Help me help my wife help me!

[air2mud82]

Guys, thanks ahead for any/all help!
I'm currently in a very sandy overseas location, which provides internet speeds that envy even 56k dial-uppers, so please understand this post. I searched as much as I can, but keep getting kicked out of the internet booth due to time restrictions, so I'm hoping to just put it out here and have a "one thread fixes all" answer!

For Christmas (belated) my wife is getting me a new HT receiver. Being that we call Germany home for now, my choices are limited, short of paying outrageous shipping. She says that the models availabe in our local post exchance (read: US shopping store) are the Yamaha RX-V757, a Kenwood KRF-X7775 or Kenwood KRF-X9090D.
I was able to find a bunch of the 757 info on this site, but the Kenwoods are mostly marketed overseas and to US/UK Military. I have the web addy's to their user manuals, but my connection is to slow to open them.
http://kenwood.nl.nt.ims.hr/languages/EN/support/manuals/KRF-X7775D-all.pdf is the address to that model.
Unfortunately, my connection times out before I can find anything on the other Kenwood. All three models are w/in $100 of each other, so that is irrelevant. She did say the X7775D used to be over $700. I also know that it advertises 180W x 5 but has room for more (7-9?) speakers, DD, DTS, THX but is the oldest of the three models. It also only has two component vid's in.
The other Kenwood claims 120W x 7.1, three component in's, (I figure DVD, XBOX, maybe cable when I get back to States). It is the least expensive (by $90).
All I am really looking for is a "what would YOU buy" type answer w/ maybe a quick reason why. The old lady is anxious to get it for me, so I just want to give her the most informed decision possible, as quickly as possible.
Again, thanks head of time.

*Updated to add: My wife emailed me to let me know that both Kenwoods are THX select, the 7775 is a couple years old but had an original MSRP of $899. Perhaps most importantly she wanted to let me know that the 9090D is the "cutest", lol.

 

[zumbo]

Get the Yamaha. (Quick reason) Better than Kenwood.

My speakers are handmade in Germany. They are some of the best speakers you will ever hear. You may be able to get a sweet deal on some models not available in the US. Here is a link. http://www.mbquart.com/en/

 

[no. 5]

Get the Yamaha. (Quick reason) Better than Kenwood.

lol, that is a quick reason. one that I'll second.

 

[markw]

I'll third the Yamaha,

I'm pretty sure that Kenwood isn't even part of the HT market in the states anymore. Auto, yes, but not HT.

 

[no. 5]

I'm pretty sure that Kenwood isn't even part of the HT market in the states anymore. Auto, yes, but not HT.

well, thay have products here, but thay are not in the market as far as I'm consernd.

 

[billnchristy]

I didnt realize MB Quart made home speakers...I would love to hear those!

 

[AVRat]

Also a Veteran. If your wife can be patient, we can find a way to get you better gear than Kenwood. Where in Germany? When I was over there 23 years ago, we could get all kinds of gear. Have things changed that much over there? Have her talk to the sales people, she may be able to order other gear. Ask about Pioneer, Denon, and other Yamaha models. I even ordered some of my initial gear through the AAFES catalog.

 

[air2mud82]

thanks all - almost there!

Thanks everyone for your replies and AVRAT more importantly, thank you for your Service!

We actually are in the Grafenwhoer area if you are familiar. Due to the Europe scale-down, AAFES can be limited in some areas, this one included. We had gone with those first few options, just because they were dual-voltage and on hand here.
However, upon looking at the AAFES website I guess (my wife did the looking) that the other availabe options are 2 x Denon's (AVR-1707 & 2307 ) 2 more Yammy's (HTR-5960 & RX-V1600) and this pioneer: http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/42/98/VSX-2016AV-S/media.html which is $579. I was able to get on that link and REALLY like what I read, I'm just not sure about Pioneers quality/reliability in the HT market (I thought Kenwood was top of the line! ) and I was kinda wanting XM, but not a priority.

 

[zumbo]

Yamaha is going to be better than Pioneer as well. Get the best RX-V model you can swing.

 

[E-6]

Most definately aafee is the way to go. I think any purchase over $40 includes free shipping or something until the 31st--can't beat the price for the Denon models they have listed. Tempted to get rid of my HK for one (except not interested in XM more of a Sirius fan).
Good luck on your trip...

 

[blustarr]

Go with the Yamaha.
I was told the MB Quart make remarkable home audio speakers. I paid over $1400 for the front mids and tweeters for my automobile system. They are, in my opinion "the best" at the time I purchased them. Of course there are newer ones out there that are better now.
Please post how you like the MB Quarts at a later time if you go with them.

 

[AVRat]

Aah, Graf, many older soldiers have fond memories of that area, including my dad. LOL! He was stationed around Nurnberg/Ansbach area. I, in the Air Force, purchased my gear around the western area of Germany at many different installations. The Denon 2307 or Yamaha 1600 are your best bets. A good transformer will take care of the power issue.

 

[Tiki]

Back from the grave...
Just over 8 years later, here I am stationed in western Germany and I just picked up a used Kenwood KRF X7775D for $25. Discovered this thread while googling some information about it. Wanted a euro voltage receiver to last me about 8 months before I move back to the states and pick up something more permanent. Didn't wanna risk the transformer.