AVR 520

This guy looks kinda old but has 7.1 output which I want and 75x7 (or 85x2) power output which is close to the 100WPC I'd like to have.

Basically I'm overbudget on my basement/HT remodel and I'm looking for a way to get a Dobly Digital AVR to power some M60's/VP150/QS8's.

Or is this guy just too old... I figure in a year or two I'd like to have a AVR that does HDMI anyway so I've decided my new price range is 300-500$

e-Cost has the Denon 2803 for 429$ which is a good deal too... Anyone seen any other good AVRs refurb or not for <500 including shipping?

Not that old at all, 2 revs, I think. It was just before the 525, and I believe it has a fairly complete feature set, lacking DPLII.

It's going for $398 at harmanaudio.com, which is their official refurb site, so it's totally covered. I've had this receiver for 2 years and it's great. It has DPLII, DTS-ES Discrete and Logic 7, but does not have DD-EX.

Please note - while it's called a 7.1, it only has 5 amps. You'll need a separate amp to power those rear channels. The AVR-525, which does have 7 amps, shows up frequently on the harmanaudio.com site. A bit more than the 520, but not much. I'm pretty sure it was < $500 the last time I saw it.

hmmm, so if it (the HK) doesnt have 7 amps the refurb'd Denon 3803 is prolly a better deal?

Probably.

The 2803 is a special piece of equipment at that price.

Well without thinkin too much I put a bid on a HK 630 refurb on ebay (Harmon store) and won it! Spend about 100$ more than the 2803 refurb is going for... I'd say these two AVRs are pretty equal in most things, all in all I like the look of the HK more than most other AVRs so its all good.