What receiver would you buy?

C J T

Ok...I thought i would start a new thread in addition to my previous one. As mentioned my system at the moment is:

Front speakers: Polk Rti12
Centre: Polk CSi40
Rears: Polk RTi28
Sub PSW404

DVD player is a Panasonic F85 TV is a 32 " Panasonic TAO.

My receiver now is a Panasonic SA-HE 200. Obviously my weakest link.

Now I know I will get numerous opinions but I would really like to hear what receiver you guys would buy. I am leaning towards Harman Kardon but not sure which model # and what each one does and what i should be looking for. I want to keep it a HT set up.. I know my 12's would like a 2 channel amp, maybe i can add this later.

I don't want to spend thousands. Maybe up to $1500.

Thanks guys.

gatemplin

If you can swing it, check out the Outlaw 950 preamp with the 7100 amp.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products.html

Tour2ma

There are a few AVR's that will get great levels of endorsement here. Most, ala gatemplin, will recommend entry level spearates through some of the more budget friendly manf's like Outlaw. If you are willing to go used more options become available.

If you are determined to go the AVR route, B&K, Rotel and Sunfire spring to mind as the most worthy candidates able to drive your 12's all by their lonesome. On your budget though, new is not an option for these.

Half a step or so behind introduces several other candidates. Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer and others will all get votes. Of these you should shop sound and features including Pre-out capability, so that you can add more power via stand-alone amps, as money becomes available.

Step as far away from the Pannie as money will allow. Just be sure you don't box yourself into another dead-end...

Now stand back while the, "What about my (insert your avr brand here)" stampede starts...

C J T

A few models I have read good things about:

Sony STR DA5 ES

Onkyo TX DS898

Yamaha RX V2400

any opinions? I know they aren't a Sunfire or Pioneer Elite but I don't have that kind of cash.

Which Haman Kardon models? Denon? NAD.

Thanks very much.

TheReaper

Now is a good time to get a Harman Kardon product. They are comming out with new models, and you can get last years models at decent prices. For example the HK AVR7300 is $1399 at www.jr.com

I recommend listening to a receiver before buying. To see if you like the sound.

My mini HK review, based on my 2 week old HK AVR630:

Good sound, good power, good display (those are my subjective feelings). The mode switching and settup settings were done by a **** (as compared to my onkyo txsr501). For me, the sound is worth putting up with the quirks, so I am keeping it.

C J T

Yamaha RXV 2400 Looks great...lots of cool features lots of power and it's the second best receiver they make after their flagship model for $5000. It sells for $1200 Canadian, A & B sound clearing it out as it is discontinued for $800, Good deal? The 2500 next year apparantly won't be much different.

gatemplin

Oh, 1500 CDN! My mistake. Look out for the discountinued Harman Kardon AVRs the 630 and 530 like the Reaper said. I cant comment on Yamaha though.

sowen010599

Originally posted by C J T
Yamaha RXV 2400 Looks great...lots of cool features lots of power and it's the second best receiver they make after their flagship model for $5000. It sells for $1200 Canadian, A & B sound clearing it out as it is discontinued for $800, Good deal? The 2500 next year apparantly won't be much different.

That's what I'm running, and I love the thing. I demoed pretty much everything in that price range, and always came back to it. Search this site for the RX-V2400. You'll find lots of posts about it.

C J T

Can someone explain to me how an entry level HK is a better choice than the best Sony ES or Yamaha high end?

I can get a Yamaha RXV 2400 for $850 Canadian.

I also have called around town and can get a Sony STR DA3000 for $1000 Canadian. It usually sells for $1600 but they are clearing it out ..does anyone know anything about this one?

Also, HK have a digital series ....so is this Sony model. Much less money.

sowen010599

I replaced an HK with the Yamaha if that tells you anything.

HK needs to learn about dynamics, because they sure don't have any. And as far as digital's go, well, you'd just have to listen to them, they're just "not quite right".

Dennis Gardner

The Yamaha may be your best bet in Canada, HKs seem to really fetch a premium if you buy with warranty coverage.

I agree with your statement that the 12s crave and deserve more than any receiver can give in your price range, but receivers on my short list for you $ would be Denon 3805, HK 7200, Yamaha 2400, or NAD 973 at the top end of your range.

