Receivers under $350

[Lordoftherings]

One vision.

It would have been the perfect AVR at that price point if it had the 7.1 preouts.

Yes, but with Audyssey 2EQ and lesser Dacs, it's fine by me.

But then for that, the Onkyo TX-SR705 (Audyssey MultEQ XT, three TI Texas Instruments AUREUS 32-bit DSP chips, good Cirrus Logic Dac CS 42528, plus THX Select2...) now, that is a new total ball game.
That one for the price ($400 street) is a very sweet deal.
Add an Emotiva UPA-7 multichannel power amplifier to it, and you got yourself a system of separates for under $999, that can competes with receivers costing much more that contain less features and power.

That's the way I truly see it.

Bob

Note: But for $300 street, the TX-606 (4 HDMI inputs, Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD MA decoders and Audyssey 2EQ) is hard to beat right now.

 

[mke1078]

I have to agree that at that price the 606 would be a "no-brainer" for me. But, hey that is for MY needs not the op's. After all, we all have different needs/expectations.



Cheers,

Phil

He did ask if he should expand his choices, I think most of us would agree that the Onkyo is the best bang for the buck at that price point.

 

[PENG]

Yes, but with Audyssey 2EQ and lesser Dacs, it's fine by me.

But then for that, the Onkyo TX-SR705 (Audyssey MultEQ XT, three TI Texas Instruments AUREUS 32-bit DSP chips, good Cirrus Logic Dac CS 42528, plus THX Select2...) now, that is a new total ball game.
That one for the price ($400 street) is a very sweet deal.
Add an Emotiva UPA-7 multichannel power amplifier to it, and you got yourself a system of separates for under $999, that can competes with receivers costing much more that contain less features and power.

That's the way I truly see it.

Bob

Note: But for $300 street, the TX-606 (4 HDMI inputs, Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD MA decoders and Audyssey 2EQ) is hard to beat right now.

I didn't know the 705 can be had for $400. If that's true it is the best deal of the day.

 

[primus_2001]

Where do you guys see the 606 for $300 and the other for $400?

 

[speakerman39]

Where do you guys see the 606 for $300 and the other for $400?

Good question as I was wondering myself. That really is a good deal imho.



Cheers,

Phil

 

[PENG]

I have no idea, may be LOTR can provide a link?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Some useful information.

All right guys, it seems that looking for the best deals on the internet is not your forte.

As you well know, prices always change on-line, that's the world we live in.
And if I will spend my time looking for deals, I'll be missing my fans here at Audioholics.

So, the responsability to look for deals is the department of the interested buyers, you guys, not me.

But, because i'm a very nice guy, I will give you a list of places to check.
But remember that some of these places don't advertise their sale prices, but only the list price (that generally happens with Onkyo products, due to a new policy about mark up prices). Also there is at least one place that you have to put a bid on the product of interest. You just call their toll free number, and you tell them how much you will like to pay for the ditto product. Then they will call you back and tell you if they accept your offer. If they don't, repeat the same processus with a higher offer. And don't forget too, many of these places will match the price of other dealers, and even give you a discount too on top of that, plus coupons for more discounts, like 10%.
I found some young people very smart at dealing for the best prices.
These young guys spend a lot of time just doing so. I can give you some examples (and you will be blown away), but no need, it is more for the hardcore deal seekers.

Here's some good sites to check out for deals:

1. www.audiogon.com
2. www.accessories4less.com
3. www.jandr.com
4. www.sixthavenue.com
5. www.newegg.com
6. www.onecall.com
7. www.abt.com
8. www.vanns.com
9. www.shoponkyo.com
10. www.bandh.com
11. www.amazon.com
12.www.ebay.com

Now, its your responsability to chek for deals, so I can put more of my time to help my fans and the newcomers. Because, after all, I want Audioholics Forum to be the greatest on Earth. And for this I need more time to be spend on the real matters dear to me, which you already know (learn from others and help the ones in need). And also to have interesting discussions about audio and video. For me and many others, $100 more or less is not a very big deal, when the price of a receiver is about $500 to a $1,000. And for less than $499, well, that's the part where you guys come in.

