Wanting some suggestions on which receiver to choose

[R. rogers]

Im just getting started. I have never owened any type of surround system. The following receivers are the ones im looking at Denon avr-990 $848 avr3310 $848. yamaha Rx-v3900 $1069 Rx-v1900 $780 . onkyo Tx-nr807b $726 Tx-nr1007b $973 . Which one would you choose.

 

[XEagleDriver]

It depends, what are your criteria?

Im just getting started. I have never owened any type of surround system. The following receivers are the ones im looking at Denon avr-990 $848 avr3310 $848. yamaha Rx-v3900 $1069 Rx-v1900 $780 . onkyo Tx-nr807b $726 Tx-nr1007b $973 . Which one would you choose.

Rogers,

All the receivers you list are quite capable. You may be able to better narrow the field, by defining the criteria and features your are interested in:

a) The speakers/room you have or intend to use will define power needs.
(Note: speaker selection is way more important than the type AVR!)

b) The number/type of source components will determine the amount of HDMI/other connections needed.

c) If you might add a power amp in the future, then pre-amp outs are a must.

d) Learn about/decide on the Auto-EQ system you prefer (YPAO, Audessy, etc.)

Other ideas:
1) Read each contenders manual on the web to get an idea about capability, quirks, and ease of use.
2) Read several reviews (professional and owner/user), especially note comments on reliability.
(Great features/sound, but broken is very unsatisfying!)
3) Try and listen to your top two or three AVRs under as similar conditions as possible (not an easy thing to do these days).

Best of Luck and enjoy the search!
XEagleDriver

 

[Ares]

Sorry for making things more difficult for you but you should also consider the Onkyo 876 here is a review of this model.

http://www.avguide.com/review/tested-onkyo-tx-sr876-thx-ultra2-plus-certified-71-channel-av-receiver
and here is where you can buy it for a steal.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR876BLK/Onkyo/Tx-sr876-7.1-channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-Black/1.html

 

[dapack69]

How many speakers do you have and plan on running? The reason I ask is you have the 1007 listed and its a 9 channel pusher. From personal experiance I know its a great receiver, but the Denon's are very nice as well.

 

[R. rogers]

How many speakers do you have and plan on running? The reason I ask is you have the 1007 listed and its a 9 channel pusher. From personal experiance I know its a great receiver, but the Denon's are very nice as well.

Thanks for pointing out about the 9 channels. I did not realize it had 9 channels. my room is 17x20 and has a vaulted ceiling what speaker set up would you recommend? also do you have any recommendations on speakers for this size room?

 

[dapack69]

You have a very good size room, so I would get the receiver that drives the most efficiently. That being the 1007, plus its THX ultra which means it has passed there certification which is not easy to do.

You may not use all nine channels for all nine speakers right away, I'm not. I do have my mains bi-amped at the moment and are using all nine channels in that regard. Once I move into a bigger place I will be using nine speakers. One thing nice about the 1007 is that it does give your room to grow into as well.

I can't help you with speakers, sorry.

 

[Knucklehead90]

I'll second the recommendation for the Onkyo SR876. Thats a great AVR and a very good price.

 

[R. rogers]

I checked out the web site for the Onkyo SR876 and its a factory reconditioned unit. Not sure I want to purchase a reconditioned receiver. What do you think?

 

[Ares]

I would and then put my savings into my speaker budget, 876 was $1799 and now it's $849 for a great receiver.JMO.

 

[dapack69]

I checked out the web site for the Onkyo SR876 and its a factory reconditioned unit. Not sure I want to purchase a reconditioned receiver. What do you think?

It still comes with the same warrenty as a new unit and in many cases a refurbished unit may be better than a brand new one. As they went over the whole unit with a fine toothed comb. Compared to a new unit which is just assembled and tested for about 5 mins.

 

[R. rogers]

Ill take your suggestion in to consideration thanks. But would you spend $125 more and get the Onkyo Tx-NR 1007?

 

[dapack69]

Another thing to think about is that the 1007 has more HDMI plugs and has an ethernet connection. If you have tons of music on your computer you can have the player connected that way and play all your music without burning it to a CD. I also find the radio stations over the internet a nice feature as well.

One thing that the 876 does have over the 1007 is the Video processor.

 

[AVRat]

Is your room a living room space or geared more toward a HT setup. How you set up the speakers and feature requirements will help determine the receiver choice. You room, front soundstage, seems large enough to benefit from the new height/width configuration that the upper level Onkyos accommodate.

Your receiver selections portend that you’re budget conscious and in that vein I’d recommend an Ascend Acoustics setup for the speakers. And an Epik Sentinel for the sub. Or dual SVS PB12-NSDs if the budget allows.

 

[R. rogers]

My room is set up more towards a living room space. The room has a fireplace at one end with openings on each side of the fireplace that lead in to the next room. My tv sets off to one side of the fireplace trurned at a angle blocking one of the openings. This is the only way I can arrange my room because of the location of my windows in the room.

 

[bigtoys]

if you can do floor standing front speakers, check out Definitive Technology. I have the entry level 7006's in my basement that sound great, but you can get something better, even the Mythos line. If not floor standers, consider M&K; they were out of business for a couple of years, but are back. I have them in my den and love them, too. Of course, speakers are very personal and subjective, but just my $0.02 as a starting point.
Don't get suckered into Bose--they sound good until you A-B them against real speakers.

 

[Superfly]

I'm not saying the onkyo isn't good but, I think you should really find the speakers that you like and then listen with different receivers. THX certification doesn't nessassarily = Good sound quality. it just means it meets certain criteria
I had a hard time getting this in my head.

You may like the onkyo or you might like another brand. after you AB them.
of course features plays into it also. JMO

 

[AVRat]

So you're viewing the TV on a diagonal, assuming an L-shaped seating arrangement opposite the fireplace/TV. It seems that a 5/6.1(2) may be the best speaker setup. I’d lean toward either Denon or the Onkyo 807.

Do you have a budget or aesthetic preference for the speakers?

 

[R. rogers]

Would like to stay around $1,500 right now. Not to concerned about aesthetics

 

[AVRat]

A couple of setups to consider:

SVS SCS-01M 5.0 Set with SBS-01 surrounds + PB12-NSD - $1258 + shipping.

Ascend Acoustics CMT-340SE/CMT-340SEC/HTM-200SE system - $948
SVS PB12-NSD - $569 + shipping.
Elemental Designs A3 – 300 - $550
HSU VTF-2 MK 3 - $578
Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus - $549 + shipping