I use the HK 7200 and love the power, no problem with dynamics in my setup.

okiepolkie

I would definetly consider the Outlaw setup over a receiver. I'm not sure if they ship to Canada though. Someone else on the forum might know. They are very solid performers and will usually outperform a receiver at the price range you are looking at. The power would be better for your 12's too.
That said. I like my Yamaha receiver. It does everything I want it to do at this point and I didn't even have to pay for it. Someone upgraded to Yammie's flagship receiver and gave was just going to recycle his old one. It saved me $1500.
Have fun looking and more fun listening.

sowen010599

Can't say I was super thrilled with the 950. Its feature set is wanting, it has issues with HD switching, the remote blows, some have had issues with the way it handles 6 channel analog, etc. Check out the forums over at Outlaw, look at the 950 threads. Problems galore. Course, the 950 is just a clone of a myriad of other pre/pros all built off the same platform. Their amps are nice though.

I used the 2400 "as is" for several months while I was saving up for amps. I think it does a great job as a pre/pro.

ANY reciever is going to be lacking for the 12's. That's what amps are for!

hamzahsh

Originally posted by sowen010599
Can't say I was super thrilled with the 950. Its feature set is wanting, it has issues with HD switching, the remote blows, some have had issues with the way it handles 6 channel analog, etc. Check out the forums over at Outlaw, look at the 950 threads. Problems galore. Course, the 950 is just a clone of a myriad of other pre/pros all built off the same platform. Their amps are nice though.

I used the 2400 "as is" for several months while I was saving up for amps. I think it does a great job as a pre/pro.

ANY reciever is going to be lacking for the 12's. That's what amps are for!

sowen010599,

I use 1400 as a pre/pro and run NAD C272 2-ch amp for the fronts and Adcom GFA-7605 5-ch for the center, sides and rear surrounds. The difference is unbelievable after adding the external amps. The 1400 pre/pro simply rocks as a pre/pro and my NAD C272 150w X 2 RMS is rock solid amp. In the "DIRECT STEREO" mode for the music the bass coming out from my Polk RT800i's is so loud that I don't even bother using my Velodyne CHT-15 sub! :eek: My fronts sounds like if I'm using 2 10-inch subs. The detail is simply jawdropping and the sound is more dynamic than ever. My both amps are warm sounding, very clean and crisp, sweet sound. I've listened to Rotel processor and I prefer my Yamaha 1400!

1400/2400 rivals most entry level pre/pros in the market, Outlaw 950 is nothing when you use 1400/2400 as a pre/pro. If you read Audioholics review of 2400, it beats Sunfire Grand Theater III and Sherwood Castle pre/pros. They wrote that 2400 is an alternative processor to use which goes same to 1400 as well.

Before using amps I found the sound was harsh at loud listening levels on my 1400 itself but now its warm and I can turn up even louder than I use to. I love amps man!

You'll be surprised after adding amps!

C J T

I have read here the Polks sound too bright with Yamaha and I should go Denon??? Opinions? I hear the RXV series may not have this problem. I like bright highs . Is this bad?

I don't hear too much about the Sony ES series. What is so diffeerent sounding about that one?

And there is also comparisons between Yamaha RXV seies and the HTR series..the 5790 I think. What one is better?

Thanks again.

hamzahsh

Originally posted by C J T
Can someone explain to me how an entry level HK is a better choice than the best Sony ES or Yamaha high end?

I can get a Yamaha RXV 2400 for $850 Canadian.

I also have called around town and can get a Sony STR DA3000 for $1000 Canadian. It usually sells for $1600 but they are clearing it out ..does anyone know anything about this one?

Also, HK have a digital series ....so is this Sony model. Much less money.

Go with Yamaha RXV-2400 or even RXV-2500 the new model but the price will be more. Also check out RX-V1400 if you can get it really low. 1400 and 2400 are basically same receivers with minor differences.

RXVs are superior to HTRs!
Stay away from Sony receivers.

hamzahsh

C J T, go with whichever receiver you like but remember you'll still need a good 2-ch amplifier for your RTi12s. They are power hungry and need lots of juice to feed them. Atleast 100w X 2 RMS is required (minimum)

shack

You should check out the NAD T763 (US MSRP is $1,400 - don't know Canadian conversion rates). B&K and Sunfire may be better but NAD is on par with Rotel and is a cut above Denon, HK, Yamaha, etc...IMO. You should be able to get a good deal on one in Canada. NAD is known for its high current, conservative power ratings. At 100 wpc rating (all channels driven rating) this one should be able to drive your 12s easily.