As an example; the Onkyo PR-SC885P (excellent surround processor by the way), about three weeks ago or so, was selling for only $529 (refurb) at shoponko.com. Now last time I check the price was $699. This magnificent unit normally retails for $2,100. This is still the very best deal in a long time by a very big shot for this great pre/pro fully loaded with the very best features highly desirable.
The Onkyo TX-SR805 used to sell for only $449 at one point. Now it is an almost extinct model, highly courted, converged and sought after. Last time I check (comes and goes very fast now), it was $599 at accessories4less.
The Onkyo TX-SR705 was $439 last time I check, also at accessories4less.
The Onkyo TX-SR606 was $319 last time I check, also at accessories4less.
The Onkyo TX-SR607 is selling now for $375 at few places, just have a look.

All of these prices below were all from accessories4less about less than two weeks ago, and they were mostly all refurb (still excellent condition, just like brand new; you couldn't tell) with full warranty:
Onkyo TX-NR906 was $1,249
Onkyo TX-NR905 was $899
Onkyo TX-SR876 was $899 ($875 at onecall)
Onkyo TX-SR875 was $799
Onkyo TX-SR806 was $599
Onkyo TX-SR805 was $599 (already mentioned)
Onkyo TX-SR706 was $499
Onkyo TX-SR705 was $439
Onkyo TX-SR607 is $374.99 now at few places, like J & R and others.
Onkyo TX-SR606 was $319
Onkyo TX-SR576 was $269

Marantz SR8001 was $699
Marantz SR7002 was $699 (or perhaps $899 for that model)
Marantz SR7001 was $549
Marantz SR6003 was $699
Marantz SR6001 was $349
Marantz SR5003 was $529

*Pioneer Elite SC-07 was $899 (from $2,200 list)
*Pioneer Elite SC-05 was $699 (from $1,800 list)

* The Pioneer Elites were at www.videogon.com

Denon and Yamaha receivers, I did not search for deals. I went mainly for the other brands, because at that time, they were the most discounted (like the Pioneer Elites, up to 70% off from their MSRP).
I now know that the Denon receivers are starting to drop even further, because of the arrival of the newer 2009 models.
Denon AVR-3808ci is now below $999 at few places.

And one thing that many people are aware too is that the newer models from all manufacturers have more features (Dolby Pro Locic IIz, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Volume on certain models, Audyssey DSX for the 1st time ever on the newer Denon AVR-4310ci, and more HDMI inputs and outputs, plus more Internet and Ethernet interactivity, more radio access, and few more), but also weight less in almost all cases, actually pretty much all across the board.
Also, some omit totally S-Video inputs and outputs (Sony and some Onkyo models), also we are seing less digital inputs (optical mostly), also the power supply seems to be smaller in some cases (transformer, capacitors), and some having a smaller heat sink or of a lesser quality, and perhaps a few more.

Here's a short list of Denon newer receiver models month of release (2009):

Denon AVR-1610 & AVR-590 = May
Denon AVR-1910 & AVR-790 = May
Denon AVR-4310ci = May (1st ever A/V receiver with DSX from Audyssey)
Denon AVR-2310ci & AVR-890 = July
Denon AVR-3310ci & AVR-990 = June
Denon AVR-4810ci = October (List is $3,000 and is a 9.3-channel A/V receiver with 140 watts per channel times 9, in a multi mono-block construction, it has 3 subwoofer outputs, the video processor is by Anchor Bay Technologies using the VRS ABT-2010 chip, the same chip used in the 4310ci, and the Dacs are the Texas Instruments TI PCM-1791A, formely Burr-Brown, also in the 4310ci and perhaps in the 3310ci). The Dacs in the lower models are still probably the TI DSD-1608, a multichannel Dac (8) in a single chip.

