Which receiver is the better choice?

francis1967

Hello polkies.

I would be grateful for some advice. For time being, I need to leave expensive separates alone and go back to a receiver. For sake of argument, pls do not suggest separates unless you know of a prepro for under $500 that does 2 zones for both video and audio, component switching with 50Mhz bandwidth, pretty high end DACs, DTS 96/24, SACD-6-ch pre-outs, excellent 2 channel pass-through, THX cert and then minimum a 4ch high current amp to go with the prepro.

Those are my demands for my receiver as well.

My existing components that I will be using are:

LSI-9 mains bi-amped
Onix Rocket RSC-200 center speaker (aka Bigfoot..IMHO blows away LSi-C, has same tweeter)
FXi-300 surrounds (haven't amassed enough 6ch music to justify better rears and the 300s are surprisingly decent!)
LSi-7s in second room
Toshiba SD9200 dvd/cd player and Epson S1+ for projector, DIY screen
Monster powercenter HTS3500
Monster M1.2 and M2.2, plus some DIY cables.

HK Sig 2.1 high current amp for the mains and center channel, utilizing only the receiver for the rears, the second room and perhaps a second set of surrounds in the future.

After hours and hours of online searching, the above has cost me under $2500. Makes watching a movie even sweeter! :-)

So, after reading all your threads on receiver, there are basically three camps here, Denon, HK and Onkyo, so I have looked at offerings from all those manufacturers and I have come up the following receivers in the order of how they comply with my wishlist. I would like to ask you if you have certain experience with any of these and which offer best value for money. The dollar value next to the receiver is what I can get it for today.

1. Onkyo TX-NR900 ($690 shipped) was almost top model, but NR901 arrived so this one is being closed out.
2. Denon AVR-3803 ($529 shipped)
2b. Denon AVR-3805 ($789 shipped) Can't see much diff between 3803 and 3805.
3. HK AVR630 ($650 plus shipping), AVR525 falls short too many places on the wishlist
4. NAD T752 ($630 incl shipping)

I have heard rave reviews on the B&K receivers, but they are out of price range and so are the Rotels.

If I have missed any obvious choices OR if there are cheaper prices to be had, I would be grateful to hear about it. I can go with A/B stock, refurbs or used as long as it is in solid working condition.

Thanks a bunch for reading!

gregure

I would recommend going w/ the HK 630. The 630 is rated for 75wpc, but those are continuous per channel, and it sounds pretty good. For that price I would go w/ HK, as the sound processing is probably the best of the ones you mentioned, and if you're only using it to power the rears, why overpay for the Denon?
If you go w/ Onkyo, don't go w/ the 900. The 901 is a better unit, and it's more up to date.
Best of luck in your search.

Airplay355

try www.accessories4less.com and check out the new and refurbsihed marantz receivers. i bought my sr7200 there. i know i post that alot, but it's not becaus eim raving, i just think its an option thats overlooked.

there is also a refurbished h/k gear site, i think its www.harmanaudio.com

Early B.

Go with HK if you're gonna play music on it.

amulford

I'd suggest you look into a pre owned Sunfire Ultimate Receiver. Might be a little more than you want to spend right now, but worth the wait to save for it...

brody05

I have found that the Denon is a great match for Polk speakers, they just seem to complement each other nicely, and you get some $ change from the others. Denon has high quality processing as well as good power output.

francis1967

Thanks all for great feedback and info.

I will post my purchase when it is bought and hooked up. Still need some auditioning between some good suggestion from you guys.

scottnbnj

dmc has a nad t762 refurb for $699 + shipping, they're an authorized dealer. they also have a t752 blem for 549 + shipping.

i've haven't dealt with them but haven't found any flames about them either. i haven't heard either nad, but 762 looks to be an ok match for small lsi's from what i've read. there are a couple of good reviews that you can find on google.

https://dmc-electronics.com/AllProducts.asp

other than those mentioned above, arcam and cambridge might have something in your price range too.

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