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Please help me pick a receiver!

B

bheffner33

New Member
I just got these bad boys.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+-+5-1/4%22+3-Way+Floor+Speakers+%28Pair%29+-+Black/1147998.p?skuId=1147998&id=1218224796804

I decided that I want a new receiver with HDMI input and all. As of now I only have these 2 speakers and am unsure if I would add more anytime soon. So having 5.1 capability is a plus but not a necessity.

Want to be able to use this for my Samsung LED, PS3, iPhone, turntable that has pre phono amp in it, and Mac laptop. Also have an Apple Tv and Airport Extreme so being able to select a song on my computer without having to have a wire go across the room is definitely appealing.

I want to stay new, and under $250. These are the ones I'm looking at so far:

These first ones are the ones that the pretty knowledgeable guy at Best Buy would be perfect for my set up. But needed to do some research first.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1312-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B004U403S6/ref=pd_cp_e_3

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-NR509-Channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B004O0TRCO/ref=pd_cp_e_1

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V467BL-525-Watt-Channel-Receiver/dp/tech-data/B003CP0K8W/ref=de_a_smtd

http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-3490-Receiver/dp/product-description/B00198F89A/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1612-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B004U403WM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1325015662&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8050-Network-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B004UR486G/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324942223&sr=1-4

Which company has the most bang for my buck? Best sound quality?

All suggestions are welcome as well. Thank you for your time.
 
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I understand that, but I also came to understand through members of AK that the older receivers would not work well with everything I have going on. Plus I am not an audiophile so out of the new receivers with lots of functionality I want to know which has best quality sound. Thank you
 
First: this is the wrong bunch of guys to ask. Many folks here will start to wrinkle their nose at anything made after 1980 :)

Still, to provide some sort of an answer: It is my belief that Onkyo will give you the best bang for the buck. So if you're a cheap bastard like us - you'll cruise the classifieds looking for a three year old and younger Onkyo receiver. Your $250 can go a long way in the second hand market.
 
I agree. I think Onkyo is generally the best bang for the buck. Although, as you say, a sale, or last years model, or whatever can sway one widely as to what might be the best choice.
 
Look at the specs, look at the features, look at the design. Which does what you want? Then consider price, looks and operation. Download user manuals. Read reviews.

Amazon helps by showing you user reviews.

Throw caution to the wind and make the best decision you are capable of.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with after 80s components. You just have to buy wisely. Besides if you're not familiar with basic vintage maintenance and shopping, vintage can be a nightmare.

I bought an Onkyo TX-SV909Pro AV receiver new and it has lasted into decade number 2. Built like a tank and sounds like a dream. The ergonomics of the face and design was a big deal for me.

If I were looking for something new, I would look at Onkyo, Harman Kardon and Yamaha.
 
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I have a couple 1990s Sony HT receivers that work and sound quite nice. I don't know how the new stuff stacks up, but my units were both around $1000+ new.

I didn't pay anywhere near that for them though..:no:
 
If I look at used ones in adds and eBay and craigslist though I am not sure what else I could add to these existing receivers that would make them better.
 
As many questions as you are having just getting this far, I'll be blunt - buy new. You'll get a warranty.

People have workarounds, but do you know what an input selector is? Where to get it? And will it be compatible with what you need? Do you think you have the skills and experience to overcome every little thing to get to where any of the existing HTs you list above can do?

With eBay and craigslist you need to know what you want. You are at the mercy of sellers to describe condition accurately and honestly. If you are going HT you want a remote and manual to make it easier for you. eBay you have to worry about shipping damage and the dispute process if something is wrong.

btw since you are looking at newer HT try Best Buy/Magnolia HiFi, Fry's or other stores.

They probably have some of the models or equivalents you can actually demo and ask lots and lots and lots of questions. Listen so you can separate myth from reality.

Remember vintage is a niche. Most manufacturers and stores are selling HT because most of the "reyal" people with "reyal" cash are buying them. Good grief! Why do I sound like Courtney Stodden??? On AK, we're just dueling avatars in a cyber world of our own.

