Reciever Audition

Kchill

I could tell you guys that I found a Onkyo TX NR 905 for 600 bucks that the retailer would not sell me but I am too mad to talk about that. Instead I am looking to audition a few recievers over the next few weeks. I do have a budget and believe I can get something of good quality for around the same price.

I don't know if I need too many bells and wistles but would like the reciever to have the new audio formats and be able to add an amp for my RTi10's. I want the 10's to sing as others have stated.

The reciever should be able to do a zone 2 for the adjoining room that will have 2 channels for my r50's that i will have there.

I am looking at yamaha's, onkyo's and harmon kardon but am open to anything that will bring good clean sound to my speakers. I am also interested that the reciever upconvert my now dvd player to 1080i for the big monster 55 in mits that I have. Wonder if it would do the same for my Wii

Just to name a few stores that are still open in my area Fry's, HHgregg, Worst Buy, and Brandsmart Usa (look them up..they have good prices).

I love a close out if I can find them...I wish Hi Fi Buy was still open.

Please chime in as I am going out tonight to get one.

wutadumsn23

I would recommend an Onkyo. I have an 806 and it has yet to dissapoint me in any way. There is however, a somewhat common problem with the 806 and blue dots being displayed under certain settings. I don't have this problem, but there has been a post about it here and there. It has pre-outs for adding an external amp, and can be had for around $650, however I know for a fact that BB does not carry Onkyo products. CC does, but from what I hear you may want to stay away from their "sales" Also the 805 is another good choice, but it is still going for around $700-$750, I hear it is the better option between the two as far as audio is concerned, but not sure if the video portion is the same as the 806. The 606 would probably be the perfect option for you since you aren't too concerned with all the bells and whistles it has all the latest codecs, retailing for around $400-$450 but it doesn't have pre-outs for adding an external amp as you are planning to do. Good luck and happy shopping.

nooshinjohn

some Best Buy stores have the yamaha rx-v861 still hanging around. they can also be found on ebay for around 400.00 for this price they are a fantastic piece. there are also some thx rated pioneers around. My best buy store here in town has the yami for 429.00 and the pioneer for 399.00

NewHTguy

I am fairly happy with my Onk 875. Has good upscaling for std dvds and a lot of power for a receiver. ( Note our rigs are similar, in part because I followed your advice last year to skip upgrading to the monitor series.) It does run hot even though it is not in a cabinet. I like the fact that it has sufficient power so that you could look for a 2-channel amp later, and not need to amp the surrounds.

Kchill

nooshinjohn wrote: »

some Best Buy stores have the yamaha rx-v861 still hanging around. they can also be found on ebay for around 400.00 for this price they are a fantastic piece. there are also some thx rated pioneers around. My best buy store here in town has the yami for 429.00 and the pioneer for 399.00

Would have been nice to see this with HD Dolby and DTS...

What about the pioneers...are they good for polk?

MikeC78

Check out the new Pioneer Elite SC-05.

mmadden28

If you go for the Onk 805...
Physically check your local CCity (don't just call) for any Onk 805s that might still be in on-hand stock. CaligulaPolk picked one up for about $402 and I got one for the reg 10% sale price of ~$473. Both were NIB.

Or keep an eye out at eCost and shoponkyo for refurb/recert models selling around $480. They show up every so often as available but they sell quick.


Come on-you gotta tell us why the guy wouldn't sell the 905 to you. That would have been a nice snag.

metal83

Kchill wrote: »

Would have been nice to see this with HD Dolby and DTS...

What about the pioneers...are they good for polk?

In my opinion they are, my Pioneer Elite 92 has served me well over the past year.

danlarson

I love my Harmon Kardon AVR354-- and found it MUCH cheaper (half price) on Amazon ($400). It has pre-amp outs-- so if you have large speakers, you can drive those with an Emotiva XPA-5 and still have spent far less than the Pioneer Elite, but with a much better sound.

MikeC78

Really? Have you heard the newer Elite line before? Besides, that HK can't even do half of what the new elites can do, he's interested in something that can encode the new audio codecs.

nooshinjohn

these are the best at this price range without any doubt....

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=yamaha+rx+v2600

specs and details can be found here
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200003&CTID=5000300



enjoy!:cool:

mmadden28

Kchill wrote: »

...
I don't know if I need too many bells and wistles but would like the reciever to have the new audio formats......

nooshinjohn wrote: »

these are the best at this price range without any doubt....

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=yamaha+rx+v2600

specs and details can be found here
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200003&CTID=5000300

enjoy!:cool:

The Yamaha RX-V2600 does not appear to decode the latest audio formats as the OP is looking for.

metal83

danlarson wrote: »

I love my Harmon Kardon AVR354-- and found it MUCH cheaper (half price) on Amazon ($400). It has pre-amp outs-- so if you have large speakers, you can drive those with an Emotiva XPA-5 and still have spent far less than the Pioneer Elite, but with a much better sound.

