Advice on Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, or HK Reciever for Polk Speakers

bglinkerman
bglinkerman Posts: 15
edited December 2011 in Electronics
Hey Guys,

So I currently have:

2x Polk Monitor 70's
2x Polk Monitor 30's
1x Polk CS20
1x HSU STF2

I'm looking for an amp powerful enough to push all of these speakers and right around the $700 range. Features I require are multi-zone (at least 2 zones), 3D ready, Ethernet, 7.1 channels. Features I'd like are THX certified, DLNA, automatic calibration, LFE, and at least 6 HDMI in.

The receivers I'm considering are:

Pioneer Elite VSX-52
Harmon Kardon AVR 3650
Onkyo TX-NR609/709/809

I'm leaning more towards the Pioneer and second choice would be the Onkyo 809 but was looking for thoughts or opinions form anyone who may own any of these devices or the speakers, or who can comment on the quality between the companies, etc.

Thanks In Advance!
Brad
Post edited by bglinkerman on
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Comments

  • GZ
    GZ Posts: 343
    edited December 2011
    Sound & Vision gave the Pioneer a 9 out of 10 rating. You can read the full review here:

    http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/test-report-pioneer-elite-vsx-52-av-receiver

    It doens't mention anything about being 3D ready so that may be a deal breaker for you.

    FWIW, I have an older Denon powering my RT7's, CS400i, RT35i's and PSW450 in the recroom rig and it does an excellent job. I have a 5 year old Pioneer Elite 84 in the family room and I really like it too.
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  • bglinkerman
    bglinkerman Posts: 15
    edited December 2011
    Hey GZ, thanks for the info. I saw that article too which is one of the reasons I'm leaning towards it. I looked that AVR up on their website and the site says it's 3D Ready so I think I'm ok there. I'm glad to hear you like your pioneer, that's always a plus. Thanks
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  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited December 2011
    GZ: "3d readiness" is referenced in the second paragraph of the review.
    BGlink: I have never owned a Pioneer but they seem to be well liked. Just keep in mind that Pioneer does not authorize ANY online dealers for the elite line. I read that somewhere and then checked it out for myself. Since I buy all of my stuff online, that is a deal breaker for me.

    Good luck!
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
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  • bglinkerman
    bglinkerman Posts: 15
    edited December 2011
    I read that about Pioneer too. Very disappointing. However, i checked the price at best buy and it's over a $1000. So if I go with the Pioneer I'd still probably get it online and then buy a thrid-party warranty. The company I've looked at before will cover for 5 years for about $99. Thanks
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  • GZ
    GZ Posts: 343
    edited December 2011
    Jeez, I just reread the review. Must have had a senior moment when I got to the 3D readiness part. Sorry.
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