Suggest a receiver?

jrlouie

I just sold the following speakers to a friend...
Front (L/R): Rti28's
Center: Csi30
Surround: Fxi30's

He's not in to home theatre like some of us are. He just wants a simple setup.

He wants to get a receiver and sub, new, totalling $1000. What receiver and sub would you recommend in that price range?

Thanks in advance for any opinions/suggestions.

Have a good one!

Mjr7531

I don't have one myself, but I've heard that Harmon Kardon receivers will carry the day nery nicely.

AsSiMiLaTeD

He should be able to pick up the small SVS sub for around $500 I think...that leaves $500 for a receiver, which gives you many options.

I'd look at the Denon 380x or 280x series, or maybe look at the H/K stuff...either way you can't go wrong there...

Check out audiogon and ebay...

kevinfc

SVS is a good sub to go with the receiver is a personnal preference but I got the tx-sr602 from ecost at a great price and they are a authorized dealer as well. Y ou can get it for under $350 and put a little more into the svs.

Toxis

I'd probably go for a Denon AVR1905 (you won't be able to get either the 28 or 3805 for under $500 unless it's been thrown down a flight of stairs...). You can find that for $450 or less and that'll leave you $550+ to put into a nice sub. There's a lot to choose from, everyone here are huge SVS fans. I've never heard one so I have no opinion. For $500, the Polk PSW505, Infinity PS12 or if you find a good price, the Infinity Beta 10 or Beta 12 would be a fantastic route. The Beta subs can be tweaked to your room to optimize output and sound quality. Worth looking into, but they full retail for $650... might be kinda tight.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Also don't rule out an older Denon receiver. You don't have to get the newest 3805, you could look at a 3803 for example.

Just listen around and see what sounds best to you...

Polk65

Ask your friend if he may want a 7.1 setup in the future. If so, he might want to think about buying a receiver with Dolby Pro Logic IIx. There are some good deals on receivers with the older Dolby Pro Logic II if it's not important for your friend.

If you or a friend has a costco membership, check if they have a receiver he might like. Also check costco.com as they often sell items not available (but returnable) in their stores. costco stores & costco.com has a Pioneer 6.1 receiver with Pro Logic II (model vsx-d912k) for $300. costco.com also sells the Denon 2805 for $800 and the 3805 for $980 ... plus tax. One drawback with costco, is if they are not an authorized dealer, they can only refund your money if the receiver breaks.

At the bottom of this page is some information about Pro Logic IIx:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_1/feature-prologic-iix-3-2004.html
http /www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_11_1/feature-prologic-iix-3-2004.html

and Dolby's own words here:
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/prologic_IIx.html
http /www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/prologic_IIx.html

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/prologic_IIx_faq_1.html
http /www.dolby.com/consumer/technology/prologic_IIx_faq_1.html

Shizelbs

I saw a Onkyo 602/601 for $250 new. That leaves a lot for a new sub.

Toxis

Why would you ever buy electronics from a place like Costco? Might as well go to Bed Bath and Beyond. Yes, they had a HTiB this last x-mas... buy from an authorized dealer or buy used. Don't waste your money on a company who's just there to screw ya in the end.

Joey_V

I would go for something like the Harman Kardon AVR330 for about $500. This leaves enough money to get an SVS 25-31PCi subwoofer!

jrlouie

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll have him take a look at the Denon AVR1705 and the HK AVR235. The HK seems like it has lots of features and I know they have fairly high current AVR's. Would you lean towards the HK, or the Denon?
I'm also going to try and talk him into the SVS Pci 25-31. Either one of the AVR's and the SVS new would probably be getting close to $1000.

I think he's pretty hesitant to buy anything used.

Shizelbs

Originally posted by Toxis
Why would you ever buy electronics from a place like Costco? Might as well go to Bed Bath and Beyond. Yes, they had a HTiB this last x-mas... buy from an authorized dealer or buy used. Don't waste your money on a company who's just there to screw ya in the end.

Because they take anything and everything back without question.

fireshoes

I should be able to get you a pretty decent discount at American. I work at the Bridgeton store, across from St. Louis Mills Mall. I'll do some checking tomorrow and get back to you.

jrlouie

Thanks fireshoes. I look forward to hearing from ya.

Joey_V

Dont forget... you can always have SVS tune the 25-31PCi to a lower tuning point.... 22hz (3hz extra.... yay!). It doesnt affect SPL output at all, if any, but it does give you that bit of depth.

Essentially, the 25-31PCi becomes a 22-31PCi for a charge of.... FREE.

Also, I would go with HK. The AVR235 is a good choice.... if you can, spring for the AVR330 (what I have) or the 335.

Polk65

Originally posted by Toxis
Why would you ever buy electronics from a place like Costco? Might as well go to Bed Bath and Beyond. Yes, they had a HTiB this last x-mas... buy from an authorized dealer or buy used. Don't waste your money on a company who's just there to screw ya in the end.

+ costco.com has the Denon 2805 and 3805 which were mentioned earlier in this thread. Costco stores currently have the Pioneer vsx-d912k receiver which as I remember, got a receiver of the year award in some mid-level ht class in December 2003.

+ You can return anything bought from costco with a receipt OR if you know the date & time of purchase they will look it up.

+ The box or instructions are not required for a refund.

+ You get a full cash refund.

+ No time limit for returns.

+ Their prices are generally 10% - 15% cheaper than retail stores.

There's a few reasons, pick the one you like.

Of the few thousand dollars I've spent there in the past 15 years, I've only had to return three items. I shop there because with that kind of customer service, they are definately not out to screw us. Because of that, I support them with purchases.

MrAnderson

I own the Denon 1905 and I am very pleased with it. It's reasonable and it has the ability to make your home theater 7.1. Also it has the right amount of hookups.

As for Costco I have friends who shop there weekly and they are really pleased with their customer service. I wouldn't rule out buying a product from Costco especially if it's cheaper. They have a very liberal return policy.

Mr. A

jrlouie

Well, thanks for the suggestions. My friend decided to jump the gun and buy the first things he could find at Crutchfield. I sent him an email listing a Denon, HK, and an SVS sub. The next morning, after reading the email, what does he do? He goes to Crutchfield and starts buying. He got the Denon, but he bought an Infinity sub.
Oh well, I tried. I at least figured he'd wait to talk to me once before buying. Fireshoes, thanks anyway.
Now I get to go help him hook it all up this weekend