Time for an upgrade

dskns26
dskns26 Posts: 8
edited November 2011 in Electronics
I currently have a Harman Kardon AVR 235 and I am looking to upgrade to something more up to date. I like the HK but I am open to other brands as well. I am looking for 7.1 and I use it for about 75% movies/tv and 25% music. My fronts are Polk Monitor 60's, center CS10, surrounds are old HTIB Sony satellites that I am also looking to upgrade and a BIC PL-200 sub. My living room is 30x14 but is open to other rooms. Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.......Thanks!
Post edited by dskns26 on
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited November 2011
    Welcome to CP!

    If you want to stay with HK check out their ebay store. You can get great prices on refurbed AVR 254/354s with factory warranties. Your price range would help to give more specific advice. Happy hunting!
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • Phasewolf
    Phasewolf Posts: 514
    edited November 2011
    What are you looking to spend? Newegg has the Pioneer VSX-1021-K for $300 use promo code EMCJJJJ24
    It is a nice unit and has gotten good reviews so far.
    Absolute corruption empowers absolutely.

    Lg 55LW5600 TV
    Onkyo PR-SC 5508
    Legacy Audio Focus SE
    Legacy Audio Silverscreen HD center
    Polk F/X500i Rears
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Sunfire Grand Cinema
    Behringer iNUKE NU6000DSP
    Pair of CraigSUB SS-18.1
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited November 2011
    Here's HomeTheater's review of the 1021. Take it for what it's worth but many seem to find the power lacking a bit.

    http://www.hometheater.com/content/pioneer-vsx-1021-av-receiver

    HT Labs Measures
    Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
    0.1% distortion at 46.1 watts
    1% distortion at 56.7 watts

    Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
    0.1% distortion at 44.5 watts
    1% distortion at 53.7 watts
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • Phasewolf
    Phasewolf Posts: 514
    edited November 2011
    That is odd the one I seen listed on newegg has different specs. It was listed at 110work watts per channel the one they reviewed was not the 1121-k are they the same?
    Absolute corruption empowers absolutely.

    Lg 55LW5600 TV
    Onkyo PR-SC 5508
    Legacy Audio Focus SE
    Legacy Audio Silverscreen HD center
    Polk F/X500i Rears
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Sunfire Grand Cinema
    Behringer iNUKE NU6000DSP
    Pair of CraigSUB SS-18.1
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  • Phasewolf
    Phasewolf Posts: 514
    edited November 2011
    Can't edit with my phone I wanted to say 1021-k
    Absolute corruption empowers absolutely.

    Lg 55LW5600 TV
    Onkyo PR-SC 5508
    Legacy Audio Focus SE
    Legacy Audio Silverscreen HD center
    Polk F/X500i Rears
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Sunfire Grand Cinema
    Behringer iNUKE NU6000DSP
    Pair of CraigSUB SS-18.1
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  • drummer86
    drummer86 Posts: 441
    edited November 2011
    That's the approximate rating for running two channels. As you can see it drops considerably when you spread that out over 5 or 7. All depends on how the company rates their amps.
    Display: LG 47" LCD | AVR: Marantz SR5005 | BD: Panasonic BDT-210 | CD/SACD: Oppo 980 |
    Amps: Rotel RB-990bx | Marantz MA-500 | Speakers: Totem Mite : Totem Mite-C : RC60i | Sub: HSU VTF-2 MKIV

    HK AVR635 | Polk R30 | Sony DVD/SACD Player
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,499
    edited November 2011
    The 1021 will work great had the 1020 for my HT powering my LSi equipment for a week while waiting on my SC-35 and Sunfire
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited November 2011
    Phasewolf wrote: »
    That is odd the one I seen listed on newegg has different specs. It was listed at 110work watts per channel the one they reviewed was not the 1121-k are they the same?

    "Advertised Specs" and "actual output" are two totally different things my friend. A receiver that actually puts out 110 watts per channel all channels driven would A) cost $3000 not $300, and B) weigh about 60lbs+.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited November 2011
    How much money do you want to spend?

    Do you mind buying used, or does it have to be new?

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • dskns26
    dskns26 Posts: 8
    edited November 2011
    I am looking to spend $700 at the most. I have never thought of getting used but if it were to come with a warranty I would be open to that. Any thoughts on Denon avr-1912? As for the Pioneer, I wasnt sure if I needed to look at the Elite line as opposed to the regular line?
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,065
    edited November 2011
    What ever you do, get a receiver with pre outs otherwise you limit yourself to what speakers you can upgrade to in the future. Speaking of speakers, the ones you have now seem a tad on the light side given those room dimensions and open areas.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited November 2011
    $700 bucks will get you a used (referbished) Onkyo TX-NR809 with a 5 year warrenty. 135 watts per channel. 7.2 analog outputs, Audyssey MulitEq XT automatic setup, 4k upscaling, powered 2nd zone, 192/24 bit Burr-Brown DAC

    http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR809/Onkyo-TX-NR809-7.2-Channel-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html#!more
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • dskns26
    dskns26 Posts: 8
    edited November 2011
    Thanks for all the input. I have been thinking the same thing about upgrading the fronts and center due to room size but budget becomes a concern for me. I can save a little on an AVR and get the onkyo tx-nr 609 for $380 from Newegg and put savings towards new speakers. Any thoughts on the 609?
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