Newbie A/V Receiver Advice

lawndart

I was originally going to get a Onkyo TXSR608 for my first receiver but someone brought to my attention that it doesnt have preamp outs.

I was getting it at PC Richards for $360. Is there another receiver that I should be looking at? Im willing to go $100 higher. Right now Im trying to get a pair of Monitor 70s for my fronts and will eventually get a sub, center and surrounds. Room is 10X15, pretty small living room but i want to be able to grow incase we move to a bigger place.

txcoastal1

Few more bucks but more bang for the future

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist.jsp&A=cart&Q=add&sku=684312&is=REG&addedTroughType=LP+1%5C%5CEntry&q=1

mudwrx

lawndart wrote: »

I was originally going to get a Onkyo TXSR608 for my first receiver but someone brought to my attention that it doesnt have preamp outs.

I was getting it at PC Richards for $360. Is there another receiver that I should be looking at? Im willing to go $100 higher. Right now Im trying to get a pair of Monitor 70s for my fronts and will eventually get a sub, center and surrounds. Room is 10X15, pretty small living room but i want to be able to grow incase we move to a bigger place.

Hey lawndart, I just replied to your post in the speaker forum as well; I have the 608 in a large room and it sounds awesome. It does not have pre-outs, however for me this is a non-factor. It's true the pre-outs will allow to add amps and help resale in the future, but is this what you are looking for? If you just want an AVR that sounds great, has plenty of connections (6 hdmi ins) and can drive your speakers (although maybe not to the max), I think the 608 is a good deal. The price you are getting is already below what I paid just this summer.
Good luck.

tonyb

Key here is the guy wants to grow when he moves to a bigger place. Any receiver without the pre-outs will not grow with you. Look at a pioneer used or even the 1120 is pretty feature packed.

lawndart

Expandability is what I take the pre-amps are for for an external amp later on to better power your speakers. As of right now pre-amps would be a nice feature. The price is right for the Onkyo 608 but if I can get a receiver from another company:Yamaha or Pioneer, etc that has pre-outs for the same price or ballpark then it'd be logical to go that route.

Im not married to the Onkyo 608. I've been doing some research on hear and other review sites. How would the Yamaha RXv765 compare to the Onkyo 608? How are the "voicings" shall I put it, ie warmer or in your face soundings of the Onkyos, Yamahas, and the Pioneers?

Did that make any sense?

mudwrx

tonyb wrote: »

Key here is the guy wants to grow when he moves to a bigger place. Any receiver without the pre-outs will not grow with you. Look at a pioneer used or even the 1120 is pretty feature packed.

I have no problems with him getting a better, more expensive AVR with pre-outs. I can only say what I'm hearing from my system is great, without the extra amps. Of course, I'm not an audiophile and don't need the best system in town either. But overall I'm very satisfied.

One other thing I notice on this site is everyone loves to spend other peoples money...:p

Hawkeye

There is nothing wrong with having an AVR with no preouts if you're happy with the sound and have no further desire to upgrade.

On the other hand, if one believes they may catch upgrade-itis, having preouts is a money saver in the long run. Spending a couple bucks now on a preout equipped piece will save you from having to nearly give away the non equipped model.

There is no right or wrong answer here. And yes, we love to spend other peoples money here:D:D

Gordon

txcoastal1

Correct no wrong answer...but take a breath shop a little, and if you have to wait a couple weeks to make ends meet so be it but get what You actually want...now the driving factor is if your significant other changes their mind...as I have heard many times here..."Run don't walk" hehehe...have fun

spock 2054

lawndart wrote: »

I was originally going to get a Onkyo TXSR608 for my first receiver but someone brought to my attention that it doesnt have preamp outs.

I was getting it at PC Richards for $360. Is there another receiver that I should be looking at? Im willing to go $100 higher. Right now Im trying to get a pair of Monitor 70s for my fronts and will eventually get a sub, center and surrounds. Room is 10X15, pretty small living room but i want to be able to grow incase we move to a bigger place.

If you are pairing the 70's with the Onkyo 608, you should not have a problem getting enough volume from your speakers for the different types of audio you listen to. Personally, I think having pre-outs is a little overrated - depends on your room and budget. My room is 12 X 14, and I get more than sufficient volume levels from my Onkyo 806 when listening to multi-channel audio, or movies.

The Pioneer 1020 does have some advantages over the Onkyo as far as the user interface, network connectivity and iphone integration. But, you have to weigh the features, advantages, and benefits of each receiver, and see if it works for you. I think you will be fine with the 608.

tonyb

An 806 and a 608 are 2 different animals. Bottomline is get an avr without pre-outs if your never going to drive big speaks or 4 ohm speaks. Get pre-outs if your speaker fairy in the future lands some LSI's in your lap,or otherwise you'll be buying another receiver again.

nguyendot

Ask yourself if you'll be a year down the line wishing you didn't have to buy a brand new receiver to use the pretty amp you just bought. There is your answer.

If you're part of this forum, and enjoy it, and participate... More likely than not you'll have upgrade fever when you read what people have to say. I've seen it happen time and time again. I'd dish the extra bucks for pre-outs. You'll thank yourself later.

lawndart

that's why im on here asking questions, as naive as they are and gaining knowledge from all of you. I participate in many online forums, from mountain bikes (mtbr, mtbnj) to bass guitar forums (well at least when i was in a band) to firearms forums (talkglock, sigforums).

