Advice on HT receiver purchase

caseymou

It's official, I am now without a theater receiver. My denon 1602 has been sold and I also have enough extra $$$ to upgrade to a finer unit (I hope). I have been looking in the $400-$500 range. I am currently waiting for another of those marantz ubid auctions to start but nothing yet. I have also considered denon 3802 or 03, and NAD's. In order for me to get something better than my denon at the price I can afford, I will probably have to buy used which is ok. Onkyo's and HK's have been considered but I don't have enough information to know which models are worth buying. Does anyone have any information or testomonials for a good choice? I only really need 5.1 but 6.1 would be preferred. I would sacrifice that for higher quality sound in the case of NAD. I also would like something with more power than the denon I am replacing at 70wpc. It never seemed to have the reserve power to hit the peaks with demanding music. What should I be looking for with my new receiver? Any models (good values) I should be looking for not listed above? I am willing to be patient and use DD 2.0 while waiting.

caseymou

outlaws have also been looked at briefly. Their 1050 used price seems to be awfully high compared to new prices and there isn't a replacement model I know of at this time. Power also seems a little shy.

SCompRacer

http://chicago.craigslist.org/ele/72548351.html

A 3801 by Chicago.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39793&item=5777139467&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

A 3802 on the bay.

marker

If you can get a Marantz SR8400 off of ubid new in box with full 3 year manufacturer's warranty for $500 or less shipped, jump on it! It's a no brainer.

Even if you can't get one for that there, there is and will be a flood of them on ebay for a while for a little higher than that, but maybe with no warranty though since it's not from an aithorized dealer like ubid is.

I've had a Denon 3802 and I also have a NAD T753. Not that the Denon is a bad unit, but I don't think it's quite up to the par of the Marantz SR8400 or the NAD T753.

Dennis Gardner

Pioneer 1014 or 1015. Do a search over at Home Theater Forum or AVS, as they both have huge threads on these receivers. They are essentially a Pioneer Elite model with just a couple of feature deletes.

No other receiver for this price range comes close.

DG

caseymou

Thanks for the replies. Dennis, very interesting to hear about this pioneer. Marker, interesting that you think the marantz is that much better than your 3802. Is the NAD still the clear king of your house?

caseymou

Anyone familiar with the Denon 885? They have some on ubid for under $400. Rated at 110w/ch. Is this a rebadged 280? or 380? or a completely different model?

Also, ubid is selling out HK 335's for under $500. Would 70w or HK power be plenty for a theater application? Anyone with comments on HK 235 and 335?

ND13

Chuck,

You know my thoughts about the HK's. The 335 should be all you need for HT.

Dennis Gardner

I have HK for home theater use for the past 2 years and love their amps. Remember that you can always add external amps later as long as your choice has preamp outputs.

caseymou

I guess the DSP quality is important then. That is where my low end denon seemed to be lacking. I noticed they have much better DSP's on their higher end models.

I am currently looking into the Pioneers. Could be on to something there. It's just hard to buy a Pioneer...

Willow

I wouldn't base my decision on DSPs

cfrizz

The 885 is a rebadged 2105. Which is 90 watt per channel

Originally posted by caseymou
Anyone familiar with the Denon 885? They have some on ubid for under $400. Rated at 110w/ch. Is this a rebadged 280? or 380? or a completely different model?

Also, ubid is selling out HK 335's for under $500. Would 70w or HK power be plenty for a theater application? Anyone with comments on HK 235 and 335?

caseymou

Looks like the 885 is out then. I don't think that a 2105 would be much of a step up from what I just got rid of. I am really leaning towards either the Pioneer 1015 or HK 235/335. Of course, if the Marantz's show up on ubid again I will own one of those. I just don't feel right buying one for $100 more off of ebay w/o warranty. People have already verified that ubid is an authorized dealer for Marantz so the warranty is in effect. I could also get a used 3802 or 3803. I'm not planning on making any rash decisions here. Heck, I might even go and audition some of these models:p

Skynut

Onkyo fan here, but this is the first nice HT I have purchased.
I like my 787 and it has the pre outs so I can add power later.
Once I get a new amp I might consider an upgrade pre/pro.

