Receiver for home theater

[lw532]

I'm searching for a receiver for a home theater system. I was pretty set on the Yamaha XVR750 until the Onkyo/Integra dealer said the 2nd zone had only about a 1/4 of the power of the main speakers and surrounds. I am wanting to run outdoor speakers on the 2nd zone, so that won't work and I don't really want to use same zone to run my outdoor speakers. I'm now looking at Onkyo and Denon as well and looking to spend about $700.00 (Can)on the receiver. Can you also suggest a speaker surround package for around $700.00?

Thanks

 

[Jason Coleman]

If you boost your AVR budget a bit (or do some creative shopping), I'd recommend the Denon 3805. Excellent sound, plenty of power, flexibility and versatility galore, etc. As far as a $700 speaker system, it really depends on what your needs are. If it's strictly HT, maybe look at Paradigm's Performance line or Phase Tech's Velocity series. If you dabble in music as well, I'd suggest putting a bit more into your front speakers and then building a reputable 5.1 around them.

Jason

 

[dloweman]

jason,
i think he meant 700 canadian! the 3805 is pushing 2000 here. That is a large increase in budget. The denon 1905 can be had for 700, but i am not sure whether the 2nd zone is fully functional as well, it could be just like the yammie 750. another one to check out is the pioneer 1014, i hear good things, but yet again not sure on 2nd zone.
derek

 

[dloweman]

Forgot to mention that i also agree with the performance line, should try for titans as fronts, cc270, or if have to cc170, and the atoms as rears! then just need a sub!

 

[Jason Coleman]

Oops...that would be my cabbage...didn't realize it was Canuck money...

The 1905 does put out "80 wpc" for the Zone 2...should be plenty even if that number happens to be inflated. http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/pdfs/AVR1905.pdf

Jason

 

[Jason Coleman]

BTW, yeah...I like the Performance line. I've got a brand-spankin' new pair of Atoms in my kitchen pulling Zone 2 duty via the Denon 3805. They sound pretty damn good for $180/pr. They also look pretty good, too! Honestly, I'd sink all the money into the center channel speaker and get some decent (Atom, Titan, etc) fronts to accompany for now. Maybe the CC370, although I haven't heard it. Splurge and get the Titans and the 370 for now. A really nice 3.0 beats a crappy 5.1 any day of the week and you can simply move the Titans to surrounds when you get some decent fronts. You can always pick up a cheap sub to carry the .1 signal for a while. I JUST picked up my sub (Servo-15) and I've had my fronts for a year and my center for about 5 months. I had a cheap Sony sub that did the trick until I could swing a real subwoofer. I traded my old sub for a bunch of lumber...

Jason

 

[farscaper]

I'm searching for a receiver for a home theater system. I was pretty set on the Yamaha XVR750 until the Onkyo/Integra dealer said the 2nd zone had only about a 1/4 of the power of the main speakers and surrounds. I am wanting to run outdoor speakers on the 2nd zone, so that won't work and I don't really want to use same zone to run my outdoor speakers. I'm now looking at Onkyo and Denon as well and looking to spend about $700.00 (Can)on the receiver. Can you also suggest a speaker surround package for around $700.00?

Thanks

Even if you take the exchange into account, HT componants are more expensive in Canada. CD and DVDs are cheaper but the componants aren't.

Your best bet for receivers are last years models...Denon, Onkyo have new models as does Yamaha. There may not be a lot of them left. You may want to look at the Onkyo 701 (I believe its a 6.1 setup plus a second zone) or the Pioneer 1014tx (its a 7.1 system but only 5.1 when using a 2nd zone), both will be in your price range. Might want to check on the wattage rating for the 2nd zone.

As for HT speakers for $700, your going to be hard pressed finding anything of quality. Might want to check out the packages from Cambridge Soundworks (direct) and Athena. If you can resist, maybe start with a good pair of mains and slowly upgrade from there. Good speakers will outlast a few receiver upgrades.

Oh ya..Have fun.

 

[PENG]

You can get the 3805 for under CAN$1700. Yamaha and Pioneer seem to be better deals in Canada. HK's worst, their street price here are the same, or higher than their list price in the U.S., i.e. at least double.