Looking for a excellent AVR receiver

[hheer]

Looking to buy a good home theatre system for my home, but after reading all the product descriptions on Denon / Onkyo / Yamaha / Marantz and some reviews not sure which one would be the right hardware to buy. I intend to use the AVR receiver for 60% movies and 40% music. My budget is to keep the AVR receiver under 2K. Which one do you propose I should be looking at?

 

[greggp2]

Looking to buy a good home theatre system for my home, but after reading all the product descriptions on Denon / Onkyo / Yamaha / Marantz and some reviews not sure which one would be the right hardware to buy. I intend to use the AVR receiver for 60% movies and 40% music. My budget is to keep the AVR receiver under 2K. Which one do you propose I should be looking at?

They are all good and you will hear arguments from different people telling you to go with one over the other. All of the receivers you mentioned are pretty much in the same class in terms of quality and sound. Some sound better with certain speakers, but in the end, you may be best suited looking for a higher end pre-owned product from companies like Rotel, Arcam and NAD.

All in all though, for $2,000 you could buy something pretty nice. You may also want to consider getting a 5 Channel Amp from a company like Emotiva and then a cheaper AVR or processor. A dedicated Amp will give you much better headroom and sound if your speakers warrant it.

What type of speakers are you using?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, you could get something like the Emotiva UMC-1 pre-pro (5 HDMI, 3 Component, Genesis Torino Video, Twin Cirrus Audio) for $700 and the XPA-5 amp (200 watts x 5Ch 8 ohms, 350 watts x 5Ch 4 ohms) for $800 = $1,500 total cost. Both have a 5 yr warranty parts & labor.

For receivers, there are just way too many options for the same price.

You could get the Denon 4308 for $2K or the 3808 for $1,200 @ J&R.

I like the promise of the Onkyo 906 a lot, but I keep on hearing about some reliability & heat issues.

What about the Yahama Z-7, which also has a good 5 yr warranty?

 

[hheer]

For speakers I am looking at Definitive technology Mythos STS or the Apherion 6T hybrid. Would you suggest something else?

 

[hheer]

In your opinion do you find Denon to deliver better sound than Onkyo? Also I was reading in the forum that the Onkyo has a better output for watching movies while Denon is good for music, is that right or just one opinion?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

For speakers I am looking at Definitive technology Mythos STS or the Apherion 6T hybrid. Would you suggest something else?

Are you getting them at the same price?

If not, what about Defintive BP10B (I was able to get those at my local dealer for $500 each).

If you have time and patience, you could just try out the Aperion first. If you don't like them, then try Def Tech.

 

[lsiberian]

Looking to buy a good home theatre system for my home, but after reading all the product descriptions on Denon / Onkyo / Yamaha / Marantz and some reviews not sure which one would be the right hardware to buy. I intend to use the AVR receiver for 60% movies and 40% music. My budget is to keep the AVR receiver under 2K. Which one do you propose I should be looking at?

What speakers are you driving?

2k for an AVR is overkill and not wise IMO. You should consider doing a pre-pro with some eq's.

I suggest you get an HDMI repeating receiver possible from one of the brands listed at the 500 price point and then pick up a post amp. Then pick up a pair of Behringer DCX 2496's. 500(for 2 of em) This would be a great setup. However if all that equipment won't be allowed(vetoed by she who must be obeyed) Then look at our classifieds


http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR905S/Onkyo/TX-NR905-THX-Ultra2-140w-x-7ch-HDMI-Receiver-SILVER-/1.html

is an amazing deal.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductSearch.aspx?N=257+726

They are more expensive, but look in our deals area for the coupon. We have one that is an amazing deal.

There is an open box 4308 denon for 2k. That's a sick deal.
But I think the 905 at a4less is the way to go on a receiver. that retailed at a similar price and it has similar features.

 

[lsiberian]

In your opinion do you find Denon to deliver better sound than Onkyo? Also I was reading in the forum that the Onkyo has a better output for watching movies while Denon is good for music, is that right or just one opinion?

There are two schools on this. I believe like many that if configured correctly there is no difference in sound. I suggest you get a 905 instead of the 906.

It comes in silver and is linked. at a fraction of the price of a 906. Which is really not a 1000 dollar improvement.

The Pre-Pro would be nice and let you add EQs.

I suggest you keep the avr to 20 percent of the budget.

40 percent to the subs(you should get 2 at least)

30 percent to the front 3

10 percent to the surrounds.

You can adjust this, but start from that.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

There is an open box 4308 denon for 2k. That's a sick deal.

I can get a brand new one @ J&R for $2k.

 

[hheer]

The Apherion speakers are much cheaper that the definitive ones thats for sure.

 

[hheer]

I am looking to spend 6-8K in total for the speakers/receiver. But now that you are also recommending that I invest in pre-pro and possibly equalizers how much more am I looking at or can I fit all in this budget and still get a great system?

 

[Jeff R.]

