entry level reciever died....

reallybigafro

My KLH budget reciever died on me this week. it just makes a loud pop noise and shuts off. Anyways i need to get a new reciever ASAP. the only thing is i have $250 to spend. what i'm currently looking at is the Harman AVR-130 and a Sony STR-DE579. the Harman is 5.1 and the Sony is 6.1 the sony is also $50 cheaper, but from what i've heard Harman is a better reciever. i'm new to this stuff so any advice would be great. thank you

Early B.

Go with HK. Look for some used ones, too.

okiepolkie

Used or refurbished would be good for you in that price range. Try www.audiogon.com for used receivers.
Try www.ecost.com or www.pcmall.com for good prices on refurbished receivers. They have several Denon and Onkyo receivers for good prices. If you You should be able to get a good replacement for the KLH for $250 if you look hard enough.

Have fun with your upgrades

BTW, Early made a good suggestion of going with the HK over the Sony.

Danny Tse

You should check out the Sherwood RD-7108, currently only $99.99 at Outpost.com. Don't let the price fool you, this receiver is more than legit....it uses a DSP chip from Crystal Semiconductor (visible from the top vent) that was also used in Rotel's surround sound pre/pro's. Check out the review and lab test from Sound and Vision magazine from the Sherwood site.

If you only want 5.1 surround sound, then the RD-6501 at $77.00 should be more than sufficient. This review said its performance in stereo is even better than a more expensive Yamaha home theater receiver.

These receivers should be brand-new. BTW, I am not affiliated with either Sherwood or Outpost.com/Fry's. I just want to pass along some good deals.

Toxis

I'd look for an Onkyo, Denon, Harman/Kardon, Marantz etc. Stay away from Sony, Pioneer (Elite is nice though but it'd be hard pressed to find one in your range), JVC, Panasonic, etc.

For your range, you can find a NIB Onkyo 502 or Denon 485 that retail about $250 and they'll be great for the money. If you go used/refurbished, you could find a bigger better receiver that would be better; just depends if you trust used/refurbs...

danger boy

dude. you may want to check your speaker wires.. often times if they tuch each other or something metal it will pop the receiver into auto protect and it makes noise like it's blown something.

just a thought. before you go out and buy something.

good luck.

reallybigafro

thankyou guys, i think i'm going to try and pick up that HK, After the Bronco game i'm going to check all my wires and hopefully that might help, but i just have a bad feeling about this reciever. someone said to stay away from pioneer, does anyone know about the pioner 912???