I want a great Receiver for under $500...I have zero care for 3D support but...

stangjason

I would like great video upconversion. I've taken a liking to the Denon 3310CI and the Pioneer line but I still love my H/K which has zero HDMI ports :frown:.

ben62670

Get another HK from the HK direct store on Ebay. A little patience goes a long way for getting a killer deal on there.
Happy hunting
Ben

polkfarmboy

stangjason wrote: »

I would like great video upconversion. I've taken a liking to the Denon 3310CI and the Pioneer line but I still love my H/K which has zero HDMI ports :frown:.

Forget HK and up the money by $250 for a pioneer elite sc25 with ice amps , I think youl want somthing better than a $500 receiver

Pioneer sc elite is the next level in performance before youd start getting into separates ,not mention it having awesome resale value for when you do make that jump again . You could buy a sc25 for $750 ,own it for over a year and only loose $50

BluBitRates

I did not need any patience at the hk store. At the time they were selling alot of the stereo receiver i was looking at. I got one (+$30 of the lowest i saw them selling at) and it was a great receiver (well the first one went bad in the first month but the second one they sent us was aces). They only put a few of that receiver on now and it sells for $100 more than i payed for it. But check out the other namebrands too. Go really cheap if you plan to ad an amp (dont forget the pre-outs duhh)

BluBitRates

Lol polk farmboy i erased part of my post before i posted. I am also a loyal pioneer follower. I agree i bet in 5 years it will still take $450+ to pick up a used sc25. Great buy

stangjason

BluBitRates wrote: »

I did not need any patience at the hk store. At the time they were selling alot of the stereo receiver i was looking at. I got one (+$30 of the lowest i saw them selling at) and it was a great receiver (well the first one went bad in the first month but the second one they sent us was aces). They only put a few of that receiver on now and it sells for $100 more than i payed for it. But check out the other namebrands too. Go really cheap if you plan to ad an amp (dont forget the pre-outs duhh)

please link this Harman Kardon store I can't seem to find it and my wife is on my case about being obsessive compulsive...thanks :biggrin:

tonyb

How many times are you going to ask the same question my man ?

AsSiMiLaTeD

First thing I would do is visit your local Best Buy and see if they happen to have any of the previous Pioneer Elite receivers still around, as an open box maybe. These would be the VSX-21 or 23 or the more expensive SC models.

If you happen to luck out and find one, both the VSX models will likely be at or below $500, and both are excellent receivers. It's REALLY hard to beat those receivers at anything near their price. Also, the 9040 is the same as the 21, so keep that in mind should you find one of those.

Finding one will be unlikely, but I'd start there, the Best Buy over by me had one of each a couple weeks ago...

You could also always try finding one used, like this one - http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Sealed-Receiver-Pioneer-Elite-VSX-21TXH-/170567880015?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item27b6a34d4f

Beyond that I'm not sure what to tell you, I'm a big fan of Pioneer Elite in general but I have no experience with the current models so I can't speak for those. I can tell you that they don't have multi-channel analog inputs which is a deal breaker for me. In their current line though, I wouldn't even consider anything below the VSX-32, as the lower 2 models have a weaker amp section, take a look at the weight on the 30 and 31 and then on the 32, six pounds of extra amps basically.

If you have questions on specific models let us know.

AsSiMiLaTeD

tonyb wrote: »

How many times are you going to ask the same question my man ?

In fairness to him, he asked this once before but that thread quickly morphed into "you shouldn't get a receiver you should get a new BDP and a harmony remote instead", so I can understand him creating a new clean thread for discussion of the actual question he originally had.

tonyb

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

In fairness to him, he asked this once before but that thread quickly morphed into "you shouldn't get a receiver you should get a new BDP and a harmony remote instead", so I can understand him creating a new clean thread for discussion of the actual question he originally had.

Look again, I count 4 threads started about receivers.

B Run

I like my 1120 for video up-conversion and features. The sc is definitely a better series if you can afford it.

stangjason

tonyb wrote: »

Look again, I count 4 threads started about receivers.

My apologies but sometimes it's not the question you ask but the way you ask it. I thought it might bring out someone that knew about a banging great deal on a little older model.


