If I had a million dollars, I'd buy a....

[pmac]

Here is the question...

Assuming the budget was $7k or under (No a dollar more) what AV receiver would you buy.

There are some conditions to consider:

Currently the setup is 7.1 on an older Elite VSX-49TX unit, and want to upgrade for new audio and video standards. There is a very new high end 1080P projector as well as a Blu-Ray or HD DVD players will play Cd's and DVD's and the HD Cable box.

1. It is a condominium so there is some sort of space consideration and a 7.1 speaker setup is the most that would be used or that would be practical(IMO).
2. Separates are not an option, don't want em, don’t need em. (But I will listen to arguments, but no member to member arguing please )
3. The setup will be for music and TV/Movies, most music is from the cable box channels.
4. There are flagship models from Yamaha, Pioneers Elite, and others, but just buying to say I have the current top of the line model is not important. They have a lot of money built into the price tag for New TXH standards and massive power on 11 or so channels that is not required. Do they offer anything other than this to make them worth the money?
5. MP3 streaming or similar would never happen.

Assuming the speakers are sufficient to handle 200w or more they are pretty new in comparison the the current receiver (Don't know off the top of my head)

Please tell me what is out there to consider. Or if for the reasons explained would an Onkyo 905 fit the bill? or why would a Pioneer Elite Pioneer Elite SC-09TX or Yamaha RX-Z11 be better for any reason. These are just 2 examples. Fanboys opinions on any product are welcome!

This request is for a family member. I have given them my opinion, but now lets get the pro's and some others opinions/facts to back me up or cut me down.

 

[Davemcc]

I would expect that the speakers worth about $20K or so in order to see any benefit from a $7k receiver, Yes??? What speakers are we talking about? That will have the greatest impact on the decision of which receiver is most appropriate. Since you say it's a condo with space restrictions, I don't imagine you would actually need a flagship anything unless you have have some very difficult speakers to drive.

The Onkyo 905 looks like the perfect amount of excess with it's torroidal power supply and HQV Reon video processing with MNR and BAR.

 

[pmac]

What is MNR and BAR? Please and thank you.

 

[pmac]

I tried to edit and add this but it didnt work.

The speakers are not 20K but are without a doubt nice speakers. They are Paradygm if I recall correctly on the sub. But I couldn't see the fronts as they are behind the TV screen.

 

[Davemcc]

What is MNR and BAR? Please and thank you.

Mosquito Noise Reduction and Block Artifact Reduction. Both are used to restore video quality that suffers from digital compression, especially noticeable on standard definition cable broadcasts. It's a nice addition to the 905 that is quite expensive to buy in a separate processor.

I tried to edit and add this but it didnt work.

The speakers are not 20K but are without a doubt nice speakers. They are Paradygm if I recall correctly on the sub. But I couldn't see the fronts as they are behind the TV screen.

The particular make and model of the speakers are relevant to determine their impedance and sensitivity, which are the main criteria for matching amplification properly to speakers. In the case of the 905, it will pretty much drive anything since it's rated down to 4 ohms and has plenty of power and a very solid power supply. Having said that, the 905 may be way, way more receiver than you need for the equipment and room you have.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

$3K will get you the flagship NAD. I am hard put to imagine a better receiver than that.

 

[pmac]

$3K will get you the flagship NAD. I am hard put to imagine a better receiver than that.

Would you mind specifying why?
I just want to hear what makes it/them special. It is more fuel for an educated choice when speaking to the dealer that recommended the Elite SC9.
Thanks!

 

[bandphan]

With you budget are you considering seperates? Ive installed a z9 and was a great unit, however do you need all the multizone features? I would prefer a krell or simialar setup beacuse of the ability to upgrade the unit in the future ie, showcase. Not everyone perfers "krell" just using as an example. I'm a mac guy personally.

 

[pmac]

With you budget are you considering seperates? Ive installed a z9 and was a great unit, however do you need all the multizone features? I would prefer a krell or simialar setup beacuse of the ability to upgrade the unit in the future ie, showcase. Not everyone perfers "krell" just using as an example. I'm a mac guy personally.

