suggest a reciever

AeR0

running 4 bookshelf speakers (rti4)
dont currently have a centrre channel or subs but they are in the works.




need a reciever... any suggestions?


using it mostly for movies... and sometimes music... 80% movies 20% audio.

lynx

AeR0 wrote: »

running 4 bookshelf speakers (rti4)
dont currently have a centrre channel or subs but they are in the works.




need a reciever... any suggestions?


using it mostly for movies... and sometimes music... 80% movies 20% audio.

Budget ?

AeR0

shoot me some suggestions...

grif32

Like Lynx what is your budget?

AeR0

i looked at the HK 254, doesnt look like it puts alot of power to speakers though?

i looked at the sony str-800 and it seems that it puts more power.

concealer404

AeR0 wrote: »

i looked at the HK 254, doesnt look like it puts alot of power to speakers though?

i looked at the sony str-800 and it seems that it puts more power.

Budget?

AeR0

budget--- under 1,000

i dont think i need to even spend that on a reciever for the stuff i am powering.....

concealer404

AeR0 wrote: »

budget--- under 1,000

i dont think i need to even spend that on a reciever for the stuff i am powering.....

Well, it's not really so much the power as it is the rest of the cabilities and how future-proof it may be.

I suggest a Pioneer SC-05/07.

If you want to spend significantly less, look for a used Onkyo 805, last gen Pioneer Elite, etc etc etc

BAD ASP

Before I got into separates I tried several AV's the last being the Denon 5700. It is still in use in our family room and it powers up my 3.1tl's beautifully. I run 5.1 with it and I can recommend it easily. I have seen them on A'gon for $500 +/-. I believe it is 140 wpc at 8 ohms. It has pre's but no hdmi. It has been bulletproof so far although I haven't pushed it hard but it has lived through my 5 kids and whatever they may have thrown at it. Good luck!

AeR0

i personally think i would want something that does HDMI.

ive been looking at a yamaha htr-6290 (RXV-1900)



any suggestions?

Erik Tracy

AeR0 wrote: »

i personally think i would want something that does HDMI.

ive been looking at a yamaha htr-6290 (RXV-1900)



any suggestions?

That would work - I ran x4 RTi4s w/ my V1800 - sounded quite nice - imo.

AeR0

Erik Tracy wrote: »

That would work - I ran x4 RTi4s w/ my V1800 - sounded quite nice - imo.

still have the 1800?

if not why did u change it?

Erik Tracy

AeR0 wrote: »

still have the 1800?

if not why did u change it?

No, I still have my V1800. I use pre outs to drive my fronts via my modified Carver amp.

Works fine - for now.

I do not have the luxury of space to have both a HT system and dedicated 2-channel - so for now my AVR is my preamp - but when I listen to music I set the AVR to "Pure Direct" and use analog ICs from my sources (BDP, CDP, Phono).

MANSKITO

AeR0 wrote: »

i looked at the HK 254, doesnt look like it puts alot of power to speakers though?

i looked at the sony str-800 and it seems that it puts more power.

HK actually lists there amps true specs.

Look at this way my AVR 325 is listed as 50 watts 20-20kz all channels driven.

Most AVRS list there specs like this 100watts 1kz (at this price point)
Thats for just for ONE channel and ONE frequency
Real world power won't even come close to 100watts.

I promise you that a HK AVR will have the same if not more power out put to any other brand AVR at or near the same price point

Another example would be my old Yamaha RX-V463 it was listed at 105watts per channel. My H/K AVR 325 is listed as 50 watts per channel, the H/k is night and day better sounding and has MUCH more head room then my old Yamaha.

Comparing the two the Yamaha weighed roughly 20pounds if i had to guess, the H/k weights more then double at 40-50 pounds.

IMO H/k is more honesty in there specs and absolute sound quality rather then having a higher wattage ratting on best buys show room floor.

What I am saying is don't just dismiss a brand or amp because of the rated specs (its hard to find honesty rated gear at any but the highest price points) give them a listen.

And if you can't for what ever reason listen to a speaker/peace of gear then listen to this forum there collective experience will not guide you wrong.

wutadumsn23

Manskito, and the rest have given you some good advice here. For around $1,000 you can get a good AVR that has pre-outs, HDMI and is fairly future proof. HK's power ratings, as stated above, are very true to their words, and even underrated IMHO. I myself like Onkyo's and would recommend them all day long, the Pioneer SC series is also a good one to look into. As mentioned above the SC05/07 are quality units, as are the Onkyo 805/806, 876, 705 and the new NR line, but they will be at or above your budget. Check for refurbs on Onkyo's site and your local CL and even the For Sale section here. Good luck.