NAD T763

sowen010599

12's need about 200 watts RMS before they start to shine. They're power hungry beasts. If you wanted a receiver to power them, it'd need to be the 200 watt per channel Sunfire (big bucks). You won't find a receiver under 2k that will do them any kind of justice. 100 watts isn't even close to what they need except maybe to power the top end.

cfrizz

Find a store in which you can demo Denons, HK's Yamahas & Sony receivers. Pick whichever one you think sounds the best to you.

Make sure it has preouts & plan on getting a separate amp for your Polks.

Pick an amp that comes as close to the max # of watts that the Polks can take & you can afford.

Have fun shopping.

Tour2ma

... watts, yes, but don't forget amperes...

40 amperes peak 2 peak will do nicely. More is better, but you might be satisfied with somewhat less, if a sub is in play.

francour

Denon. If you plan on spending less than 2 to 3,000, it is the best for your buck. Like the others, the power ratings are deceiving, but the even output of sound is perfect, and it is technically the best on the market for a budget.

dcarlson

For $850CDN, you're laughing with the Yamaha.

Is that new or a demo?

Like most here say, budget for an amp later on.

C J T

ok so I have narrowed it down to 3:

Yamaha 2400, if I can find one, or the soon to be released 2500. I may even consider a 1400 or a 1500.

Denon 2805. $1000 Canadian.

HK 635, soon to replace the sold out HK630. approx $1500 Canadian...maybe less.. the power rating is lower. Is it really less power?

The Yammie has tons of features. The Denon has a great reliability record. The HK I am not sure about.

So many opinions and I appreciate the feedback.

The set up thingy with the microphone...is Denon's good? I guess i would rather have sound and power for my RTi12's than lots of gimmicks.

dcarlson

Denon makes a good receiver. I personally like Denon more than Yamaha and a lot more than HK, but I'm probably bias. I have a Denon 2802.

Tour2ma

A biased poster at CP... get outta here...

"If I did not love what I own, I would own something else..."

reeltrouble1

CJT,


You have already purchased some fine speakers.

Are you really set on buying a receiver? Check back and see the advice on getting at least a two channel amp for your fronts or going separates. What do you want the system to do, music? movies? both?

For budget concerns let me echo the previous support for NAD and Outlaw separates.

Ever considered used? Some nice amps in the Flea Market here or check Audiogon.

Just make an informed decision, it is your dough.

RT1

trubluluc

In fact I did.
I'm a big yamaha fan. but only their top end stuff. Amazing build quality.
these flagship models (see below) orig. sold for $2900.-$3400. which is more than I could afford.
but by waiting until the new models came out, then buying "last years" I was able to get them for less than half of that price.
One thing about yamaha's warranty which is for 5 years for "top of the line" stuff, it has to be purchased through a licensed dealer.
Which is why if buying it used, I ask where they bought it, and if they registered it, I get the persons name so that I can use their name if needed.

Nothing like the thrill of getting the best for the price of the rest.

No. afil

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39801&item=5726156982&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39801&item=5725102468&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39801&item=5726473138&rd=1

C J T

Thanks for the respose T...

So with the advancements in HT, and the power upgrades, and many new features such as YPAO you would recommend an older flagship model over a 1400/2400 or 1500/2500? They seem to be around the same price.

goingganzo

i would recomend a good avr the lowest moddle you can get pre outs. then save your pennies for a 5/6/7 channel amp. then replace the avr with a good pre amp i went with the get a high end recever then i got the upgrade bug and now have a sunfire and adcom.

trubluluc

Thanks for the respose T...

"So with the advancements in HT, and the power upgrades, and many new features such as YPAO you would recommend an older flagship model over a 1400/2400 or 1500/2500? They seem to be around the same price."

I haven't checked out the 2400, it sounds like a decent unit.
My most recent buy was the Yam RXZ1 from the "Goodguys"
It was a demo, but was kept in the high end room and treated well.
It came with a $400. touch screen remote control and I got it for $900.00
I just know they put their best stuff in their flagships, oil dampened doors, great knobs, better internals.

So yes, I would rather have a 1 or 2 year old flagship, than a brand new mid or upper mid level unit.

I may be old school but I still judge electronics by weight. more is better
and the RXZ1 weighs in at 62 pounds,
runs all day and night, and never gets even close to hot.

-Luc