Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Reasonably priced networked AVR?

I'm helping a buddy of mine put together a system. He lives in a small duplex, and the living room is not conducive for surround speaker placement - at all. It has vaulted ceilings and is open to the kitchen and a stareway that's right in the damn way. I can mount them on walls in the right 90'ish angle to the prime seating location, but they are quite distant and it would be quite a chore getting wires to them. So... for now, I plan to skip the surrounds and just run a 3.1 set up. The speakers are going to be the wall mount M22's and Center, as his living / TV area is too cramped for floor or book shelf speakers. Wall mount is really the only option.

He would like networking capability for streaming Pandora and Internet, plus a connection for his I-pod and laptop.

I briefly looked at the Dennon web sight and got frustrated. It seams as if they've changed it to be as helpful as their manuals... I have not looked at any other brands. Figured I'd ask you all for input before putting a bunch of time into this.

The other option is to sell him my 3808 and just get the 4311 I've been eye-balling, but the 3808 is kinda overkill for this set up, and I m leaning towards using my 3808 somewhere else in my house.

He has about $500 to spend on the AVR.

What you think, I know John has all the specs and manuals committed to memory.. this should be easy as pie.

The surrounds on the other hand....

I'd go with the Onkyos, probably the 609 or 709. The latter can be had from AC4L for less than $500.

I'd tell him to man-up and get a C6 Corvette with decent tires.

I'm with Ken on the Onkyos. They seem to be where it's at with features and price lately, and last I heard, their amplifier sections are better than they've been.

OK, I'll look at the Onk's. Thanks.

I can't even start the car without him jumping in fear of his life, so I don't think a vette is in his future Tom.

Mike, my first choice in that price area would in fact be the Onkyo 709 available as a factory refurb here from A4L for about $470. Keep in mind that you'd be passing up the pleasure of explaining the Denon manual to him, though.

Hey John, you mind keeping an eye on that price for me? ;-)

Sure, Ken; what's your buy point?

Eh, call it $400. Actually, my buy point is after I've saved up some cash in a few months.

I'd go Onkyo but make sure you buy from a local dealer that is authorized b/c I heard of warranty issues.