Need some low budget advice.

[learner]

Well guys I am new to all of this Home Theater stuff so I need some advice from some experts like you.

I am building a low budget Home Theater. My purchases so far are an Hitachi 51" F510 projection High Def. T.V. and thanks to a few days of research and some great advice from another board I ordered the Athena Micra 6 speaker system today. Now I am ready for the receiver. I have it narrowed down to the Onkyo TX-SR 503 or the Pioneer VSX-815.

I have been researching both of these units and initially had decided on the Onkyo unit but some recent reviews on this site and sound and vision have made me start to lean towards the Pioneer. Now the Onkyo has a 2 year parts and labor where the Pioneer has only one year so that is something to consider.

What do you guys think? I will have to live with this for quite a while because I like to never got my wife to go for it this time. I have been studying this for so long that I am at a loss. Please give me some input. I know you are in to high end but I would really appreciate the advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[zumbo]

To be honest, I prefer Yamaha or Denon. It doesn't really matter in this class, as they all will yield about the same results. The main thing is the connections and duties you need your receiver to have and perform. Once you have determined your choices will support your needs, go out and play with the remotes and remote features on each unit. This is what you will be spending ALL of your time with. You will hate it if you hate your remote. I believe there is NO way what-so-ever to choose a receiver based on how it sounds in a showroom. Who knows if it is even set-up correctly. And, I doubt two units will be set-up the same exact way for a proper comparison.

 

[Nick250]

I personally have a Onkyo 595 and it works great. Very easy to tweek on the fly. I have had it for about 4 years. The only problem I have had with it is that the sub pre-out has stopped working. I now run my main speakers through my HSU VTF-2 and handle cross over duties at the sub. No big deal. IMO there will not be any audible differences between any of the receivers you might consider. Based on the posts I read here the Yamaha receivers seem to be the most bullet proof. So if the Yamaha in your price range has the features you want then that might be the way to go.

 

[bigbassdave]

I have the Onkyo 520 which is essentially the same thing as the 502 and it has been flawless for over a year. Lots of features for the price. Both Onkyo and Pioneer should be great for your needs.

 

[corey]

Keep in mind that most replies you get, including this one, won't be from "experts". I did, however, take the time to look up the 2 receivers you listed. From a quick glance, it looks like the Onkyo has no per-channel equlization, while the Pioneer does. If you're planning to build an acoustically perfect room for your new HT, then this feature won't make much difference. If you're planning on using your equipment in an existing room, it could make a big difference.

My advice is to get a Denon like someone else recomended. Buy the Pioneer that has equilazation and send it to me. I'll send you my Denon that doesn't.

 

[zumbo]

Don't know if you have read these, but here is a link for the Pioneer.

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/PioneerVSX-815ReceiverReview1.php

And one for the Onkyo.

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/Copy of onkyo_TX-SR601_review_01.html

 

[learner]

Thank you all very much for your input. I am taken back with length's you have went to to try to help me with my decision. The link's were very helpful as were the first hand experiences. You gave me a lot of food for thought. As of right now I believe I will go with the Pioneer, I plan to study some more today and listen to any more input and then pull the trigger tomorrow.

I know this is a low budget decision compared to many of the systems discussed on this forum but I have spent countless hours going from store to store and right here on the net trying to make sure I make the most of my opportunity. I dont honestly think I would be upset with either of the choices I have narrowed it to, but I want to be certain.

Again, thank you all for your advice.

 

[zumbo]

Check this out.
http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=10563899

This smokes the other options by a mile.

 

[learner]

Check this out.
http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=10563899

This smokes the other options by a mile.

Would the Micra 6 speaker system handle the amp? Of course I would have to clear the extra $$$ with the wife but I may be able to if its that much better.

 

[zumbo]

Would the Micra 6 speaker system handle the amp? Of course I would have to clear the extra $$$ with the wife but I may be able to if its that much better.

Certainly! As with any equipment, use common sense when cranking. You can toast any speaker with most any amp or receiver.

 

[learner]

Certainly! As with any equipment, use common sense when cranking. You can toast any speaker with most any amp or receiver.

Thank you. Now I need to check out the shipping, tax etc and try to sale my wife on the idea. If not I still think I can be happy with the Pioneer but the Yamaha would be sweet.

 

[zumbo]

Sounds good. Hope we were of some help.

 

[jcPanny]

With the Micra 6 speakers . . .

You probably wont get much audio benefit from any receiver over the $200 price range (Yamaha HTR-5840, etc.). Don't get me wrong, the RX-V1500 is a great receiver and that is a good price. It would be a good option if you plan on upgrading your speakers in the next couple years and wont a good Mind-fi receiver with lots of features.

 

[Afro_GT]

I don't know if it matters to you or not about that Yamaha on Ubid...

Standard Notice
ubid is not an authorized Yamaha dealer Not warranted by Yamaha

Warranty
30 days warranty through ubid

 

[learner]

I ordered the Pioneer VSX-815 today from Data Vision for $230.60 shipped. I want to thank you all VERY much for you insight and suggestions. Now I just have to get a DVD player. But that is another thread.LOL

Thanks again guys.