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Four receivers -- which is best?

I'd like to revive this thread. Due to limited space, I need to get a receiver no more than 19" wide. That leaves out lots of nice vintage Yamaha, Onkyo, etc.

Also, this older gear would not be the best in this situation.

The HK 3380 and 3480 are being replaced with 3385 (same weight) and 3485 (about 3 lbs lighter).

I want something rated @ 4 ohms. The Yamaha uses some sort of funky switch for this. I'm not sure what Denon or Onkyo (8522) does for this.

I'd also like a good tuner section for FM broadcast.

This is a bedroom system with Polk LS50 speakers and a Technics 5 CD changer, so it's not really a critical listening environment.

Thanks for your inputs!!
 
I can't speak regarding the others, but I've had two new-ish Yamaha receivers, and have been thrilled with both. My most recent is an RX-595. It (and its newer siblings) are highly recommended by me.

Remember, real hi-fi equipment has metal faceplates. :thmbsp:

Just my $0.02.
 
I've been using Denon products for almost 30 years with NO problems.
Take good care of your KLH 17's....they are VERY special speakers!!

Steve
 
Hmmmmm, 18" will limit the choice a bit.
My Pioneer Elite VSX-99 is 18" wide and a real 130 wpc. It has a very good FM tuner and a phono input.
How about an integrated amp and separate tuner? My Technics SU-G91 and Onkyo T-9 fit the requirement. The SU-G91 puts out 130 wpc.
 
I'll throw in the Outlaw RR2150 also. Before settling on this, I tried the Denon DRA series, Harman's HK3480, Yamaha RX-797 and Marantz's PM-7001 integrated amp. The HK3480 was the only other pleasant sounding one , but it's high electrical background noise made it unusable for headphone use. The Denon , Yamaha and to a lesser degree the Marantz were all to harsh sounding to me. I wonder about the HK's durability also, with all those refurbs. If the newer ones are 3 pounds lighter ..... I doubt it's for the better.

That said, all this means little to anyone else's ears. My only advice is to buy and try as many as your credit card will allow you to. Try in your home with your speakers, not a retail store/studio .
 
Columbo said:
I'd like to revive this thread. Due to limited space, I need to get a receiver no more than 19" wide. That leaves out lots of nice vintage Yamaha, Onkyo, etc.

Also, this older gear would not be the best in this situation.

The HK 3380 and 3480 are being replaced with 3385 (same weight) and 3485 (about 3 lbs lighter).

I want something rated @ 4 ohms. The Yamaha uses some sort of funky switch for this. I'm not sure what Denon or Onkyo (8522) does for this.

I'd also like a good tuner section for FM broadcast.

This is a bedroom system with Polk LS50 speakers and a Technics 5 CD changer, so it's not really a critical listening environment.

Thanks for your inputs!!
Click to expand...



Here is a list of all the new 2 channel receivers on the maket
 
bully said:
Hmmmmm, 18" will limit the choice a bit.
My Pioneer Elite VSX-99 is 18" wide and a real 130 wpc. It has a very good FM tuner and a phono input.
How about an integrated amp and separate tuner? My Technics SU-G91 and Onkyo T-9 fit the requirement. The SU-G91 puts out 130 wpc.
Click to expand...

Yes, I thought about separates. I even have them. Yamaha CA 2010 (with those horrible speaker terminals that only accept bare wire and all of my cables are terminated) and a CT 600. I've seen a sort of braided-end terminal that might solve that problem though. It's just overkill for the application. I was hoping to use the 2010 for more serious listening.

I think what you are saying though is that there is away around having to buy BPC!!
 
When shopping for a receiver earlier this year, I researched the HK, Yamaha, and Onkyo models. Before deciding on going with a vintage Marantz, I had decided on the HK. It had more favorable reviews.
 
sharksoup said:
When shopping for a receiver earlier this year, I researched the HK, Yamaha, and Onkyo models. Before deciding on going with a vintage Marantz, I had decided on the HK. It had more favorable reviews.
Click to expand...

I have 3 vintage Marantz receivers. They are in excellent cosmetic conditon. I've spend more on repairs than the units are worth (to sell)....because I thought they were worth it. But as in another thread here, I think I've about had it with vintage Marantz. I owe no loyalty and have no emotional/sentimental attachment to them.
 