Allways look to the future.

cfrizz

I'm very happy with my 3802. Either one would be fine & since they have preouts you can add amps to it when you want more power!

caseymou

Onkyo 602

http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=10401142

Actually a little below my budget at $250. refurb.


But does it have preouts?

cfrizz

NO!

Sorry Casey, but in order to get preouts, you will probably have to raise your budget some more. Expandability cost more but it is worth it.

Check out www.dakmart.com for refurb Denons.

Originally posted by caseymou
Onkyo 602

http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=10401142

Actually a little below my budget at $250. refurb.


But does it have preouts?

marker

Originally posted by caseymou
Marker, interesting that you think the marantz is that much better than your 3802. Is the NAD still the clear king of your house?

No, the Marantzs are probably a slight upgrade over the NAD 753, and I also wouldn't go so far as to say that either is light years better than the 3802.

aaharvel

I've heard the 235 and 335. i can't tell a lick of difference. the wattage difference is only by 5. The current is almost identical. The headroom is almost identical.

Both have 7.1, pre-outs, dplIIx, logic-7- all that stuff.

I bought the 235 over the 335 b/c i could save about $150 and i knew that i would be upgrading to sep. amps in the future anyway, which i did.

For $350 inc. s&h you can get a 235 brand new at www.jandr.com and they are an authorized dealer so the HK warranty would be perfectly valid.

in essence i would lean towards the 235 over the 335 for it's value, and either of the HK's over the Pioneer any day of the week.

bigsexy1

If you go HK, get at least the 435 as it has quite possibly the best latest and greatest top of the line processor on the market right now from TI. Same as in Denon's 5805.

2+2

I too am impressed with the Marantz 8400 I have been playing with....it is very quiet...the copper base is pretty, toroidal is hefty....good detail...I will say that hte sound does not appear to be as warm as the HK which may be a good or bad thing depending on your ears......

caseymou

I've narrowed my choices down to 3, unless some kind of spectular deal comes along for a used B&K or NAD.

Option #1 - HK 235. I can get a reburb. for ~$250 on ebay direct from HK. I like the styling but haven't been able to demo at the local store because their's is hardwired to a pair of JBL's. I trust the reviews saying the sound is warm (which I desire) but am a little weary of the 50w per channel rating even though it is in "HK watts". The 435 is a little north of my price range even with refurbs at around $550. The 335 doesn't offer much more than the 235 for the price difference.

Option #2 - Pioneer 1014/1015. If I can find one, the 1014 would be an outstanding value at around $300. The 1015 goes for $375 and up. Many good reviews but many say the music reproduction leaves something to be desired. I really don't listen to much music with my theater setup but it sure would be nice to have good sounding stuff when I do.

Option #3 - Marantz SR8400. The obvious choice if any become available again on ubid for ~$500. I am still kicking myself for not playing the game in the last auction. They may or may not become avialable again and I don't know how long to wait. I don't think I would buy off of ebay. The inflated prices are not what bothers me, it's the fact they lose the warranty when reselling.

marker

Caseymou I may be wrong, but I think ubid.com may be out of stock of the SR8400 now. They haven't ran any in a couple of weeks now.

You might could get one new in box off of ebay though. There is a glut of them on there right now where a lot of people bought them from ubid to try to sell on ebay and make a few dollars.

Short of that though, I'd endorse the Pioneer 1014 or 1015 in that price range for a new receiver.

caseymou

I hate to buy without a warranty. That is keeping me from buying from ebay. The 235 HK is leading the way in my book right now. The price can't be beat at ~$250 reburb with full warranty. I would jump at a Pioneer 1014 in the $300 range but with only 1015 available at $400+ the value vs. the HK (at $250) is not as clear. Of course, the marantz is my first choice if any more are available at ubid.