If you really have a budget of $6-8K then invest the bulk of that in speakers and good amps. Get a decent level reciever that will give you the newer decoding levels with pre-amp outs. Amp and speakers never really get out of date. Any reciever for about $500 will give you all the decoding levels needed along with the better HDMI features. If you pour a ton of money into a reciever you will be out of date in 6 months. Amps can always be carried over to new systems as you upgrade. Speakers/Subs are where you will see the biggest bang for the buck. Like stated before get 2 subs if you have the room and $$$$.

Good luck...

 

[lsiberian]

I am looking to spend 6-8K in total for the speakers/receiver. But now that you are also recommending that I invest in pre-pro and possibly equalizers how much more am I looking at or can I fit all in this budget and still get a great system?

1. Easy Option buy an Onkyo 905 from a4less.

Start looking around for the best speakers you can find and pick up two SVS PB Ultra 13 subs

2. Best sound Option,
Use An Onkyo SR705 or similar as a pre-pro

Up to 3 Behringer DCX 2496s. 7 channels of amping with XLR Inputs on the amps

The thing with EQs is that they can be used to make the sound of even less expensive speakers amazing.

Build 2 Audio Pulse Axis subs.

Find the best speaker you can find and buy a full 7.0 set.

3. Step down(sanity option)

Use an Onkyo 805 or similar as a pre-pro and surround amp

Get 1 Behringer DCX 2496 and one 3 channel amp for integration of mains and surrounds

Build 2 Infinity Kappa Perfect Builds(hire a cabinet maker if you need too.)

Buy the best front 3 speakers you can find. And find matching tweeters for you surrounds.

Any of the above options would be good, even the first would probably blow most folks away. Anything above that would be for a truly crazy Audiophile with some cash.

 

[zeuiax]

^^^^ Onkyo Pre/Pro SC885 is going for $549 + free shipping at shoponkyo.com

 

[lsiberian]

^^^^ Onkyo Pre/Pro SC885 is going for $549 + free shipping at shoponkyo.com

While that may seem like a good option. I don't suggest it. Go with a receiver. You will get the processing and have something you can always use to drive speakers.

If it were me I would do the 3rd option. Even on your budget.

 

[CraigV]

A Yamaha RX-V663 offers Burr Brown d/a converters & decent build quality. If you need more HDMI inputs, try to find something that has the BB converters, and get a good outboard amp. You could do a new Emotiva, or used B&K, Rotel, Anthem or such.

As for speakers, listen to as many different brands as you can. Ideally, audition at home with your equipment. Decide for yourself what you like best.*

*Except the B brand

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am looking to spend 6-8K in total for the speakers/receiver. But now that you are also recommending that I invest in pre-pro and possibly equalizers how much more am I looking at or can I fit all in this budget and still get a great system?

First, since Aperion offers a 30-Day Trial (free S/H both ways to you and back to them), I say give them a try.

If you love their sound, then why pay for more?

Second, I would not recommend using Equalizers unless you are like a "PRO" at it. I say just do the SIMPLEST & PUREST thing - no equalizers, no tone controls, etc.

XPA-5 $800
UMC-1 $700
Aperion 6T Towers x 5 = $3,475
Aperion BRAVUS 12D Subwoofer $1,099

Total = $6,074

 

[lsiberian]

First, since Aperion offers a 30-Day Trial (free S/H both ways to you and back to them), I say give them a try.

If you love their sound, then why pay for more?

Second, I would not recommend using Equalizers unless you are like a "PRO" at it. I say just do the SIMPLEST & PUREST thing - no equalizers, no tone controls, etc.

XPA-5 $800
UMC-1 $700
Aperion 6T Towers x 5 = $3,475
Aperion BRAVUS 12D Subwoofer $1,099

Total = $6,074

EQs aren't difficult for Technically inclined people. It just takes time to learn like anything else. Don't be afraid of a EQ

I think a 905 would easily drive the Aperion towers for less cost and more features. Plus its very easy to use.

Towers I don't suggest on the surrounds unless you have a lot of space.

 

[greggp2]

I think I'm fairly technically inclined and I don't have the slightest idea what to do with an EQ. Aside from calibrating my speakers and setting my cross overs, I really am unsure what to do with one. I keep hearing about the Behringher and for the price, would certainly purchase one, but I'm afraid I'd have no clue how to implement it...

 

[Lordoftherings]

In your opinion do you find Denon to deliver better sound than Onkyo? Also I was reading in the forum that the Onkyo has a better output for watching movies while Denon is good for music, is that right or just one opinion?

Hi,

The Onkyo 876 is now in sale for only $899 at newegg.com.

This receiver beats even the Denon AVR-4308.

The 876 is more powerful, it's THX Ultra2 Plus certified, have the
HQV Reon-XV video processor, Audyssey MultEQ XT, video adjustments for each individual HDMI inputs, Burr-Brown PCM-1796A Dacs (better than the Denon 4308), and a lot more features.
It is a no-brainer choice.

Your Def. Tech. Mythos STS speakers are also a good choice, they win many awards.

Cheers,

LOTR