Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Sony ES vs Onkyo

The piece of furniture housing my A/V equipment isn't really a rack. It's a low credenza-like thing that has spaces in the middle for equipment. On the ends it has a couple doors that slide in grooves. The grooves run the entire length, so I just had a piece of plexiglass cut to size and it fits perfectly in the grooves, in between the doors.

Here is a softball - anyone want to take a swing?

I have an Onkyo 501 - a decent reciever but not a great one, I gather.

What does one get for $700 or $800 (lets say a Harmon Kardon or other best for the buck). Enough difference to get behind in the rent? Or, more precisely, not have the money to buy the new Treo 650 when it comes out?

If your 501 has preouts you could add a low budget 2 channel amp and be able to blast the higher priced receivers away. Some folks claim to be able to hear differences in the DACs of the different receivers of the same brand, but I sure couldn't (after I made the sales bastard adjust the volume levels and tone controls).

What is an example of a low budget amplifier? Brand, model, cost. Particularly cost - how much we talking?

I am not sure if my receiver has pre-outs - I don't think so.

I did see a "world class" amp for about $200 mentioned in a high budget stereo magazine a few months back. Forget the name.

The 501 does not have preouts. I'd suggest the Denon 2803 or the newer 2815 or 2115? These should provide more power (although I'm not sure if you really need it) and have pre-outs if you get the more power is better bug. The 2803 can be had for a pretty good price. I would wager that if you wait a few months you can get Denon's new amps at a discount through ecost and the like.

Thanks

I don't need more power (I need more room in my living room).

Does the THD mean anything? Some recievers have 0.05% my Onkyo has about 0.08% THDistortion.

DenonAVR 2803 $426
90 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.05% THD
Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24, and Pro Logic II decoding
16 Analog Devices 96kHz/24-bit DACs

Denon 2815 is a dvd player isn't it? Do you mean the 2805? And the 2105?

Ya those are it, I knew they didn't look right. The THD doesn't make much of a difference I don't think. I believe I heard somewhere that below 2-3% distortion is undetectable to the human ear. I'm pretty sure .03% distortion is inaudible, but I'm not an EE so I couldn't say for sure.

What's up with all the baby picture avatars?

Bunch o freaks i say..

I'm picky about the feature set so I wouldn't buy either. I also have friends who swear by both which makes it easier not to buy either. Ya have to know my friends hehe.

In reply to:

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Bunch o freaks i say..

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Oh, but it's much worse than that. We're procreating freaks!