Musical 5.1-7.1 receiver w/ preouts

[gus6464]

I am currently looking for a 5.1-7.1 receiver with good musical reproduction. Price range is around $500 and has to have preouts. Will also consider a pre/pro as well. A pre/pro I was looking at is the Emotiva LMC-1 but I dont know if its more suited for home theater than music.

 

[jinjuku]

I am currently looking for a 5.1-7.1 receiver with good musical reproduction. Price range is around $500 and has to have preouts. Will also consider a pre/pro as well. A pre/pro I was looking at is the Emotiva LMC-1 but I dont know if its more suited for home theater than music.

Pick any Yamaha/Denon/Onkyo/Kenwood/Pioneer. Everything is going to be with in spitting distance sound reproduction wise.

'Musical' is an audiophiles' term to make one's self feel important when purchasing to a $5000 mono-block amp.

 

[jcPanny]

Pre-pro vs. receiver

The Emotiva LMC-1 is only a pre-pro, so you will need a separate amp. It sacrafices features for simiplicity and sound quality making it great for music playback. Owners of emotiva pre-pros will get 40% off of the new models due out early next year.

Receivers in your price range like the Yamaha RX-V661 will include HDMI audio processing and switching, Auto setup w/ mic, i-pod and XM connections, 7 amp channels, etc.

 

[bommai]

Harman Kardon AVR 247 without a doubt

There are differences between receivers as I just went through four of them in my basement. I have come to this conclusion. I compared Denon (2803 - my old one), Onkyo (804), Harman Kardon (247, 645, 745). Every H/K I had performed excellent when it comes to music. The Onkyo fell flat for music. It was ok for HT. There is a big difference between music and HT. I tested the system using the SACD Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms. Player was PS3. Speakers are Klipsch RF5, RC7, RS35, RW12 sub. I can clearly say that the H/K was head and shoulders above the others when it came to music. For HT, they were all good. For the lower price ranges, H/K is great. I ended up with a refurbed 745 for under $800 with full warranty. If I had more money to spend, I would buy a NAD.

 

[mazersteven]

There are differences between receivers as I just went through four of them in my basement.

 

[wire]

I am currently looking for a 5.1-7.1 receiver with good musical reproduction. Price range is around $500 and has to have preouts. Will also consider a pre/pro as well. A pre/pro I was looking at is the Emotiva LMC-1 but I dont know if its more suited for home theater than music.

Look for a Sunfire Proc . used , a TG1 goes for around $500 , a TG2 around $700 .

 

[jinjuku]

If I read the OP wrong, please correct me: He has a $500 budget. Kiss any pre-processor / external amp combination goodbye.

Dude, you're looking @ strictly an AV-Receiver. Take some source material and listen to Denon/Yamaha/H-K/Kenwood/Marantz/Pioneer/Onkyo etc...

They all make good receivers. While amp design is some what of an art form, it really isn't a big mystery either. They all have clean sounding amps. After that it comes down to what sounds good to you. To head off any nay-sayers: any manufacturer from time to time can make a dogs' meal of a product

 

[gus6464]

If I read the OP wrong, please correct me: He has a $500 budget. Kiss any pre-processor / external amp combination goodbye.

Dude, you're looking @ strictly an AV-Receiver. Take some source material and listen to Denon/Yamaha/H-K/Kenwood/Marantz/Pioneer/Onkyo etc...

They all make good receivers. While amp design is some what of an art form, it really isn't a big mystery either. They all have clean sounding amps. After that it comes down to what sounds good to you. To head off any nay-sayers: any manufacturer from time to time can make a dogs' meal of a product

$500 is only for receiver. Amp is separate.

 

[avaserfi]

If you are looking at the Emotiva line up the review for it might help you out. From my understanding it should do everything you are looking for and at a price thats hard to beat.

 

[mazersteven]

$500 is only for receiver. Amp is separate.

Don't think you need an amp with the efficiency of your speakers. I might be wrong. A good receiver like this should do.

AVR-2807
http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3038.asp

TX-SR805
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR805&class=Receiver&p=i