The Denon web site have now the listing for the AVR-1610, the AVR-1910 and the AVR-4310ci.

For all Yamaha models, check this own very site (Audioholics) for more information about models, features and specs. And for our American friends, all Yamaha models, you can download their manuals from Yamaha own web site.

Now, back to other matters.

And cheers to everyone,

Bob

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hey, I only use one finger at a time when I'm typing.

I have no idea, may be LOTR can provide a link?

^ That's exactly what I was doing while you were typing. ^

 

[primus_2001]

Appreciate the detailed info! Totally rocks!

BTW, audiogon and videogon, are they like authorized? Umm, I mean do they have a good rep?

Thx!

 

[Lordoftherings]

Appreciate the detailed info! Totally rocks!

BTW, audiogon and videogon, are they like authorized? Umm, I mean do they have a good rep?

Thx!

They are two great sites for excellent deals on all audio and video products, with authorized dealers.
Just check the product that you are interested in, and it should say.

 

[lsiberian]

I didn't know the 705 can be had for $400. If that's true it is the best deal of the day.

Mine cost me 400. I do miss it, but hey sacrifices must be made

 

[primus_2001]

Thx again!

Say you buy from audiogon/videogon or even e-bay, doesn't this void the mfg warranty? I mean is it worth the risk?

 

[PENG]

^ That's exactly what I was doing while you were typing. ^

I knew you were going to do it so I didn't bother searching for them. I thought I wouldn't be in the AVR market for at least a couple of years so I have not been paying attention to prices, and was surprised at deals like 999 for the Onkyo 905 and 799 for the 52 lbs 875 (less than $20 per lbs so cheaper than lobster,King crabs etc.). I am now tempted to buy a 905 for the other room but then I will need another set of 7.1 speakers and there is no end to it. I wish your never listed those Onkyo prices!!

 

[Lordoftherings]

I knew you were going to do it so I didn't bother searching for them. I thought I wouldn't be in the AVR market for at least a couple of years so I have not been paying attention to prices, and was surprised at deals like 999 for the Onkyo 905 and 799 for the 52 lbs 875 (less than $20 per lbs so cheaper than lobster,King crabs etc.). I am now tempted to buy a 905 for the other room but then I will need another set of 7.1 speakers and there is no end to it. I wish your never listed those Onkyo prices!!

You know what? I got some other great audio components in sale at amazing prices, but several of them are private sales, so it is not really the appropriate way to refer to deals. But you guys already knew that.

But the on-line stores, no problemo. I got another doz places or so. But I give you guys the main ones. And when the occasion will arouse, I will enumerate these few more.
And everybody (almost) knew the the Onkyo Pro PR-SC-885P was only $529 at Shop Onkyo just a few weeks ago (and you could even get it for a bit cheaper with discount coupons). This pre/pro is the very best even at it's $2,000 list price. So that was a 75% discount. Not bad at all!

It's not the lowest price that you pay that is a good value, it's what your getting for the price.

LOTR

 

[Lordoftherings]

Thx again!

Say you buy from audiogon/videogon or even e-bay, doesn't this void the mfg warranty? I mean is it worth the risk?

If you buy from these places, you also have some authorised dealers.
You have to check the provenance of the product yourself.
I cannot do that for you.

E-bay is many private sales, so it's up to you to find out these and deal accordingly.

Audiogon and Videogon have a very good reputation, and have some authorised dealers.

Now, do your research and check more at AVS what people experiences are, and that will answer your questions with more confidence than I can myself.

Cheers,

LOTR

P.S. By the way, I give you one additional place to look at for Yamaha receivers:
"Audioholics". You can also find other products too at the same site, like Emotiva, RBH and more from speakers to power line conditioners, to cables, etc. And you do have some great service too, with great warranties to sleep better at night.