Need Help! AV Receiver

[nick3]

I'm looking to buy a receiver to set up a home theater system. Currently I have Paradigm monitor 7 fronts, Paradigm 190 center, and a Paradigm PS 1000 sub. And for now I have an older pair of bose 201's that I am using as rear speakers, I know. I'm looking to spend about $500 and am open to buying used or refurbished.

I've been looking at the Onkyo TX-SR605 and the Harmon Kardon AVR 445. I've found the Onkyo for around $400 and the HK for around $500 (regular $1200). I like the connectivity and functionality of both, the HK has USB ports, which would be nice, but the one thing turning me away from the HK is it only has 65 watts/channel as opposed to the Onkyo's 90. The speakers are fairly accurate for my price range and I don't think they need a huge number of watts, but I thought i should at least stay in the 85 range. I'm not very familiar with HK and I know they rate wattage differently, if anyone has any advice or knowledge of the systems or any other receiver that you feel would be a good fit, I would appreciate the help.
Thanks,
Nick

 

[Martiad3]

I'll tell you this about the HK: I have the HK AVR 435 and it is a very solidly built receiver. Even though it says only 65 watts per channel, HK is known for rating its receivers at what they can actually put out.

I use mine with a 5.1 setup of Onix X-LS and X-CS speakers and the 435 has never had a problem driving them. I seriously doubt the Paradigms would give it any trouble. And if it did, the HK has pre-outs so that you could add an external amp into the system, whereas the Onkyo doesn't (if I remember correctly).

Anyways, don't worry about wattage ratings on receivers as they're mostly a bunch of fluff. Worry about getting the actual features you want.

Take care.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

Also check out the Yamaha RX-V661 for about $400. You can get 7.1 PCM audio via HDMI 1.2a for BluRay or HD-DVD and it also has pre-amp outputs if you need/want to add an outboard amp.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It is hard to beat the 661

Also check out the Yamaha RX-V661 for about $400. You can get 7.1 PCM audio via HDMI 1.2a for BluRay or HD-DVD and it also has pre-amp outputs if you need/want to add an outboard amp.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Onkyo TX-SR605 or the Harmon Kardon AVR 445?

I vote for the Onkyo 605 because it has HDMI-1.3/Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD MA.

 

[rnatalli]

Like Martiad3 said, do not concern yourself with how many wpc the receiver has. H/K receivers push lots of power. I also agree that the Yamaha 661 is worth considering at this price point.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The HK is it only has 65 watts/channel as opposed to the Onkyo's 90.

Yes, but the HK is rated at ALL CHANNELS DRIVEN, and the Onkyo is only with 2 channels driven, which means that when all seven channels are fully cranked, that 90 wpc will go way down!

What do you guys think, down to 50 watts with all channels driven?

Unless your speakers are 4 ohms or you are an audioholic or unless you are just plan evil, I wouldn't worry about power at all. Just think about features.

 

[nick3]

Thanks for the input

Does anyone know, I thought the HK was HDMI 1.1

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Does anyone know, I thought the HK was HDMI 1.1

Yeah, I'm pretty sure the HK is HDMI 1.1.
Since the AVR247 is HDMI 1.1 and the AVR 445 is an older model (maybe the new one will be 447), I would think it is HDMI 1.1.