the best 1200$ reciever

[dannv]

im looking for the best reciever i can get for 1200$. It needs to have a minimum of 5.1 surround and needs to be able to drive high end tower speakers. i am completely new to recievers and dont even know where to start. any help will be much apreciated.

 

[zumbo]

You should be able to find one of these for that price:
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/receivers/RXV2600.htm

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

wow, that's a tough call

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3974030

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-RX-V4600-Home-Theater-Receiver-3-Year-Warranty_W0QQitemZ5859964861QQcategoryZ39801QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-ELITE-VSX-74TXVi-Receiver-VSX74TXVi-blk-silver_W0QQitemZ5860316254QQcategoryZ39799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/MARANTZ-SR8500-7-1-Home-Theater-Receiver-125W-X-7ch-THX_W0QQitemZ5859490821QQcategoryZ14981QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Pioneer-Elite-VSX-56TXi-A-V-Receiver-VSX56TXi-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ5859648002QQcategoryZ39799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[mike c]

a budget is a great way to start ...
but what are your speakers? brand/model? sensitivity? recommended wattage?

 

[brian32672]

Personally with that budget just for a receiver, I would seriously look into going with seperates.
Outlaw Audio (with a little more added to your budget) You can get the Pre/Pro and seperate 7 channel amp for 1598.00
Link here https://www.outlawaudio.com/mofcart/electronics.html
And that is for a decent amp, you can get the lower powered amp and pre/pro for 1298.00
Or you could get their 970 pre/pro and add monoblocks as needed.

If you feel you must stay with a all in one unit AVR, then for 1200.00 I would certainly be looking for a THX Ultra certified.
Not the THX Select(2). (Difference in the amp section, specially when running 4 ohm speakers.)
If that is what you are running.
I have seen used ones from 1,000.00 and up. JVC has a Ultra certified that is 52lbs, but I can't seem to find reviews of it.
I have found some refurbs. But here is a link for a new one. http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/sc/from-bizrate.asp?id=964590344&rf=bz&dfdate=01_29_2006

EDIT:: Direct link to JVC for that Ultra receiver http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL026945&pathId=5&page=1


THX rating differences here - Can't find the Audioholic link
But it is explained HERE
When it comes to amplification, continuous output tests are run on up to one, four, and five channels (simultaneously) of an Ultra product, but only one at a time on Select. With all products, the dynamic amplifier tests are done on up to all available channels. Ultra amplifiers must be stable on all channels to 3.2 ohms and swing an 18A peak, while Select products must be stable into 4 ohms (front channel) and 8 ohms (surrounds), and swing peaks of 12.5A and 6.2A respectively.

So, right off the bat, Select amplifiers have a lower bar to reach, but ultimately in meeting it, they will still cleanly drive any reasonably designed speaker to reference level in a Select-size room. What we are talking about here is the idea that the lower powered equipment can get a THX certification that will assure consumers that the really affordable stuff has met certain standards like the high-end equipment.

EDIT #2::: Here it is (new, I'm sure) for a little less and 1.99 shipping.
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=549420&store=ecost&source=ECOSTDEAL&srccode=cii_13736960&cpncode=10-16371698-2&adcampaign=email,ECOSTDEAL

 

[AudioArcher]

seps

I agree. With that kind of budget i'd get separates as well, Like Adcom or Parasound.

 

[MACCA350]

Also, have a look at Denon's offerings.

cheers

 

[AudioArcher]

Imo

IMO either Adcom or Harman Kardon A/V receivers are the best buys out there.

 

[joebob]

separates v. A/V receiver

I'm in about the same market here. I was leaning toward the Yamaha 2600, but I'm hearing good things about the Outlaw products.

So, what is the advantage of separates over an integrated receiver if they are all the same brand? I'm comparing the Outlaw 1070 A/V receiver with the Outlaw 970/7075 combo. The separates are rated @ 10w per channel higher, but for $400 more I don't think that justifies it. Are there other advantages to having a separate amp, other than the fact that you can upgrade each piece separately?

 

[aarond]

H/K AVR 7300
http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=AVR 7300-Z&status=

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver vs. seperates

For the same price as the outlaw seperates, you could buy the Yamaha RX-V2600 and add a cople monoblocks or a two channel amp for the fronts.

To stay in the $1200 budget, the new Yamaha is a good option. The upcomming AH review should tell you how well it would drive a pair of 4-ohm mains. Also, you shoud consider the RX-V2500 ($6-700) and a seperate 2-5 channel amp if you are concerned about power.

Here is a seperates system that is actually in your budget. The Emotiva UL pre-amp and amp for $1,100.
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=30.1