Which receiver do you suggest

[duhdonutman]

I'm went to Best Buy yesterday hoping to just get a glimpse of the denon 1911, yamaha 667 and pioneer 1020. While I did get a glimpse of them they made sure to point out that the Pioneer Elite VSX-23 was marked on clearance for either $399 or $499 (i can't remember, but of course i'll be there tomorrow).

Any suggestions? I want the analog to HDMI up-conversion feature because yup, i still play the NES and Genesis more then once a month. With that said it was the GUI on the yamaha and pioneer that has me intrigued.

 

[sholling]

If you're in the US then consider a factory refurbished Onkyo TX-SR707 or the newer TX-NR708. I've bought refurbs from them twice and they've been fine.

 

[3db]

I'm went to Best Buy yesterday hoping to just get a glimpse of the denon 1911, yamaha 667 and pioneer 1020. While I did get a glimpse of them they made sure to point out that the Pioneer Elite VSX-23 was marked on clearance for either $399 or $499 (i can't remember, but of course i'll be there tomorrow).

Any suggestions? I want the analog to HDMI up-conversion feature because yup, i still play the NES and Genesis more then once a month. With that said it was the GUI on the yamaha and pioneer that has me intrigued.

I would take the Pioneer Elite over the 1020. Go over the feature sets to see whats most important to you. All of these models are solid performers and you can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[bandphan]

What speakers do you have?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

denon 1911

Here is a refurbished Denon 1911 for $310:

http://www.ecost.com/prod/Electronics/Receivers/Denon+71+CH+AV+Home+Theater+Receiver++-+AVR1911/59087315.aspx?navid=155442295

If it's $400 brand new @ Best Buy, then I would get that.

But if it's $500, that refurbished might be tempting - unless you are planning on getting that Best Buy 0% financing for 18 months.

 

[duhdonutman]

What speakers do you have?

I have some older Klipsch horns and a polk psw12. I know it's time for some newer speakers, but I have no idea where to start with those. I have a medium sized man room (til wife decides it's movie time). We plan to move inside of 2 or 3 years so of course if I make the investment I want it to be around for 5 - 10 years.

 

[duhdonutman]

Here is a refurbished Denon 1911 for $310:

If it's $400 brand new @ Best Buy, then I would get that.

But if it's $500, that refurbished might be tempting - unless you are planning on getting that Best Buy 0% financing for 18 months.

Yeah, i'm leaving work early to see if the price is $500 or $400. They're all new in box so, if it's $400 i think i may buy them all and see if I can't sell them for $500 each. If they're $500 the Denon at $310 sounds really good.

 

[ratm]

Unless you're looking for 3D capable, try the Yamaha Rx-v765. It could be had from newegg right now for 299 shipped. Hard to beat at that price.

 

[duhdonutman]

comments on the web seemed to hint at the Onkyo's having defects with their receivers lately. not sure specifically about the SR707

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Unless you're looking for 3D capable, try the Yamaha Rx-v765. It could be had from newegg right now for 299 shipped. Hard to beat at that price.

Wow, that is 50% off on a brand new AVR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115197&Tpk=Yamaha Rx-v765

That has my vote!

 

[duhdonutman]

thanks for all of your excellent advice. I did go ahead and pick up the elite. since I have 30 days I figured i'd take it for a test drive. I hooked it up last night, but seem to have a bigger issue.
if I get the other issue figured out I'll relay if I'm going to keep it and if I think it was a good investment.

 

[duhdonutman]

Thanks all for the advice. I fixed the issue I was having, but unfortunately now I wonder if I needed a new receiver. Maybe that should say "if there was anything broken in my old receiver".

So comparing the vsx-23 to the avr-789 i guess that's not really a fair comparison. The surround feature is amazingly better, the calibration seems a bit better and the GUI difference (did the denon even have a gui?). I haven't given the VSX a real test on a good movie, sporting event or music, but i'll be doing that this weekend. So far though i'm happy with what i hope is my last receiver for 10 - 20 years (yeah probably months).

