Receiver help

[snipes23]

Hello, I'm new to the forums and right now I have an older Harmon Kardon Avr-80 receiver, and was wondering if I would benefit from upgrading to a new receiver? I have some cheap onkyo satellite speakers right now, just got a new dvd player, and thought I should check to see what you guys think? If you guys think I shouldn't upgrade the receiver then I will be saving up for some speakers. I'm really thinking about the atheenas, but not quite sure yet.

btw - If you guys think I should upgrade the receiver, What should I get for around $300 or less. A couple I was thinking about are the Pioneer Surround Sound Receiver (VSX-515-K), Yamaha HTR 5990, and YAMAHA HTR-5930. Any suggestion on speakers and receiver are welcome, thanks. Mike

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

I think you prob, want to do both eventually.....one thing you may want to consider is the output from that receiver.....make sure you check to be sure it'll push whatever speakers you decide to go with.


Mike are you going to be using it primarily for HT? or more for music?

Give us some more specifics.

 

[snipes23]

Im using the system primarily for home theater, It's not a very big room right now. If I do decide to get another receiver, I would really like to get 7.1 so eventually I can do more than 5.1 once I have the funds. thank you, Mike.

 

[Nick250]

IMO start your upgrade with your two main speakers. Your main speakers are the heart of your system and building around them is the best strategy as far as I am concerned. With that in mind speakers are the place to spend the bulk of your total system budget as well. Start by auditioning as many speakers as you can that are in your price range. The new receiver can come after the speakers. I happen to like Paradigm and Boston Acoustic (of the ones I have heard) speakers but you might find something entirely different is more to your liking.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Im a HT nut and IMO 7.1 can be abit overkill for the budget minded. I think you would benefit more from 2 solid rear di-pole surrounds that 4 smaller lesser surround speakers....just my own opinion...

Having said that.....you could still shop for a 7.1 receiver and add the extra surrounds down the road....for now I would focus on your front three and make sure they match (same brand name and reference line....for timbre matching purposes)....you'll want a solid center channel as well since all of your dialogue will be coming from there.....I'd focus on those three...... as much as you can afford and then save for a few months and get your receiver later.....$1000 can get you three real solid front speakers and you can use your old ones still for rear surrounds till sometime later.


Don't get me wrong receiver shopping is a lot of fun.....but so is speaker shopping....read around.....decide how much you want to spend on those front three (by the way....there is a big quality difference in speakers from $500-$1000 for those front three.....prob. the biggest bang for the buck in the business) and then put a post up for something like, "$1000 for front three HT speakers, recommendations?"....and you'll get a number of posts that you can bounce around......its half the fun....dont rush it ...enjoy the process

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Another thought....you could also shop for a last years model receiver and save yourself a few hundred bucks.....ex= my receiver last year was $1100.....by fall it was on sale for $950 (I paid $850) and now they're $700 or $750....so bear that in mind.

If you buy locally....try and talk them down 10-15% anyway....I saved $100 simply by printing out a online retailer add from an authorized dealer (in my case Crutchfield)....and took it in and they beat the price.....if they wouldnt have....Crutchfield would have gotten my business.....I did the same with my speakers between two local retailers.....never pay full retail on expensive audio equipment!!!

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Best of luck and keep us updated on your progress!!!!

 

[snipes23]

hey thanks for the help guys. I will definitely start to go locally and audition the different speakers. I probably should make another post in the speaker section, but what speakers would you all recommend I try to look into? I actually have heard some paradigm and was quite pleased with the sound. And about the 7.1 receiver, I was just thinking of gettting that and mainly focus on getting the 5.1 then later down the road get some more speakers. With the size of my room right now 7.1 is not needed so I'm not going to worry about it. Again thanks for the replies guys and the quick responses. Mike

 

[KC23]

The Yammy RX-V2500 are a bit over $500 and gives you a lot of bag for your buck.

 

[snipes23]

Yeah, I'm not quite sure what to do. I was figuring getting the receiver first due to it being the cheapest. Not sure as of yet what I'm going to do. Will be waiting a few weeks then will start auditioning speakers. Mike

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Yeah Para makes a good speaker....I like Klipsch as well (see sig..lol)...but some guys feel they're to bright.....thats a good price for the yam 2500 kc....where's that at?

Mike...I can understand wanting to look at the receivers 1st as well....they're fun to play with.....how old is your current one?

Does it have dts or DD?