Which A/V reciever for under $700?

[Tonio1027]

My wife just bought me a Samsung LN52A650 TV and now I need a A/V receiver. I am buying the equipment in stages. I need to buy a receiver and then I will decided on the speakers. I am new to this and I can use some advice. I did a lot of research before deciding on the Samsung TV, but decided to come here for advice on a receiver. I would also like to have multiroom capability since this setup will be in my basement and she would like to listen upstairs to her music. Thanks in advance.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

There are a number of good options out there in your price range. One place to start your search is to check if a receiver has the features that you want. You mentioned multiroom capability, but are there other features that you know that you want?

 

[Adam]

Some specific examples to get you started: Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K ($480 at Onecall this weekend), Yamaha RX-V663, and the Onkyo TX-SR606.

 

[jostenmeat]

or the Onkyo 805. A lot of people are afraid of certain issues, but Im using it as a pre/pro, and it works very well. It will offer more features and flexibility than a lot of others at current prices. And the amp section is, more or less, in a different league at current prices. Its all a matter if you want that much amp. The receiver is Very Heavy, Very Big, and runs warm. Fits in budget, no problem.

In fact, I've been reading the newer 806 is actually a downgrade. I think* they are changing the amp to the same versions as 7xx and 6xx series, or nearly half of the current 805's spec'd amperage. Some speculate this is due to lack of profits from putting so much reciever at such an affordable price.

I am not so aware of the improvements of the 606 to 605. That being said, the 805 vs the 605:

-preouts
-BurrBrown DAC
-ability to matrix m-ch pcm
-ability to matrix hi-def bitstream
-zone 3? maybe?
-oh ya, a much beefier Ultra amp

 

[Sesquipedalian]

What is the difference between the Pioneer 1018TH-K and AH-K?

 

[mazersteven]

I need to buy a receiver and then I will decided on the speakers. I am new to this and I can use some advice.

My advise is to find the speakers you want before amplification (receiver).

Sound quality comes from your speakers. Speakers are the most important part of your system. You would hate to find speakers that you really like and the receiver not be able to drive them properly. But it is much easier to find a receiver to match speakers, and features you need.

Find your speakers first.

 

[bandphan]

My advise is to find the speakers you want before amplification (receiver).

Sound quality comes from your speakers. Speakers are the most important part of your system. You would hate to find speakers that you really like and the receiver not be able to drive them properly. But it is much easier to find a receiver to match speakers, and features you need.

Find your speakers first.

it seems like every one gets caught up in which "cool" avr before considering the most important part

 

[mazersteven]

it seems like every one gets caught up in which "cool" avr before considering the most important part

 

[jostenmeat]

LOL

I used to think he was cool until I found out he has a tattoo of Roy Orbison on his left butt cheek.

 

[mazersteven]

LOL

I used to think he was cool until I found out he has a tattoo of Roy Orbison on his left butt cheek.

To a question about a tattoo of Roy Orbison that surfaced in the recent movie, "The Waterboy," Winkler laughed and said, "If you thought my butt was fabulous in the movie, then yes I do."

 

[Tonio1027]

I finally made the plunge. I went to BB and bought the Pioneer VSX-1018TXH-K( thanks Adam for the suggestion). For speakers I bought the Martin Logan Preface for the front speakers, SpeakerCraft -MT Series 6 1/2 in wall speakers for the rears and the Martin Logan Dynamo for the subwoofer. The sound is great. I plan to add a center channel speaker when I get some more funds. I can't wait for the GA-ALA game tommorrow. I will have the best seat in the house. Go Bulldogs!!!!

 

[jostenmeat]

Congrats, Tonio.

Is your HT area small? I am a fan of ML product, and they tried their best in making a good sub in such a diminutive cabinet, but I honestly think you can get considerably more for about the same money. If greater size was not an issue.

JMO.

Also, I will shortly be putting up a ML Fresco-i for sale, if interested. You can wait till my ad pops up in the classifieds here (or elsewhere), or feel free to PM.

cheers,
jostenmeat