Receiver for somewhat of a beginner/newbie

[NYyankeeboi]

Hi, I need some advice.I have been an audiophile since I was 6 y/o and took a tape recorded Elton John song to kindergarden for show and tell, lol. I listen to all types of music, from deep bass pounding dance music, classic rock, rap, oprea and classical. Music makes up about 90% of what I listen to. I need some advice for a receiver, I don't have a huge budget due to this being my first house, my age and expenses. This is for my living room/family room area (22X26 approx), I just put in hardwood floors, I am not sure how much of a difference the flooring makes, but I would imagine it does. I have some nice polk's that are hardly producing the sound they should with a decent amp.

My budget is $250. Does anybody know of a receiver new or used that would be a good choice for my system. I am mainly interested in bass, clarity and obviously price. I am open to used and or older receivers. I am considering a Yamaha HTR-5940. I have heard certain Yamaha's and tend to be partial to them.

This is my first post and if I have done anything wrong or off, let me know.

Thanks...





Components I currently have:

Onkyo-TX-9511
Sony-STR-K740P (my first receiver from my theater in a box)
Denon CD/DVD player-not sure of model number
RAM-GWB-4000 (music from my laptop to system, wireless)
Audiosource-10 band EQ
Polk-R-15 bookshelf speakers
Polk-Rti10 floorstanding speakers
Sony-SA-WMSP4 100W subwoofer
Direct TV-Satellite receiver box

 

[jcPanny]

Receivers

Your polks will need more power than that entry level Yamaha. Check out the Yamaha HTR-5960 for about $300 online. I have last years HTR-5860 and recommend it. You should be able to find one for $250 or less. Both receivers have pre-amp outputs so you can add an external amp in the future if necessary.

Try to use rugs and other furnishings to tame the reflections from the new wood floors.

 

[Nick250]

My budget is $250. Does anybody know of a receiver new or used that would be a good choice for my system. I am mainly interested in bass, clarity and obviously price. I am open to used and or older receivers. I am considering a Yamaha HTR-5940. I have heard certain Yamaha's and tend to be partial to them.

Components I currently have:

Onkyo-TX-9511
Sony-STR-K740P (my first receiver from my theater in a box)
Denon CD/DVD player-not sure of model number
RAM-GWB-4000 (music from my laptop to system, wireless)
Audiosource-10 band EQ
Polk-R-15 bookshelf speakers
Polk-Rti10 floorstanding speakers
Sony-SA-WMSP4 100W subwoofer
Direct TV-Satellite receiver box

My budget is $250. Does anybody know of a receiver new or used that would be a good choice for my system. I am mainly interested in bass, clarity and obviously price.

The 5940 is a solid buy and given that the Rti10's are reasonably efficent at 89db it should drive the speakers reasonably well. However, if it were me, I would stretch my budget to $350 and get a 5960. It has pre outs should you ever want more amplification down the road.

To get good bass, you really need a decent powered subwoofer. I have to head out to work, perhaps others will chime in.

Nick

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200502&CTID=5000400

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Code=YAM+HTR5960BL&JRSource=PriceGrabber.datafeed.YAM+HTR5960BL

 

[no. 5]

To get good bass, you really need a decent powered subwoofer.

yeah, Nick is right, a powered sub is the way to go for good bass. of corse, a good subwoofer won't do you any good if the recievers bass management is'nt set-up.

 

[PENG]

I wonder if you could get a 2005/6 model, something like a Pioneer VSX1014TX for under $300. It would get you more real power than even the Yamaha HTR5960.

 

[jcPanny]

I wonder if you could get a 2005/6 model, something like a Pioneer VSX1014TX for under $300. It would get you more real power than even the Yamaha HTR5960.

Check out the AH review of the RX-V659 (same as the HTR-5960). It has plenty of "real power" into 4 and 8 ohms and it exceeded that advertised power ratings. And of couse, you can always connect an external amp to the pre-outs.

 

[PENG]

Check out the AH review of the RX-V659 (same as the HTR-5960). It has plenty of "real power" into 4 and 8 ohms and it exceeded that advertised power ratings. And of couse, you can always connect an external amp to the pre-outs.

I read more than one review of the 659 so I know what it can do but the Pioneer seems (33 lbs vs 26 lbs and much higher power consumption) to have a little more power. Overall, I also prefer the Yamaha, I was just thinking about those reportedly power hungry RTi10s.

 

[NYyankeeboi]

Oha, I am back...2 citations for disturbing the peace...lol..juss kiddin...anyhow.. I guess I did the ultimate juvenile thing a 19 y/o could do, maybe it was the smartest, not sure, but its been fun.

I bought a few receivers I wanted, and am testing them in my house (nothing better than the environment you are going to be actually using) until I find the one that sounds the best.

I now have 3 different Yamaha receivers, I sold 2 and made a profit, which allowed me to spend more than I planned on, ha. I bought 5 total, go figure. I am picking up my 6th, a used RX-V1700 (550.00, in a local newspaper) tommorow morning and it's not refurbished. I am going to decide which one I want then sell the others.

Thankfully I don't live at home anymore or my parents would think I am crazy. I had no idea how expensive this hobby would become, haha.

 

[MichaelJHuman]

Buying used receivers can be a great deal. Because electronics don't hold their value in general and well made receivers can last for a very long time.

Two possible issues with used receivers are dirty switches/knobs and bad displays. The light in Yamaha displays can be user replaced pretty easily (I have done that.) I have never had luck fixing dirty switches or knobs though. So make sure you test every source input except maybe the phono input, and test the volume/balance/tone controls for noise.

Good idea, and good luck.

 

[NYyankeeboi]

Oha, thanks everyone...I have settled on the Yamaha RX-V1700. Damm, this sounds hella good.....this deep bass is what i have always wanted...dang...woo hoo....