And it's not like this will be the last receiver you will ever buy ...
 
bheffner33 said:
I want to stay new, and under $250. These are the ones I'm looking at so far:

Which company has the most bang for my buck? Best sound quality?

All suggestions are welcome as well. Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...

You`re looking for something good obviously, as well as new and cheap (under $250).

1) You can have new and cheap, but it won`t be good. There`s a reason why BPC is called what it is.

2) You can have new and good, but it won`t be cheap. A nice Rotel or Outlaw Audio receiver would be perfect, but set you back a grand or more.

3) You can have cheap and good, but it won`t be new (though sonically would likely be at the top). A nice Onkyo TX-4500 MKll might be $100-150.

You will likely have to compromise somewhere in regards to price, quality, features, and age of unit. Try looking for a Integra (made by Onkyo) A/V receiver about 5 years old w/remote and around 100wpc. They should all be 5.1 or better and priced around $200-300.
 
Alright, I'll try again:

Spend a $100 more buy this (it can grow with you).

Wire it like this:

HDMI OUT -> TV
CABLEBOX ->HDMI IN 1
PS3 ->HDMI IN 2
Apple TV -> HDMI IN 3
TT (with built-in PHONO Pre OUT) ->TV/CD

You can then stream your music from the Macbook to your Apple TV which will play in Stereo or Multichannel Stereo and so will your TT. Everything will have full 1080 video and multichannel support.
 
I just got a yamaha rx v371 all the hdmi you want 135 wpc ,my wife bought it for me lucky me ,now downstairs is nothing before 1980 so i got the best of both worlds.
 
From the list you showed I would pick the second from the last, the Denon. But what happened to that Marantz you were interested in last night, that might be a bit better than the Denon. I picked the Denon, over the others for one small reason, I think it was the heaviest. Not really a good way to measure as they all are pretty close but I do think wieght has a means to measure how much good stuff might be inside.
 
goodolpg said:
Whatever happened to Dustin Broke?
He was here, then he disappeared.
Then I thought I saw him again recently...
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=379700
Oh, good luck with whatever you finally end up with 33.
Click to expand...
Yeah. I remember. It's kind of like life imitating avatar. Dustin Broke is actually a teen character who is supposedly rebellious but deep down wants to be told what to do. I wondered if it was some kind of role play where they got points for number of posts they get?

Here's the wiki article on Dustin Broke:
http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/Dustin_Broke
 
terra1 said:
Yeah. I remember. It's kind of like life imitating avatar. Dustin Broke is actually a teen character who is supposedly rebellious but deep down wants to be told what to do. I wondered if it was some kind of role play where they got points for number of posts they get?

Here's the wiki article on Dustin Broke:
http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/Dustin_Broke
Click to expand...

What I thought was funny about Dustin Broke, is how many people took him seriously, even the moderators. The guy was just pulling everyones leg and many AK members never even knew any better. I don't think we need to think that everyone that has a lot of questions are a Dustin Broke, but who knows maybe some are.
 
great point ...

Ken Boyd said:
I don't think we need to think that everyone that has a lot of questions are a Dustin Broke, ....
Click to expand...
I think that needs to be emphasized. :thmbsp:
It's hard to tell and we can't discourage newbies.

We don't have to post or enter if we are suspicious and I have always been impressed by how patient and helpful many members are. Even with old topics, one can acquire new tips and perspectives. :yes:
 
I would recommend you do some forum scouring at Audioholics. There is much more discussion there of home theater systems. To me, AK is more for 2-channel music listening and vintage audio. I love vintage audio, but in my living room, you will find a modern receiver and "newer" (gasp) speakers. There are many "which receiver" threads over at Audioholics which may be of help. I'd love to help you out with your question but I don't know much about those receivers.


Edit: By the way, why the hell didn't you ask this before black friday :D?! There were some amazing deals. I purchased a new home theater receiver for myself at half the price.
 
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