Need help buying first reciever

[Unregistered]

Hi all, just wanted to ask what you guys thought would be a good reciever for around $150-$200 range. This is just for a basic setup for a small apartment and just need a good reciever to hook my dvd player, vcr, cd-changer and tv too. Any advice would be most appreciated. Would like to get it today.

Thanks

 

[Unregistered]

You didn't say if you wanted a two-channel (stereo) receiver or a multi-channel "surround" receiver. Here's a few, all of which are decent receivers at their price points:

Stereo:

Harmon Kardon HK3375 (2 x 75 watts) $177.88 [on sale at onecall.com]
Onkyo TX8211 (2 x 50 watts) $199.00
Denon DRA-295 (2 x 50 watts) $249.00
Yamaha RX-396 (2 x 50 watts) $299.00

The Harmon Kardon is a discontinued model, but it's a steal at $177.88.


Multi-channel:

You'll be hard pressed to find a decent multi-channel receiver that's new in a box within your budget, but there are a few which are just over your budget.

Onkyo TXSR502 (6 x 75 watts) $299.00
Denon AVR-484 (5 x 100 watts) $299.00
Yamaha HTR-5740 (6 x 100 watts $350.00

 

[nm2285]

If multichannel is what you want, check the Pioneer VSX-D812 at Best Buy for $199. You may also find the Onkyo TX-SR501 (older version of 502) somewhere for cheap since the 502 is pretty new.

For stereo, that HK is a great deal.

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks for the suggestions, I decided on the Onkyo Tx-SR501. It had multi-channel and s-video connections unlike the Yamaha. I was suprised how hot this things get is that normal. I got it for around $160 since it was a clearance item.


Thanks again for all your help.

 

[nm2285]

What kind of speakers do you have and how efficient are they? The more the receiver has to work to handle your speakers, the hotter it will get.
Make sure it has plenty of room to vent.

 

[av_phile]

The onkyo is rated for 6-ohms to pass UL certification standards on heat dissipation. It can get pretty hot if you are using speakers nominally rated at 4 ohms. I suggest you train a small fan over them if you can.

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks for the suggestions, I decided on the Onkyo Tx-SR501. It had multi-channel and s-video connections unlike the Yamaha. I was suprised how hot this things get is that normal. I got it for around $160 since it was a clearance item.

Definitely check the impedance of your speakers as others have suggested, but most importantly give it room to breathe. I had a 501, and now a 502. It is in a wall unit, with an open back. I have about 1-2" on each side and 6+" open above it and it barely gets warm - even at loud volumes.