To Get a new Receiver or Not

mrloren

Hello,

i currently have the Sony ES as my main receiver in my sig. I have been saving my nickles and dimes ($500) for a new Onkyo to replace it. I got the 626 when I had a problem with the Sony, had to have something while it was getting fixed for a month. I like the Onkyo better on movies than the Sony but it does not hold up to music like the Sony. My usage is about 70% movies and 30% hard 70/80's rock.

Right now on Amazon I can get either the 646 for $395 or the 747 for $479. Both have more power than the 626 and have DTS-X and Atmos. The 747 is THX cert, does this make a difference or is it marketing?

I am kind of leaning for the 747
https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-NR747-175-Watt-7-2-Channel-Bluetooth/dp/B00WM1V82E/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1479778882&sr=1-6&keywords=onkyo+receiver

The 646 doesn't look that bad but would it leave me lacking in music?
https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-NR646-7-2-Channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B00WM1V9KU/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1479778882&sr=1-2&keywords=onkyo+receiver

I saw this but it is out of my budget of $500
https://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-RZ800-7-2-Channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B00ZQMO76A/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1479778882&sr=1-4&keywords=onkyo+receiver

Is there another receiver I should be looking at in my budget?

motorhead43026

Oinkers are junk. Look for a used Marantz, Denon, Yamaha. Better yet, save your coin for any of the for mentioned new.

Upstatemax

AVR's that are good for Music and HT, I've found Denon and the Pioneer SC Elite AVRs to fit the bill quite nicely.

Everyone I've convinced to move away from Onkyo has been very, very happy with the change.

mrloren

HMMM save for another year? maybe I can the Sony does work well.

I liked the Onkyo 626 I have. I had to get it in a pinch and picked it up for $249. does great on movies just doesn't have the punch for music.

One of the main things I am looking at is DTS-X and atmos. My family room is setup with in ceiling speakers for the front high and surround

Nightfall

Save your nickles and dimes a little longer, refurb $1,200 AVR for $699

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa1050bl/yamaha-rx-a1050-7.2-ch-x-110-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html#!specifications

Two gens older $450

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-Aventage-RX-A1030-7-2-Channel-AirPlay-Receiver-Bundle-/232078472637?hash=item3608f475bd:g:LCgAAOSwRgJXgc4B

Used makes the most sense for AVR's IMO. AVR's really plummet in value quickly.

jeremymarcinko

That Aventage 1030 is a really nice avr and a steal at the refurb price.

mrloren

in budget https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSXLX101-Networked-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B01DMW90SA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479781828&sr=8-1&keywords=Elite+VSX-LX101

The main reason it has to Amazon is rather simple.

In my house any new audio or woodwork tools do not meet the wife factor. so when I get a few extra bucks I get and Amazon gift card and dump it in my account. over time these build up and wife never sees it. New AVR or tool shows up wife nags a bit but it doesn't come out of checking so she forgets about it.

rooftop59

Accessories4less often sells returbs on amazon fyi...

mrloren

rooftop59 wrote: »

Accessories4less often sells returbs on amazon fyi...

so If you were going to get a receiver for $500 what would you get?

I worked at Sony for 17 years and am a little gun shy on referb.

mrloren

Rick88 wrote: »

Also, keep in mind that there will be some great deals to be had this week with black Friday and all.

That is why I am looking now...... and I just hit the football pool for another $100.

The Yamaha 850 looks like I might have to make a trip to Fry's and give a listen.

rooftop59

I love my Yamaha, but I would take either or the marantzs over that particular Yamaha. Does that Yamaha even have preouts?

jeremymarcinko

I believe it does, but I agree. The step up to the 10xx isn't small. I don't think I could be happy with it.

mrloren

I was looking at the 1050 but it's $699, that's $200 over budget.

I will keep looking. It's not like I am in a spot for an AVR either. My Sony still sounds great. I just went over the $500 in Amazon git cards and thought I would start looking at a new AVR with DTS and Atmos before I blow it on more saw blades and router bits.

Then big thing is the Onkyo 626 sounds soo much better in movies than my Sony. That is why I was looking at the newer ones.

Nightfall

Are you planning on putting speakers in your ceiling?

