Ok, HT Junkies, school ME...

RuSsMaN

Not sure I'm sticking with a 2ch HT rig. I kinda miss stuff zinging around the room. Thinking outloud here.

Let's say $500~ give or take, what do YOU recommend for a DD/DTS 5.1 receiver, with preouts for all channels? I do NOT care for, or want 6,7, 28 point one. 5.1, that's it. Multi-ch inputs a plus, but not required. I don't need sub filtering - I use an external crossover. At the end of the day, I could give a rats **** how much it cost, beit $150 or $600 - as long as it sounds good, and does what I want it to. I do NOT care if it is current product or not. I'm only out to impress myself.

I don't need video switching, lots of bells and whistles, pretty much straight forward. That being said, I'll for SURE run a separate amp for the mains and center - I COULD use the built in amps in the rec for the rears. Whether I do or not, is a different story, but I'd like to have that option, SQ wise.

On the receiver front, I'm an Onkyo / HK fan, no personal Denon experience, but have heard a few systems I've liked using it. I shy away from Yamaha and Sony. What are you having success with?


Cheers,
Rooster

beardog03

I got a Yammie RX-V795
85w ch
5.1
Pre outs
8-9/10 for age only
DD/DTS
http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/DsplyModel?gAVR00010RX-V795

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/a-v-receivers/yamaha/PRD_118880_2718crx.aspx

300.00 shipped

RuSsMaN

Is that an 'a' model from 2000, or straight V795 from 1998?

I take it you dig it, based on what I asked above?

beardog03

I bought in new at the end of 98

I really dig it..!!
Until now been having ahard time lettin her go..

I have a Denon 3802 that I`m using now, but I honestly think it`s a toss up between the two...but you know me ...I can`t seem to let stuff go...
I like the 5.1 better than the 6.1/7.1 stuff myself..

I`m working towards a tube amp that I have to have, so.... alot of stuff is going to be hitting the FM...

McLoki

I have an Onkyo 777 avr. It is 5.1 DD and DTS. It is ok - the DD decoding is very good, the DTS decoding kind of sucks. I am making use of the pre-outs on the AVR. I have heard from others with newer Onkyo AVR's that the DTS sounds ok to them. If you purchased used just wanted you to be aware of it.

If I had it to do over again, knew I was going to purchase external amps and wanted an AVR - I would go Yamaha or Denon.

Michael

AsSiMiLaTeD

Russ, you can grab a Denon 3801 or an HK 525 for $400 or so I think. IMO it's gonna be hard to beat either receiver at that price.

Here's a thread I started a while back doing a shoot out with several models. Obviously I'm just one person and these are just my findings, so they don't hold much weight, but they may be useful in your research...

aaharvel

I don't know of any pre-owned models I could recommend you, and I am unaware of new receivers that are 5.1 models unless they are from less respectable brands and are bare bones with no pre-outs. The following current models still give you a great value though imo, are neutral to warm in sound characteristics and are among the best in their class (all are 7.1 however and are new models BUT have pre-outs).

A. Marantz str-4500 (7.1, pre-outs, high current, dolby prologic IIx with a slightly warm midrange)
REVIEW: http://www.hometheatermag.com/receivers/205marantz/
MSRP- $449, available online for around as $290
http://www.superpawn.com/product.asp?catalog_name=SuperPawn&product_id=2328986&c=1

B. Denon AVR-2105 (7.1, pre-outs, high current (?), dolby prologic IIx with a neutral sound)
REVIEW: http://www.hometheatermag.com/receivers/305denon/
MSRP: $600, available online for around $400
http://www.bestpricecameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=239947

C. Harman Kardon AVR-235/240 (7.1, pre-outs, high current (+/-35), dolby prologic IIx, LOGIC-7, warm sound)
~240 is the new model, an I-Pod interface is the only difference~
REVIEW: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_3/harman-kardon-avr-235-receiver-9-2005.html
MSRP/235:$550, online as low as $325
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=details&kw=HAAVR235&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=353174
MSRP/240: $600, online as low as $399 (authorized dealer)
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4058163

good huntin'

brettw22

I've had an Onkyo receiver before, and I really liked it (though it was just a Pro Logic at the time).....

If you happen to find a Denon model that you like, and are ok with refurbs, I boght my DVD Player from DAKMART and haven't had any problems with it.

Early B.

Russ -- your parameters are similar to mine when I went shopping for a new receiver to replace my HK 525 a couple of months ago. I ended up buying a factory refurbed Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX for less than $400. I loved my HK, but this PE kicks the 525's ****. Great SQ. It's a 7.1 (with the ability to bi-amp the fronts), but it doesn't have all of those superfluous bells and whistles. Runs lukewarm, too.

aaharvel

Early B. wrote:

Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX

that's a good one. here's a review of it.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/receivers/1204pioneer/index1.html

faster100

you got pm,

mantis

Russ,
done deal man.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homevdeo&1136361656

Depending on the kind of speakes your going to use, the internal amps are fine. they actually have decend amount of current and drive well. It sounds good 2. This is one of my favorite classic to me Denon receivers.

Good luck man,

Dan

Dennis Gardner

Why go receiver when you care about audio the most. I would go with an Acurus ACT3 preamp. You know their quality and don't need the bells and whistles. You got tons of amps pass through your abode to fiddle with.

