Suggestions for AVR - mission impossible?

dromunds

I've talked to a few of you in the past about AVR recommendations for a friend of mine, but the time is coming for a decision so I thought I'd throw it out for suggestions from the group before I make the move.

Some time ago, I offered to help this guy put together a budget HT for a man cave in a new house he's building. I've regretted this more than once since then, mostly because his budget is almost a mission impossible. He bought a Sony XBR-65" 850D TV. I have no experience with 4K but I've come to realize his AVR will need 4K pass-thru and HDCP 2.2 I guess, which I did not anticipate when he gave me his AVR budget. He doesn't care about pre-outs, he'll never use an amp with the AVR.

I've been looking at Accessories4less for awhile, but now I'm hearing some things that have me a bit concerned. Is a refurbished AVR from A4L the way to go? I have some experience with Pioneer Elite, so they're definitely being considered, and I'm also considering Denon and Yamaha, or Marantz. Here's the kicker: he's given me a budget for the AVR not to exceed $400. I know many will say go to him and get more money, I already went to him and pleaded for more, no dice. It may be $500 by the time I pull the trigger but he keeps telling me how other stuff in his new house is going over budget, so recommendations in the $400-$500 ballpark would be greatly appreciated.

He'll likely be running a vintage Polk system consisting of RT-16 fronts, CS350LS center, LS/FX surrounds and a Polk sub. Kinda small room, 16 X 12. I would appreciate any thoughts on what AVR would be best for him given these facts. I anticipate this guy will not be playing much music, almost all movies and TV but he may play some music, and like I said he's not an audiophile although he seems to appreciate good sound when he hears it. Maybe he's the fortunate one, never heard of the rabbit hole and rubs the nickel until the buffalo's raw. Lol. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Specific makes and models currently available from A4L or elsewhere would be very much appreciated. Let me know if questions. Thanks again.

afterburnt

I don't like A4L, I had issues with them about a small purchase, so small that the acted like I was wasting their time. I would go to Best Buy, they never gave me any problems with exchanges and returns. That being said, I have had good luck with 2 less expensive and 2 more expensive Yamaha AVR's. I think that the RXV-467 (I think) that I had served me well with Polk Monitor 40's and 30's. I imagine that the current RXV-4XX series is in that price range. The inexpensive Pioneer that I have in my dumpster system was nothing but problems (still runs with half the HDMI's busted).

voltz

I recommend a friend to A4L and the marantz he got went out on him in 2 months time, he just now had to send it out to a dealer in KC who said he fixes a lot of A4L stuff.

He using my old Denon for now.

Willow

Why not just hdmi to TV from Source to get 4k and then hdmi to any NON 4K or optical to avr? He's not running 7.1 or atmos.

Nightfall

Willow wrote: »

Why not just hdmi to TV from Source to get 4k and then hdmi to any NON 4K or optical to avr? He's not running 7.1 or atmos.

That assumes his source(s) are dual HDMI out.

Maybe just source to TV then optical out on TV to non 4K AVR.

dromunds

I am new to 4K, and I am open to getting a better non 4K AVR, source to TV and hdmi or optical to AVR. Suggestions for make/model in that price range would be appreciated.

rpf65

I've bought from A4L, and had no problems. AVR looked and preformed flawlessly.

This will probably work:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr5010/marantz-sr5010-7.2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

This wold be better:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr6010/marantz-sr6010-7.2-ch-x-110-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

afterburnt

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/yamaha-aventage-665w-7-2-ch-network-ready-4k-ultra-hd-and-3d-pass-through-a-v-home-theater-receiver-black/5081600.p?skuId=5081600&extStoreId=&ref=212&loc=DWA&ksid=831f6c06-31ac-4b5b-b341-3c3a8c8d779c&ksprof_id=3&ksaffcode=pg233445&ksdevice=c&lsft=ref:212,loc:2&gclid=Cj0KEQjw8tbHBRC6rLS024qYjtEBEiQA7wIDeYRQSJaRL230iRBi0QlcpkkysmJmJ1lJVd7YTv2hrboaAlfV8P8HAQ

afterburnt

Hell I wish I had bought this

dromunds

I saw that advertised on Slickdeals I think.

rooftop59

I really liked my nr1403. A newer one with 4K pass through would probably do the trick...

kharp1

Willow wrote: »

Why not just hdmi to TV from Source to get 4k and then hdmi to any NON 4K or optical to avr? He's not running 7.1 or atmos.

I agree. If 4k reciever isn't the budget get a decent used receiver. HDMI is nice for certain reasons, but, isn't necessary for decent surround sound. Run the HDMI direct to TV and upgrade down the road as money premits.

dromunds

Thanks fellas.

Mikey081057

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr5011/marantz-sr5011-7.2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html
Current Model ,,, Preouts 4K ultra

rooftop59

Mikey081057 wrote: »

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr5011/marantz-sr5011-7.2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html
Current Model ,,, Preouts 4K ultra

Even though it's a little over budget, if I was gonna spend around 500 that would be at then top of my list.

This would also be there: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamtsr7810/yamaha-tsr-7810-7.2-ch-x-95-watts-networking-a/v-receiver-same-as-rx-v781/1.html

Mikey081057

That is a nice deal too.

I have had both Yamaha and Marantz AVR's

I do prefer Audessy over YPAO and the overall Marantz Sound.

rooftop59

Mikey081057 wrote: »

That is a nice deal too.

I have had both Yamaha and Marantz AVR's

I do prefer Audessy over YPAO and the overall Marantz Sound.

I do prefer Audyssey, but my rx-a1010 sounds pretty darn good, definitely as good if not better than my old nr-1403. Now I am comparing a higher end yammie with an entry level marantz, but there it is FWIW...

dromunds

What are the significant differences between the Yammy TSR-7790 and the TSR-7810? Same question concerning Marantz 5010 and 5011? They are approximately fifty-sixty clams price difference... If he could get me a bit more scratch I've also considered the Pioneer Elite SC-91 which is about the same price as the Marantz 5011. Any particular benefit to any one of the above brand at that price range? Or is it personal preference as to sound signature as I assume these three brands are quite dependable quality-wise. Thanks again.

rpf65

I may be wrong, but the only difference I can think of is you have to do a firm ware update on the 5010 for ATMOS and DTS:X.

mrloren

I have two A4L Marantz SR5010.

1st one on my main system is about 5 months now and am liking it a lot, much better than that over sized, over weight, over priced Sony ES.

2nd one a friend who liked my system got one but could not dial it in. I found this is not a plug and play AVR, once setup it rocks. He didn't like it at all so he traded me my Sony for the SR5010. I now have that all dialed in for the bedroom HT. This one my friend said came in a Marantz box and has no "referb" sticker on it. The Marantz I got from A4L was in a plain brown box and has a "Referb" sticker.

I have not had a problem with either two. They just did the firmware upgrade this weekend and do sound better.