Home Theater Forum - View Single Post - Looking for inexpensive receiver recommendations

KrisWood · 05-16-2008, 11:57 PM

Thanks for all the informative replies! I'd be willing to go up to $399 but grudgingly, so it's good to know there are models to be had in that range. I don't have any audio / video sources that use HDMI at all so I couldn't care less about that particular feature.

My only media source is my PC, which has digital audio output via optical and coax with the Auzentech X-Meridian sound card. All my video is displayed on my 22" widescreen monitor, I do not own a television at the moment, nor do I plan to buy one until large LCD TVs come down in price below the $500 mark. I also don't need 7.1 surround, as I only own 5.1 speakers.

I guess when it comes to features I'm really happy with a "less is more" approach. I want clear, beautiful sound, and couldn't care less how many features are shoved into a bit of hardware.

It looks like the Onkyo 605 is the current favourite of the majority, so I'll be keeping an eye out for deals on that one. Will it power my speakers without problems? I suspect adding the two 80watt three way towers is what finished off my poor sony...

Edit: Ok I looked it up, it's got far more than enough power for the speakers I'm using, I think:

Quote:

90 W + 90 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz,
0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC)
105 W + 105 W (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7%,
2 channels driven, FTC)
110 W + 110 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.1%,
2 channels driven, FTC)

I'm not sure what any of that means, but my speakers say "80 watts continuous power. 220 watts peak power." and nothing about ohms. I found the TX-SR605S (that's the silver version, I think) for $299.99 at Frys so I think I'll head down there tomorrow and see if I can get ahold of one.

Edit: Hmmmm on further research, some reviews compare the Denon AVR-688 to the Onkyo TX-605. Both are available in my area for $299.99 and seem roughly equivalent in features. Any opinions?

Edit: Found the 1508 for $349, how does this compare to the 688? Nevermind, I looked it up on the manufacturer's site. They are virtually identical except that the 688 has more features. Looks like I'll take a trip to Circuit City tomorrow since they're the only place I've found in town that has both the Onkyo TX-605 and the Denon AVR-688, and give them a listen before buying.