Now onto budget friendly sattelites to replace "the horns". Energy was suggested for my 14' x 14'. Feel free to give any suggestions. I really don't want to go over $500 in total. I'll probably be perusing these halls for reviews and suggestions in speaker topics.

Thanks again!

 

[3db]

Thanks all for the advice. I fixed the issue I was having, but unfortunately now I wonder if I needed a new receiver. Maybe that should say "if there was anything broken in my old receiver".

So comparing the vsx-23 to the avr-789 i guess that's not really a fair comparison. The surround feature is amazingly better, the calibration seems a bit better and the GUI difference (did the denon even have a gui?). I haven't given the VSX a real test on a good movie, sporting event or music, but i'll be doing that this weekend. So far though i'm happy with what i hope is my last receiver for 10 - 20 years (yeah probably months).

Now onto budget friendly sattelites to replace "the horns". Energy was suggested for my 14' x 14'. Feel free to give any suggestions. I really don't want to go over $500 in total. I'll probably be perusing these halls for reviews and suggestions in speaker topics.

Thanks again!

Congrats NOw this $500 your talking about, is it just to replace the surrounds? I'm asking bcause thats not alot of money for 5 speakers.

 

[duhdonutman]

Congrats NOw this $500 your talking about, is it just to replace the surrounds? I'm asking bcause thats not alot of money for 5 speakers.

yeah i know. i would love to put more into a full set, but i hope to move inside of 3 years so this would be a temp solution until I know exactly what my next house will allow me to do (5/6/7, area, etc). In either event i'm not sure that I can justify putting more then $800 into my speakers at this point."in the current state of the economy....."

 

[3db]

yeah i know. i would love to put more into a full set, but i hope to move inside of 3 years so this would be a temp solution until I know exactly what my next house will allow me to do (5/6/7, area, etc). In either event i'm not sure that I can justify putting more then $800 into my speakers at this point."in the current state of the economy....."

I hear you bro!! I'm pushing one kid thru university and teh 2nd one to follow in 2 years. I want to upgrade both my subwoofer and turntable but that's not happening anytime soon. Well the way I see it, you can choose your approach first approach and by doing so look for used. I think SVS has a nice package near the upper end of your budget. The other option is to get a pair of towers and use it strictly as a 2 channel system while saving up for the surrounds, sub and center channel in that order.

 

[KEW]

yeah i know. i would love to put more into a full set, but i hope to move inside of 3 years so this would be a temp solution until I know exactly what my next house will allow me to do (5/6/7, area, etc). In either event i'm not sure that I can justify putting more then $800 into my speakers at this point."in the current state of the economy....."

At $800, you might consider this:
http://www.emptek.com/special_f300t_e10s.php

I understand the fronts are rebranded copies of the RBH TK5-CT:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/rbh-sound-tk-5ct

The sub is not the greatest for capturing the mayhem of the Transformers, but for music, it should get you by (you've got to sacrifice something if your are going to get a decent full setup for $800).

Cheers,
Kurt

 

[duhdonutman]

just a follow up, i picked up a pair of B&W 685s. i'll probably be taking them back because i found a set of energy take 5 classic for a steal ($150 new).

if they're not vastly better then the horns i currently have then i'll be trying to sell them to make up for part of the cost of the B&Ws then i'll be trying to sell the horns too.

 

[its phillip]

The energys are nice little speakers for the money provided your room isn't too big - I hope you like em.

Do you still play your NES and Genesis? I hope so

 

[duhdonutman]

The energys are nice little speakers for the money provided your room isn't too big - I hope you like em.

Do you still play your NES and Genesis? I hope so

lol
actually i do. time is a little challenging with the newborn gaining mobility, but when she's down i'm on both. limits my time for honing my ps3 gaming skills, but contra and blades of steel calls me back monthly during the season.