Which budget receiver to get, of these:

[corysmith01]

As some of you may or may not know, based on my posts in the system gallery, I'm been bitten not by the UPgradeitis bug, but rather, the DOWNgradeitis bug. I may be the first diagnosed cased.

Anyhow, I've sold my Paradigms and replaced them with Onix x-ls speakers which I got today. Love 'em. They're a great replacement.

I have a buyer for my receiver and now need to replace it with bang-for-buck receiver. I've loved my Marantz SR8400, but I need to generate cash. I'm considering the following:

Harman Kardon AVR240 - $329.99/onecall
Marantz SR4600 (refurb) - $299/A C 4 L
Denon AVR-786S (refurb) - $269/ubid
Pioneer VSX816 - $239.99/onecall
Denon AVR-1706 (refurb) - $219/ubid

As you can see, I put them in descending order, most costly to least. Knowing that the ultimate goal is to pocket as much cash as I can, price is paramount. But at the same time, I don't want to get a bum unit. I wanted to stay at $300 or less. The H/K is just above that...I could do it, if it's worth it, but would like one of the lesser units.

Of the above, what would you guys pick? Any others I should consider? I'm really leaning towards the Marantz. I say that because I've been totally satisfied and very happy with my SR8400. However, if any of the others are a better bargain, i'd go with one. Again, I want to get the most while spending the least. (don't we all )

 

[Nick250]

I have a Denon 1705 which I used in the system below for a month while I figured out what "mid-fi" receiver to get. While I did not A/B the 1705/3806 I did not notice much of a difference in SQ between the two. Dandy little receive IMO. Its in the den now doing stereo duty with Paradigm Mini Monitors. A thumbs up.

Regards, Nick

 

[corysmith01]

Thanks Nick. Yeah, I'm well impressed with what they offer in their lower models. Oh sure, I'd like a 3806 or even a 2807...but if that were the case, I'd just hold on to my Marantz. Denon's receiver still seem to put a lot into their lesser receivers and the 1706 does look promising. I think I'm most torn between that and the SR4600.

 

[tomd51]

1705 at uBid as well...

Cory;
If you're interested in the 1706, uBid also has a 1705, which is very similar for $180, knocking off another $40 for just about the same feature set w/identical SQ. I also had a 685 (1705) previously and for what it's capable of, it's a great budget receiver. From my own experience, the Denon and Onkyo budget receivers are good little performers for the money.

If its a future possibility of adding an amp, the 786 is also hard to beat at that price tag. The refurb/used route is definitely the best way to go to get the best bang for your buck, though, so you're definitely on the right track.

I decided to do the same for my secondary setup recently. Just last week I picked up a Denon 886 (2106) from uBid for $325 and set it up a couple of days ago to replace a 3803 that was just overkill for the listening area. Besides some very minor scuff marks, the unit looks brand new and sounds great.

Good luck on your search! -TD

 

[corysmith01]

Thanks Tom. Yeah, I would like to get something that has pre-outs on it, so I believe all of the ones listed do. Hmm, the 1705 would pocket me even more money, which is the ultimate goal. But that 786 at that price tag is also a solid deal. Ah, decisions decisions.

 

[mazersteven]

That Harman Kardon AVR240 is a pretty solid unit. True power too, not under rated.

 

[tomd51]

Are Pre-Outs A Must?

Thanks Tom. Yeah, I would like to get something that has pre-outs on it, so I believe all of the ones listed do. Hmm, the 1705 would pocket me even more money, which is the ultimate goal. But that 786 at that price tag is also a solid deal. Ah, decisions decisions.

Personally, if I were of your mindset, I'd go w/the 786. I don't believe anything under the Denon 1905/785 or 1906/786 models have pre-outs, so keep this in mind. If pre-outs are a must, I'd consider these:

Denon AVR-785 refurb from eCost for $229
* note on this, the older models go quick on eCost due to price diff.