I got my Pioneer Elite 92 last year for $700. Tweeter had them on clearance for that price, and i had Best Buy price match them since i had some gift certificates. Just for the hell of it i took a look on Best Buy's website, and the Elite 92 is still retailing there for $1300...:eek:

Kchill

OK did not see anything good after work...2 stores had the yammy 863 but wanted a cool 800 bucks...lol...did run across a onkyo 606 for 400 flat...BUT It HAS NO PRE OUT...BOOOO...lol

Hay how long before HK drop thier price when the new models come in...last year i picked up a HK 247 for 225.00 off thier ebay store (refurbed ) and it showed it was cuz it kept cutting off. I can't even find thier ebay site anymore.

emoxley

The Onkyo TX-SR706 is available at Amazon.com for $538.92 right now.
It has pre-outs, it decodes the HD audio formats, has 4 HDMI inputs, and it even has a phono input (if you like that). See it here: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR706-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B001AMSOYG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1233366100&sr=1-8

Kchill

What about a Pioneer ? Model VSX-1018TXH-K...and comments?

Kchill

emoxley wrote: »

The Onkyo TX-SR706 is available at Amazon.com for $538.92 right now.
It has pre-outs, it decodes the HD audio formats, has 4 HDMI inputs, and it even has a phono input (if you like that). See it here: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR706-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B001AMSOYG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1233366100&sr=1-8

Thanks I see that and its a great deal, just that if I need to return it and warranty issues. I like brick and mortor for somethings. I'm a warranty person...funny cuz if the store close where do that leave ya...lol. But what if its a dud...I don't know..last year when I got a HK 247 and had to return it, it took close to a month to get my money back even though the had the item at the warehouse and they were really downtown from where I live. Amazon doesn't want to tell mw who's selling it.

nooshinjohn

did you get the link for the yami?

Kchill

yes I did, thanks john. I think I will pick up the pioneer. I'm going to give it a test run to see if it works for me...Thank goodness the websites give you the owners manuel. For those with the onkyo's how is the bi-amping? I know folks will say you still need a amp which I intend to get a emotive the next time they have a sale.

emoxley

I don't use an external amp with my LSi9s and Onkyo 805, and haven't had a bit of trouble. Depends on your receiver, if you need an amp or not. A friend at another forum runs 5 Dynaudio 4 ohm speakers, with his Onkyo 805, and doesn't have any trouble. I don't bi-amp, so I have no idea how it is.

renowilliams

I have just recently bought a Yamaha rx-v861.I was looking for a budget reciever as I am building a new HT system. The yamaha has 2 HDMI imputs and does 2 zones. It really shines in mulichannel listening but the 2 channel sound is great in what they call enhancer mode. Now like I said,I am just starting to put a system together myself and currently I am using the yammy to drive a set of RTIA5's and am very happy with both

kneedragger37

Kchill wrote: »

What about a Pioneer ? Model VSX-1018TXH-K...and comments?

How are you liking this one? I had a VSX-1017TX-V, and absolutely loved it -- when I upgraded my TV and source devices I needed something that would do HDMI video AND audio, so I eBay'd the 1017 and was about to get the 1018, but got a SWEET deal on the Onk 606 so I went with that instead. I'm still wondering if I made the right choice or if I should've splurged on the 1018....

metal83

kneedragger37 wrote: »

How are you liking this one? I had a VSX-1017TX-V, and absolutely loved it -- when I upgraded my TV and source devices I needed something that would do HDMI video AND audio, so I eBay'd the 1017 and was about to get the 1018, but got a SWEET deal on the Onk 606 so I went with that instead. I'm still wondering if I made the right choice or if I should've splurged on the 1018....

Nope, you made the wrong choice going with that Onkyo, no pre-outs (unless you never want to hook up another amp). And no, you shouldn't of splurged on the Pioneer 1018, you should of splurged on a Pioneer Elite model!!!

Haha, i'm jk man lol, i'm sure that Onkyo is nice, it has glowing reviews for the most part. Just sucks with the whole no pre-outs thing, but that doesn't matter to everyone.

kneedragger37

metal83 wrote: »

Nope, you made the wrong choice going with that Onkyo, no pre-outs (unless you never want to hook up another amp). And no, you shouldn't of splurged on the Pioneer 1018, you should of splurged on a Pioneer Elite model!!!

Haha, i'm jk man lol, i'm sure that Onkyo is nice, it has glowing reviews for the most part. Just sucks with the whole no pre-outs thing, but that doesn't matter to everyone.

For me, the pre-out thing didn't matter -- I bought this on price-point alone. For under $300, there was nothing out there even close. If I were to use an AVR as a pre/pro (or just get a proper pre/pro), I would definitely want one that was THX certified (Ultra2 preferably) with Audyssey MultEQ and Silicon Optix Reon deinterlacing, as opposed to the 2EQ and Faroudja that the 606 is equipped with. However, even for twice the money, I doubt there's anything that could significantly out-do this little Onk for features or sound quality.