Wow 4 I hadn't realized it :redface:

stangjason

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

First thing I would do is visit your local Best Buy and see if they happen to have any of the previous Pioneer Elite receivers still around, as an open box maybe. These would be the VSX-21 or 23 or the more expensive SC models.

If you happen to luck out and find one, both the VSX models will likely be at or below $500, and both are excellent receivers. It's REALLY hard to beat those receivers at anything near their price. Also, the 9040 is the same as the 21, so keep that in mind should you find one of those.

Finding one will be unlikely, but I'd start there, the Best Buy over by me had one of each a couple weeks ago...

You could also always try finding one used, like this one - http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Sealed-Receiver-Pioneer-Elite-VSX-21TXH-/170567880015?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item27b6a34d4f

Beyond that I'm not sure what to tell you, I'm a big fan of Pioneer Elite in general but I have no experience with the current models so I can't speak for those. I can tell you that they don't have multi-channel analog inputs which is a deal breaker for me. In their current line though, I wouldn't even consider anything below the VSX-32, as the lower 2 models have a weaker amp section, take a look at the weight on the 30 and 31 and then on the 32, six pounds of extra amps basically.

If you have questions on specific models let us know.

Thanks I believe this gives me more details about the Elites that I've been seeking. I really want something with a robust amp(s) because I know if I don't I'll really miss my H/K and regret my purchase.

stangjason

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I wouldn't even consider anything below the VSX-32, as the lower 2 models have a weaker amp section, take a look at the weight on the 30 and 31 and then on the 32, six pounds of extra amps basically.

If you have questions on specific models let us know.

I've seen weight mentioned in more than one thread. Is weight a good determining factor when it comes to how good the amp is in a receiver? If so my H/K 635 must have an amazing amp because it weighs in at around 40lbs. I've also noticed a lot of receivers weighing in at around 20lbs including Denons which I thought were known for their clean powerful amplifiers.

Oh btw what about the Denon 3310CI. Is it a good receiver for the money? I think I can get a used one but hopefully a refurb (I like refurbs as I feel their defects have been fixed) for under $500.

Face

I've had a couple of HK refurbs and never had an issue.

Mattcc22

I love my Pioneer Elite. The lower line Elite receivers such as the VSX30 can be found for under $500 and they are heavier than the standard line so should have better amp section.

nguyendot

Mattcc22 wrote: »

I love my Pioneer Elite. The lower line Elite receivers such as the VSX30 can be found for under $500 and they are heavier than the standard line so should have better amp section.

Incorrect sir.

Compare the VSX32 to the 1120k. Tell me if the amp sections are any different. They aren't.

stangjason

Would the Denon 3310 be a better choice than yhe 1120?

mdaudioguy

stangjason wrote: »

Would the Denon 3310 be a better choice than yhe 1120?

How about Ford or Chevy? Honda or Toyota? You're splitting hairs here. The only way to know is to check them out yourself. The Chevy guys are gonna tell you Chevy... know what I mean?

stangjason

mdaudioguy wrote: »

How about Ford or Chevy? Honda or Toyota? You're splitting hairs here. The only way to know is to check them out yourself. The Chevy guys are gonna tell you Chevy... know what I mean?

Sony = Suzuki
Pioneer = Ford/Chevy
Denon = BMW - Good power and handling but cares more about bells and whistles
H/K = Mercedes - lots of power and great handling just not a lot of bells and whistles
Marantz = Bentley

That's the best guess I can make right now.

pearsall001

stangjason wrote: »

Sony = Suzuki
Pioneer = Ford/Chevy
Denon = BMW - Good power and handling but cares more about bells and whistles
H/K = Mercedes - lots of power and great handling just not a lot of bells and whistles
Marantz = Bentley

That's the best guess I can make right now.

You forgot one...

NAD / Space Shuttle!!! It leaves simple cars in it's wake.

ROHfan

I just bought a Denon avr1611 and although it doesn't have video processing, it sounds absolutely brilliant. After running Audyssey I popped in "So" by Peter Gabriel. The sound stage was so huge I had to keep getting up to make sure the center and front height speakers weren't on! I was upgrading from an older Kenwood avr and although I knew it would sound better I didn't think it would be this good. Nice to know my R50 mains can sound so sweet and pack so much punch. I highly recommend Denon.

