Please help - Best Receiver for $800 USD (1 Viewer)

[erew99]

Hi All,
I'm considering the following receivers. I am running 5.1 right now.

Pioneer Elite SC-63, 71, or 72

Is there another brand with the same or more power? I pretty much only use HDMI devices.

I'm looking for something with good power to run my Polk Monitor setup.

I'd like to purchase today/tomorrow from Accessories4less or even Amazon (with Square Trade warranty).

Any specific model/brand I should look at? I don't have the room for additional amp. It is in my livingroom with minimal shelf space (currently).

I've heard good things about Marantz, Denon and Pioneer Elite.

Which would you buy? In the next year or two I will probably upgrade my Polk Monitor to Paradigm or similar.

Currently my Sony STR-DH520 outputs sound, but I don't think it outputs any type of quality I'm looking for.

 

[erew99]

Sound and Vision HT Labs:
STR-DH520
http://www.soundandvision.com/content/sony-str-dh520-av-receiver-ht-labs-measures

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:0.1% distortion at 68.7 watts1% distortion at 81.3 watts

Elite SC-61
http://www.soundandvision.com/content/pioneer-elite-sc-61-av-receiver-ht-labs-measures
Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:0.1% distortion at 109.0 watts1% distortion at 127.7 watts

 

[schan1269]

If you'll bump your budget to $1000.Amazon deal of the day is the Pioneer 1523.

 

[erew99]

Hi schan -

I see that is $1000 right now. I'd like to stay at $800 or under.. Any suggestions?

 

[erew99]

An Elite or a Marantz will have a warmer sound, I believe.

I'm not sure the best way to spend the money and get the right receiver. I definitely want more power and better quality sound.

I don't always play the system loudly, but I think I'd benefit from the power.

I'm almost positive I'd benefit from some type of room correction.

I am looking at the Elite SC71 or 63. The 63 doesn't have 4k passthrough (but who knows when I'll get on board w/ 4k), and the 71 doesn't have full 7.1 out (which might be a long while before I get an amp).

Since neither of these two things are something I must have right now... I don't know which way to go.

Would a Marantz be better than the Elites? I need direction

 

[schan1269]

IF those Elite are "online" for under $800...you don't have a warranty. Squaretrade(or whoever else) may not cover it since it won't have an original warranty(read the fine print).

Since all the new models of AVR will be debuting next month...I'd wait.

Prices on the Onkyo X2X should start crashing any day now. The Pio 1323 "might" go back to $600.

Marantz and Denon may wait till May since they got a late start last year. But Pioneer, Onkyo/Integra(have to buy Integra in a store) and Yamaha will all start releasing next years in March and April. The AVR with MSRP

 

[erew99]

Yes, you're 100% correct. I just spoke to someone there. They will not cover anything that doesn't have the manufacturer's 1 year warranty.

Since these Elites are not 'authorized', they do not have any warranty.

 

[erew99]

If we're not comparing the Elites now... Will a 1223, be worth it over a Marantz SR-6007? Or even a Denon X3000?

The Marantz and Denon I'd most likely get from A4L, which both have a 1yr manufacturer warranty.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6007/MARANTZ-SR6007-4K-3D-110w-x7-Networking-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html#!specifications

I've read some good things about the Marantz 6006/6007:
It has pre-outs for all 7 channels and 1 sub (probably something I won't use for at least a few years)
4k and 3D (not something I'm expecting in the next few years for myself).
110w RMS power - Discrete 7 channel amplifiers
Audyssey MultEQ XT
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Dynamic Volume, DSX

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:0.1% distortion at 75.9 watts1% distortion at 92.0 watts

Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:0.1% distortion at 71.3 watts1% distortion at 83.4 watts



The Pioneer 1223-k still has a warranty, since it is new and sold on Amazon.com. It is not an Elite model, but still has D3 amp.

 

[schan1269]

It is a shame you didn't jump on the 1323 when it was $600.

Like I said. Except for the 1523 at $1000. Nothing else, outside Onkyo, is "cheap" at the moment. And even Onkyo isn't "cheap" once you get to the 828.

If it were me...I'd cough up the other $200. You'll have this thing for 5 years-ish.

That is $40 more per year of use. Believe me, the ESS DAC makes a world of difference. If you listen, at all, to digital music...it is a revelation.

But back to these three.

You can't compare a refurb price to NIB. Not fair to the NIB.

But yes...the 6006/7 is a better value than the 1223. But the 6007 compares to the 1323.

 

[erew99]

The only thing I don't like is the 1yr warranty, for spending $1,000.

 

[erew99]

Okay- nevermind. I'm sold on the 1523k for $1,000 w/ 3 year Square Trade warranty on top of it.

 

[erew99]

Now I need a good quality speaker cable, rated for in-wall use!

I've come across some, but not sure if it will benefit me.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_703144125/AudioQuest-FLX-14-4-14-Gauge-4-Conductor-In-Wall-Speaker-Cable-125-feet.html

Also the Blue Jeans Cable - BJC Ten White (5T00UP) (White jacket, 10 AWG)
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm

or canare 4s8

or Aurum? http://www.amazon.com/Aurum-Cables-Waterproof-Outdoor-Speaker/dp/B00B76KZJ2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1392234976&sr=1-3&keywords=burial+speaker+cable

 

[schan1269]

Buy 14(or 12 if you wish) AWG CL rated wire.

Makes no difference where you get it. Just get it for the best price you can.

 

[schan1269]

You don't need 4 conductor.

 

[schan1269]

One of numerous. IF you don't need 250ft, there is 100ft for $45...

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-250ft-2-Conductor-Speaker-Installation/dp/B003L18SFY/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1392235487&sr=1-2&keywords=12awg+cl2+rated+2-conductor+loud+speaker+cable

Depending on your local building code, you might need these...

http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-Binding-Post-Banana-Plate/dp/B0044ZC2IA/ref=pd_sim_e_6

 

[erew99]

Thanks- I already purchased that wall plate, and swapped the HDMI for an HDMI 1.4

I also already have this: http://www.amazon.com/12AWG-Rated-2-Conductor-Speaker-Installation/dp/B009EA7YD8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1392236880&sr=1-1&keywords=12awg+cl2+C%26E

But some other people have mentioned that I need to get better cables for receivers with more output power.

I want to get the right speaker wire now, since my walls will be opened... I want to plan for the future, so if I do decide to get a separate amp in the future, I don't need to rewire.

 

[schan1269]

12AWG is 12AWG. Don't care what brand it is.

Now if you want to buy silver or platinum wire instead of copper...

 

[erew99]

WOOAH! Okay, what will that change? Will it make a big difference? I'm open to ideas... not $500 for 100'

 

[schan1269]

You can even use this...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250-FT-ROMEX-COPPER-WIRE-NM-B-12-2-WITH-GROUND-/111272998635?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19e86336eb

 

[erew99]

How can you use that? There are 3 copper cables, neutral, ground, & hot. Does that 250' effectively become 750' speaker cable?

Do you use that with banana plugs!?