Any $$$ left over after receiver purchase will go towards a higher quality DVD player.

marker

Casey I'm in the process of having some warranty work done an Infinity IL60 that I bought from Harman's on line store. I just showed them a printout of the e-mail that serves as the receipt, and that was all it took. They never asked for ID or anything.

If you could get a copy of the receipt, you might be ok if you get something off of ebay. If you have to use it and they say something about if it's in a different state, just tell them you moved. It would probably work, assuming you would ever have to use it anyway.

caseymou

This thread seems to point out that the warranty is not transferable. If the warranty card does not require proof of purchase (aka ubid sales slip) and the warranty card is intact in the box, then I assume that I would be eligible for warranty with an ebay unit. If the seller (ubid) registers some paperwork with marantz, or if the seller doesn't remit the sales slip with the ebay auction (if required), then the warranty doesn't work.

I will likely hold out for a little while to see if any more appear. If not, I will probably buy a refurb. HK 235.




http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/1/134087.html

aaharvel

"I trust the reviews saying the sound is warm (which I desire) but am a little weary of the 50w per channel rating even though it is in "HK watts". "

Casey- I'll take H/K's 50watts over Pioneers 100watts anyday of the week. If you want warm sound (as I did) the H/K's got it in spades. I auditioned the Pioneer 1014 after I dumped my old sony es and before I bought the H/K and thought it sounded bright/horrid- especially for music. I also audtioned Yamaha and Onkyo. Same results, just to a lesser extent. I auditioned a Marantz 5400 and while it was the H/K's equal with warmth on music- it was too warm for movies, lacking the dynamics of the H/K. I loved the Denon 28?? just as much as the H/K- but couldn't get a good deal on it. In retrospect I'm glad now that I didn't.

(edit) For $250 for a $500 receiver, and with factory warranty- you'd be crazy not to buy it. When I bought mine new for $350 i had this look on my face like I just stole something.

ND13

Originally posted by aaharvel
"I trust the reviews saying the sound is warm (which I desire) but am a little weary of the 50w per channel rating even though it is in "HK watts". "

Casey- you won't be disappointed. Trust me. those 50watts are real. I'd bet you money right now the Pioneer 1014 on a testbench doesn't put that much out with all channels driven simultaneously throughout the entire audio spectrum. The 235's sound is lean, warm, it's powerful and it can drive the hell out of an entire 7.1 setup with enough headroom without even getting hot (warm, yes. but not hot).

I auditioned the Pioneer 1014 after I dumped my old sony es and before I bought the H/K and thought it sounded horrid- especially for music. I also audtioned Yamaha and Onkyo. Same results. I auditioned Marantz and while it was the H/K's equal on music- it wasn't on movies.

For $250, and with warranty- you'd be crazy not to buy it.

DO IT!!! DO IT!!!!

Get the drama over. If you don't like it I'm sure you won't have any problems unloading here. Hell, after I unload all my extra stuff I might even want it to replace the Optimist/Pioneer.

And at least I'm not the only one to call you Casey, either.

caseymou

That's about all I needed to hear

If you want warm sound (as I did) the H/K's got it in spades. I auditioned the Pioneer 1014 after I dumped my old sony es and before I bought the H/K and thought it sounded bright/horrid- especially for music. I also audtioned Yamaha and Onkyo. Same results, just to a lesser extent.

Hey Noel,

Come on over and get those walsh's and I will place the order for the HK.

Thanks everyone for the input. Nothing like a good discussion over some electronics.:D

ND13

Originally posted by caseymou
That's about all I needed to hear



Hey Noel,

Come on over and get those walsh's and I will place the order for the HK.

Thanks everyone for the input. Nothing like a good discussion over some electronics.:D

I will when these SOB's I work for pay me on time. But seriously, you know I want 'em, gotta have my speaker fix, it's been a whole 5 days since the SDA fix. Sorry I couldn't make it over last night. Keep 'em for me, I've got something in the works and might have the cash by end of the week instead of the 15th.