Receiver Recommendation = Budget $350 USED

[monsterman]

I do not see the point in buying a brand new unit when I can probably find something used from: Audiogon, Craigslist, Refurbished, Ebay

I posted this similar action in a different section of this forum but figured it would be smart to get feedback from the Guru's here.

"I have zero experience with AVR's. I have no where to begin and basically don't know what I'm looking for when trying to find a used Unit.
I did some small amounts of research today and come to the conclusion....

The difference between 80 rms / channel and 120rms / channel would not be significant to me as I will 100% be using external amplification at a later date.

I would love maximum features but the most important feature would be calibration and tuning. 2nd runner up would be Ipod and internet radio integration.

I have only a PS3 and a single TV with a single living room system so there really is limited need for more than 3 HDMI inputs. (future need of HDMI's is a non-Issue)

Internet/Network connectivity is probably necessary. As Is ability to play many video file formats. IE. MKV, AVI, MP4 ect"

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

CL recommendations would be useless without knowing your location or larger city you live near by

Onkyo HT-RC370 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less

This have the better auto Calibration - Audyssey MultEQXT and Audyssey DSX
THX Select2 Cert, Qdeo video scaller, pre-outs for your amps and much more

In short this is NR-TX707 minus:
10 watts less
No RS-232
No IR input
No 12v trigger

Keep in mind AC4L gives full 1 year of warranty for refub products

 

[monsterman]

CL recommendations would be useless without knowing your location or larger city you live near by

Washington DC craigslist
washington, DC electronics - all classifieds - craigslist

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Washington DC craigslist
washington, DC electronics - all classifieds - craigslist

Honestly, the features you want are still pretty new and rarely would be found in used receivers
This one has great auto-calibration - MultiEqXT, but missing iDevices integration
Onkyo TX-SR705 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver

My guess it's price should be closer to $150-200 - if you could haggle him down it might be worth the savings, but for me warranty and updated features would be worth to paying a bit more for a refub model above

 

[monsterman]

Overall,
You are correct. Except I have a skill in finding what I want used. Basically you pointed me in a direction that is good enough to take the reins myself.

I will most likely get the Refurb Model that you linked above.

 

[monsterman]

Thoughts on this receiver vs the one you linked just above?
Can be had for $550 on audiogon

Denon AVR-2809CI Home theater receiver with HDMI switching and video upconversion at Crutchfield.com

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You missed out on the Denon 3312 sale on Amazon for $550. Now it's $668.

 

[afterlife2]

Receiver:
Onkyo TX-NR515 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less

Whole system:
Onkyo HT-S7400 5.1 Network Home Theater Package w/ipod dock | Accessories4less

or find a used Onkyo TX-SR707(Has a phono option, but no networking. I have a Roku for that.) I have one and love it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-SR707-Home-Theater-Receiver-/270999111091?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item3f18ce45b3

 

[Mkilbride]

I got a Denon 1712 for 270$ on World wide Stereo, but it seems that is gone...hmm.

Maybe wait til this comes back in stock:

DENON AVR-1712 7.1 A/V Surround Receiver | Accessories4less

Epic receiver.

HDMI Version 1.4
3D Ready Yes
General Features
Color Black
Surround Modes Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, DTS NEO:6, DTS ES Matrix 6.1, DTS ES Discrete 6.1, DTS 96/24
On Screen Display Yes
Remote Control Included
Stereo Power Rating (watts) 90
Surround Power Rating (watts) 90
Tuner AM/FM
Inputs / Outputs
Coaxial (1) Rear Input
Composite Video (1) Rear Output, (1) Front Input
HDMI (1) Rear Output, (6) Rear Input
Optical (1) Rear Input
Analog Audio (5) Rear Input, (1) Front Input
Analog Audio / Video (2) Rear Input, (1) Front Input
Component Video (1) Rear Output, (2) Rear Input
Headphone Jack Front Output
S-Video (1) Rear Input
Speaker Terminals 5-Way Binding Post
Subwoofer Preamplifier (1) Rear Output
Dimensions
Weight (Pounds) 22.4
Depth (Inches) 15
Height (Inches) 6.4
Width (Inches) 17.1

 

[monsterman]

I finally ended up getting a Onkyo TX-SR705 for $220 on Craigslist. It give me the pre-amp outputs for future Separate amplification. The features on this one I really like.... Calibration and EQ is really cool. You can set the crossovers for each pair of speakers.
I went to best buy to try out an entry level Pioneer with the ipod and networking functionality but it didnt really work the way I wanted. I soon realized I don't need those functions because my PS3 already has all of my music on it and I can stream pandora from the web browser in the PS3.