Best sound available for under $500 IMO. One just sold on Agon with sticky switching for $225.

Then again, the Outlaw 950 can be had easily for around 4 bills.

dkg999

Russ - I have been a Yamaha fan for a long time, although I still think they make good stuff, you have to go with one of their newer 6+ channel receivers to get a good sounding pre/pro. I would recommend looking at some of the 2 to 3 yr. old Marantz or Pioneer Elite 5.1 receivers. I have a couple of friends that are using these and they have very nice sounding pre/pro sections in them, and good strong neutral amp's if you want to utilize them. I am looking for one to replace a Yamaha HTR-5660 that I use with an Adcom 7605 amp for the second HT system. The other pre/pro you might watch for is one of the Citation/HK ones. They come up for auction on the bay or gon on a fairly frequent basis. As long as they have the updates, or you can get the updates for them, they are really nice 5.1 units. I believe the shop that services them now is down in your area too. Doug.

cmy330go

Russ,

For what it's worth I was never a big Yami fan. However, the RX-V2500 I have now was basically given to me, and it has really changed my opinion. Prior to it I had a Denon 4802. I hate to say this but the Denon sounded very dull in comparison. I didn't notice how dull it was until CP member Fireshoes came over once and just seemed unimpressed with my system. Shortly after that out of curiousity I hooked up the yamaha (that had been sitting in the box for weeks) and was blown away by the diference. It really helped bring my system to life. I've heard many say it makes a great pre/pro, which is also my plan, but I'm just too tied up with 2ch right now. Also, the OSD makes this thing a treat to setup and use. I have heard they can be had for around $500 now. Might be a good option for you to consider.

Good luck with the new HT system!
Dave

wingnut4772

I had an Onkyo 701 before and it sounded nice hooked up to a separate amp. You can go six channels if you want too. Used would definitely fall within the budget.

RuSsMaN

Thanks for the suggestions, and links. Let me get my read on now.

dkg999

Russ - link to one of the Citation pre/pro's I referenced in my previous reply:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1137334487

unc2701

Yammies give great bang for the buck. I'm not a huge fan of the internal amplification, but the processing is pretty damn good and you can find models with pre-outs on far cheaper models. The also handle low impedence pretty well. You can't blast 4 ohm speakers for days, but at reasonable levels, the RX line won't go into thermal shutdown.

DollarDave

Does anyone know if Pioneer has an outlet store like HK?

gshisme

H/K AVR320 or H/K AVR520. Should be able to find at a decent price. Just enough bells without the whistles. Has preouts, DTS, DD, L7, etc., high current amp and 5.1. The 320 would even drive the LSi's although it's not something I'd recommend without some more amp. Just my 1 cent. Of course I'm a H/K junkie also.

Good luck.

Toxis

Denon 3803 if you can find one... hell, I bet someone would even sell a 3805 for that range seeing the new 3806 is out now.

faster100

I offered my 3803, oh well

shack

Look for a used Outlaw 1050. There are a couple for sale on Agon and ebay since the 1070 is out. Not a lot of bells and whistles but a very good AVR. I was going to buy one but it didn't do DPLII and my kids had a lot of VHS tapes they still watched (as do I). It is the only reason I did not buy one. Pretty solid 65 WPC.

gregure

Russ,

I've worked around Denon, Pioneer Elite, Marantz, Sony, B&K, Primare and owned Onkyo, HK and B&K. Aside from stating the obvious, that B&K is the best I've ever owned, I can whole heartedly say that in my opinion Marantz had the best sound (and amps) between Denon, HK, Sony and Onkyo. Pioneer Elite is also good stuff, lots of detail and power, however the new series is not as good. Onkyo sounded a bit thin even at $600 and the DTS processing wasn't very good. Denon has muddy bass and a lacklustre soundstage. HK was decent, but still did not have the warmth, openness and clarity of Marantz. The SR5600 is current, and only about $600, so would fit your budget. Of course, the SR8500 is a real beast, but at $1500, it's got a great amp and processing. The VSX56TXi is also a great receiver, although the Pioneer sound can be a bit bright for some tastes. I'd recommend listening first. The 56 is being phased out, though, and may be able to be picked up for a good deal.

Still, as has been mentioned, you'd probably get better performance from a budget friendly used preamp, giving you full flexibility to use a good separate amp.

Dennis Gardner

Here ya go Russ. Just came on Agon today. Ya don't need no stinkin' receiver.........

Acurus ACT3

Priced to sell too.

madmax

Dennis Gardner wrote:

Why go receiver when you care about audio the most. I would go with an Acurus ACT3 preamp. You know their quality and don't need the bells and whistles. You got tons of amps pass through your abode to fiddle with.

I totally agree. Period. And no, my ACT3 is not for sale.
madmax

polksda

Toxis wrote:

Denon 3803 if you can find one... hell, I bet someone would even sell a 3805 for that range seeing the new 3806 is out now.

I'm using the 3803 as well. Has all the bells and whistles you'd want, including 5.1 multichannel inputs, component video switching (including upconversion from composite and S-video to component). I'm running preamp outs to a Carver 2-channel amp to drive the front mains, so it has plenty of power to run the center and surrounds.