The person in question does not need multi room capabilities. 7.1 I am sure is what they currently have. If not, it could be done based on layout. But no more than that would ever be required unless they moved, and I do not see that happening in the near future (years), if ever. Seperates would not be out of the question, however the only reason I see seperates being required is for extra power, and being in a condo, I don't think that is needed as you need to keep the peace to some extent, no matter how thick the floors are, eventually the neighbors will hear/feel it.
They are upgrading for the newer modern features available today vs the Pioneer 49TX receiver they currently have. It sounds exceptional when we watched 4 Brothers. Theater/TV will be primary use, but music is listened to as well.
Feel free to contradict the "extra power" statement and tell me your thoughts. I am sure they will be reading this thread.

 

[Seth=L]

The Onkyo TX-NR905 has more than enough power to drive any Paradigm speaker into oblivion (at least your ears). The only reason could think of for needing more power would be if they had the Flagship Paradigm Signature series towers. You haven't specified which models they are as of yet, so we don't know. If you don't know the models could you describe what they look like?

To Joe Schmoe and the OP on the recommendation of the NAD. It doesn't have near the features of the Onkyo TX-NR905 or any of the other receivers mentioned by the OP. And as far as great amounts of power, the TX-NR905 has it in spades.

 

[raymondy]

The Onkyo TX-NR905 has more than enough power to drive any Paradigm speaker into oblivion (at least your ears). The only reason could think of for needing more power would be if they had the Flagship Paradigm Signature series towers. You haven't specified which models they are as of yet, so we don't know. If you don't know the models could you describe what they look like?

To Joe Schmoe and the OP on the recommendation of the NAD. It doesn't have near the features of the Onkyo TX-NR905 or any of the other receivers mentioned by the OP. And as far as great amounts of power, the TX-NR905 has it in spades.

I would also go with the onkyo tx-nr905

 

[furrycute]

If I had a million dollars,

For my stereo setup, I would purchase a pair of B&W 800D speakers, top of the line Krell preamp and monoblocks.

For my home theater setup, I would purchase the entire B&W 800 series setup. But instead of using bookshelves for surrounds, I'll be using the same 800D's for my fronts and surrounds. I will also be running dual Velodyne Digital Drive 1812 subs. My processor/preamp will be Yamaha RX-Z11. I will be powering all my speakers with top of the line Krell monoblocks.

 

[pmac]

If you don't know the models could you describe what they look like?

Unfortunately I don't know. They are behind the tv screen. I have never gone back there, and the owner is in FLA for the winter and he does not know the model numbers off the top of his head...the reply was... well they are less than a year old , and will ge upgrading once he gets back home. So as you can see there is no rush.
Thanks Seth for the reply.

 

[Davemcc]

will ge upgrading once he gets back home. So as you can see there is no rush.

Let's wait to find out what the new speakers are, then we can discuss amplification for them. The Onkyo 905 will drive "most" speakers out there, but in the world of high end audio there are some speakers that present a difficult load to an amplifier. We should make sure he doesn't choose some of those before settling on a receiver.

 

[bandphan]

The person in question does not need multi room capabilities. 7.1 I am sure is what they currently have. If not, it could be done based on layout. But no more than that would ever be required unless they moved, and I do not see that happening in the near future (years), if ever. Seperates would not be out of the question, however the only reason I see seperates being required is for extra power, and being in a condo, I don't think that is needed as you need to keep the peace to some extent, no matter how thick the floors are, eventually the neighbors will hear/feel it.
They are upgrading for the newer modern features available today vs the Pioneer 49TX receiver they currently have. It sounds exceptional when we watched 4 Brothers. Theater/TV will be primary use, but music is listened to as well.
Feel free to contradict the "extra power" statement and tell me your thoughts. I am sure they will be reading this thread.

try more effecient power...

 

[highfihoney]

If i had a million bucks to dump on hifi gear i'd spend every last cent on audiogon buying last years gear,then turn a million into 1.5 million .

Seriously i wouldnt change anything in my main system,however i might be persuaded to buy a pair of Mcintosh Mc2301 300 watt tube monoblocks when they hit the market in a few months.

 

[stratman]

Gotta love those Macs! Beautiful.

 

[eljr]

My recomendation,

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/mcintosh-mc207-multi-channel-power-amp.asp

$8,500 suggested Retail.

You can buy for $6,000.

 

[highfihoney]

An island.

http://www.privateislandsonline.com/saltonstallisland.htm

 

[ChunkyDark]

If I had a 1,000,000 dollars, I'd buy you a monkey. Haven't you always wanted a monkey?