Need recommendations for a $300 to $600 receiver...
MSkeezer
Posts: 1,183
Preferably something from a year or 2 ago to power my RTi setup(70's, 40, 28's). I have a chance to get a Harman Kardon AVR325 for only $270 shipped, but I want to look at other options. I'm thinking about one of the Sony ES models from pcmall.com, either the STRDA2000 or 3000. Is there anything else I should be looking at? Thanks.
Post edited by MSkeezer on
Comments
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Take a look at the Denon 3801 and 3802, should be in your price range. You may be able to grab the 3803, depending on price.
Be careful with the newer Sony ES stuff, they've had some issues. However, you could look at something like the DA4ES, a very nice unit and in your price range... -
They've got a DA4ES at one of the Ultimate Electronics up here for $360. Since it's a display model, they'll probably knock off an extra $30 to $40.
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I'd jump all over that if you like the sound.
I had a DA2ES passed on from Mark for a while and loved it. I think Mark (Doro) now has a DA4ES, maybe he can comment on it.
You'll hear alot of crap whenever you bring up the Sony name, but their ES stuff is top-notch.
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17326&highlight=Sony
EDIT: http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17395&highlight=Sony -
Thanks Maniac. What was wrong with the first link? It worked fine for me...
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I think that HK for $270 would sound and perform excellent for the $$$. BTW, you still want that pair of Klipsch SB1's? The boss won't let me hold the stock any more and there are three pairs left, with no more coming in.
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http://www.6ave.com/product.jsp?x=TXNR801
How about this? Shipping is only 6 cents. Does that thing really weigh 75 lbs?
EDIT: Seems it only weighs 35 lbs. Someone goofed... -
Onecall has the 801 for 599. They are a good company to get Onkyo's from.
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Ubid has been running the Denon 1905 for around $300. It has a good bit of power and a lot of good features. I've been using one as a demo for the last week and it sounds very good. The component video upconversion is a nice feature to have if you have coponent video inputs on your TV. The 2105 is a little more, but has a little more power.
Woodyjacobs might still have his silver 785(same as 1905) for sale if you are interested: 785
Hope this helps.
ZachTschüss
Zach -
ac4l has nice marantz stuff
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HK 525. Awesome.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
I'm really thinking about getting the Marantz 7400 on ac4l. I think Onkyo might be a bit too bright for my taste. About the the Denon, I've had the 2803 with the RTi's, and I didn't like the sound at all. I would like to have the HK 525. It's nice with more than enough power, but where I can I find it at a decent price?
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I like the looks of that Marantz too.
How do Marantz receivers sound compared to HK, Denon, Yamaha, etc?Tschüss
Zach -
If you don't like Denon at all, then you probably aren't going to like the marantz either.
Both have a more laid-back, warmer sound. Take a look at the HK units, sounds more like what you're looking for.
here's a link to the 520, which is very similar to the 525...
http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=AVR%20520-Z&status= -
Hmmm. The 520 seems like a good deal.
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Yep...
That Z at the end means it's refurbished, but you could always return it if you're not satisfied... -
Yeah, get the 520. Great deal. The HK's had auto calibration a couple of years before it became commonplace.
I had a 3803 for a minute and the HK 525 blew it away for music, so I quickly got rid of it. Not much difference with HT, though.
Don't worry about the Z. I bought my 525 refurbished and, quite frankly, it looked brand new to me. Besides, you're buying it directly from the manufacturer.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
Ok, I've found an HK 525 for only $350 shipped. The seller says everything work great except for one thing: the monitor output doesn't work. That's something that isn't important to me at all, as I always connected everything directly to the TV. I've contacted him, and asked if he could do $325, and I'm sure he'll sell it at that price. No one else seems to be interested. And if not, $350 is still a great deal for a 525....
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That would be a terrific receiver for that price.
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i have the marantz 7200 which is the older version of the 7400. i love it, its amazing for HT. I've pushed it before with music and my ears reach the limit before my receiver does. Couldn't have made a better choice for $550.
the marantz also has the cool multiroom feature, so you can use the surround channels to play an independant source at a completely different volume. i dont use mine because my receiver is only 6.1 so i use the surround channels, but if u had a 5.1 setup with the 7.1 receiver you could use the other two channels to setup another system in a different room. -
How you gonna set up that receiver with no video output to the TV?
I guess you could use the receiver display, that'll be a pain though... -
I'm used to setting up receivers through the front panel. I almost prefer it to onscreen menus. Call me old fashioned...
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As long as all the setup features are available via the front panel then you should be fine