Columbo said:
I'd like to revive this thread. Due to limited space, I need to get a receiver no more than 19" wide. That leaves out lots of nice vintage Yamaha, Onkyo, etc.

Also, this older gear would not be the best in this situation.

The HK 3380 and 3480 are being replaced with 3385 (same weight) and 3485 (about 3 lbs lighter).

I want something rated @ 4 ohms. The Yamaha uses some sort of funky switch for this. I'm not sure what Denon or Onkyo (8522) does for this.

I'd also like a good tuner section for FM broadcast.

This is a bedroom system with Polk LS50 speakers and a Technics 5 CD changer, so it's not really a critical listening environment.

Thanks for your inputs!!
Click to expand...
Do you have a budget? Check Dakmart for refurbished Denon products. IMO you can't go wrong with new Denon AVR's or integrateds.
 
Columbo said:
I have 3 vintage Marantz receivers. They are in excellent cosmetic conditon. I've spend more on repairs than the units are worth (to sell)....because I thought they were worth it. But as in another thread here, I think I've about had it with vintage Marantz. I owe no loyalty and have no emotional/sentimental attachment to them.
Click to expand...

I think the outlaw receiver has a 5 year warranty
 
Columbo said:
I have 3 vintage Marantz receivers. They are in excellent cosmetic conditon. I've spend more on repairs than the units are worth (to sell)....because I thought they were worth it. But as in another thread here, I think I've about had it with vintage Marantz. I owe no loyalty and have no emotional/sentimental attachment to them.
Click to expand...

I hear you there. The one I have has a few minor issues. And although I really like it, I know I would have been just as happy with a new HK. After researching the 3 I mentioned (HK, Onkyo, Yamaha) I would only have bought the HK. Believe it or not, the deciding factor turned out to be size; the HK was not going to fit into the entertainment center! Same with the Sansui 4000 I recently picked up in perfect condition. So it now resides in the spare bedroom as a radio unit.
 
Try vintage Sansui's. They sound great for a reasonable price. And some are as little as 23" wide!
 
jrsh92 said:
Try vintage Sansui's. They sound great for a reasonable price. And some are as little as 23" wide!
Click to expand...

I recently bought a refurbed Onkyo TX 8522 for 109.00 plus $19 for 3 year extended, for my office system. After some hit and miss on a nice amp to drive my vintage 4 ohm DLK 1 1/2's, I found this best suited, and didn't require a seperate tuner purchase. It has a REAL volume knob, no digital dial, (like the H/K) it's well built, nice power supply, large cap's, large transfomer, and most importantly, great ventalation, AND 4 OHM rated. It has a very good FM tuner, above average AM tuner (better than my Sansui TU 717). It also sports an excellent phone preamp (MM only).
It has a switchable 8-6ohm output via the remote. Despite having 4ohm speakers, I leave it on 8 ohms, with no problems. I can crank those DLK to deafening levels, with no problems, plenty of clean, low distortion sound, with no hint of clipping!! It will warm up after extended high volume listening, but so did my Onkyo 504.
The only draw back, is it doesn't have preamp-in outs like the Harman Kardon. But it can be found for a hundred bucks less, and the REAL volume knob is a must in my mind. I liked the Outlaw, but had to pass for $699, a budget buster.
Keith
 
I have a slightly older TEAC Av5700 and it's a very nice capable receiver. Has a very nice phono section and all the other I/O's you could want. I retired it because it's black and I'm in my anti-Darth Vader mode right now.

I've never run into anyone talking bad about TEAC receivers? So based on mine, I'd vote for them for this application :)
 
BrocLuno said:
I have a slightly older TEAC Av5700 and it's a very nice capable receiver. Has a very nice phono section and all the other I/O's you could want. I retired it because it's black and I'm in my anti-Darth Vader mode right now.

I've never run into anyone talking bad about TEAC receivers? So based on mine, I'd vote for them for this application :)
Click to expand...