You've been saving for this long, what's a little longer?

mrloren

Nightfall wrote: »

Are you planning on putting speakers in your ceiling?

You've been saving for this long, what's a little longer?

Already have in-ceiling front high and my surrounds are in-ceiling too.

I have another hobby in woodworking, saw blades and router bit are not cheap either. If it was not for that hobby I would have been able to get the 1050 a few months ago.

papatom

I agree what others have said - no Onkyo. I upgraded from an Onkyo TX-NR555 to a Marantz SR7009 (right now $749 on accessories4less.com) and the difference blew my mind. Night and day.

Mikey081057

Marantz AVR's on sale at http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MASR7010

codycatalist

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Marantz AVR's on sale at http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MASR7010

I wants it so bads.

decal

Be patient, wait awhile and get what you really want. If you rush to just have something new, you will probably never be satisfied with it. Believe me, it happened to me!!!!!

tonyb

Agreed, save for what you really want. Look around the house, in the garage, sell stuff your not using and put it into the new receiver kitty. An Old bike, power tools, kids toys, anything of value and put it on craigslist. Birthdays and Holidays, ask for one thing in that direction and you'll be there in no time.

mrloren

I am going to try to save more. Kind of hard with Christmas coming and I have a couple of woodworking projects to make for Christmas.

I agree to not to rush into anything. I was looking before my little nest egg I was able to stash goes to other things.

The Yamaha 850 looks good but no DTS-X so it would be the 1050. Thing that sucks is I was able already to stash in Amazon gift cards enough to get the 850...@ $499
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa1050bl/yamaha-rx-a1050-7.2-ch-x-110-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

Need a little more for that one. Just have to wait and see if the price drops

acmf74

For a little more you can pick up a NAD. I have the 757 and enjoy it.

https://www.amazon.com/NAD-748-v2-Surround-Receiver/dp/B00HZW7ADQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479834473&sr=8-1&keywords=nad+receiver+7.1

mrloren

I was just checking the referb Yamaha on Amazon

RX-A860 is $639
RX-A760 is $449

Is the difference between the two worth the $190

Nightfall

You want the 10xx model.

mrloren

Nightfall wrote: »

You want the 10xx model.

why?

Other than sub I don't use pre-outs

Nightfall

Symmetrical amplifier layout, anti vibration damping, better power supply, mo betta' sound as it were.

The triple digit models are similar if not the same as their RX-V counterparts.

mrloren

Cool thanks.

I think I am set on getting the Yamaha RX-A1050. bummer is it's the only one Amazon doesn't have on referb.

I went to Fry's and got a listen on some RTiA5 with a RX-V Receiver, it had a more warm sound to it than my Sony. I like it better on the TSX440T which. I got a listen on the RX-A1060 on some higher end speakers and it did rock. While I was there I checked out the Onkyo 757 and it was lacking in music just like my 626 does.

rpf65

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa1050bl/yamaha-rx-a1050-7.2-ch-x-110-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

Here you go.

Nightfall

He's got all his money on an Amazon account, bought with small gift card purchases over a course of time to hide it from his wife.

mrloren

I wouldn't go as far to say "hide". i would say not to let her know I have it.

When I fix a PC or home network I just tell them to pay me in gift cards if they can or cash. Same for when I build something for someone.

I did the same with Lowe's gift cards till I had enough for a Delta Table saw... oh my when she saw that in the garage

the 760, 850 and 860 are on Amazon in referbs from accessories, just not the 1050

mrloren

Happy Thanksgiving.

Had a busy day yesterday, had to make an Ikea run with the wife so I dropped her off and went to Fry's for a bit. I like both the Marantz and Yamaha receivers. When we got home I went to Best Buy and did another listen, hard for me to decide which one to get. Now to top it off Amazon has the Refurb RX-A1050.

So here is what I have narrowed it down to

Marantz SR5010 it's $499 and in budget has Atmos and DTS-X

Yamaha RX-A1050 it's $699 and a little out of budget

Marantz SR6010 it's $699 and a little out of budget

So do I stay in budget and get the SR5010 or go for broke and get the bigger receiver?

Think there will be any sale on the refurbs is the Christmas season?

Watched Independence Day 2 last night. The Sony still holds up nicely.

Enjoy the turkey and football