I enjoy electronics and i love music and home audio and I'd love to chat and compare setups and opinions with others. I also tend to research (sometimes to much to the point where i should just pull the trigger).

nguyendot

Polk Forums seems to have a negative (in terms of wallet) effect on people. We're pretty good as separating you from your cash..hehehe

spock 2054

tonyb wrote: »

An 806 and a 608 are 2 different animals. Bottomline is get an avr without pre-outs if your never going to drive big speaks or 4 ohm speaks. Get pre-outs if your speaker fairy in the future lands some LSI's in your lap,or otherwise you'll be buying another receiver again.

Agreed, but the OP has a budget, and girlfriend.

dcmartinpc

Just a girlfriend? j/k I can testify that the onkyo units are great. I have had good luck with them, also the pioneer units aree very nice. If you don't see yourself upgrading in the next 2 years, I would stick with the Onkyo 608 and be happy. I have the 808 and it is an AWESOME unit, but out of your price range. They are going for around $600 refurbished. The amps in it are solid and it has preouts for all channels. But, I caught the bug, and I am not using the internal amps at all.... If you feel the 608 and the 70's will be good for a couple years, you have your answer.

Don

nguyendot

You can always save the money up..and wait. Rushing into this hobby will guarantee you some stuff:
1. dissatisfaction with what you have
2. spending more money in the long run
3. wasted time.

lawndart

nguyendot wrote: »

You can always save the money up..and wait. Rushing into this hobby will guarantee you some stuff:
1. dissatisfaction with what you have
2. spending more money in the long run
3. wasted time.

tell me about it. Bass equipment is dangerous, very dangerous.

lawndart

dcmartinpc wrote: »

Just a girlfriend? j/k I can testify that the onkyo units are great. I have had good luck with them, also the pioneer units aree very nice. If you don't see yourself upgrading in the next 2 years, I would stick with the Onkyo 608 and be happy. I have the 808 and it is an AWESOME unit, but out of your price range. They are going for around $600 refurbished. The amps in it are solid and it has preouts for all channels. But, I caught the bug, and I am not using the internal amps at all.... If you feel the 608 and the 70's will be good for a couple years, you have your answer.

Don

she's the one that gave me the ok. we were at a MUSE concert the other night and she looks at me and says, "I want a stereo." I read that as, WE want a home AV system.:D

I think im soing to have to say that you might have said the most sense. I really dont see myself upgrading for another two years or so. Plus I dont want to push my luck with the GF. I pleased as it is that she wants a new system and is willing to pay half for it.

lawndart

spock 2054 wrote: »

Agreed, but the OP has a budget, and girlfriend.

and a neighbor. I live in a duplex. Thankfully its a side by side not a one level on top of another.

nguyendot

lawndart wrote: »

and a neighbor. I live in a duplex. Thankfully its a side by side not a one level on top of another.

Muahaha.. if i had neighbors they'd think there was an earthquake every day.

mrbofus

To add my 2 cents worth and not really answer your question.
I was in a similar position as you not long ago. You will beat and bang your head trying to find the "best" receiver you can get. All you end up with is a sore head.
As stated above there is no right or wrong answer.
Shop around, gather all the advise you can get, put it in a bag and shake. Open the bag and see what fall out.
Meaning go with what you like that will suit your needs, budget and heart.
Upgrades are the norm not the exception.
I ended up with the Onkyo SR507 and havent been dissapointed for my needs. Will I upgrade in the future---probably. But for now I have music and not an empty wallet.
Let us know what you end up with. and enjoy it!
Greg

renowilliams

Welcome to the forum. One thing I would like to add is to look at the used market for an avr ie: Audiogon,e-bay,Craigslist and polk forum classifieds. There are some real gems out there that be can be had for considerably less than new. I bought my reciever used a year ago for $800.00 CND and it retailed new for a lot more new.
Good luck

djperez81

if you live in a duplex and have neighbors the 608 and the monitors should be more than enough to get your neighbors to like you:D and if you dont plan on moving for a while you should be happy with that setup. Good luck

anhchungdoan

The questions that you will need to answer to yourself:

1. Do you want an AVR for H/T application only or for dual application ( H/T and 2 channel audio) ?

2. Is your system mainly be used for watching movies ? if so, for under $600.00 new in box and A stock, I would refer you to the Yamaha RXV 1900 that can be had for under $600.00 @ Newegg.com. There you have it, all the latest codecs plus a well built HD radio and all the pre-outs that you will need for extra amps.

Of course any AVR will compromise the sound unless you go with a dedicated H/T and a 2 channel audio in 2 different set up. Adding extra amplication will improve the AVR sound but you still have to compromise the sound quality of the pre-amp section of the AVR as oppose to a dedicated pre-amp. More power does not necessary provide you a better sound quality unless the sources and upstream equipments are up to par. It's cliche' but " garbage in, garbarge out" indeed.

I have 2 old dedicated H/T systems ( Onkyo 876 and Pio SC05) and they serve my need well but for critical 2 channel audio , I prefer a simple approach with a good intergrated amp such as Krell 400Xi (SS) or Cary SLI1800.

Good luck and happy listening.

anhchungdoan

Sorry, my bad it's the Cary SLI80 not SLI1800.:eek:

Earthy

Onkyo TX-NR708 is can be had for a little more than your looking to spend. It has pre-outs and a few other nice to have features.