I looked at Teac, but the 2 channel one had mixed reviews, and I'm not sure if it had a phono input, the price was right though. The amp design was what attracted me to the Onkyo. My Technics SA-600 developed a open, or something of the kind in the power supply that effects everything, lights amp, etc, and I didn't want to spend the $ right now to have it fixed. I bought it new in 1978, it has served me well, still have the box, manual and original sales lit. It was on sale for $299 at the now defucnt Shaack Electronics. I spent alot of money there, mowing lot's of lawns to support my habit.
The Sa-600 also has a strong amp for 70 watts, when it worked it powered the DLK 1 1/2's with plenty of power, no complaints. The AM section is stellar.
 
Well, might as well add to this....

I 1st started off with a Sony AV receiver back when I started my surround system. I paid about $300, and then it broke. Since it was under warantee for an exchange I opted for the same priced Onkyo, and found out the sound was way better than my Sony. I forget why I had to replace it, but still under my original warantee, I went with the Harmen Karden of the same price range.

My HK is an AVR20, pretty old, as far as surround receivers go. It is a simple 4 channel, right & left front, center, and a rear channel. I still use it today, but need to upgrade just for the fact of wanting a 5.1, or a 7.1 system.

Anyhow, between the Onkyo I had and the HK receiver, I found the HK, had a little better sound than the Onkyo, and it also had pre amp outputs.

So all and all, with out knowing about the models that are out now - but with the $300 price range, I would say that you will be much happier with out the Sony. I would also say that the HK should do great.

My Sony had so many more options on it than my Onkyo or HK, and I was kinda skeptical about getting a far simpler receiver, but it more than paid off by the sound quality.

Bob
 
Of the new ones, the Outlaw should easily be the best, but it sounds like it's out of your price range. This is a shame, because while the competition is decent, and gets the job done, the Outlaw is a cut above.

That said, I have an Onkyo TX-8522, and it's decent. It doesn't really put down 100wpc (bench tests indicate the real number is closer to 70), and the sound isn't a revelation, but it sounds good for the price. A little thin, but not bad. Also, while I haven't had the hood off, the build quality seems to be good for the price.

Good for the price, that's the catch. You should honestly consider spending a little more and getting the Outlaw, or dealing with the difficulties of vintage gear and going with an old Pioneer or Sansui or something. In the $500-600 range, there are also quite a few integrated amps with good reputations, namely the Marantz PM 7001 and the Onkyo A-9555.
 
p. rex said:
Of the new ones, the Outlaw should easily be the best, but it sounds like it's out of your price range. This is a shame, because while the competition is decent, and gets the job done, the Outlaw is a cut above.

That said, I have an Onkyo TX-8522, and it's decent. It doesn't really put down 100wpc (bench tests indicate the real number is closer to 70), and the sound isn't a revelation, but it sounds good for the price. A little thin, but not bad. Also, while I haven't had the hood off, the build quality seems to be good for the price.

Good for the price, that's the catch. You should honestly consider spending a little more and getting the Outlaw, or dealing with the difficulties of vintage gear and going with an old Pioneer or Sansui or something. In the $500-600 range, there are also quite a few integrated amps with good reputations, namely the Marantz PM 7001 and the Onkyo A-9555.
Click to expand...

I find it hard to believe the Onkyo TX 8522 is only 70 watts per channels, since it's rated FTC to be 100 watts continuous. I use mine with fairly inefficient 4 ohm DLK 1 1/2's (sealed acoustic suspension), and comparing it to the Technics SA 600 which I know bench test's at clipping at 165 watts, the Onkyo is very similar at high volumes, and not bass shy by any means. I do find the bass control is not a typical bass control. The Technics is +/- 10db at 50hz, while the Onkyo is +/-10db at 100hz, and the Onkyo lacks a loudness switch, which can be a draw back. I use a 10 band AudioControl C-22 EQ. In fact I find the Onkyo has a more open quality to it in the mid and highs. Maybe the refurbed unit had a update or two, who knows? I use mine at the 8 ohm setting, even though the speakers are 4 ohm, no problems at all levels. Now compared to the Outlaw, there is a difference, but of course there should be given the price. I would have liked to get an Outlaw, maybe next year. The nice thing is the Onkyo will easily get $109.00 on Ebay- the warranty is tranfserable.
 
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