Yet another "Which Receiver to Get" Thread

Mike Sedai
Mike Sedai Posts: 49
edited January 2006 in Electronics
Hi folks.

You guys (and gals) have been great help so far with the HT information, and I have all my speakers picked out, and some purchased and in place.

Now, to put it all together and get this thing complete, I need to add the receiver.

First, my speakers

What I have
Polk Tb90 (basically Monitor 60s)
Polk Csi 3 Center

What I will soon get
Polk Fxi3
A subwoofer - will probably be the last item added. I have a Cambridge Soundworks Sub at my house, but probably won't wire it in, as it's pretty cruddy.


Here are the choices that i can afford

All from HarmanAudio.com

AVR 335Z
AVR 435Z
AVR 670

All clock in around 5 bills, which is where I want to end up. I have decided to go with remanufactured, as I get twice the box for the money. With my speaker set up, in a smallish decorated family room, which would be the best choice?
Harman Kardan AVR 630
Sony DVPNS665 DVD
Polk TB 90 Front Mains
Polk CsI3 Center
Polk FxI3 Surrounds
Velodyne VX-10
Post edited by Mike Sedai on
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Comments

  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    Pick which ever receiver has pre-outs and the features that you want. If none of then have pre-outs, increase your budget & buy one that does.
    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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  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited January 2006
    cfrizz wrote:
    Pick which ever receiver has pre-outs and the features that you want. If none of then have pre-outs, increase your budget & buy one that does.

    Great advice should be followed.

    When I bought my Onkyo it had pre-outs and I didn't care. Now I added an amp and I am so glad they were there.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
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  • Mike Sedai
    Mike Sedai Posts: 49
    edited January 2006
    Sounds great, but that isn't what I need to know at this time, as I still need to get the HT system going before I add amps, for whatever reason. So, are all these receivers underpowered? Are they overpowered for my set-up? Is that why amps are being brought up? Other amps are not a concern right now, and definitely not in the budget.

    Really, I need to know if any of these receivers are good for my speaker set-up in the room that they will reside in. Other amps just aren't a concern right now. Regardless, all those H/K amps I listed have pre-outs.
    Harman Kardan AVR 630
    Sony DVPNS665 DVD
    Polk TB 90 Front Mains
    Polk CsI3 Center
    Polk FxI3 Surrounds
    Velodyne VX-10
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  • sickicw
    sickicw Posts: 456
    edited January 2006
    Onkyo sr703 would be fine to get you going. The best part about it is the auto eq (calibrated microphone included) and the pre outs. I will be enough to power your system. If you have money left over, i would then start adding more amps. (you can read any posts about "seperates" to learn more about why people add external amps)
    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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  • Mike Sedai
    Mike Sedai Posts: 49
    edited January 2006
    I guess I just need to rephrase my question...

    Of the three Karman Kardon units that I listed, which do you think best suits my current speaker configuration, listed above, in a 14x14 furnished living room?

    Onkyo is not in the running.

    Thanks :)
    Harman Kardan AVR 630
    Sony DVPNS665 DVD
    Polk TB 90 Front Mains
    Polk CsI3 Center
    Polk FxI3 Surrounds
    Velodyne VX-10
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  • jtoddaz
    jtoddaz Posts: 37
    edited January 2006
    I can tell you that i just got a refurbished 435x HK receiver today and it is set up with rti6 fronts, csi3 center, and psw10 sub and it sounds amazing. My room is 20x14 with open to kitchen and dining room and it is plenty of power. If your room is 14x14 it will have plenty of power, and it has pre outs. Not to mention it is beautiful!!!
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    Since all have room to grow in the future, get the one that has the most power & enjoy! I couldn't find the AVR 670 on the site.
    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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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited January 2006
    cfrizz wrote:
    Since all have room to grow in the future, get the one that has the most power & enjoy! I couldn't find the AVR 670 on the site.

    Yup. Just base your decision on what processing features you want and get the one that has the most power. I'm not sure I'd bother with external amplification for the TB90's, but maybe I'm misjudging the speakers seeing as how I haven't heard them.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • Mike Sedai
    Mike Sedai Posts: 49
    edited January 2006
    audiobliss wrote:
    Yup. Just base your decision on what processing features you want and get the one that has the most power. I'm not sure I'd bother with external amplification for the TB90's, but maybe I'm misjudging the speakers seeing as how I haven't heard them.



