Time for a new AVR

Well, it finally happened: my onkyo has officially bit the dust (for now, pending repair assessment). This came to fruition after several months of dealing with random static in the center and all right speakers, it now jumps right to protect mode no matter what listening mode it's set to. Poor me :s

Whatever.

Here's what's up: room is set up for 7.3.2 (no, the numbers ARE correct). I'd like to maintain that. I have no idea what the budget is, but I should probably cap it at 1500ish.

Looking for suggestions. I wouldn't be opposed to separates, but that defeats the purpose of a budget. On the other hand, most of the pre-s I've seen are balanced outs and that would work well with pro amps in a rack...

Talk me into something (realistic) and back up your choice.

Bring it on!

Comments

  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,952
    I love my denon avr-x4200w, and the newer version would do everything you need. I also really liked my Yamaha adventage. The main benefit of the denon is the Audyssey XT32 which will do a make better job with your subs than the Yamaha.

    At this point really it’s between Yamaha, denon, and marantz unless you’re going for separates. Just pick the one with the features you need at the right price point and i think you’ll be happy.
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:
    Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra

    Bedroom 2.1
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
  • sgmsmg
    sgmsmg Posts: 542
    Why not buy Skips Pioneer Elite SC-99 that he has for sale? Check the for sale section.
    2 Channel
    Pre:Bryston BP173
    Amp:Bryston 14B3
    Speakers: Golden Ear Triton Reference
    Source: Oppo UDP-205, Bryston BDA-3, Bryston BDP-3, Bryston BCD-3, Apple TV, Amazon Fire
    Cables: Wireworld Gold Eclipse 7 Speaker, Wireworld Gold Eclipse 7 XLR, AQ Diamond USB/HDMI
    Power: PS Audio P10 Regenerator, AC12, AC10 and AC5 Cables
    Display: Sony XBR65Z9F

    Home Theater
    Pre: Anthem AVM90/JBL SDP-55
    Amps: Parasound A31, A51x2
    Speakers: Polk LSiM 707 (FL/FR), Polk LSiM706 (Center), LSiM 703 (SL/SR/SBL/SBR), Polk 900-LS (Atmos)
    Subwoofers: SVS SB16 x 4
    Source: Oppo UDP-205, Apple TV, Amazon Fire
    Cables: AQ Meteor/Rocket 88, AQ Niagara/Sky
    Power: Torus AVR20, Shunyata Denali, Shunyata Delta, Cullen, PangeaAC9SE Cables
    Display: Sony XBR85Z9G
  • sgmsmg wrote: »
    Why not buy Skips Pioneer Elite SC-99 that he has for sale? Check the for sale section.

    I was about to suggest the same thing. It's a killer deal if he still has it. I'm more than happy with mine.
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Looking at specs now...
  • Hey Art. What did you end up going with?
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Haven't quite yet. Been movie poor for the last week. But I have a lead on a pre pro, but unfortunately I need more pennies in the piggy bank... So in the interim, I've been looking at A4L for an entry level 7-channel for under 3 bills just to tide me over.

    Skip's options are tempting, but I'm one to do it once and I'm afraid that if I went with the SC-99, I'd be wanting more soon thereafter (sounds crazy right?). That's where the pre comes in... 13.2 control and I get to pick the amps to suit their job (thinking a couple/3 Sonus 3 channel units for surround and likely an Adcom for the main 3). Easier to update/upgrade down the road, too.

    The worst part: I'm a libra and can't make a decision to save my life, lol. So many choices!!!
  • I hear ya. It seems like no matter what you buy you could have done better.

    Good luck to you.
  • sgmsmg
    sgmsmg Posts: 542
    FYI on the SC-99. You can turn the amp section off and use it just as a pre-amp if you wanted (un-balanced only). It has 11.2 or 7.4.2 capabilities. Plus is has the best version of MCACC which I found better than the YPAO I have in my CX-A5100.
    2 Channel
    Pre:Bryston BP173
    Amp:Bryston 14B3
    Speakers: Golden Ear Triton Reference
    Source: Oppo UDP-205, Bryston BDA-3, Bryston BDP-3, Bryston BCD-3, Apple TV, Amazon Fire
    Cables: Wireworld Gold Eclipse 7 Speaker, Wireworld Gold Eclipse 7 XLR, AQ Diamond USB/HDMI
    Power: PS Audio P10 Regenerator, AC12, AC10 and AC5 Cables
    Display: Sony XBR65Z9F

