Poll: Best $2000 HT 7.1 reciever

[doug zdanivsky]

Hi!

Just wanted to get a feel from those who have, had had, or have demoed receivers in this price range, had done their homework, and know alot more about this stuff than I do!

I was looking at Yamaha, Rotel, or NAD.

I was told seperates are better for the power/function upgrade set, but I don't plan on making any speaker config/power requirement changes that might necessitate upgrades down the road..

I want to get the best receiver (for movies almost exclusively) I can afford and be done..

The receiver I want to get will be driving Paradigm Studio 80's, a powered PW-2200 sub, and a studio line center, mono rears, and dipole surrounds.

I know there are umpteen related posts like this, but if you'll bear with me I'd like some fresh input/opinions/reviews..

 

[gmichael]

I vote for the Yammie RX-V4600. But these are all good.

 

[AVRat]

Doug,
To get the most out of those Studio 80s, you need more gusto than what a receiver in that price range will provide. I would suggest a less expensive receiver (Denon AVR-3806) with the features you'ld like and a separate 2-channel amp for the 80s. If a receiver only is what you want, then I suggest the Denon AVR-4306.

 

[tomd51]

Possibly the Denon AVR-4306. As a better alternative, I would consider picking up a nice mid-level Denon or Yamaha receiver as a pre-amp for around $500-700 and grab a multichannel amp like an Outlaw 7500 (5x200) for $1500 or 7125 (7x125w) for $1000. If using a 5 channel amp, the surround back/presence channels on the receiver itself could be efficently utilized.

A mid-level receiver with quality pre/pro functionality (Denon 3805, Yamaha 2500, Boston Acoustics AVR7120 or AVR7100) will provide a good stand alone option as a receiver and the external multichannel amp will hold its value for quite some time. I can't see you getting the same performance from a receiver at this price.

This is also an excellent option at the price, but it is separates... -TD

 

[gmichael]

This is also an excellent option at the price, but it is separates... -TD

This is a very nice option.

 

[doug zdanivsky]

Apparently they don't make Studio 80's anymore, so it'll be the Studio 100's..

Basically, I want to get a pre-amp with all the bells and whistles I want, like HDMI switching, upconversion (these terms I know nothing about, save that they important to have, and 7.1..

So would seperates be the best option? It would look that way..

But which would be the best processor (that has all the bells and whistles that I need, if not the power), and amp combo for, ok, 3K, tops?

Yamaha? Rotel? NAD?

I'm so confused..

 

[gmichael]

Apparently they don't make Studio 80's anymore, so it'll be the Studio 100's..

Basically, I want to get a pre-amp with all the bells and whistles I want, like HDMI switching, upconversion (these terms I know nothing about, save that they important to have, and 7.1..

So would seperates be the best option? It would look that way..

But which would be the best processor (that has all the bells and whistles that I need, if not the power), and amp combo for, ok, 3K, tops?

Yamaha? Rotel? NAD?

I'm so confused..

Welcome to the club. Best advice I can give is to listen to a lot of choices before you lay the money down. You'll hear from people who will tell you, "this is best." Then others will tell you, "that is best." I have found that no two people will agree on everything. Go listen. Read reviews. Ask questions. But don't rely on anyone to tell you what's best for you. Nothing anyone says is written in stone.

 

[doug zdanivsky]

I think I'm going to either get the Arcam AVR-300,

or go NAD..

As for the NAD, I still don't know what would be the best option, performance-wise..

T163 A/V pre amp + T973 power amp

or

the T773 A/V reciever?

Anyone?

 

[doug zdanivsky]

Seems to be alot of "other"..

Could I ask that those who select other specify which reciever they would choos/have chosen if the enter in "other"?

I it Arcam getting all the "other" votes"?

Looking seriously at the Arcam AVR-300..

 

[ZoFo]

For $3,000.........

You could get an Outlaw 990 and their 7700 7-channel 200W balanced amp for the combo price of $2,900. That would be a hard combo to beat at that price, I have it and have been very happy with this setup. Also check out the Emo's at AV123.com, don't own one but have heard nothing but good things about these pre/pro's & amps.

 

[doug zdanivsky]

I would be giving the Outlaw serious consideration if I lived in the States..

But as it stands it would cost me close to double the price to get it shipped up to Canada with all the shipping, customs charges, duty..

 

[mike c]

strictly movies

I vote for these:

Yamaha Rx-v 2600 + Rotel RMB1075 = 2000+USD (use the rotel to power 5 channels and the yammy for the 2 rears)

or

Yamaha Rx-v 2600 + Rotel RMB1077 = 3000+-USD

 

[doug zdanivsky]

Hmm..

If I'm just going to be powering the two rears with the Yammy..

I might as well just get a Rotel power amp and processor combo, and power them all, no?

 

[mike c]

the advantage of the yammy over the rotels is the video UPSCALING feature. I dont think any of the Rotels have that YET.

Sound wise, I think the Rotels sound better ... but Rotel pre-pros cost a lot of money 1500k (RSP1068) minimum for minimal bells and whistles

 

[doug zdanivsky]

Hmm..

Ok.

I wonder if the Arcam300 has video upscaling..

 

[JonBaker99]

If it were my money I'd go with the Denon 2807 (retail: $1099) and go with a seperate amplifier. Maybe an Outlaw 7125 (Retail: $999). That would give you the ability for HDMI video upconversion, Audessy room correction, a ton of inputs and a really good processor for the price point you are looking at. You other option if you are willing to spend slightly more would be to go with Tweeters close out on the Denon 4806 for around $2500. You could also go with the Emotiva MPS-1 7 Channel amp for around $2k and couple it with the Denon 2807 and still get all the features you are looking for.

 

[zildjian]

If it were my money I'd go with the Denon 2807 (retail: $1099) and go with a seperate amplifier. Maybe an Outlaw 7125 (Retail: $999).

If I had a $2000 limit, Jon's idea above is what I would do: that gives you IMO the best bang for the buck. I'd either go with the Denon 2807 (if your a videophile) or Denon 3806 (if you're an audiophile) as you can get the 3806 for just over $1000. The 3806 has superior audio processors than the 2807, but the 2807 has the newer HDMI version. Just my 2cents.

 

[doug zdanivsky]

Hmm.. Interesting..

As for the budget, I'm fast coming around to upping it to $2600 (the price of the Arcam AVR300, wouldn't you know it )

But I'll check out the Denon and the Rotels, as well..