This question is always a tough call. I bought mine, an Onkyo 797, on the cheap from an unauthorized dealer on the Internet. At least I assumed it was an unauthorized dealer. It was a B&M electronics store, somewhere in the state of Washington, I think. Regardless, I assumed the warranty would
not be in effect.
My reasoning was this. Maybe it's just that I'm lucky, but I've never had a piece of audio equipment fail on me. I bought the Onkyo two years ago, and haven't had a single problem with it. The receiver it replaced (Pioneer), which was the first one I ever bought, was purchased in
1970 and it was still going strong, although cosmetically it showed some wear and tear (don't we all?). I replaced it because, feature-wise it was from the dark ages, and I was moving into a surround setup.
You have to kinda judge a products likelihood of failure. I don't think I would ever get a TV over the Internet, even though doing so would save me a lot of money. They are more likely to have problems. In fact, the first expensive DLP I bought from BB last July had to be returned. It had a problem, and I was VERY glad I had purchased it locally. It was immediately replaced and with minimal hassle. But I digress.
I don't mean to advise you. This decision has to be yours because there is a modicum of risk involved. I can only tell you what my experience has been. Hopefully, others will be do the same, and that will help you make an informed decision. Were it I, I'd take the chance on a receiver made by good manufacturer like Yamaha, and save the money. But there is a risk involved, albeit, in my opinion, a small one. But, it's up to you.
Let us know what you decide, and how it works out.
P.S. Oh I just realized that I
did have a piece of audio equipment fail on me. A woofer in one of the AR 5 speakers I bought at the same time I bought the Pioneer receiver pooped out after 32 years of use. Oh well, some days you eat the bear, and some days the bear eats you.