Denon AVR-786 refurb from uBid for 269

Harman Kardon AVR 330-Z (refurbed from Harman Audio) for $298

Harman Kardon AVR 235-Z (refurbed from Harman Audio) for $298

All of these are solid upper entry level receivers w/pre-outs and ample power. Some may only have Pro Logic II, not PLIIx, so if 7.1 is a major consideration instead of 6.1/5.1, keep this in mind.

Funny, I also bought the same Harman 330 from Harman Audio some time ago and it was a great refurb and good performer. Just didn't suit my needs at the time... -TD

 

[simpleHT]

If you are willing to spend at the top end of your budget, you can get Pio 1014 with respectable sound and features, including auto calib. You should be able to get it at around $300 shipped either from Ebay or Amazon.

 

[corysmith01]

Alright, so I've narrowed it to these two:

Denon AVR-786S
H/K AVR-235

I've narrowed it to these as they cover all the bases in terms of what I want; decent power, plenty of inputs/outputs, and pre-outs for the potential added amp down the line.

I've found that I can get both of these for virtually the same price (ebay/ubid). Knowing they can be had for virtually equivalent outlay, which should I go for? I really feel like this is probably a preference question. They both seem to be on par in terms of offerings. Just curious, if all things are equal, what you guys would chose.

 

[mike c]

Im also looking at budget receivers ... if forced to buy right now, I'd choose HK. they sure look damn nice too

 

[tomd51]

Having owned almost identical models, I would go w/the Denon. I found the HK, in the same exact environment as the similar Denon, just a bit too laid back for my preference. While the look of the HK was nice, I don't think I necessarily liked it better than the Denon.

They both have a good feature set and a few features on to themselves that the others don't have, so it'll boil down to which do you prefer.

Either way, Cory, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Have fun deciding! -TD

 

[corysmith01]

Cool. Thanks. I'll need to choose one/buy one today probably as payment for my current receiver is on its way so it'll be out the door soon....and I couldn't possibly go too long without a set up. I'll report back what I ended up getting.

 

[Tomorrow]

Hi gents.

Not to do any high pressure tactics...but this is better than those you've been looking at...with the exception of the pre-outs...it only has pre-outs for the surround-back channels. $150 and I'll include some cables.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22728

 

[corysmith01]

Just a quick follow up. I ended up bidding on and winning a H/K AVR 235 from Harman Audio's ebay store. Winning bid for me was $227. Not bad I think. My ultimate goal was to spend $300 and no more and come away with a receiver that I could use immediately, as well as one that could work as a pre-pro down the road should I end up going that route. That's a savings of about $40 over the Denon, and again, price was paramount. All told, I think I got a pretty solid unit for $227. I guess I'll find out once it actually arrives.

 

[tomd51]

Good deal..

Nice snag, Cory...

For that price, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. Every HK receiver I've ever heard has been more than powerful enough, the 235 has some good features regardless of this price point and I'm fairly confident with external amplification, you'll get even better sound out of it in the future.

You'll have to let us know what you think after you set it up, calibrate it and put it through it's paces. Congrats! -TD

 

[corysmith01]

Thanks.

Yeah, I'll definitely post something up. It will be interesting to see what I hear/don't hear differently going from my Marantz SR8400 to the H/K AVR 235. Depending on shipping of the H/K and when the payment for my Marantz arrives, I should have both of them in my apt. for a day or 2, so I can check 'em both out.

 

[mike c]

are you still using the DIGM studios?

will be waiting for your A/B listening results! of course, pictures of the HK would be great does it have blue font on the front display or white?

 

[corysmith01]

are you still using the DIGM studios?

Nope, sold those. Got a pair of used Onix x-ls. They're pretty nice and I must say that I don't really notice much missing...i'm really rather happy with them.

As for the H/K, this is the one:
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_support/support_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=&prod=AVR 235&sjump=ps&#active

 

[mike c]

the font color just doesn't show in the pics ... asking by phone however, the store guys say the blue font starts with the 335. (not exactly reliable)

I gave them a price offer today for the 335 (which still sells for 570USD here btw) ... if they don't accept it, I'll have to wait for the Yammy 659.