Need 2 Zone Receiver - $500 or less

[cpotter638]

I'm a newbie. I'm building my 1st HT setup. Have a $500 budget for a receiver. Through the help of the forum I will be purchasing the following 5.1 speaker setup:

Ascend Acoustics

Center: CMT-340
L/R: CMT-340 x 2
Surrounds: HTM-200 x 2
Sub: SVS PB-12


I will use the system for about 80% HT and 20% Music. I need a receiver that will allow 2 zones as the upstairs is prewired for multi-room audio. I plan on taking advantage of this in the future. I initially looked at the Yamaha RX-N600. The receiver is attractive given its built in LAN port, but is certainly less powerful than other receivers in the same price range. At this point in my research, I think the Pioneer Elite VSX-80TXV would be a reasonable option. This can be found through several online retailers between $450 and $500 (not Authorized sellers). Are there any other suggestions given my price range and need for Zone 2? Thanks. Chad

 

[Snap]

No Brainer

No Brainer.... Yamaha RXV-659. It has a powered Zone 2 and it is an awesome reciever. It is my main reciever that I use for simple distributed audio and HT set ups. A couple of Volume controls, and some speakers and your are set. By the way the 659 is 499.

Good luck.

 

[AVRat]

Pioneer 1016, authorized dealer - $400: http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4111547

 

[cpotter638]

1016

AVRat: The 1016 doesn't have zone 2 does it? Chad

 

[AVRat]

It does the zone 2 in more of a speaker B fashion. In other words, no multi-source functionality, or it plays the same source in all zones. The surround back amps can be routed to power these speakers.

If you're looking for multi-source functionality, then the Yamaha 659 is a good option. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-t0a7I5E5uYm/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&I=022RXV659

 

[cpotter638]

Follow up

I think I'm going to go with the Yamaha RX-V659. I can get this shipped for around $350 with no warranty or $400 with a 3 yr warranty.

For my setup, I cannot find another receiver that offers auto-setup features (YPAO for the 659) and 2 zone capabilities (with pre-outs) so I can send zone 2 to another amplifier (for whole house audio - probably via the Russound CAS44). I also like the idea of the "compressed music enhancer" as I will ultimately be streaming MP3 files from my computer to the receiver.

If anyone has other suggestions for receivers in this price range (around $400 shipped), I would be interested in your opinions. Again, I'm going with the Ascend speakers (CMT-340 x 3 and HTM-200 x 2).

Thanks,
Chad