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Help me spend some money on a receiver!
#396684 08/30/13 07:10 PM
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Zarak Offline OP
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I know I've been MIA lately. Less time for the boards with two kids at home, which leads into my post. My wife just called and our receiver was locked up so she could not play a movie for my daughter. We have an Onkyo SR600 that is about 10 years old. It locks up a couple of time a year. The only fix is to unplug it, plug it in again, and then redo all the settings. It's a pain, but not a big deal for me since I know how to set it up. For her though, she is effectively without a TV (the good one at least) until I get home to fix it.

She's had enough and wants to get a new receiver (I know, twist my arm, right?)

I haven't looked into them since I got one 10 years ago, so I'm sure plenty has changed. What features should I be looking for. If you have a favorite with those features, I'll take that too. Thinking about ~$500 if that helps.

Re: Help me spend some money on a receiver!
Zarak #396688 08/30/13 07:47 PM
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Hey Zarak what sort of budget have you got to work with , and is 5.1 adequate and would you use more than one zone.


DOG is GOD spelled backwards.
What others think of me is none of my business.
M80 V3 MY GLOSS Cherry
Re: Help me spend some money on a receiver!
Gr8_White_North #396689 08/30/13 07:52 PM
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Thinking $500, but don't really know what I can get for different price ranges at the moment. Only have 5.1 at the moment. Don't expect that to change unless I get a dedicated HT room someday, which would likely come with another new receiver at that point.

I can do a 2nd zone today, but have never used it, so 1 is fine. Receiver is mostly used for TV/movies. don't often have time to just sit and listen to music anymore. Music is mostly for the car.

Re: Help me spend some money on a receiver!
Zarak #396690 08/30/13 08:03 PM
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For my money, I think it's still Onkyo.

Get as much Audyssey as you can (MultiEQ XT, Dynamic Volume, Dynamic EQ). Get lots of HDMI inputs.

I'm interested in the ability to control the receiver from an iPad or Android device. I'm also interested in streaming music from my network.

This TX-NR809 refurb at A4L looks pretty good to me. God is in the details, and you'll need to do your own due diligence.

Getting a super remote (an MX-700, in my case) was the #1 best money I ever spent on my system by a wide margin. It made everything so much better for the rest of the family. I know the URC stuff isn't the leading edge any more, but you might consider whether a Harmony might make your wife happy.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Help me spend some money on a receiver!
tomtuttle #396708 08/31/13 01:05 AM
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Originally Posted By: tomtuttle

I'm interested in the ability to control the receiver from an iPad or Android device. I'm also interested in streaming music from my network.

I caved and bought into the Sonos system.
One of the best purchases ever.
Although getting it setup wasn't so seamless at first and then eventually i figured out i had a bum unit and things were much easier since.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Re: Help me spend some money on a receiver!
Zarak #396712 08/31/13 01:32 AM
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When I bought, I really thought I would go for an onkyo it was always a good brand. But I read enough about hdmi problems and poor customer service I just couldn't bring myself to buy one.
In the end I bought a Denon 3311 ,which has been really good though they were plagued with network issues, I got lucky and they had an update by the time I bought mine. As suggested get as much audyssey as you can afford, if that sort of thing is important to you. I have a decent room and the difference is negligible with or without audyssey. If I were buying mainstream again I would not hesitate to buy another Denon though I have always been a pioneer guy for 30 yrs, I could be persuaded to go that route . I also have a upper level Yamaha RX-A1000 which is totally reliable and works and sounds great . I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them, just more about features and appearance. Have a look around at some different recievers and then come back and we will all critique them for ya. grin

Richard


DOG is GOD spelled backwards.
What others think of me is none of my business.
M80 V3 MY GLOSS Cherry
Re: Help me spend some money on a receiver!
Zarak #396714 08/31/13 06:43 AM
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Jason, if you can go about $100 more on the budget, the Onkyo 818 factory refurb for about $650 shipped, from Accessories4less is strongly suggested, especially in view of the top Audyssey MultEQ XT32 it has.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: Help me spend some money on a receiver!
Zarak #396720 08/31/13 02:57 PM
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I purchased a Denon 2313CI from Accessories4less, $450 shipped! I have really enjoyed the receiver! The sound is great and it has plenty of connections for what I need! So, I would definitely recommend accessories4less.com to get the most for your money. There are some things in life that are important to buy brand new, but a receiver/amp is not one them!

Re: Help me spend some money on a receiver!
Zarak #396723 08/31/13 03:58 PM
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Heck, i'm still running my Onkyo 797 circa 2002.
It has been a solid performer. I've really liked some of the simple options like volume limiter.
Never did setup a zone2 and probably won't bother now that i have the Sonos setup.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Re: Help me spend some money on a receiver!
chesseroo #396747 09/01/13 12:39 AM
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Zarak Offline OP
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So I'm a bit behind apparently. Audyssey didn't exist the last time I bought a receiver. Going to read up about it. Beyond that, I assume it is number of ports available (don't have HDMI on the receiver today) and whether I need network streaming for things like Pandora directly via the receiver, correct?

I won't completely rule out Onkyo, but I'm leaning away from them mostly because of the lock up issue with the one I have currently.

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