As far as splugring, for this room, when I splurge I'm either going with Marantz or Integra -- I really don't want to go with a separate pre/pro and amp in here -- I'll save that for the dedicated home theater (when I build it)...

Kchill

metal83 wrote: »

Nope, you made the wrong choice going with that Onkyo, no pre-outs (unless you never want to hook up another amp). And no, you shouldn't of splurged on the Pioneer 1018, you should of splurged on a Pioneer Elite model!!!

Haha, i'm jk man lol, i'm sure that Onkyo is nice, it has glowing reviews for the most part. Just sucks with the whole no pre-outs thing, but that doesn't matter to everyone.

Having the 1017 you know the clearity and the amazing eq that the reciever has. I picked up the 1018 today at worst buy for 480.00. Not bad for the price when you think of some of the features it has. I can say now I clearly hear all of my speaker. I been listening for some hours now checking out all my sources. I think i may have some fatigue with the rti's but I don't know to mistake that for clearity. It does have pre-out to do the amp which will make the speakers really shine. I will say the rep at the store was honest and say the reciever puts out a real 40-50 watts when running full 7.1.

I hear the difference between my old onkyo and this reciever. My onkyo never put out great sound unless I had a dvd running. This one sound great with regular TV and my test disk of the THX stuff that some retailers use with the Star Wars pod race was just way too much, even the wife said cut that STUFF down...lol.

But if the rti10's and csi3 is to be tamed I am hoping that an emotiva amp will do that. In the past I have tried out a yammy, a 'better' onkyo, a HK that was broke on delivery and this seems to top them all. The set up mic did a wonderful job and went through more processes than the previous, seem real thorough(sp). It also allows you to hook up a basic mpe or apod player and shows you a basic osd of the music being played.

I did look at the onkyo 606 and was able to snag it for 400 bucks but left it at the store...no preouts was a deal breaker. This model had 3 Hdmi inputs and 2 optical which is more that I think I need.

This may be a keeper:D

DeadFeat1

Don't forget to check out receivers by NAD, Marantz, Rotel and Outlaw...

NewHTguy

kneedragger37 wrote: »

How are you liking this one? I had a VSX-1017TX-V, and absolutely loved it -- when I upgraded my TV and source devices I needed something that would do HDMI video AND audio, so I eBay'd the 1017 and was about to get the 1018, but got a SWEET deal on the Onk 606 so I went with that instead. I'm still wondering if I made the right choice or if I should've splurged on the 1018....

For less than $300 you got a really nice deal. With all the strong reviews you could always sell it a year from now on CL and not lose much money. I owned a 605 and loved it until I bought my Rti 10s, which wanted more power. I didn't have much trouble selling it when I decided to upgrade. For the average person, the 606 is plenty of power. Just try to avoid buying low sensititvity speakers that want a lot of power.

Sherardp

I run the Pioneer Elite SC-07 and for the price range, nothing can touch the sound, visual appearance, or the features on it. Its a very nice piece of gear.

polktiger

Kchill - Are you needing to power your Zone 2 off the receiver? I have been looking around, and I am having trouble finding one that will power zone 2 without losing the back 2 channels on 7.1.

In your testing, are you checking zone 2 performance? You seem to be on the same road I am. I am really interested in the Elites, from what I can tell they don't power zone 2.

mantis

Sherardp wrote: »

I run the Pioneer Elite SC-07 and for the price range, nothing can touch the sound, visual appearance, or the features on it. Its a very nice piece of gear.

Completely true. Just in the last 2 days I have Installed the Sc05 which is almost the same as the 07. This badboy has my eye.
If I owned polk rt series speakers, I would own the 05 or 07 hands down, I would not bother with any other receiver. These new Pioneers are so damn Impressive. With all the features and sound quality anyone could ask for in one box. They are solid and hickup free.
I could go on and on why anyone should own one or 3. I don't know why I don't chenge up my system and built it around the Sc07. I'm SOOOOOOOO into that receiver. It's been a long time since I have felt this strong about a product. I can't say enough.

Japan huh, well would it be ok if I jump on a plane, bring some Kettle popcorn , Coke and maybe some nachos??? I'll even bring some Blu ray movies.

Dan

mmadden28

polktiger wrote: »

Kchill - Are you needing to power your Zone 2 off the receiver? I have been looking around, and I am having trouble finding one that will power zone 2 without losing the back 2 channels on 7.1.

In your testing, are you checking zone 2 performance? You seem to be on the same road I am. I am really interested in the Elites, from what I can tell they don't power zone 2.

It'd probably be less expensive to use an unpowered zone 2 or 3 and a good ext two ch. amp. Just a thought.