Upgrading AVR unit...help me choose??

Mak06053

I have an older entry model Onkyo 5.1. I am looking at a Onkyo TX-NR616 7.2 unit or a Harman Kardon 3600-Z 7.1. Any thoughts or other ideas? I don't really need a 7. System but they are most modern up to date units with 1.4HDMI and plenty of connections.... Thank you!!!!

Ps. These are refurbished units around $400 which is my high end of budget. Also just purchased polk TSI-300s towers and center CS 20 in cherry....wow They are nice looking!

polkfarmboy

Rule of thumb around the forum Mak is go for an AVR that has pre outs to an external amp later on. For sure you could buy an onkyo that does not have them but eventually you may go to upgrade and have to sell it and you wont get any of your investment back. Adding amps is great as things change, you may get power hungry speakers or just want to have a different type of sound and an amp can do this for you

deronb1

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Rule of thumb around the forum Mak is go for an AVR that has pre outs to an external amp later on. For sure you could buy an onkyo that does not have them but eventually you may go to upgrade and have to sell it and you wont get any of your investment back. Adding amps is great as things change, you may get power hungry speakers or just want to have a different type of sound and an amp can do this for you

+1000 ^^^^ Eventhough you need 100 posts to buy here, stick around and ask questions. 100 posts add up quickly and by the time you get there, you may have enough info to really zero in on a piece. There are plenty of quality AVRs sold here by quality people who stand behind their gear. I have no doubt you could find a great AVR on the "For Sale" thread, and for a whole lot less than 400.00.

Mak06053

Thanks for the info....my problem is I'm a impulse buyer, just like with the 300's and 20....both half off original price on amazon....I tried not to but broke down in less than 8hrs and bought..lol

deronb1

Mak06053 wrote: »

Thanks for the info....my problem is I'm a impulse buyer, just like with the 300's and 20....both half off original price on amazon....I tried not to but broke down in less than 8hrs and bought..lol

Yeah, I think we all suffer a bit from that bug. Look at it this way. You could spend 300-400 now on a new AVR that does not have preouts, which might satisfy for a while. Then you find a great deal on a pair of larger speakers that require more power. So now you are in a situation where you have to either power your new awsome speakers with inadequate power, severly limiting their potential. Or, you would have to sell the AVR, get a new one with preouts and buy an amp. If you wait and get a quality AVR with preouts, then all you would have to do is add an amp.

ken brydson

DSkip wrote: »

Mak, used market is your friend if you're on a budget. Find yourself something like an Onkyo 805/806 and you should be set.

Or Pio SC series...

Mak06053

Well looks like I wait then....lol for awhile anyways

Mak06053

I have an older pair of aiwa bookshelf speakers. Can I use them instead of the small onkyos that came with my surround system?

Mak06053

Sorry for all the newbie ?s but I don't know jack about this, but love my music, etc and like it loud and clear...

Mak06053

Can I use the color coded wires that came with HTIB on my 300's and 20 or should I be buying heavier wire????

ROHfan

Mak06053 wrote: »

Can I use the color coded wires that came with HTIB on my 300's and 20 or should I be buying heavier wire????

I don't think you will notice a difference at that level. +34,577 what's been said above. I would have save lots of money if I would have just bought an AVR with preouts first. If you do the same you will be way ahead of the game.