Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Short Receiver Poll (Suggestions?)

I have a friend of a friend looking for a low cost budget receiver and he came across 2 'deals' such as they are, at a local shop. He is being swayed by the larger wattage numbers (as so many newbie buyers are) but decided to ask for some advice before buying (always a good thing).
I am more familiar with the slightly more expensive units from most companies and it seems there are about 4 times as many low budget units so i could use some input from those with some experience in this area.


Feel free to add any options to this list. State the receiver, vendor (no ebay sales please) and price (Cdn) if you could.

Which receiver would you choose for a budget HT? (cost must be under $500 Cdn) single choice
	Sony STR-DE985 $450 Cdn
	H/K AVR 320 $500 Cdn
	Another receiver (max limit is $500 Cdn)
Votes accepted starting: 05/24/06 10:11 PM
View Results

I've owned a HK320 for about 20 minutes, the postman just delivered it, boy is it heavier than I thought it would be. Bought it from an Axiom member, got lucky only had to pay gst & pst plus $5 handling to get it into Canada, no duty at all.

Anyway my opinion is biased by my current receiver and the fact that on the camera side I have issues against Sony. Take it with a grain of salt.

I was the one who voted for other, before I saw the no ebay thing. Also, I wasn't quite thinking about the exchange rate. Therefore, I change my vote to the H/K 320. (I was going to push for a 325 or 525)

Let me know how it stacks up to your expectations Ford.
I'm also looking at another option for him, a Yamaha HTR 5640 which goes for $500 new at Future Shop or the Yammy RXV 596 fo the same price at A&B Sound .

Ken, there is no pushing allowed in this thread.
You can go push Bigwill in the thread on beer.

You haven't seen a picture of me, but I would wager a fair amount of money that I could not push BigWill anywhere.

I found my 2 most recent HK receivers to be disappointing, an AVR65 and don't recall which more recent effort because I sent it back so quickly. I had a Technics SADX 940 which was an outrageous overperformer. I spent about $150 for it and used it while awaiting delivery of a pair of nOrh monoblocks which never arrived.

I'd go with either a Panasonic (same company as Technics) SA HE 200 or take a chance on their new digitally amped SAXR 45, probably the latter.

Unlike others, I've also had good luck with Sony products.
I use the preouts of an STRDB 1070 as a processor and think this unit sounds terrific and has many good features. I thought it was way overrated as to its output, but it sounded good even using its internal amp.

I know Yamahas are much favored by many on this site, but I just don't find their receivers as musical as some of the competition. JMO.

Hey Chess,
I'll throw my vote in for the HK. Just looking at info on both, I thought the HK had the edge. The deal-breaker for me would be the lack of pre-outs on the Sony. Not to say that he's going to need/want to add on an external amp someday, but it should be a consideration. Otherwise they both look like good machines. I'd second 2x6sps recommendation on the Panasonic receivers though. I used to own one and, thinking back, it really was a bargain. Control using the remote/menus was easier than the Yamaha I own now, IMO.

I would recommend the H/K between those two.

If he has more time, he should wait and listen to more than just the H/K. But if he's anxious, that's my vote.

I also agree with the Panasonic SA-He200.I use a SA-HE70 and am quite happy with it.Got it referbished for $106 US. From JR music.