Receiver for under $200?? What would you buy?

[blkgtstang]

I had a Sherwood 6105 that decided to fail on me. I liked that unit alot for the price. Any suggestions? I have a set of 5 Wharfedale speakers.

 

[3x10^8]

Most places sell this receiver for $300. Abe's of Maine and a few others have it selling for $230. It's the Pioneer VSX-816-K. Search around. It's definitely a great value at that price.

 

[fredejo]

http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/bk_avr307.htm

 

[AzN_plyR]

what the heck? he asked for 200 bucks not a couple grand.....

Anyways, maybe that Sherwood failed on you because you might've been pushing it too hard with those whafedales.. which are 6 ohms I am assuming.. might want to go with a high quality receiver.. and I think that pioneer would be fine... Anyways would be the Onkyo sr503's.. I have the 303's that I bought as a refurb. and I push that thing pretty hard.... even running 4 ohms speakers sometimes and it holds up fine!.

 

[3x10^8]

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??

http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/bk_avr307.htm

Where did that one come from?

That Onkyo would also be a really great choice. Both of these receivers can be had for cheap, just search the web. I own an Onkyo and am extremely happy.

 

[Nomo]

Ubid.com is a great place to start.
Onkyo and Denon come with the full warranty. With Yamaha you'll be taking more of a chance.

Here's the 503:

http://www.ubid.com/Onkyo_TX-SR503_525W._7.1Ch._Home_Theater_Receiver/a10683300.html

And a Yamaha HTR-5835:

http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_HTR-5835_120W_6.1-Ch._Home_Theater_Receiver/a10683340.html

Of the two I'd pick the Onkyo.

 

[bandit]

Harmon Kardon has a company store on e-bay for refurbished units. I believe they come with a two year warranty directly from HK. I've purchased two units this way and I'm very happy. You should easily be able to get into the AVR-135/140 and maybe the next step up as well.

 

[blkgtstang]

Thanks for all the replies already! I was going to get the higher up Sherwood Newcastle but it is more then I can afford right now.

I'll go take a look at the the ones posted above..thanks!

 

[blkgtstang]

Now..if I get a 7.1 surround receiver...can I still just run it in 5.1 since I only have 5 speakers?

 

[blkgtstang]

Most places sell this receiver for $300. Abe's of Maine and a few others have it selling for $230. It's the Pioneer VSX-816-K. Search around. It's definitely a great value at that price.

How about this one?? This seems VERY reasonable...
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Pioneer-VSX-516-S-7-1CH-WMA9-Pro-Dolby-Digital_W0QQitemZ9728886949QQcategoryZ39799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[3x10^8]

How about this one?? This seems VERY reasonable...
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Pioneer-VSX-516-S-7-1CH-WMA9-Pro-Dolby-Digital_W0QQitemZ9728886949QQcategoryZ39799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i've never "e-bayed" IT, but if you feel comfortable with it, go right on ahead. Just make sure it has a warranty... Some people will tell you it has a warranty, and then something breaks down a year later and you come to find out it has none... I'm not saying this is the case, but this dude's sales are final.

And to answer your other question, yes, you can do just 5.1 and not the 7.1. My receiver is 7.1 capable but I only run it in 5.1. Anyways, enjoy!

 

[AzN_plyR]

you don't need to get that receiver for that price on ebay....
http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=pricegrabber&utm_source=PriceGrabber&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PRVSX516S&sku=PRVSX516S

179 bucks shipped.... and good ratings for the store too, etronics also has it for a few bucks more if you prefer them.

ALso comes in black from the same place for the same price, IF you don't have tax when buying from circuit city, go ahead, it's 169 bucks with free shipping.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=148426&WT.mc_n=67&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON SHOPPING&cm_cat=PRICEGRABBER&cm_pla=DATAFEED->PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1 PRODUCT&cm_keycode=67

If I were to choose, I would get the black one, looks more expensive

 

[Nick250]

you don't need to get that receiver for that price on ebay....
http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=pricegrabber&utm_source=PriceGrabber&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PRVSX516S&sku=PRVSX516S

179 bucks shipped.... and good ratings for the store too, etronics also has it for a few bucks more if you prefer them.

ALso comes in black from the same place for the same price, IF you don't have tax when buying from circuit city, go ahead, it's 169 bucks with free shipping.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=148426&WT.mc_n=67&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=COMPARISON SHOPPING&cm_cat=PRICEGRABBER&cm_pla=DATAFEED->PRODUCTS&cm_ite=1 PRODUCT&cm_keycode=67

If I were to choose, I would get the black one, looks more expensive

Good find. I would be a lot more comfortable buying through Circuit City than the "internet only" stores.

 

[blkgtstang]

i've never "e-bayed" IT, but if you feel comfortable with it, go right on ahead. Just make sure it has a warranty... Some people will tell you it has a warranty, and then something breaks down a year later and you come to find out it has none... I'm not saying this is the case, but this dude's sales are final.

And to answer your other question, yes, you can do just 5.1 and not the 7.1. My receiver is 7.1 capable but I only run it in 5.1. Anyways, enjoy!

Yea, I bought (2) of the Sherwoods off ebay...one for me and the other for my parents. Mine died 1 year later theres works great. Maybe it is the Wharfedale speakers being too much of a load?

Would this Pioneer be a good upgrade over my last receiver? I think it was the 6105.

I will look into the Circuit City deal 1st for sure..and any of the other places. I have bought speakers from Fry's Outpost before..and got a killer deal..and no issues ever..fast shipping too!

 

[blkgtstang]

So would the Pioneer be as good as the Onkyo? I just want something reliable and with good clarity. I don't have the best speakers but they are pretty decent.

 

[blkgtstang]

Also found this one for $169! That seems really cheap for what it has..
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pioneer-Surround-Sound-Receiver-VSX-515-K-/sem/rpsm/oid/115330/catOid/-12949/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

 

[bitpoh]

Have you read this Audioholic review of VSX-516 yet?
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/pioneer-VSX-516p1.php

 

[blkgtstang]

Have you read this Audioholic review of VSX-516 yet?
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/pioneer-VSX-516p1.php

Nope, but I just did! Seems like it is a capable unit. I wonder how it compares to my Sherwood I had? Maybe I should go to Best Buy and check it out in person.

 

[SackoHammers]

Go to Circuit City and listen to the Harman Kardon. AVR-135 or AVR-140 whichever they have on hand.

If you like it, then get it on Ebay. From an Ebay seller you can trust. Who, you might ask? Harman Kardon's Ebay store.
The seller's name is harmanaudio. It comes with a 2 year factory direct warranty. You can even call up HK and ask them if its legitimate and they will confirm. They've got great deals on these refurbished Receivers. They've got the 635 going for around 450 if you catch a lucky auction. The lower models like the 135 or 140 are priced well too.

There are reviews for this receiver all over the net and the latest issue of The Sound and Vision has it in the Receiver Roundup.

Hehe, maybe I just sound excited. See... I'm getting my 635 in the mail today.. can't wait to get out of work.