    I would think you are correct in that assumption.

    The reason people ar having trouble locating that 670 on the site is because it doesn;t exist! I had the model number incorrect. It's an AVR 630. :)

    Sorry for the confusion. I think I will go with the 630, as it has a bit more power. The only thing I am concerned about is the lack of the auto-set feature in the slightly older xx0 line. The reason I was considering the lesser power xx5 series was really just that feature. Is that feature worth doing for, or is the 630 the better deal, at about the same price?

    Thanks for the replies.
    Harman Kardan AVR 630
    Sony DVPNS665 DVD
    Polk TB 90 Front Mains
    Polk CsI3 Center
    Polk FxI3 Surrounds
    Velodyne VX-10
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    Do it yourself for 50 bucks!

    http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103667&cp=&kw=spl+meter&parentPage=search
    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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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited January 2006
    Ditto. Just get you an SPL meter (which you should get regardless) and set it up yourself.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • Mike Sedai
    Mike Sedai Posts: 49
    edited January 2006
    Excellent, I shall go for the 630 then. Cool, hopefully I can order it this weekend, or early next week, when cash allows!

    thanks for the help, Polk folks.
    Harman Kardan AVR 630
    Sony DVPNS665 DVD
    Polk TB 90 Front Mains
    Polk CsI3 Center
    Polk FxI3 Surrounds
    Velodyne VX-10
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  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited January 2006
    Hey, "Polk folks"...sounds a lot like "po' folks". And I'm sure that's an equally applicable term after some of us go off on buying sprees! :p
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    Terrific! Nice work Mike. Report back when it's all in place & let us know how it sounds!
    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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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2006
    i'm looking to replace my older Marantz SR5000 receiver with something new now.. but i'm having trouble deciding if I want to go with another Marantz or a Denon or HK. I haven't really even considered any other brands of receivers. my budget is $700 give or take a few bucks..

    I'd like an Outlaw 990 pre amp.. but it's just a little outside my reach.

    Any thoughts on what else to look at? At this point the Denon's and Marantz's are about equal to me. How about an Denon 3805? Last years model over the 3806?

    Onecall.com no longer carries Marantz, and very limited Denon's.

    *oh yeah, i don't need tons of power in a receiver either.. i got all the external amps i need.. so that's not a problem for me.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    You just answered your own question DB. If an Outlaw is what you really want then just save more money & get it.

    Jeez people, exercising a little patience won't kill you!!!! ;) :rolleyes: :D
    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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  • Tour2ma
    Tour2ma Posts: 10,177
    edited January 2006
    Mike Sedai wrote:
    Sounds great, but that isn't what I need to know at this time, as I still need to get the HT system going before I add amps...
    It's called keeping your options open.
    More later,
    Tour...
    Vox Copuli
    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb

    "Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
    "It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
    "There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2006
    cfrizz wrote:
    You just answered your own question DB. If an Outlaw is what you really want then just save more money & get it.

    Jeez people, exercising a little patience won't kill you!!!! ;) :rolleyes: :D


    Cathy, that's not the answer I was looking for. :p you know us guys have no patience when it comes to audio... you have amazing restraint!!.. We could all learn from you. ;)

    I'll give it a week, hows that for restraint? :eek:
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2006
    :D WAAAAA!!! Pathetic, absolutely pathetic!!!! :D If you get something else, I DON'T want to hear you whining how much you wanted the Outlaw! :p

    danger boy wrote:
    Cathy, that's not the answer I was looking for. :p you know us guys have no patience when it comes to audio... you have amazing restraint!!.. We could all learn from you. ;)

    I'll give it a week, hows that for restraint? :eek:
    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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  • Mike Sedai
    Mike Sedai Posts: 49
    edited January 2006
    It's done!

    H/K AVR 630Z has been ordered!

    Thanks for the tips, polk folk.
    Harman Kardan AVR 630
    Sony DVPNS665 DVD
    Polk TB 90 Front Mains
    Polk CsI3 Center
    Polk FxI3 Surrounds
    Velodyne VX-10
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