Receiver Advise on Upgrading an Onkyo TX-SV414PRO w/ a very low budget (~$200)

[Kurgan]

After spending the last hour or so perusing the forums I decided it would be best to post my own thread to get a clearer picture for my potential christmas gift this year. Hopefully I'll win the contest for the Yamaha RX-V861 so it would make this post as obsolete as my current receiver.

As the subject states I have an Onkyo TX-SV414PRO (circa 1994) that has and continues to serve me well. I still have my 32" tube Toshiba TV and 0 HDMI sources. Within the next year I plan to retire the current setup to the basement for general listening and retro-gaming (Colecovision anyone?)

Having a very small budget this year of around $200 has reduced my options so I'm hoping some of the readers could supply some much appreciated knowledge on where to throw my dollar.

My needs:
-Component Video is a must (2 or more inputs, switchable of course)
-S-Video (a definite plus)
-HDMI (well, at this price I'm not expecting it, nor do I need it at this time)
-I don't need a lot of power. My TX-SV414PRO does more than enough to fill my living room along with a self powered Mirage sub in the corner)

My options thus far:
Onkyo TX-SR505 Refurb for $185 @ eCost
Onkyo TX-SR575 Refurb for $227 @ eCost
Onkyo TX-SR304 New for $159 @ J&R
HK AVR-144 for $199 (after shipping) @ Amazon

What are your thoughts about the above? Anyone had experience with Onkyo refurbs from eCost? Do you have any other receivers I should take a look at from Yamaha or Pioneer?

Thanks,
-Kirk

 

[Fusion]

You may want to look at www.accessories4less.com

I have never bought from there, but others seem to be pleased with their experiences.

Marantz and Onkyo are options:

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/category/AVReceiver

Also, Harman/Kardon sells refurb'd units on eBay, under the name Harman Audio if I'm not mistaken.

 

[cmb5286]

id stick with an onkyo because ive never had any problems with mine
its 2 years old and its never faltered.
id say the 304 would be a perfect fit for you

 

[Seth=L]

What speakers are you using?

 

[Seth=L]

id stick with an onkyo because ive never had any problems with mine
its 2 years old and its never faltered.
id say the 304 would be a perfect fit for you

The TX-SR505 is under the OP's budget at accessoriesforless.com (minus shipping) and has HDMI switching with more power as well.

 

[Kurgan]

Thanks for the great feedback so far. I believe I'm pretty much set on the Onkyo TX-SR505 which I can get from Onkyo direct refurb for $179 saving a few bucks over accessories4less (though they do have some great deals there as well).

As for my speakers I have the following:
Fronts: Polk MiniMonitor

• 42Hz - 25kHz
• 10 - 100W
• 90dB Efficiency

Center: Polk CS150

• 100Hz - 20kHz
• 10 - 100W
• 89dB Efficiency

Rears: KLH HT-60 (can't find the specs)
Sub: Mirage LF-100

The MiniMonitors use to be my surrounds when I was using a pair of Bose Interaudio fronts. Due to space constraints I had to retire those and grabbed 2 of the KLH rears from my parents old setup. They work for now but I'm looking to change them.

I'm very happy with my Polk setup for the front and center (they were also good as surrounds though you can't find them very often for sale anymore).

I'll be sure to post my results with the 505 if/when I pick it up.

 

[Seth=L]

The TX-SR505 should do you fine.

 

[Kurgan]

Got the TX-SR505 for a STEAL today at ShopOnkyo.com

Onkyo TX-SR505 Refurbished w/ 1year parts & labor warranty

Club member price = $149
10 club points for signing up (which is free to do) = $10 credit on purchase
10% off promotion from 11/29-12/12/07 = $14.90 off price
Free Shipping
NO TAX

Grand total was $124.10

That is a killer price for the unit! I can't post in the deals area yet so if someone wants to post there for me so others can get a good deal, please feel free.

 

[Seth=L]

Onkyo TX-SR505 Refurbished w/ 1year parts & labor warranty

Club member price = $149
10 club points for signing up (which is free to do) = $10 credit on purchase
10% off promotion from 11/29-12/12/07 = $14.90 off price
Free Shipping
NO TAX

Grand total was $124.10

That is a killer price for the unit! I can't post in the deals area yet so if someone wants to post there for me so others can get a good deal, please feel free.

Cool deal.