best reciever for your buck?

logos424

Ok I know I have asked similar questions before but what is the best home theater reciever for your buck?

Few stipilations:
- Has to be in the $800 to $1500 dollar range.
- RMS Power given to all channels has to be greater than 60 watts.
- No preouts will be used to other amps so it has to be able to power all channels well.
- Music has to be a factor in the listening experience as it will be used for a multimedia setup.
- Has to provide 6.1-7.1 with fairly uptodate ProLogic II and DTS.
- decent remote
- THD has to be less than 0.05%
- Tendancies to brightness are a negative

Go nuts! I am interested in people have to say on this topic.

logos424

Forgot to mention that while preouts are not being used that is not to say a couple of years down the road a person might try seperate amps for fronts and rears....

Toxis

Denon 3805. Done.

And why does the THD have to be below .05%? Can you honestly hear the difference in .05 and .08? Nope.

unc2701

yeah, but keeping the THD low keeps a 50 watt sony from pretending that it's 100 watts.

oh, to not hijack the thread, I second the dennon, with 2nd place to a yamaha rx-v2500 (or whatever that model is..)

phuz

Outlaw, Rotel, Arcam, NAD.

Use the search feature.

dragon1952

There is no such thing as a clear cut 'best home theater receiver for your buck'. Just like there's no clear cut best car or milk or egg or bottled water or toilet paper for your buck. It's too subjective. There are plenty to choose from that are comparable and will do the job, but there is no bestest for the cheapest, period.

Dennis Gardner

As a video processor I would choose the Denon 3805. The most up to date chipsets with great flexibility and control.

For audio, I would choose the Harman Kardon 7300. Since you are going to use the amps in the receiver, these are some of the best you can buy for your price range. This is important if harder to drive speakers or towers are in your system (LSi line comes to mind). I made the move from a JVC 9010 to the HK 7200 and couldn't have been happier with my results. The power difference is unbelieveable!

At the upper end of your price range, seperate preamp/amp combos come into play that would please your ears also. (Outlaw 950/7100)

Enjoy your search,


DG

Toxis

The 7300 retails $2100... just a tad over the $1500 limit.

phuz

Originally posted by Toxis
The 7300 retails $2100... just a tad over the $1500 limit.

Yup, and you can get a better sounding reciever minus a few bells and whistles for half that and some change.

Kevinvb11

Denon 4800

It's done me very well for the last 4 years. Driven 4 ohm speakers without a flaw, including a full LSi set up as of recent.

5 ch amps are solid and are selectable to choose which source you want to power.

It's pretty clean in direct mode, 2 ch audio, but I wouldn't use any other modes of listening; it gets a bit "digital" with all else. For HT it is solid and provides the excitement and impact that HT should. I have no gripes there.

If I were to pick a flaw I would say it has to do with the music side of things. It can power the speaker of which you through at it and will pwr them fairly well. I just think it "too" digital to convince on 2 ch recordings with or with out the onboard processing. (my sources considered)

With that said, I can't complain as it does sound good overall with enough power to handel all the speakers I've put to the test (4 ohm mostly). It will last a long time, and can honestly say it will as I've been pushing mine for over 4 years with out a hick-up.

I think you could probably get one of the 4800's or 4802's for between 500-800, and if the 4802 is anything like the original 4800, with added features, you'll be pleased.

Kevin

Dennis Gardner

Originally posted by Toxis
The 7300 retails $2100... just a tad over the $1500 limit.

Who pays retail? I've seen them for $1400.

logos424

what about marantz or NAD? The Marantz SR7500 and the NAD ?763 or 753 look pretty good to. I just haven't heard them yet. Also remember that I am trying to keep it under 1000-1300 bucks brand new. (For warranty and if I don't like it I can take it back).

okiepolkie

I like the NAD 763 because of its quality and ability to drive 4 ohm speakers(in case you decided to go with LSi's in the future).

If you don't mind having temporary 5.1(it has 7.1 processing), then I'd go with the Rotel 1056. I've been listening to one for the last couple of weeks and I really like it. To me it just looks sexy.

The Marantz will have a lot of features, but the NAD sounds a little better, while the Rotel sounds the best out of the group.

After listening to all three, I liked the Rotel.

pmckeealaska

I have a NAD T763 that I use as a preamp for 2 channel music and it drives my LSi25's nicely. I love it and will probably never get rid of it. I highly recommend this unit, especially if you want have a combination 2-channel and HT rig.

pjdami

If your budget is $1,500, you can get the new Rotel RSX-1056 for about $1,200. I just spent the weekend with one over at a friend's house and it sounded great. In two channel mode it is 100 watts X 2 (8 ohm speakers).

NAD receivers would be my second choice. Both Rotel and NAD can also run 4 ohm speaker loads no sweat so it also allows you flexibility with choice of speakers down the road and for many years to come.

mantis

2nd the Rotel rsx1056. Simply the best sounding receiver under 2 grand period.

The Denon avr3085 is a feature machine so if thats your desire then Denon is where you want to be. No contest for sound quality vs the rsx1056.... then again the avr5805 didn't hold up in a shoot out with the rsx1056.

Dan

gregure

NAD 763 is the best receiver in your price range, sounding the best for film and music. Honestly, tho, spending $1500 on a receiver to power low end speakers is overkill. The Monitor series is meant to please the mass market, and NAD is a step above that. No receiver will ever take the brightness away from those tweeters. You could easily power those speakers w/ a Denon 2805 and be more than happy with the sound. You would then have some extra $$$ to spend on other pieces (better sub, better surrounds, etc.) If the Denon 2805 or 3805 sounds good on Definitive Technology towers, it will sound great on the Monitors. The Pioneer Elite receiver for $1000 (can't remember the model #) is also a nice unit, and has a better power supply than the Denon, but you should certainly audition them at a local dealer to see how you like the sound.

wingnut4772

I had an Onkyo 701 before I got my Sherwood and was quite pleased with it for the $$$$$.

You can get quality separates from Outlaw Audio for your price range. (Bstock 950 pre and 7100 amp) which I would recommend.

You can always just upgrade the pre down the road and keep the amp until it turns to dust.This saves dough in the long run and Outlaw puts out a quality product.

Outlaw is also coming out with their new 990 Pre/Pro $1099 any day now which is loaded with bells , whistles and small farm animals.

cfrizz

Now theres an original sales pitch! LOL

I can't wait to see it!:D

Outlaw is also coming out with their new 990 Pre/Pro $1099 any day now which is loaded with bells , whistles and small farm animals. [/B]