Need advice on replacing 18 year old AVR (1 Viewer)

[chaostoday]

I am new to the forum and looking forward to getting some great advice on this site!!I have a Onkyo TX SV717PRO that's finally being replaced. The problem is that I'm on a budget. I'm looking for some basic featuresiscrete amplifiers with 90WPC minimumAir play for streaming iOS 7.2HDMI (finally!!!)My budget is $600 (wish I had more)This is a unit that's going in a second room that isn't used much. I have seen some good reviews on the Yamaha RX V673 and my cousin just purchased one for his den and loves it. I have always been an Onkyo man. I currently own 3 of them.This unit will drive Infinity Beta 50's and two sets of Beta 20's. I also run a Velodyne sub in the room. Any advice would be appreciated and used. Thanks

 

[schan1269]

Why 90watts? Why not 65, which is 1db less volume...and what you are getting anyway?What are your sources? Last I heard Betas, they'd make your ears bleed on 15 watts.

 

[chaostoday]

Why 90watts? Why not 65, which is 1db less volume...and what you are getting anyway?What are your sources? Last I heard Betas, they'd make your ears bleed on 15 watts.

I'm not sure why 90 watts. Most of what I've seen is 90 or more so I guess that's why I said it. Sources are standard Blu ray, CD with optical out and HD DVR. Hope that's what you were asking. Beta's are great but a little power hungry. They perform best with more juice to them. The 20's are efficient as hell but the 50's just like more.

 

[gene c]

I think the Beta 20's are kind of under-rated. Excellent all-around speakers. Cherry models are gorgeous. You didn't mention a center channel. Beta 20's can handle a 50hz crossover in most situations so a receiver with a single crossover setting (Pioneer, Yamaha) shouldn't be a problem.

For $600 you have a whole lot of choices. Here's a couple.

Pioneer 1222

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117412

Yamaha 675

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0MJ-0022-00013&IsVirtualParent=1

The 673 is only $399

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=82-115-376&IsVirtualParent=1

Don't mind a refurb?

Denon 3312

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR3312CI/DENON-AVR-3312CI-7.2-Integrated-Network-A/V-Surround-Receiver-w/AirPlay/1.html

The Marantz 5007 is still over-priced at $599. Ac4l has the 5006 for $499. I have a 6005 and 5005, but the 673 is a better value for $399, the 3312 is a better receiver for $599. So is the 1222, but I like Pioneer's too. You should be able to find an Onkyo for near the same price, or better. Does the 809 do Air Play?

 

[greggor]

I think the Beta 20's are kind of under-rated. Excellent all-around speakers. Cherry models are gorgeous. You didn't mention a center channel. Beta 20's can handle a 50hz crossover in most situations so a receiver with a single crossover setting (Pioneer, Yamaha) shouldn't be a problem.

For $600 you have a whole lot of choices. Here's a couple.

Pioneer 1222

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117412

Yamaha 675

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0MJ-0022-00013&IsVirtualParent=1

The 673 is only $399

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=82-115-376&IsVirtualParent=1

Don't mind a refurb?

Denon 3312

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR3312CI/DENON-AVR-3312CI-7.2-Integrated-Network-A/V-Surround-Receiver-w/AirPlay/1.html

The Marantz 5007 is still over-priced at $599. Ac4l has the 5006 for $499. I have a 6005 and 5005, but the 673 is a better value for $399, the 3312 is a better receiver for $599. So is the 1222, but I like Pioneer's too. You should be able to find an Onkyo for near the same price, or better. Does the 809 do Air Play?

All good choices. My opinion is that the 3312 from Denon will provide you with the best overall quality and bang for the buck.

 

[chaostoday]

Thanks! Really appreciate the model advice. What about sound quality differences between my Onkyo and these new units. The Onkyo is very warm. Any thoughts? I'm told the Yamaha's are very bright.

 

[schan1269]

Warm or bright is a matter of "who you talk to" and their ears.

I owned an Integra DTR 5.8(still have it) and Yamaha HT-R6180 at the same time(no longer have it).

They were my first and 2nd HDMI AVR. Have since had...

Integra DTR 7.8
Onkyo SR707
Onkyo NR1008
Denon AVR 890(sold it)
Denon AVR 4308(collecting dust in a closet)
Elite (forget which one, sold for $1400 6 years ago...won it as a "contest prize" from my former employer. Used it 3 months, hated it...sold it on Fleabay)
Yamaha RX-V1067(was never "officially" sold in the US, we distributed to Canada as well...got it that way. Hated it, sold it)

I have what is called..."golden ears". Yet if you set up all those AVR the same way...and played the same thing...I couldn't tell you which AVR was being used...but I could tell you the speakers.

 

[schan1269]

My above "point" is really. The only "new in box" AVR out of the ones I've had...

The Elite and Yamaha 6180/1067.

Every other one was a 1-2yo Ebay/Craigslist find. The 7.8 I bought last year for $400..complete with original box/packaging.

If you don't need HDMI 1.4(you haven't said)...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-SR606-7-1-Channel-210-Watt-Receiver-800086356-/200908485242?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item2ec714327a
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-SR806-7-1-Channel-THX-Ultra-2-Plus-Certification-/321110623451?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item4ac3af44db (If you don't need 3D ability...I highly suggest you watch this one)

 

[chaostoday]

Ordered the Yamaha RX-V673 and it's being delivered today. Thought I would try it based on the reviews, advice above and price that can't be beat. If I hate it I will just sell it.

Thanks for all the great advice. I have been searching for a new forum to learn more about HT and bounce ideas off knowledgeable people. You have all delivered. I'm looking forward to reading more on DIY cables as I have already started playing around with prototypes...

Thanks again!

 

[gene c]

If you didn't know about them already here's a few sites we use for cables, wires and stuff.

http://www.monoprice.com/http://www.monoprice.com/

http://www.parts-express.com/

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

 

[Dave Moritz]

Sound quality and build quality I would go with the Denon. I used to have Onkyo in the past and they do have good features for the money but my concern with them now is. There receivers run hot and there customer service doesn't seem to be that great anymore. The Yamaha is nice, the previous 5.1 receiver I owned was a Yamaha RX-V995. If you are not going to be listening to anything that loud then 60 - 75 watts is more than enough, after that point you have to have a lot more to make it that much louder.