Best Receiver under $500

NuckingFuts
NuckingFuts Posts: 77
edited June 2008 in Electronics
Im ready to dust off my ol' home theater components and give it a small face lift. Im looking for a receiver to put my LS90's and 5jr's back into action. I've got $500 as my budget so Im not sure if that will cut it for a new receiver with at least 100w/ch (which is my only requirement at this point). Im hoping so, what do you suggest....
Post edited by NuckingFuts on
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,564
    edited June 2008
    I would recommend a unit with pre-outs so you can add an amp later.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • dane_peterson
    dane_peterson Posts: 1,903
    edited June 2008
    If you look hard enough, Onkyo TX-SR805s are becoming available for darn close to that budget. Can't do much better than that IMO.
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  • NuckingFuts
    NuckingFuts Posts: 77
    edited June 2008
    dane_peterson wrote: »
    If you look hard enough, Onkyo TX-SR805s are becoming available for darn close to that budget. Can't do much better than that IMO.

    Dane,

    I've been scroungin' around the forums and this is one of the earlier models that took my interest (as well as the 705). What I would really like to find is a new/used Pioneer VSX-1015 or Yamaha RXV-1400. Any thoughts on these (or where to dig one up)?

    Pre-amps out would be great but won't be a deal breaker for me since 100w/ch with these speakers gets police-knocking-loud already.

    I was thinking more along the lines of 5.1 at a minimum.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited June 2008
    I'd go with the Onkyo recommendation as I wouldn't touch a low end Yamaha with a ten foot pole. YMMV.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited June 2008
    I'm a huge Pioneer fan for HT. I got my Elite VSX-52TXi as new old stock open box on Ebay last year for $299.00 plus shipping. Fantastic receiver for the price but without HDMI switching. I believe the VSX-1015 has no HDMI switching either. If this is not an issue then the 1015 could probably make you very happy for a sweet price. My bedroom setup has an older VSX-912 that I still think sounds great. By the way the VSX-1015 has 7.1 channel pre-outs.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • jjeckelxz5
    jjeckelxz5 Posts: 48
    edited June 2008
    i got my yamaha rxv 1700 for $500 on amazon.
    reciever-Yamaha rxv1700
    front-RM50t
    center-RM30
    surrounds-M40
    rear surrounds-RM30
    velodyne minivee
    playstation 3
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited June 2008
    The Onkyo 7xx receivers are great.
    polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
    polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
    polkaudio DSWPro550WI
    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited June 2008
    Also check out the Emotiva DMC-1 for $550 on the 'Gon.
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  • NuckingFuts
    NuckingFuts Posts: 77
    edited June 2008
    Thanks for everyone's input! Let me know if you think of anything else.
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  • GEBBY44
    GEBBY44 Posts: 939
    edited June 2008
    There's a sweet Marantz that would sound good with those in the For Sale forum right now...

    But seriously, I'd agree with Doro...on both counts. Go with the Onkyo if you want something newer. Don't mess with the lower Yamaha's. I don't think they would sound all that great with your speaks. Just not my style.
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  • greg2350
    greg2350 Posts: 544
    edited June 2008
    Denon AVR-788 399.99
    http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Denon-7-1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-AVR-788/sem/rpsm/oid/191645/catOid/-12949/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
    TV: Philips 42" LCD 1080p
    Front Speakers: Polk Audio RT800i
    Center Speaker: Polk Audio CS1
    Surround Speakers: Polk Audio R50's powered of Denon AVR
    Subwoofer: Polk Audio DSW pro500
    AVR: Denon 3801
    DVD Player: Denon DVM 745 upscale 1080p
    Sat: Directtv HD 10
    Front Speakers Amp: Rotel RB 890
    Center Speaker amp: Rotel 970 BX
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  • raudi
    raudi Posts: 54
    edited June 2008
    I think the onkyo 705 are getting there in price on Amazon. It's pretty full featured reciever, THX select 2, pre-outs, HDMI etc... Refrubs were around $440 last I checked.
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  • Rivrrat
    Rivrrat Posts: 2,101
    edited June 2008
    If you're a Pioneer fan, I got my Pioneer Elite vsx80txv for 450 bucks + shipping a couple of yrs ago. It has hdmi and pre outs for future use.

    I'm sure you can still come close to that.
    My equipment sig felt inadequate and deleted itself.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited June 2008
    got my onkyo 805 for $600 three months ago well worth the extra $100, and even got a four year warranty for a extra $30 bucks through circuit city.
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  • skykeys
    skykeys Posts: 102
    edited June 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    I'd go with the Onkyo recommendation as I wouldn't touch a low end Yamaha with a ten foot pole. YMMV.

    Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I very much respect yours. I do wonder why you and some others here are so negative on Yamaha receivers though? I have an RX-V620 - which I would categorize as roughly a middle of the road model at the time. It pushes two LCi265s, two LCi80s, and an LC-RTS-C. I have a DSW500 sub. I think it sounds very good. It has been rock solid reliable for 7 1/2 years, first with Paradigm speakers, and now with the Polks. I'm very happy with it and my new Polks.

    I will eventually replace it, only because I will want a unit that supports the new HD lossless audio formats on Blu-Ray disks. But this probably won't happen for a year or two. When I do upgrade, I am leaning towards the new Class D type switching amps, which by then will have been around long enough to establish a track record to judge.

    But anyway, just curious as to your reasons for not favoring Yamaha.

    NuckingFuts (great name btw), I suggest you consider the new Yamaha RX-V663.


    Thanks.
    Speakers:
    . 5.2 surround config:
    . . . In-wall L & R Fronts and Center: Polk LC265i, LCi-RTS-C. In-ceiling L & R rears: Polk LC80i
    . . . Floor Subs: Polk DSWPro 500, Paradigm PDR-10
    . Zone B: very old pair of Polk M 5's
    . In Storage but still favored: Paradigm Monitors

    AVR:
    . Yamaha RX-V863

    Universal DVD:
    . Oppo DV-980H

    TV:
    . Sony Bravia XBR LCD 40" 720P (2005 vintage)
    . Comcast Cable, Motorola box
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  • Norm Apter
    Norm Apter Posts: 1,036
    edited June 2008
    Yes, I have the same reaction as skykeys. I've read several posts in other threads in which folks have written quite negative things about Yamahas.

    I should state that I've never heard any of their Home Theatre receivers; I have the same one that Keiko has, the 2 channel RX-797, and have been very pleased with it. I bought it new from Audio Advisor for $350 in February and for 2 channel receivers under $500 I don't think any of the Onkyos, Denons, or HK in the same price bracket could compare.

    It is true that after I got Lsi9s bookshelfs, I have been moving toward acquiring separates, but even during the interim the RX-797 (which I will hold onto and pair with other speakers) did a very admirable job driving them (I do believe Yamaha, at least in the case of my receiver, is very conservative in its power ratings).

    In sum, I can't speak to HT, but for 2 channel I thought it was one of the better (if not the best) low-end receivers available at the sub $500 price point. The negative comments about Yamaha in general would imply, it seems, that there is something deficient in the general "Yamaha sound." Again, I'm perplexed but also curious and open-minded and would like to hear if there are any specific criticisms, so that I at least know what people are speaking of in their evaluations.

    regards,
    Norm
    2 Ch.
    Parasound Halo A23 Amp
    Parasound Halo P3 Preamp
    Parasound Halo T3 Tuner
    Bada HD22SE tube CD Player
    Magnum Dynalab Signal Sleuth
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna
    polkaudio Lsi9s (upgraded cross-overs)
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Bi-wire Interface Speaker Cables
    MIT Shotgun S-3 Interconnects (3)
    IegO L70530 Power cords (3)

    HT
    Denon 2808ci AVR
    polkaudio RTi A5s (fronts)
    polkaudio RTi A1s (rears)
    polkaudio Csi A6 (center)
    Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables
    Signal Cable Analog II Interconnects
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  • Shicks18
    Shicks18 Posts: 397
    edited June 2008
    Yamaha RX-V663.

    - 7.2 (yes, 2 sub outputs!)
    - 95wpc, has preouts!!
    - HDMI Conversion (HDMI 1.3 for audio, one of the most future-proof AVR's out there)
    - 2 HDMI Inputs, if you need a 3rd you can always buy a $30 HDMI Switcher.


    Retails over $500 but can easily be had for around $375 give or take. Worth furthering your research on an AVR and considering this Yamaha, imho.

    I have one and love it. Everyone else I have talked to love it as well.
    TV: LG 55LW5600
    Pre: Marantz SR6001
    Front Amp: Parasound HCA-1000A
    Center Amp: Marantz MA500
    Mains: Polk LSi9
    Center: Polk LSiC
    Sub: HSU VTF-3 MK-2
    Games: Xbox360 and PS3
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  • GEBBY44
    GEBBY44 Posts: 939
    edited June 2008
    I personally have nothing against Yamaha and am not bashing them at all. They make some quality stuff. And like most manufacturers, they make some real crap, too. The one listed above is defintely a good choice as Yamaha has improved the their line within the last year. And I recently talked to someone that traded in their Aragon pre and amp for the Z11 and said that it's better than his old Denon 5805. You just can't compare any of their stuff to the Onkyo 805 at that price range. The 805 has gotten tons of awards based on their value for the money, just as the Yamaha Z9 and Z11 have gotten awards based upon being powerhouse receivers. It's just if you have $500 to spend, that's slightly above the lower Yamaha's and below their higher ones. The Onkyo and others fill that void.
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