what receiver to buy-help

[rgall]

I was looking into AV receivers to replace an older Onkyo 939. I was looking into Onkyo SR805, SR706, or Harmon Kardon AVR 354. Any thoughts? Any better choices in this price range? Which of these would your choose?

 

[jostenmeat]

805 easy. $600 new Amazon last I heard. Some folks got em at $425 last week at shoponkyo, which is an absurd deal.

However, its very heavy, definitely over 50lbs, maybe 52-53? Its big too. Runs warm. Good ventilation is a bonus, or cheap fans can work too. Mine is in an open audio rack.

The new 806 coming out is actually going to be a considerably inferior unit, while costing hundreds more. Get the 805 while you still can. IMO, its been the best value of '08. By getting the Ultra amp in the 805, might you have much better flexibility in speaker choices down the road as well.

edit: $425 is refurbished. Mine is refurbed. No problems. Works like a champ. Amazon has been noted to have more recent FW, which is nice. Personally I don't care cuz if it ain't broke I don't fix it, and that includes my BDP. Amazon has better CS than Onkyo would as well. IOW, the extra money could be worth it to some for a new unit. After all, I bet the 805s at o.s. are sold out. But you can check in on a daily basis. They come, they sell out in a day, some time later the process repeats itself.

 

[jamie2112]

Second the 805 vote....Have some ventalation for the amp..

 

[mazersteven]

What speakers are you powering? And what features do you need?

 

[zumbo]

1) You want customer service?
2) You want a three year warranty?
3) You want to be able to pick-up the phone and call the place you bought it from, and have them help you set it up?
4) Do you actually want them to know what they are talking about?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then there is only one place.
http://store.audioholics.com/

 

[mazersteven]

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then there is only one place.
http://store.audioholics.com/

LOL

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

What speakers are you powering? And what features do you need?

That, my friends, is how it's done. Spot on, Mazer.

rgall, the general consensus around here appears to be that you want to pick a receiver based on the features that you want and based on its ability to properly drive your speakers. If you'll let us know the answers to Mazer's questions, we'll be in a better position to give you recommendations.

That's not a rip against jostenmeat's recommendation. I just think that we might end up suggesting a different model once we know what you want.

Adam

 

[Adam]

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then there is only one place.

Man, do they have you on commission, now? Just kidding! I've got nothing against the AH Store. Nothing at all. However, there are other stores with those attributes. Crutchfield comes to mind.

 

[rgall]

I was looking into AV receivers to replace an older Onkyo 939. I was looking into Onkyo SR805, SR706, or Harmon Kardon AVR 354. Any thoughts? Any better choices in this price range? Which of these would your choose?

Speakers are bose 701 for fronts, Then I have some older Onkyo THX Lucasfilm certified center, rears, and dual 12" powered sub. Which sound great.

 

[rgall]

I was looking into AV receivers to replace an older Onkyo 939. I was looking into Onkyo SR805, SR706, or Harmon Kardon AVR 354. Any thoughts? Any better choices in this price range? Which of these would your choose?

Speakers are bose 701 for fronts, Then I have some older Onkyo THX Lucasfilm certified center, rears, and dual 12" powered sub, 42" panasonic plasma, DVD, Digital cable box. Which sound great. I am trying to decide if one of these receivers over another have better features. Does the 706 have anything new the 805 doesnt?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I was looking into AV receivers to replace an older Onkyo 939. I was looking into Onkyo SR805, SR706, or Harmon Kardon AVR 354. Any thoughts? Any better choices in this price range? Which of these would your choose?

I have owned the HK-247, and I thought it was a fantastic receiver.

Thus, I can recommend the HK-354.

 

[zumbo]

Man, do they have you on commission, now? Just kidding! I've got nothing against the AH Store. Nothing at all. However, there are other stores with those attributes. Crutchfield comes to mind.

Does Crutchfield offer a free three-year extended warranty?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Does Crutchfield offer a free three-year extended warranty?

Wait, is that 3 years AFTER the manufacturer's 3 yr warranty?

So that's a total of 6 yrs of warranty?

 

[mazersteven]

I was looking into AV receivers to replace an older Onkyo 939. I was looking into Onkyo SR805, SR706, or Harmon Kardon AVR 354. Any thoughts? Any better choices in this price range? Which of these would your choose?

You could save yourself some cash, and drop down to the Onkyo TX-SR606 receiver for those Bose speakers.

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR606&class=Receiver&p=i

 

[Adam]

1) You want customer service?
2) You want a three year warranty?
3) You want to be able to pick-up the phone and call the place you bought it from, and have them help you set it up?
4) Do you actually want them to know what they are talking about?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then there is only one place.
http://store.audioholics.com/

Does Crutchfield offer a free three-year extended warranty?

You're changing the rules.

Crutchfield has years of demonstrated excellent customer service, they will help people set up gear over the phone, and they know what they are talking about. I'd have to look up if they offer an extended warranty, but I'm pretty sure that you're right that they don't.

Anyway, my point was just that the AH store isn't the only good store around. Again, I have nothing against them. I also have nothing against other good stores.

 

[zumbo]

Wait, is that 3 years AFTER the manufacturer's 3 yr warranty?

So that's a total of 6 yrs of warranty?

I don't think so.

I am pretty sure the OP would not be looking at Marantz. Yamaha comes to mind. I would certainly choose Yamaha over Onkyo. But, that's just me.