I've been eyeing up the EMP Tek E55Ti tower speakers today for $575 in cherry!!! And I'm going to pick up a SVS sonosub from a guy on Craigslist today for like $275. Use my Paradigm Mini MK3's as surround speakers for a winning system.

 

[afterlife2]

Congrat on the 705! When you set everything up post some pictures! Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy! Have a beer and tell yourself you really DON'T need those EMP's!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Glad you followed my advice.
For budget system, just keep checking CL for good deals on speakers.
Getting used speakers is not brainer and easy to tell bad onces pretty quickly

Another great deal for speakers check Newegg deals on Pioneer speakers:
Newegg.com - Pioneer SP-FS51-LR Floorstanding Speakers Pair
Newegg.com - Pioneer SP-C21 Center Channel Speaker Each

SVS Tube Sub for $275 - is awesome deal

 

[monsterman]

Congrat on the 705! When you set everything up post some pictures! Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy! Have a beer and tell yourself you really DON'T need those EMP's!

I'll be sure to have some pics up. Just picked up a Logitech Harmony One today brand new for $100.

 

[monsterman]

Glad you followed my advice.
For budget system, just keep checking CL for good deals on speakers.
Getting used speakers is not brainer and easy to tell bad onces pretty quickly

Another great deal for speakers check Newegg deals on Pioneer speakers:
Newegg.com - Pioneer SP-FS51-LR Floorstanding Speakers Pair
Newegg.com - Pioneer SP-C21 Center Channel Speaker Each

SVS Tube Sub for $275 - is awesome deal

I have no problems finding deals ... It's just difficult to narrow the search down due to my lack of experience in home theater speakers and how they rate on the quality scale.
For example, I noticed the deal on the Pioneers you linked above but they are ugly and I would rather get the Polk Monitor 70's (Even though the forum doesn't like them)
I've been searching pretty hard for some Infinity Primus P363's found some but they guy was selling the entire 7.1 Infinity Primus series for $850 and would not split it up. I probably should have jumped on it but I didn't think I needed the power. I have since changed my mind and realized I want all the power I can get. With movies you have to crank the volume a bit harder to get the immersive sound. I think at this point I'm very happy with my center channel but want some sweet towers to round out my system, thus allowing me to move my Paradigm MKIII's to surround duty. Still waiting to hear back about that SVS because I want to pick it up tonight and they guy is telling me tomorrow is better (lame).
My local Craigslist is mixed.... most of the stuff you find are Klipsch products that people think is worth $$$. I've seen some pretty cool Polk Tsi's but for the money I'd rather get the EMP E55Ti on their current sale.
Actually, today I called EMP Tek and he said he'd sell me a pair of E5Ti's in black for $300. I'm letting it simmer for a day before I decide what I want to do.
My current thought is if I can get a sweet set of towers that can take some power it open the flood gates to external amplification and I can get on the ball looking for a nice deal on an external amplifier. As seen in this amplifier.

Here is the Infinity Primus link ... I think I might just get it tomorrow and sell the stuff I dont use.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/ele/3122085709.html

 

[monsterman]

My 705 did not play clean enough. Then I got a hardware error code.
So.... I ordered a Emotiva UMC-1 and have joined the world of separates!

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[afterlife2]

Clear enough? Video or Audio wise? Did you use calibration?

 

[monsterman]

Clear enough? Video or Audio wise? Did you use calibration?

my Onkyo 705 was sending a bad signal to the amp. After talking on the phone with Onkyo they told me it had a hardware error. When I unplugged it from the wall and plugged it back in the error code popped up.
It came in the form of a ~200hz hiss signal.
I hooked up my Audioengine outputs and plugged my iphone into my A5's and the amp played a fantastic signal. I could actually turn it up an only hear music.
The video was fine... I'm not stupid, Of course I did calibration. I tweaked that sucker for 5 days trying to troubleshoot my system.