2 channel or 5.1?

VR3

MAN EFF SONY!

Look for the discontinued Outlaw Audio receiver, one of the best, if not the best deals for a receiver...

danger boy

i can understand you wanting to keep things all the same brand.. but if i were you.. also keep in mind.. Onkyo, Marantz, Denon, Pioneer. in your price range. I think you get "more" bang for you buck out of those brands over Sony.

some people, not all mind you have said their Sony receiver are under powered when it comes to some speakers.

Look for a high current amp receiver.. that will be the best power for any speaker.

MacLeod

Well, Id dont think Sony sucks, and I would like to keep everything uniform.

However this isnt a requirment its just that I dont know which brands are really that good (other than Denon which costs too much) and I know the Sony will work just fine assuming its as good as all my other Sony equipment.

There seem to be a lot of choices out there for $200. Sony, Onkyo, and Yamaha all make 100 watt per channel reveivers. I never thought they were so cheap! I wish you could buy 600 watt car amps for $200!

audiobliss

Again, run from Sony........'nuff said....

I would pay as much for a receiver as you were planning, but go with a stereo one; more quality that way. Onky, Harmon Kardon, Denon, Pioneer Elite, Outlaw Audio, Yamaha - they all smoke Sony. Probably in your price range, I'd look at Onkyo. Also, see what the prices for some of Outlaw's stuff is; I'm not familiar with their prices, but they have excellent equipment at very good prices. A used Denon, Pioneer Elite, or Marantz would be very nice, too.

Good choice with the T90e's.

audiobliss

Originally posted by MacLeod
There seem to be a lot of choices out there for $200. Sony, Onkyo, and Yamaha all make 100 watt per channel reveivers. I never thought they were so cheap! I wish you could buy 600 watt car amps for $200!

Maybe they do come with a lot of watts......but they ain't good watts. Check out the THD. I'll bet it's 0.9%. I also bet they aren't capable of putting out 100 continuous watts all channels driven.

My Yamaha RX-V1400 (was $800) supposedly puts out 110 watts through 7 channels. I'm sure that it can't put out 110 all channels driven (quite a few people say not even in stereo), but it's THD is 0.04%, so it's clean watts. You don't really get what's advertised until you go with separates or pay BIG, big bucks.

danger boy

check here for some decent prices on receivers like Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer, Yamaha, Kenwood, HK in your price range. or slightly higher. in the $300 price range.. it opens up lots more choices.

it's up to you though of course.. it's your bucks.. go with Sony.

smglbrth

If you want to spend cheaper $'s you could also go Refurbished. Some don't like the idea, heck I didn't either, but for the office I didn't have the cash to dump right away. So..., I went to www.ecost.com and bought a refurbished Onkyo stereo receiver, the 8211 since I only have bookshelf speakers. It has an Onkyo factory warranty so I figured I'd try it. That was about 5-6 months ago and I haven't had any problems.

Just a thought...

danger boy

if you're set on Sony.. check this one out it appears to be a lot of receiver for little $

audiobliss

I don't like it; why?
1) It's Sony
2) It's probably plastic
3) It's Sony
4) 0.7%THD (0.09% actually, I guess)
5) did I mention it's a Sony?
6) It doesn't say anything about powering 6ohm, 4ohm speakers; just 8ohm



How long is it going to be before you upgrade your receiver/amplification again? If it's going to be a while, I'd go with a stereo receiver by Onkyo, Denon, Marantz, Outlaw (do they a make 2-channel receiver?), or Harmon Kardon.

If you're going to replace it again soon......well, then......just go with what you'd replace it with now.....:p

dorokusai

Here we go with the Sony bashing. I'd love to hear actual experiences as to why and actual ownership is the only thing that is worth hearing or with merit.

danger boy

my SONY PS2 that is. Waaaaaaaaa!

VR3

One of the first receivers I owned was Sony...

I sold it within 2 weeks, infact I hated it so much, I solid it and went without music for several months...

It was a cheaper model, 80x5, not sure the model #, but it was terrible. The yammer I bought afterwards was much better and didnt cost much more...

Mjr7531

Originally posted by audiobliss

6) It doesn't say anything about powering 6ohm, 4ohm speakers; just 8ohm

Actually, I've noticed that they have recently been rating their receivers @ 6 ohms, low-brow? Yes, but, it means that they can most likely handle some 6-ohm "stuff"

VR3

Yeah, but receivers like Yamaha...

That have the 4 ohm 'switch' -

it cuts the current draw in half so you dont eff up the receiver at higher volumes... So it dosnt help much to start with lol

chenj16

Originally posted by MacLeod
I know the Sony will work just fine assuming its as good as all my other Sony equipment.

Assumption fails for the ones(DE597, DE197, etc.) you're looking at. The only good stuff from Sony in home audio that competes in the league is the ES line. They however cost much more!

chenj16

Originally posted by audiobliss
I don't like it; why?
1) It's Sony
2) It's probably plastic
3) It's Sony
4) 0.7%THD (0.09% actually, I guess)
5) did I mention it's a Sony?
6) It doesn't say anything about powering 6ohm, 4ohm speakers; just 8ohm

7) It weighs like a VCR (DE597: 9lb, DE197: 7lb :eek: )

chenj16

Originally posted by audiobliss

6) It doesn't say anything about powering 6ohm, 4ohm speakers; just 8ohm

HK receivers don't have spec for under 8ohm either, what's wrong with them, too conservative maybe??....

dmalino

Originally posted by MacLeod
Thanks for all the replies fellas, Im grateful.


