Total newb needs help with recievers

[shawagg]

This is my first setup and I'm drowning in the sea of information.

I'm thinking of getting one of these three I thought maybe someone here could help me out.

I'm hoping someone who has one of them can chime in or point me towards a review.


FYI: These are the speakers I got
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&CategoryID=cat03049&id=1055388007887&skuId=5632862&type=product

 

[gregz]

Get the Yamaha, or if that's too expensive, the Onkyo. But that Pioneer's a DOG!!

 

[shawagg]

Aside from the watts bumping up to 105 instead of 75 what's the advantage of the Yamaha?

Also, I've heard that the Onkyo has each channel pre-amped and the Yamaha does not. Is that true?

Also what exactly does "high current" mean? A CC guy told me that the Onkyo had it.

 

[markw]

First off, those Pioneer watts are deceicving.

They ain't measured the same as the other two. They cheat.

Note, if you will, that the Pioneer rates it's power at 1 khz, an easy point to rate power.

Note also that BOTH the others rate their power at the full 20 - 20khz bandwidts. ...not at the easy to meet 1 khz mark that Pioneer chooses.

Dollars to donuts that if they rated their units at 1 khz, there would not be asignificant difference and conversley, if Pioneer rated it's receiver at the ful bandwidth the others use, it's seemingly impressive power rating would shrink like George Costanza's manhood in cold water.

So, essentially Pioneer is measuring the top speed of it's car going downhill and the others are measuring theirs on level ground.

 

[Polkfan]

I'd pick the Onkyo.

 

[Nomo]

Of those models, I vote Onkyo. Keep in mind however the now well published quality problems with the Onkyo ?02 models. Still I'd take my chances with the Onkyo. Second choice Yamaha.

 

[shawagg]

Of those models, I vote Onkyo. Keep in mind however the now well published quality problems with the Onkyo ?02 models. Still I'd take my chances with the Onkyo. Second choice Yamaha.

What problems?!!

Dude, I'm a newb. I don't have a mind to keep yet.

 

[nm2285]

I agree with the onkyo selection. There is some problems with the video sections of the x02 models. If you're not gonna use it for video, I don't think you should worry at all.

 

[shawagg]

I agree with the onkyo selection. There is some problems with the video sections of the x02 models. If you're not gonna use it for video, I don't think you should worry at all.

What problems? Can you link me to an artical or give me some more details. I do plan on using this in HT setup for DVDs and such.

 

[Nomo]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5400&highlight=sr602

 

[Polkfan]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5400&highlight=sr602

Personally, I would not base my decision on this thread. Get out and audition one if possible. Odds are you won't have a probelm. Onkyo makes an excellent product.

Check here:
http://www.onkyousa.com/prod_review.cfm?model=TX-SR502

http://www.audioreview.com/A/V Receivers/Onkyo/PRD_302794_2718crx.aspx

 

[Leprkon]

Personally, I would not base my decision on this thread.

I agree. You should always get additional information. You should also look at the threads on this site where there are problems with the 602 and 702 models. Then go out and research the web to see how many other sites show similar problems.

You can, however, probably get great prices on the now-discontinued 501, 601, 701 series. They didn't seem to have such a string of problems.

 

[markw]

Is there any reason you excluded Denon from your consideration? IMNSHO, they are able to handle their own against these, particularly the Pioneer.

 

[Aarong]

I was in a similar situation, considering the Onkyo 602. I was very leery of having to buy one from Circuit City (the only reseller in my area for Onkyo). My bro-in-law suggested I look at Marantz. I managed to pick up a Marantz 4500, newly released, for $370 from a local specialty shop. I was very happy to pick up a Marantz at such a bargain price, and I've been very happy with its performance.

Right now the Marantz is pushing my Paradigm Titans for fronts and a Paradigm CC-170 center. My surrounds are currently a dreadful pair of Sony's, which I hope to be upgrading to some Paradigm dipoles in the near future.

I'm very happy with the sound and capabilities of the Marantz so far. It has component video switching, but no upconversion. For that you'd have to go for the 5500, which is another $200.

 

[shawagg]

Is there any reason you excluded Denon from your consideration? IMNSHO, they are able to handle their own against these, particularly the Pioneer.

What can I say, I'm newb. The only reason I put the Pio down as an option is because I found it for $200 and it seemed like a good deal... I know now after some research that not all Pio are alike and this one is a dog.

I found the Onkyo at J&R for $220 with free shipping. I figured that was a good price and for the speakers I got it should be good enough. Plus it was silver so that sealed the deal.

I went with the Onkyo 502.... now on to the sub hunt.