I need a new receiver, opinions welcome

demingm
demingm Posts: 12
edited January 2006 in Electronics
Ok, I'm somewhat new to the surround sound arena. My old speaker setup was a Technics receiver (do they even make these anymore?) with Cerwin Vega Tower speakers. It was ok but nothing that special. Just this past weekend I took the plunge and bought a polk speaker system (RM6900) and I'm looking to upgrade my receiver. I don't have a huge budget, but I'm looking to spend in the neighborhood of $350-$500. I've heard Onkyo has some good receivers, but I really just have no clue. I'd like to have the option of moving up to 7.1 so the receiver must be able to handle that. Plus, I want something with a lot of inputs/outputs so I can be sure it can handle all of the equipment I have no and will have in the future. If you were in my shoes, what would you recommend I look at buying? Thanks.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited January 2006
    I would go Denon or Harman Kardon; if you don't mind refurbished, this is a great site:
    http://www.harmanaudio.com/
    Welcome to the forum
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    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    Welcome Demingm.

    Also check out www.dakmart.com for refurbished Denon's. Whatever receiver you get make sure it has pre-outs so that you can add more amplification in the future.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • sickicw
    sickicw Posts: 456
    edited January 2006
    My vote goes to the Onkyo (TX-SR703). I just bought one of these at circuit city.com for $200 off (about $600). I know its out of your price range, but i would save up for it when it comes back on sale. I dont think they are running the sale right now, but if you come back to the site every week, it should be their again. FYI i have been demoing a few receivers and pre amps lately and this is the one i like the most. I owned the following Onkyo SR501 ($250 - kept), Onkyo SR702 ($700 - returned because i was convinced that a preamp would sound better), Outlaw 990($1000 - going to sell), Denon 3806 ($1300 - returned), and now the Onkyo SR703 ($600 -going to keep). The think i like the most about this reciever is the audo eq. It comes with a mic and equalizes your speakers to sound best in your room. very nice tool, and much better than the denon's.
    Speakers: LSi9 x 2, LSic, LSiFX x 2, Velodyne HGS-15
    Amps & Power: Rockford Fosgate T8004 x 3, Cascade Audio APS-55 power supplies x 5, and 1 farad capacitor.
    Electronics: Denon 3806, Toshiba HD-A1, & Sony KDL46XBR2
    Accessories: Anti-IC interconnects, 8 Mondo Traps from Realtraps, and Salamander furniture.
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  • demingm
    demingm Posts: 12
    edited January 2006
    Thanks for the responses so far. I would definitely consider going out of my price range a little if there was a good deal to be had. Do a lot of people tend to go the refurbished route to save some $$?

    Being the noob that I am, can someone either explain what preamps are, or point me to a post or link that would have that kind of information? Thanks.
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  • sickicw
    sickicw Posts: 456
    edited January 2006
    a preamp is basicly a receiver without the built in ampifier. With a pre amp, you have to buy seperate amps to power your speakers....

    As far as refurbished goes, it can save you money and i would consider it if it includes some type of warrenty. I prefer buying new (and hopefully on sale) to demo it, and then return it within 30 days if i dont like it. might want to check out www.crutchfield.com. They have a great return policy.
    Speakers: LSi9 x 2, LSic, LSiFX x 2, Velodyne HGS-15
    Amps & Power: Rockford Fosgate T8004 x 3, Cascade Audio APS-55 power supplies x 5, and 1 farad capacitor.
    Electronics: Denon 3806, Toshiba HD-A1, & Sony KDL46XBR2
    Accessories: Anti-IC interconnects, 8 Mondo Traps from Realtraps, and Salamander furniture.
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  • sickicw
    sickicw Posts: 456
    edited January 2006
    Oh, yea and by the way, circuitcity has sells all the time that you can only get throught their web site.
    Speakers: LSi9 x 2, LSic, LSiFX x 2, Velodyne HGS-15
    Amps & Power: Rockford Fosgate T8004 x 3, Cascade Audio APS-55 power supplies x 5, and 1 farad capacitor.
    Electronics: Denon 3806, Toshiba HD-A1, & Sony KDL46XBR2
    Accessories: Anti-IC interconnects, 8 Mondo Traps from Realtraps, and Salamander furniture.
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  • demingm
    demingm Posts: 12
    edited January 2006
    Yeah, I purchased my polks at Circuit City. It was nice, $200 off and 18 months no interest financing. Unfortunately they tried to sell me a bunch of other crap, but that's to be expected ;)

