Looking for a new receiver.. Advice??

[steve7647]

First time posing,
I am looking for a new receiver cannot seem to find one I like. I was looking at pioneer elite VSX-53 but cannot find it anywhere so I was looking at the pioneer elite SC-35 then I saw the new Yamaha RX-A2000, which made me more confused. And I'm not sure on Yamaha quality I was always a pioneer man. And am looking for a new receiver that is 7.1, loaded with features and is iPhone and iPad compatible, with an app out as well. I am looking to spend roughly a grand on one. And recommendations or information?

 

[Pyrrho]

There are several brands that tend to be good at that price point. Pioneer, Denon, Marantz, and Yamaha all make good gear. I am currently using a Yamaha surround receiver, and like it very much.

I recommend selecting one of these brands, using features you need or want, ease of use, and price as the determining factors for which of them you get. The last two times I have purchased a surround receiver, I have ended up with Yamaha using this method, but different units can be on sale at different times, so it may or may not turn out to be another brand for you to get the best deal you can. My old one is still in use by a family member; reliability has been excellent in my experience with Yamaha (as well as judging from what people say online).

 

[Theresme1]

Pioneer Elite SC-35

I just recently purchase a SC-35 from Amazon for only $925. Be sure when you buy from online company they carry full warranty. I am hocking up my B&W CM5 and SVS sub to the SC-35. The receiver is doing an awesome job making those speakers sound the way its suppose to sound. I think for a receiver that is under $1000, it's really a great receiver.

 

[LAB3]

I have several Yamaha AVR and they are still playing Great. My 2003 2400 would still be in HT room but I went HD and HDMI. The Yamaha A2000 is a very good AVR. So is the Pioneer and Denon. Which ever one you can get a deal in go for it. I will advise you to not stack on it and have a fan with plenty of venting room. Do this and you will enjoy years of HT and music enjoyment.

 

[timoteo]

I was in same boat as you & after doing a lot of research then listening tests i went with the Yamaha RX- A2000. I couldnt be happier with it. Im running 2 Zones with ease. Very best usability IMO!! The Pio is a class D so has a bit of a different sound that not everyone likes. Bit all the major brands will be a good option for you. But ill give a +1 for the Yammie!

 

[PannTher]

+1 for the Yammy A2000 for me too!

Loving it!

 

[steve7647]

Thanks

Thank you everyone for your help. I am not doing two zones just one but the yamaha looks good I was a little worried with the brand and I'm conferrable with pioneer but not have some peace of mind.

 

[lsiberian]

Thank you everyone for your help. I am not doing two zones just one but the yamaha looks good I was a little worried with the brand and I'm conferrable with pioneer but not have some peace of mind.

Pioneers tend to be good. Yamaha is good too. Just realize the product life isn't super long on a lot of receivers anymore.

 

[LegitDrummer]

The Harman Blue Ray receiver is pretty sick.

The bds 5 so/120 is what I have.

 

[steve7647]

Beginning to narrow it down

I have it narrowed down to either the yamaha or a pioneer. I want to go with the pioneer cuz I know the brand, just seems they are lagging on product release or something. Even there web page has products listed with not much info on them. And there other products seems to be a few behind the rest.

I have everything else picked out
Samsung led
Samsung blue ray
Samsung sound bar (I don't know why) they have an impressive punch for basic tv use.

 

[steve7647]

The Harman Blue Ray receiver is pretty sick.

The bds 5 so/120 is what I have.

I must check out the harman blue ray. I hope u didn't just open up another can of worms for me.

 

[bikemig]

I have it narrowed down to either the yamaha or a pioneer. I want to go with the pioneer cuz I know the brand, just seems they are lagging on product release or something. Even there web page has products listed with not much info on them. And there other products seems to be a few behind the rest.

I have everything else picked out
Samsung led
Samsung blue ray
Samsung sound bar (I don't know why) they have an impressive punch for basic tv use.

I'm not sure which samsung sound bar you are thinking of buying but most people buy a soundbar so they don't have to buy a receiver because most soundbars have an amplifier (and often a powered sub as well). So if all you want is a 2.1 set-up, then you can probably don't need the receiver. There are some great soundbars out there by the way. I really like zvox products because they sound good and are dead easy to set up. You could think about this one, http://www.zvoxaudio.com/cgi-bin/item/4005801.

 

[cpp]

I'm not sure on Yamaha quality

Yamaha has always provided me with years of enjoyment, never had a breakdown.

 

[LAB3]

Yamaha has always provided me with years of enjoyment, never had a breakdown.

Ditto I have RX-V2400 Yamaha 7.1 it's a 2003 model and still plays fine.
I needed a HDMI and HD decoders or it would still be in the HT room.

 

[steve7647]

I'm not sure which samsung sound bar you are thinking of buying but most people buy a soundbar so they don't have to buy a receiver because most soundbars have an amplifier (and often a powered sub as well). So if all you want is a 2.1 set-up, then you can probably don't need the receiver.

Samsung sound bar HW-D551

Sometimes at night or early morning I can't power up the whole system in fear of waking others, so I have to run off the tv speakers. Samsung led tv's have poor speakers, so if u purchase a Samsung sound bar and connect it to your Samsung tv u can disable the Samsung built in speakers and use just the sound bar. Since they are both Samsung they will connect with anynet+ and the Samsung tv remote volume key with adjust the volume of the sound bar along with the tv remote power power button will power the sound bar on or off

I work for an I.T. Company and a old business owner asked me to come over and set up a second tv for his supper bowl party. He purchased a Samsung led with sound bar. I was blown away by the sound quality of this little thing along with how well the two worked together.

 

[bikemig]

Samsung sound bar HW-D551

Sometimes at night or early morning I can't power up the whole system in fear of waking others, so I have to run off the tv speakers. Samsung led tv's have poor speakers, so if u purchase a Samsung sound bar and connect it to your Samsung tv u can disable the Samsung built in speakers and use just the sound bar. Since they are both Samsung they will connect with anynet+ and the Samsung tv remote volume key with adjust the volume of the sound bar along with the tv remote power power button will power the sound bar on or off

I work for an I.T. Company and a old business owner asked me to come over and set up a second tv for his supper bowl party. He purchased a Samsung led with sound bar. I was blown away by the sound quality of this little thing along with how well the two worked together.

I'm not surprised that the SQ of the soundbar is much better than the TV speakers; and I use anynet with my Samsung products and it works well. So you want both a soundbar and an AV receiver? I tend to use headphones at night since you can crank up the noise as loud as I want without waking everyone up. The AV receiver is some distance from the couch but an extension cable takes care of the problem. If you want a good pair of cans that are really easy to drive and fairly inexpensive, the Grado SR 60i are good, http://www.amazon.com/Grado-Prestige-SR-60i-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309713773&sr=8-1. On a dollar for dollar basis, you can't beat headphones for sound quality.

 

[lsiberian]

The Harman Blue Ray receiver is pretty sick.

The bds 5 so/120 is what I have.

I own a Harman receiver and do not recommend them. They have software issues that make set up a royal pain. I also recommend not combining components if you can avoid it.

 

[steve7647]

Yes I will have both a sound bar and the receiver. I think I'm going to go with the yamaha it's $200 more than the pioneer but seems to carry everything I need