    Home Theater
    Pre: Anthem AVM90/JBL SDP-55
    Amps: Parasound A31, A51x2
    Speakers: Polk LSiM 707 (FL/FR), Polk LSiM706 (Center), LSiM 703 (SL/SR/SBL/SBR), Polk 900-LS (Atmos)
    Subwoofers: SVS SB16 x 4
    Source: Oppo UDP-205, Apple TV, Amazon Fire
    Cables: AQ Meteor/Rocket 88, AQ Niagara/Sky
    Power: Torus AVR20, Shunyata Denali, Shunyata Delta, Cullen, PangeaAC9SE Cables
    Display: Sony XBR85Z9G
  • dolbyd
    dolbyd Posts: 430
    Marantz 7703 are still available new in your budget. $1499
    That would be a great pre/pro for your setup.
    Main room- RTiA9 x4, CSiA6, in ceiling Atmos RT-70 x4, SVS PC 4000 x2, Marantz 8805A, OPPO 203, Emotiva DR3 G3, Emotiva XPA-2 G3, Emotiva XPA-5 G3, Emotiva X300, Sony 75" 940E, Panasonic Plasma VT50, PS Audio Power Port X2, PS Audio AC-5 x8, AQ Rocket 33 Biwire speaker cables, AQ King Cobra XLR IC, Furman PFi20 W/Cullen cable, SoildSteel S4-4 rack, Gik room treatments

    Office- Legend L600, in ceiling Polk RC80i, Marantz 7704, OPPO 203, Pioneer Elite PDF-59 CD, PSA Stellar 300, Sony 55" 800B, Gik room treatment

    Master BR- Signature ES60, Signature S35 Center, Signature S15 Dolby Height, LSI700 in ceiling, SVS-SB4000, Marantz 5012, Emotiva XPA5 G2, OPPO 203, Pioneer DVL-919 Laser Disc, Sony 55" OLED

    Patio- SDI Atrium8 x3, Emotiva A-100 amps x3
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Time for a slight update: from this thread ( http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/180605/case-voltage#latest ) I contacted Onkyo support and confirmed the HDMI board has failed again, (it was replaced by them 3 years ago). I was then referred to an authorized repair facility "near" me and I'll be having it repaired. I understand the board is rather inexpensive so why not? As a side note, the case voltage wasn't present while testing with the case cover off... (Only ~6 vAC) Interesting. I'll have that looked into while it's in the shop just to verify.

    In the interim, @mdaudioguy graciously karmad me an Integra AVR to hold me over while I save my pennies for the separates I have in mind.
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    How'd you get a picture of my best friend?
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    The great persuader.
  • mlistens03
    mlistens03 Posts: 2,767
    If you decide to go with a pro amp for your separates, I really like my crown XLi 800 amp, 300 watts into 4 ohms, 0.5% distortion, and I think it sounds really nice. For a 7.4.2, (that would be 11 total passive speakers, right?) you could get like 5 of them and then a mono block amp, or buy another one and have a extra channel for... something else (another subwoofer? Never can have too many :lol: )
  • FestYboy
    FestYboy Posts: 3,861
    Subs are all active, and the pre I have my eyes on is 13 channel capable, so that'd be 9.4.4 (4 subs). Just for clarification, with Atmos, the configuration goes as follows: main.sub.atmos, so with the config you have posted above, you'd have 4 subs and 2 Atmos (typically front hight). With a 9. system, there will be 5 across the front. Been eyeballing a lone RTA 11tl down in b-more as a potential center to add to the 2 pair of 11t I have now... Wouldn't that look crazy!? That's a decision for later though... Need to move a wall first and decide on a projector and screen configuration, then remove a support pillar, rotate the room 90°, run all new cable, dedicated outlets, treatment, lighting, etc. I hate this hobby, too expensive!! Lol Festivas are much cheaper.
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 32,926
    nbrowser wrote: »
    Apologies for this but as a previous Onkyo owner who had a AVR come back from special service worse than when it went off...the universal Onkyo repair tool...lol


    7p0w5sjonxuo.jpg

    Funny -- I was thinking the same thing.

    That being said, if one of all y'all has an Onkyo A-7 in good shape gathering dust... well... umm... let me know, sometime, 'K? :p

    12017183446_78b4c69b64_b.jpgonkyo by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

    (even if that brochure has the dumbest tagline in the history of hifi marketing :p )
  • mlistens03
    mlistens03 Posts: 2,767
    Oh ok... I think I get it now.
    I was thinking with the sub you could do something like a sound stream car audio sub, which would be absolutely awesome (or some other passive sub).
    Either way, the idea still works, you can get a crown for each pair of speakers, but there are probably better options.