    What are the advantages to using a preamp over a regular receiver setup?
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  • sickicw
    sickicw Posts: 456
    edited January 2006
    The definate advantage is that with a pre amp you can use external amps and they usually have higher quality parts. some receivers have pre-outs (such as the Onkyo TX-SR703) which also allow you to also use external amplification. (i wouldnt buy a receiver without pre outs). The main disadvantage of a receiver is that the built in amplifier is generally not as good as a seperate amplifier. The processing part of an receiver may or may not be as good as a pre amp. Like i said earlier i like the processing of the onkyo receiver over the outlaw preamp mainly because it includes a auto eq function. I still use external amplification on most of my speakers, however.
    Speakers: LSi9 x 2, LSic, LSiFX x 2, Velodyne HGS-15
    Amps & Power: Rockford Fosgate T8004 x 3, Cascade Audio APS-55 power supplies x 5, and 1 farad capacitor.
    Electronics: Denon 3806, Toshiba HD-A1, & Sony KDL46XBR2
    Accessories: Anti-IC interconnects, 8 Mondo Traps from Realtraps, and Salamander furniture.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    If you want to go with good bang for the buck separates check out www.outlawaudio.com

    Or you could get their new receiver which does have preouts so you still have amplification upgrade options!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited January 2006
    I would agree in getting a reciever with pre-outs. It would allow you to upgrade as your taste in sound develop and grow. Harmans have great amplification for recievers. :)
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
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  • demingm
    demingm Posts: 12
    edited January 2006
    Anyone got a good site for refurbished onkyo receivers? Preferably certified refurbs that have warranties ;)
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited January 2006
    www.ecost.com
    www.pcmall.com
    www.macmall.com

    all the same store, but differ with inventory.

    These places usually offer: Denon, sony, onkyo, jvc, hk, sherwood at discounted prices. Some are new, but most are refurbs.
    Tschüss
    Zach
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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited January 2006
    VSX-1015TX (Pioneer). Kicks butt. :)
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  • Lsi9
    Lsi9 Posts: 616
    edited January 2006
    do yourself a favor go on ebay and get a preamp and amp (used)
    you would be surprised how cheap it could be and you would be getting much better results

    Audio Physic Scorpio II
    Pathos Logos
    MIT Shotgun S3
    Bada HD-22 CDP
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  • demingm
    demingm Posts: 12
    edited January 2006
    I'm completely clueless when it comes to preamps and amps. What are some good brands/combo's to look out for? Would I need any additional equipment with this setup besides the preamp and amp? Also, some reading material on this type of setup would be appreciate ;) Just wanted to reiterate my budget is floating in the $600 to $700 range so is this setup even possible? I don't want to cut myself too short just so i can jump into this better setup. My system will be used mainly for HT, but I wouldn't mind if music sounded good on it as well. Thanks for all of the help in advance.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    This thread will give you a little bit better understanding of what separates are, and what they can do for your system.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35317&highlight=separates
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • speakergeek
    speakergeek Posts: 555
    edited January 2006
    And this article will help too. I'd say 600-700 dollars would make it difficult to get the real benefits separates have to offer, so a receiver with pre-outs would be a good choice in that price range. The article puts a cut-off between receivers and separates at about 1500 bucks. You can buy used stuff, but then you run the risk of it not working.

    http://ultimateavmag.com/howto/405shopping/


    Cheers
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  • drew spelts
    drew spelts Posts: 310
    edited January 2006
    Well I just got The Harman Kardon AVR 635 about 3 weeks ago and it is a dream come true. nealy limitless features to dial in through a sweet on screen display through your TV. It is so powerfull and perfect I would never buy any other brand ever. I got mine for $650.00. Privte message me if you want any more specifics.
    Harman Kardon AVR635
    RTi10's Up Front
    CSi5 Center
    RTi6's Rear Surround
    Furman RA-1210:rolleyes:
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,064
    edited January 2006
    There is a HK avr 130(135) in the FM right now for cheap.
    I am debating wether to keep my yamaha rxv 540 (6.1) or sell it.
    Those are 2 options both under your $$.
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