-Jeff

tyheeguy

if you are to buy anything, get a higher end avr. it is the core to your system.went with a sony str da5100es and have been totally happy with it. 125wpc and all the hdmi in
s you'll ever need. pricey, but well worth it

MANSKITO

tyheeguy wrote: »

if you are to buy anything, get a higher end avr. it is the core to your system.went with a sony str da5100es and have been totally happy with it. 125wpc and all the hdmi in
s you'll ever need. pricey, but well worth it

I would advise against Sony or Yamaha AVRs there kind a of a let down when it comes to sound quality sure there good at higher rated watts/features/and low price points but when it comes to IMO the most important part the sound quality there are better options out there.

cstmar01

I just picked up an SC-05 not that long ago for around 800.00 bucks new. Love the thing and is far better than the Yammy 663 that I had before it. Also the video section of the 663 was terrible, jaggies all over the place and just sucked.
Look around too as you can find SC-05 or even the lesser models the 21's ect for less and they are still good little AVRs. HK are not bad at all and do have a warmer sound.
You can also look to Denon but I don't know which models to recommend as I don't follow them really.
The used market is also very good for AVR's that are just a few years old that still have a lot of the same features as the current ones.

LuSh

I would encourage you to listen. A lot of people will tell you things with out much perspective. I'd like to point out that Sony makes an ES unit that would smoke most receivers at it's price point. However because it has a 'Sony' badge on it people run to the hills and seek their internet blogger's choice of the year.... Let your ears be the judge.

wutadumsn23

LuSh wrote: »

I would encourage you to listen. A lot of people will tell you things with out much perspective. I'd like to point out that Sony makes an ES unit that would smoke most receivers at it's price point. However because it has a 'Sony' badge on it people run to the hills and seek their internet blogger's choice of the year.... Let your ears be the judge.

While you have a valid point towards the end of your post, I have heard Sony's and have owned one in the past. Was blown away when I got My Onkyo, night and day IMHO. Everybody has their brands, and like you said, bottom line is what sounds good to you, regardless of who makes it.

-Jeff

LuSh

Hi Jeff,

What you've just typed is exactly to my point. The unit I was talking about was a Sony STR-D5400ES. I doubt you've ever owned that model. I doubt many people on this board have ever explored it; for no other reason then because it's Sony. While I agree completely that entry level models from some companies tarnish a reputation what boggles my mind is the ultimate decision that brand - x can never build a good receiver. The Sony in question was designed in Europe from the ground up. The unit is also the darling of many two channel reviewers from TAS to Stereophile who could care less about things such as HDMI and up-conversion.

AeR0

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95657

ive decided between these two... but recently found a denon avr-890 i like too

cnh

LuSh wrote: »

Hi Jeff,

What you've just typed is exactly to my point. The unit I was talking about was a Sony STR-D5400ES. I doubt you've ever owned that model. I doubt many people on this board have ever explored it; for no other reason then because it's Sony. While I agree completely that entry level models from some companies tarnish a reputation what boggles my mind is the ultimate decision that brand - x can never build a good receiver. The Sony in question was designed in Europe from the ground up. The unit is also the darling of many two channel reviewers from TAS to Stereophile who could care less about things such as HDMI and up-conversion.

I've heard the 5400ES and I don't think anyone who has any experience would doubt that Sony ES series are good AVRs with one proviso...the new, lower, end ES models are NOT as good as the highest ES models...Sony has recently tried to make entry level ES models more affordable and that was a MISTAKE!!....if you want a good ES model check to see that it matches the 5400 in specs/weight, etc.

Otherwise most Sony (regular) amp sections don't cut it. They don't have the power or even clarity of an H/K, Onkyo, Marantz, Denon, or low end Elite.

Concerning the weight of an H/K AVR most 200-300 leve models which are now 2600-3600 models are a bit less than 31 lbs....only the most expensive H/Ks (well over 1000 dollars) weigh in at 40-50lbs.

That said most mid to lower Yammies and Sonys do weigh 20 or less...

Now we should be careful...because weight is NOT the only important feature.....ICE amps by Rotel can weigh much less than 20 lbs and outperform most of the above!

cnh

wutadumsn23

LuSh wrote: »

Hi Jeff,

What you've just typed is exactly to my point. The unit I was talking about was a Sony STR-D5400ES. I doubt you've ever owned that model. I doubt many people on this board have ever explored it; for no other reason then because it's Sony. While I agree completely that entry level models from some companies tarnish a reputation what boggles my mind is the ultimate decision that brand - x can never build a good receiver. The Sony in question was designed in Europe from the ground up. The unit is also the darling of many two channel reviewers from TAS to Stereophile who could care less about things such as HDMI and up-conversion.

Now now, don't go assuming stuff, lol. I would never turn my nose up at a product just because of who makes it. It would all depend on how it sounded, hell if Kmart made an AVR and sold it for $50 I could care less if it said KMART in huge blue letters across the front panel, if it sounded awesome, lol. Anywhoot, atleast we agree on one thing, to each his own.

-Jeff