Looking for advice on buying a receiver

jasonb01
jasonb01 Posts: 43
edited February 2014 in Electronics
I have spent numerous hours online and can't decide what to get. I don't have much other than Best Buy to demo anything where I live and it's not a Magnolia store. I'm trying to build a 5.1 system from scratch. Room size is 16x25 with the fronts being 16' from the rears. I will be using it 90% for TV/movies. My speakers will be Rti a5's for the front. Csi a6 center, Rti a3's for the rear and Polk DSW Pro 660wi 12" sub. I am trying to stay around $1200 for a receiver and would like to buy new. I have narrowed it down to the following 3, but am open to suggestions to others in my price range. TIA!!!

Onkyo 929
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_580TXN929/Onkyo-TX-NR929.html

Denon X4000
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AVX4000/Denon-AVR-X4000.html

Pioneer SC-1523
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Pioneer%20Receivers/SC-1523-K
TV: Panasonic TC-65PS64 65" Plasma
Receiver: Denon AVR-X4000
Blue-Ray: XBOX One
CD Player: Onkyo C-7030
Fronts: Polk Rti a5
Center: Polk Csi a6
Rears: Polk Rti a3
Sub: Polk DSW PRO660wi
Post edited by jasonb01 on
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited February 2014
    Pioneer SC-1523
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  • jasonb01
    jasonb01 Posts: 43
    edited February 2014
    Any particular reason or should i just wait and see which receiver gets the first 10 votes and buy it. LOL

    I've been reading a lot about the Pioneer. For what it offers, it seems like a great deal, it's just missing the Audyssey but I've read many people like the MCACC. Thanks
    TV: Panasonic TC-65PS64 65" Plasma
    Receiver: Denon AVR-X4000
    Blue-Ray: XBOX One
    CD Player: Onkyo C-7030
    Fronts: Polk Rti a5
    Center: Polk Csi a6
    Rears: Polk Rti a3
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO660wi
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  • jasonb01
    jasonb01 Posts: 43
    edited February 2014
    Sorry, I just fixed the links in my original post.
    TV: Panasonic TC-65PS64 65" Plasma
    Receiver: Denon AVR-X4000
    Blue-Ray: XBOX One
    CD Player: Onkyo C-7030
    Fronts: Polk Rti a5
    Center: Polk Csi a6
    Rears: Polk Rti a3
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO660wi
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    edited February 2014
    If your considering a Pioneer I would choose a SC 72 over the 1523k it is heavier and a Elite AVR, between your choices I would Consider the X4000 only because of the Audyssey calibration you need to see if that Magnolia has either one to demo. The SC 72 would also be a worthy choice.
    Home Theater
    Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable

    2 Channel
    Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+

    Stuff for the Head
    JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365

    Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
    Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin B)
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited February 2014
    Even better than the 72. but a bit older. Look at the SC-55. More power, more channels, heavier than the 72 or 1523 and can be had new for same price as the 72. And yes I'm biased. I run a Pioneer. Never had a problem using MCACC. Liked it better than my Yamaha YPAO.
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  • jasonb01
    jasonb01 Posts: 43
    edited February 2014
    I drove 1.5 hours to the nearest Best Buy Magnolia store today and listened to the Denon x4000 and a Pioneer Elite 71, they didn't have the 72 to demo. They both sounded close to the same to me with the Denon having a slight edge. I also didn't care for the looks of the Elite. It looked dated to me with all of the amber. I called 2 other places that sold higher end equipment than Best Buy and they both recommended the x4000 when I told them my price range. They were dealers for Denon, but didn't have any to demo. These were very high end custom installer type places. If I had to choose right now, I don't think I could go wrong with any of them, but I think I would order the Denon. I'm planning to get everything from Crutchfield so I can always exchange it if I just hate it and I won't have to pay tax.
    TV: Panasonic TC-65PS64 65" Plasma
    Receiver: Denon AVR-X4000
    Blue-Ray: XBOX One
    CD Player: Onkyo C-7030
    Fronts: Polk Rti a5
    Center: Polk Csi a6
    Rears: Polk Rti a3
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO660wi
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited February 2014
    You've got an Anthem dealer right in Baton Rouge and 2 in Metairie. I think an MRX310 would fit the bill nicely and beat your other option in SQ. Never a bad idea to support local businesses either!


