What is best mid priced AV Receiver???

[jreg]

Looking to spend about $500 and want a solid receiver to replace my broken receiver.

Thanks!

 

[PENG]

Looking to spend about $500 and want a solid receiver to replace my broken receiver.

Thanks!

Before we can recommend anything it would be good if you tell us the make and model number of your broken one and whether you were happy with it when it was working. In the mean time you can take a look of the following and see if they meet your requirements.

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR806-Receiver-Upscaling-certified/dp/B002HOGWK4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255177419&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V863BL-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0013ZELVK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255177513&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-7-1-Channel-Receiver-Repeater/dp/B0016BGRX6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255177553&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR790-7-1-Channel-Multi-Zone-Connectivity/dp/B002AKKFQW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255177779&sr=1-2

To qualify as a "solid" receiver most people would like it to have pre-outs so you can add power to it via external amps. That narrows the playing field, but if you can do without preouts, the Denon looks quite good for $499.

 

[jreg]

My broken receiver is an HK 130...originally about $250 4 years ago...I want something better this time around. I have 2 bookshelf speakers and a center channel speaker....both are B&W 100 W & 8 Ohms.

Thanks for any other help....I looked on CNET reveiws and thier favorite was a Pioneer VSX 1019....Best buy has it for $500.

Thanks,

JREG

 

[PENG]

The 1019 is good if you don't need much power. It weights 19 lbs 3 oz and has no preouts.

 

[DJ in TX]

The 1019 is good if you don't need much power. It weights 19 lbs 3 oz and has no preouts.

I am fairly new around here (and a noob) and also looking for a good receiver. And i have a question about this comment. I have read several reviews on this pioneer that rate it hihly and say nothing about lack of power. So, when you say that this pioneer doesn't have much power, are you saying this because it doesn't have pre-outs to be able to add external power? Or not considering pre-outs, it has fewer watts per channel than other receivers in its price range?

 

[PENG]

I am fairly new around here (and a noob) and also looking for a good receiver. And i have a question about this comment. I have read several reviews on this pioneer that rate it hihly and say nothing about lack of power. So, when you say that this pioneer doesn't have much power, are you saying this because it doesn't have pre-outs to be able to add external power? Or not considering pre-outs, it has fewer watts per channel than other receivers in its price range?

You cannot expect much power from any of the latest model 7.1 receivers in that price range. You do get a bit more if you are willing to go with last year's models. For example, the 1017 or even the 1018 would have more stout amp sections and power supplies than the 1019 but then you may not get the latest features (such as 4 HMDI inputs) that you want to have.

If you have a smaller room and your speakers are not hard to drive then the 1019 can do the job. I am not 100% sure but I think the 1017 and may be even the 1018 have preouts.

 

[DJ in TX]

You cannot expect much power from any of the latest model 7.1 receivers in that price range. You do get a bit more if you are willing to go with last year's models. For example, the 1017 or even the 1018 would have more stout amp sections and power supplies than the 1019 but then you may not get the latest features (such as 4 HMDI inputs) that you want to have.

If you have a smaller room and your speakers are not hard to drive then the 1019 can do the job. I am not 100% sure but I think the 1017 and may be even the 1018 have preouts.

Okay, thanks for the input. I think a lot of this is extremely subjective. Plenty of power vs. not enough power, probably mean very different things to different people. Me for example, I only plan to power 2 speakers total (Paradigm Atoms v.6). I may add a center and/or sub at some point, but not for at least 2 years, maybe more. I am looking specifically at the VSX-819 (as opposed to this 1019), but they seem to be very similar related to power and internals.

For me being so new to all this, a receiver that doesn't have enough power for you and your system, likely has plenty for the setup I want. Of course, I haven't used a receiver since like 1998, so I have no recent experience to compare to, or be disappointed by. Of course, only time (and actual listening) will tell.

 

[PENG]

Okay, thanks for the input. I think a lot of this is extremely subjective. Plenty of power vs. not enough power, probably mean very different things to different people.

May be more so "relative" than "subjective".

 

[jreg]

So if I have a large family room with vaulted ceilings, I shouldn't get the Pioneer 1019? My speakers probably aren't large enough for this room, but I've had them in this room for 4 years. They are B&W 100W booshelf 8 ohm's.

If so, what receiver power should I be looking for?

 

[PENG]

They are B&W 100W booshelf 8 ohm's.

If so, what receiver power should I be looking for?

Model numbers please...

 

[jreg]

sorry..model numbers for my B&W bookshelf are DM600 S3 with a center channel B&W LCR-3. They may not be the best choice for my family room set up, but I want a receiver that can get the most out of them.

They both are 100W max and 8 Ohms.

Thanks for any receiver suggestions.

JREG

 

[PENG]

sorry..model numbers for my B&W bookshelf are DM600 S3 with a center channel B&W LCR-3. They may not be the best choice for my family room set up, but I want a receiver that can get the most out of them.

They both are 100W max and 8 Ohms.

Thanks for any receiver suggestions.

JREG

I think you are right, they are not suited for a large room but with impedance dipping to 3 ohms and 88 dB sensitivity they can still do better with more power. If you really like the highly rated 1019 go for it. I just want you to know if later on you feel like having more power you would have to replace a $500 receiver.