically much more heavy duty and depending on how much you spend can give you a lot more power than just a receiver can by itself.

 

[smihalik]

You all seem to be mentioning the 705, what about the 706? pricing isnt that far off. About an $80 diff.

 

[lsiberian]

You all seem to be mentioning the 705, what about the 706? pricing isnt that far off. About an $80 diff.

I wouldn't consider the step up worthy of spending the 80 dollar diff. I think at that difference you could go for the 805.

I would suggest if you go with the 805 that you do make sure you can fit it and that you get some quiet fans to help move heat.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=935808

Has everything you want to know about the 705.

I have had no issues with voice-sync. I think the new firmware took care of it.

I think they have an 805 faq if you want to go that route.

I think you should save your 80 dollars for future upgrades, movies or a few months of netflix.

I don't remember the speakers you are using, but I'm betting they will be just fine on the 705.

If you pay more at least step up to a better receiver. Onkyo does it by numbers. so from 1 to 9 or whenever it ends. You will upgrade. The 805 is THX Ultra and has better Audio processors. So if you have the space, fans and funds it would be a very nice receiver.

 

[lsiberian]

I own a Onkyo 705 and I am happy with its performance. I don't know how cool the other brands of AVRs run but I will say that I find my 705 to run considerably hot.

I originally bought a 605 but returned it because it does not have pre outs for an amp and it didn't have very many HDMI inputs either. If you think you will ever want to upgrade to an external amp make sure to get a receiver with pre outs. As far as the THX modes are concerned it turns out to be a moot point for me. All but 1 thx mode are geared for a 7.1 system so if you have a 5.1 you cant even access 90% of the THX matrix options. That and personally I like playing movies in their native format. I play DD in DD or DTS in DTS and I feel they sound the best to my ear.

Onkyo has more features for the money than any other receiver out there and they make pretty good products from my limited experience. The big thing is figuring out what features you need and then seeing which receiver best suits your needs before purchasing.

Is that even with the amp driving the speakers?

 

[audion3wb]

Is that even with the amp driving the speakers?

Its been a while since I powered my speakers with my 705. They sound better at all volumes (a lot better at high volumes) with my amp powering them but that is going to be true no matter what receiver you choose. An external amp (as long as its a good one) should be better than any receiver amp.

In my opinion as far as the onkyo receivers go if I was going to power my speakers with only the receiver I would buy the 806. Right now it is $633 at Amazon with free shipping. It has more power than the 705 and better processors, not to mention the THX ultra 2 rating.

I just took a look at the specs for your LCR speakers and with their efficiency and their power handling capabilities you would do just fine with the 705, 706, 806. Whichever you choose. The 806 would give you more power and that will=more volume

 

[jameshighlife]

Or you could get the superior 705 for around the same at accessories4less.

I think the 705 is the way to go. You can even get an external amp later down the line because of it's pre-outs.

WOW! Great Advice on the website accesories for less. Its the cheapest Ive seen. Thanks a whole bunch. I'm ordering the 705 right now.

quik question might be a bit off topic...Is the THX certification on the 705 really going to make my ears notice a difference?