Please help me choose a reciever

[petdoctyr]

Hi, Im new to the home theatre scene and need to get a new AVR. Ive done some research and think I've narrowed things down a little. Im looking in a price range of about 600-900$ canadian.

I think I've eliminated Denon from the equation as the recievers in this price rance dont seem to do transcoding/up conversion (whatever you want to call it). I am more interested in future proofing and audio quality than any video upscaling stuff, Ive been told in a couple of stores that the upscaling in AVRs isnt great and the TV (panasonic plasma PZ80U) does it anyway.


So these are the ones Im currently considering
Onkyo 706 - $900
Pioneer VSX01TXH - $750
Marantz 5003B - $800

There are two more which are kinda outliers as well
The Yamaha HTR 6190B (which is the same as the RX-V1800) I can pick it up for 1K but I have a feeling I might be able to haggle down to $800... older model being replaced but I think it might be a great steal if I can get it for that price.

The other one is the Onkyo 606 - only about 550$, much less expensive... do the others warrant the price increases? or will I be just as happy paying less and getting the 606?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WmAx]

Hi, Im new to the home theatre scene and need to get a new AVR. Ive done some research and think I've narrowed things down a little. Im looking in a price range of about 600-900$ canadian.

I think I've eliminated Denon from the equation as the recievers in this price rance dont seem to do transcoding/up conversion (whatever you want to call it). I am more interested in future proofing and audio quality than any video upscaling stuff, Ive been told in a couple of stores that the upscaling in AVRs isnt great and the TV (panasonic plasma PZ80U) does it anyway.


So these are the ones Im currently considering
Onkyo 706 - $900
Pioneer VSX01TXH - $750
Marantz 5003B - $800

There are two more which are kinda outliers as well
The Yamaha HTR 6190B (which is the same as the RX-V1800) I can pick it up for 1K but I have a feeling I might be able to haggle down to $800... older model being replaced but I think it might be a great steal if I can get it for that price.

The other one is the Onkyo 606 - only about 550$, much less expensive... do the others warrant the price increases? or will I be just as happy paying less and getting the 606?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in future upgrading of the audio part of your system, be sure your receiver has pre-outs. The 606 would be out of the running, of course. Also, all pre-outs are not created equal. The Yamaha I believe, has the same pre section as my RX-V2600, which is superb performance in all regards, and has high voltage 4+ volt output with no clipping, allowing it to easily drive any amplifier with ease to full output and low noise.

-Chris

 

[petdoctyr]

What are pre-outs for? other than that am I likely to see a difference between the units? what about Audyssey vs YPAO vs MCACC?

 

[Cpt.America]

Pre-outs are there in case you want to run external amplifiers, instead of the ones built into the AVR. Who knows, you might want/need more power later.

Obviously I can't comment on every receiver out there in your price range as I only own one, but I can CERTAINLY recommend it. I have the Pioneed Elite VHX-01, and it is a fantastic receiver. It processes/decodes all the current stuff, has pre-outs with triggers, is VERY easy to setup, sounds fanstastic, has USB inputs, multple HDMI ins, and is just plain gorgeous.

The only thing I feel I am missing with my VHX-01, is that it doesn't have built in networking capabilities. I think you might have to go all the way up to the SC-05 to get that, which is also a stellar AVR.

OTher then that.. I have zero regrets going with my pioneer.