    http://www.uavnola.com/

    http://www.wilsonaudioneworleans.com/
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • heartystatue
    heartystatue Posts: 329
    edited February 2014
    Hey Jason, Welcome to CP. I personally like the Onkyo the best of your choices. Its a shame you can't demo one nearby but I can tell you that it is a built like a brick $$ithouse and to me gives the most bang for the buck. I have listened to the Pioneer Elite series and they do sound good and get a lot of love on the forum. The audessy xt32 is a big step up too. As you say mostly movies the choices are plenty. I wish you good luck as you said you can return if you no likey. Just my .02 fwiw.
    HT: LSI15, LSIC, LSIFX, Emo XPA-3:biggrin: Onkyo TXNR809, Sony BDP-S500, PannyDMP-BDT320, MIT S1 SC. Mit 73842dlp
    2ch: SDA-SRS 2.3 Fully modded. BAT VK500 w/batpak, BAT VK5I, Essence HDACC.
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  • jasonb01
    jasonb01 Posts: 43
    edited February 2014
    It's over. I just said to hell with it and placed my order. Denon x4000, 2 Polk Rti a5's for the fronts, Csi a6 center and a pair of Rti a3's for the rear. Also got the DSW PRO660wi 12" sub. Feels good! Can't wait to see those cherry Polk's in person. Says it'll be here in 3 days!! I'll be going from nothing but the built in speakers in my TV to this!

    Thanks so much for everyone's help! I'll be sure to post pics and an update on how I like everything!
    TV: Panasonic TC-65PS64 65" Plasma
    Receiver: Denon AVR-X4000
    Blue-Ray: XBOX One
    CD Player: Onkyo C-7030
    Fronts: Polk Rti a5
    Center: Polk Csi a6
    Rears: Polk Rti a3
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO660wi
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  • heartystatue
    heartystatue Posts: 329
    edited February 2014
    Congrats on your purchase. Please let us know how you like it. Don't forget to use good quality speaker wire with the new Polks. Quality being the key word here.
    HT: LSI15, LSIC, LSIFX, Emo XPA-3:biggrin: Onkyo TXNR809, Sony BDP-S500, PannyDMP-BDT320, MIT S1 SC. Mit 73842dlp
    2ch: SDA-SRS 2.3 Fully modded. BAT VK500 w/batpak, BAT VK5I, Essence HDACC.
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  • jeto
    jeto Posts: 17
    edited February 2014
    jasonb01 wrote: »
    It's over. I just said to hell with it and placed my order. Denon x4000, 2 Polk Rti a5's for the fronts, Csi a6 center and a pair of Rti a3's for the rear. Also got the DSW PRO660wi 12" sub. Feels good! Can't wait to see those cherry Polk's in person. Says it'll be here in 3 days!! I'll be going from nothing but the built in speakers in my TV to this!

    Thanks so much for everyone's help! I'll be sure to post pics and an update on how I like everything!

    Denon, good choice, was looking at the Denon 4520. Expensive, ouch
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited February 2014
    It may be too late but not sure if you knew about this:

    http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVRX4000/DENON-AVR-X4000-7.2-4K-Ultra-HD-Networking-Receiver-w/AirPlay/1.html

    That's a considerable savings over the one from Crutchfield.

    You may not be comfortable buying a refurbished product. I purchased one from them 2 years ago and it has worked flawlessly with daily use.
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • jasonb01
    jasonb01 Posts: 43
    edited February 2014
    I saw it, and while I know I'm being silly, I just couldn't pull the trigger on the refurb.
    TV: Panasonic TC-65PS64 65" Plasma
    Receiver: Denon AVR-X4000
    Blue-Ray: XBOX One
    CD Player: Onkyo C-7030
    Fronts: Polk Rti a5
    Center: Polk Csi a6
    Rears: Polk Rti a3
    Sub: Polk DSW PRO660wi
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited February 2014
    FYI
    Most refurbs are open box or overstock not repaired units

    Jason we (audio guys) purchased used and swap gear all the time

    90% of the gear in my signature is used except my home theater but that's a different story. If I dont have to pay full price I won't
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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