Oh yeah, I got the receiver on Amazon refurbed for $235. Bonus!

stangjason

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

If you happen to luck out and find one, both the VSX models will likely be at or below $500, and both are excellent receivers. It's REALLY hard to beat those receivers at anything near their price. Also, the 9040 is the same as the 21, so keep that in mind should you find one of those.

I have found a 9040 for sale for about what I paid for the 1120. Do you think it's worth returning the 1120 and purchase the 9040?

Please anyone feel free to chime in with their advise.

tonyb

In short,no.

Glowrdr

Check out post # 4 - this has all of the 1120 advantages over the 9040. It's quite a bit actually, so I would definately say the 1120 trumps in this showdown as well.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65606

stangjason

Glowrdr wrote: »

Check out post # 4 - this has all of the 1120 advantages over the 9040. It's quite a bit actually, so I would definately say the 1120 trumps in this showdown as well.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65606

Look at #10 but that guy had nothing to back up his statement so I'll leave it as untrue but something worth a google.

One comment said the 9040 had the same amp as the 1020k and down but not the same as the 1120k. This makes me wonder since the 9040 has an AB class amp which is a pretty good combo I've read. Also if the 1120k doesn't have the same amp as the 9040 what kind of amp does it have? I will do a google search and see for myself.

Glowrdr

I guess I haven't researched the 9040, but since he acknowledges that the 1120 is the "flagship" of the pio (not elite) line - I'd reason that he assumed / knew that the amp in the 1120 was different (but better)

I believe it is the same though as the rest of the models if it isn't actually any better. Either way, all leads to the same conclusion. The 9040 is the same at the 1020 (which is a model below the 1120 in terms of features)

AsSiMiLaTeD

Some clarification is needed here...

I've had the 920, 1020, 9040, 21, 23, and 1120 all in my home at some point now.

The 1020 is closer to the 920 than the others listed, it's basically a 920 with better scaling, true 24p playback, and maybe another feature or two. The amp section (what really matters) is the same quality as the 920.

So the 920 and 1020 are in the same class to me.

The 9040 is the same as the 21. The 23 adds some features and maybe a tad more amplification, but overall I'd say the amps are about the same.

The 1120 is comparable to the 9040/21 models, and adds a few features (most of which are internet or bluetooth crap that I don't care about. The notable addition is 3D, which I also don't care about. The one feature MISSING from the 1120 and it's Elite counterpart (33 I think) is multi-channel inputs. If you care about hi-rez audio and have a good player then this matters to you.

The exclusion of multi-channel inputs is a deal breaker for me because it means I can't use my excellent Denon 3910 or the new Oppo for SACD playback (well I can, but I have to use the DACs in the receiver which aren't as good as in the source).

If the 9040 you found is about the same price as the 1120 and you don't care about the multi-channel inputs then just keep the 1120. If the 9040 is cheaper or you want to add a high end SACD player to the mix (doubtful since you're looking for a $500 receiver) then grab the 9040.

stangjason

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Some clarification is needed here...

I've had the 920, 1020, 9040, 21, 23, and 1120 all in my home at some point now.

The 1020 is closer to the 920 than the others listed, it's basically a 920 with better scaling, true 24p playback, and maybe another feature or two. The amp section (what really matters) is the same quality as the 920.

So the 920 and 1020 are in the same class to me.

The 9040 is the same as the 21. The 23 adds some features and maybe a tad more amplification, but overall I'd say the amps are about the same.

The 1120 is comparable to the 9040/21 models, and adds a few features (most of which are internet or bluetooth crap that I don't care about. The notable addition is 3D, which I also don't care about. The one feature MISSING from the 1120 and it's Elite counterpart (33 I think) is multi-channel inputs. If you care about hi-rez audio and have a good player then this matters to you.

The exclusion of multi-channel inputs is a deal breaker for me because it means I can't use my excellent Denon 3910 or the new Oppo for SACD playback (well I can, but I have to use the DACs in the receiver which aren't as good as in the source).

If the 9040 you found is about the same price as the 1120 and you don't care about the multi-channel inputs then just keep the 1120. If the 9040 is cheaper or you want to add a high end SACD player to the mix (doubtful since you're looking for a $500 receiver) then grab the 9040.

Have you ever listened to the Onkyo 708, 807 or equivalent? If so how do they compare to the Pioneer 1120?