As far as receivers go, I would like to go Sony. My TV, DVD, VCR, and computer are all Sony and all have worked flawlessly so other than speakers Id kind of like to stick Sony. That in mind how about this one? Awesome price and 100x6 looks to be pretty good. So what am I missing?

Should I go with a stereo receiver instead? A lot cheaper. Like this.

I own a Sony receiver and can say it's no different sounding than any other in it's price range. It also has features not available on other brands like 2 multi channel inputs.

In the under $200 price range at CC, take a look at the Pioneer VSX514. Judging by the back panel pictures, it's the only one that cheap which has S-video jacks.

Onkyo's are great, HK's are great sounding but I've heard that a few of them have been breaking as of late.

If you decide to push your budget higher, visit some of the private hi-fi shops in your town (look in the yellow pages) and look for brands like Arcam, Rotel, NAD and Cambridge Audio.
The private shops usually have better listening rooms too.

dorokusai

Originally posted by chenj16
Assumption fails for the ones(DE597, DE197, etc.) you're looking at. The only good stuff from Sony in home audio that competes in the league is the ES line. They however cost much more!

The DE197 is as low on the line as you can get. I bet other manufacturers low end are groundbreaking in their technology and performance huh?

The ES line does not cost "much" more, especially last years ES line which can be found for a song.

Do some research before you post.

Mac - The Sony line is the same as every other manufacturer, it starts out basic, and gets better with money spent. If you are interested in the ES line look for the following: STR-DAxxES and the STR-VxxxES Series. I don't suggest anything but the ES line personally, but it doesn't mean the Basic line is not adequate.

Trey - Great baseline for saying a product sucks, a singular experience, good work. Everyone has had a poor experience with one manufacturers product or another, it shouldn't mean the bashing alert goes off. You're educated about audio, why make such a newbie statement?

Dmalino - Thanks for posting a useful statement.

F1nut

Why someone would expect high fidelity out of a receiver from any company priced under $200.00 is beyond me. Sony makes a lot of gear and it ranges from crap to state of the art, so to just say all Sony gear sucks is wrong. The Sony ES series is decent stuff.

reeltrouble1

Mac,

I had one of those Sony systems you talked about to start this whole thing, it still works but resides with one my children, a good place for it, it might be a little newer than yours since it did Pro-logic, I remember plunking down like 700 bucks for it many years ago, a waste but hey what did I know? However, some of Sony's audio products just received very high praise in the latest issue of Sterophile, one of the snootiest mags out there, but there you have it, they make some outstanding gear.

I have pretty much ended my personal boycott of Sony based on how the CS department once treated me, however, I see losing my business for a while has not exactly put them out of business:o.

Have fun with your new system, whichever way you decide to go.

RT1

MacLeod

I realize Im not going to get Hi-Fi performance from ANYTHING with a $200 price tag but thats ok. But I also dont really want or need a bunch of fancy features. HoweverI think you guys have talked me out of going with Sony. Ill stick with them for video and electronics but look elsewhere for audio.

Right now, to go with my Monitor 60's Ill go with this Onkyo 6.1 receiver for $270. That way if/when I decide to upgrade to 5.1 or better Ill have the receiver to do it. Right?

audiobliss

ROFL.......HAHAHA....I don't think that's the link you meant to post there.......

However, I would guess that Onk would be all right.

danger boy

Originally posted by audiobliss
ROFL.......HAHAHA....I don't think that's the link you meant to post there.......

However, I would guess that Onk would be all right.

hey maybe he only likes bass.. no stereo.. it's so much easier that way..

Long live mono!!

dorokusai

I figured nothing real would come out of that challenge, so be it.

The Onkyo is a nice piece, have fun, good luck in what you do.

danger boy

it's ok Doro... i guess not everyone has the same goals when it comes to audio. that at least gives us all room to grow.

dorokusai

Is that sarcastic?

danger boy

Originally posted by dorokusai
Is that sarcastic?

naw.

just making a point. while if you asked most people in here what is the most important part of any rig.. most would say sound quality. I think we're all striving to reach audio nirvana.. I know I am.. but within my limits of knowledge and funds of course.

I'm just saying what i think would be nirvana, might not be any one else's. that's all. nothing more, nothing less.

dorokusai

Originally posted by danger boy
naw.

just making a point. while if you asked most people in here what is the most important part of any rig.. most would say sound quality. I think we're all striving to reach audio nirvana.. I know I am.. but within my limits of knowledge and funds of course.

I'm just saying what i think would be nirvana, might not be any one else's. that's all. nothing more, nothing less.

Ok, I guess I understand. Do you think I'm NOT trying to reach that level? I'm cool right now, let alone later. I also know you are doing great things....do you mean we have different goals? I would presume that is a given.

My point was that the Sony bashing becomes bandwagon, and it's so atypical. It's typically because of a singular experience with a low end product, thus becomes Godzilla mantra. Is Sony the end all? Of course not, that's ridiculous.

Is it without merit? No, I won't defend low end Sony, period....it is what it is; although you get what you pay for, in ANY manufacturer. Sony is simply an easy target.

It's funny to think of the people who hate Sony, yet the very CD/DVD player they listen to may in fact run a Sony transport. Sony is a heavy hitter in the transport biz, regardless of manufacturer, wake up America.

If you want to bash a product, and this isn't directed at you DB, you better have some balls to back it up. This place just rides wagons as far as Sony goes, been here a little while to notice.

danger boy

I couldn't agree with you more Mark.

well said bro.