[LeeH]

Well guys, I just bought my receiver but I caught the upgrade bug (I wish they had a vaccine). Anyways, I need help choosing one. Originally I was looking at the Sony STRDE995 but now I've read that the amplifiers are a little weak, is this true?

This is what I need in the receiver
-Less than $450
-7.1 surround sound
-probably more than 75 watts per channel (there goes Harman Kardon)
-at least 2 component inputs
-at least 3 S-Video inputs
-at least 3 composite inputs
-composite to s-video up conversion
-at least 3 optical inputs
-at least 1 coax digital inputs
-less than .1% full bandwidth THD

This is what I would like to have but not needed.
-THX rating
-Logic 7
-Full 7.1 Preouts
-Binding Post Outputs
-The component inputs have to be HD ready (I will be upgrading)

I think that the Sony is the only one to meet all the requirements, but I wanted your opinions before I buy. I will not buy Kenwoods anymore. They are all I have ever owned but now they seem to be getting cheap. I will be selling the VR-605 if anyone is interested.

Thanks,
Lee

[Lee M T]

I think you should go with an H/K. Personally, I'd put a 55 watt H/K amp up against, say, an 85 watt Onkyo amp. I bet there either wouldn't be much difference at all, or the H/K could quite possibly sound as if it has more power. The power ratings are decieving.

[Ted Pugh]

Wise choice getting rid of the Kenwood. Poor build quality. I would go with the H/K which would have almost all the features you are looking for around the price point you have in mind. Don't be fooled by the power. Very clean and underestimated.

Ted

[Shane Martin]

I would go with the HK. Yes the DE amps are very overrated and are not very good and I personally don't care for Kenwood.

Keep in mind you need to double your power to go up 3db so say 30 watts per channel is nothing as long as the amp is built right and the HK is IMHO.

[Derek_OC]

It is too bad you don't want another kenwood. I know they aren't the best but their new vr7070 is THX certified and has pretty much everything you would want. Last years model was tested by sound and vision to put out 92 watts per channel with all 6 channels driven. I'd be interested to see what that sony would put out in the same test. The best thing of all is that you can get the kenwood delivered to your door for about $350 bucks with a 2 year warranty. Probably the biggest down side is that it only does 10Mhz component bandwidth but depending on how you are going to use it this may not be a big issue. But if you definetly don't want another kenwood i would pick up an H/K without question over the sony.

[JamieS]

Don't pay any attention to manufacture ratings for power.

Sony very well could rate the receiver at 100 w but only 1 channel driven. The specs for 5 or 7 driven could be 30 or 40 Ws!

HK tends to underrate their amps as they use a differnet method (they preach HIGH CURRENT) but when tested by independant places using the same criteria (all driven) the HKs tend to make MORE than rated power while other make much less.

I went from a Denon 1603 80 W X 5 to a Rotel RSX 1055 that cost more than 3 times as much but is rated at 75W. Let me say there is no way that Denon was more powerful than the rotel. No way.

To fisish my rant:
Consider the HK for sure

Do you already have 7.1 speaker setup? If not consider going with 5.1 and spending more on reciever and speakers. Looks like you are on a tight (receiver) budget and those extra 2 speakers at 200-300$ could get you a really sweet reciever that would be 7.1 capable down the road. If you already have 7 speakers ignore me

[Angelo.M]

Keep your eyes peeled as the Sony 4ES is discontinued. If you can catch one just before they go the way of the dodo, you might snag one in your price range. They're going now for around $600-650, but it might be worth looking into. Very flexible receiver.

The H/K suggestion is a good one.

[Steve Adams]

STEER CLEAR OF SONY AND HK. Harman's high current theroy COOKS the receiver causing all kinds of problems. Sony, sound like crap! their customer service is terrible, and their products are useless. I have had all kinds of sony products and everything has failed! NEVER BUY SONY! hk, I worked at a store that sold hk equipment and over 60% of what went out, came back. fried!. have a look at onkyo, pioneer and really, check out the new kenwoods, they are very feature rich for the money. Dont buy into the hk hype.

[Angelo.M]

Yikes. Was that really necessary?

[Carl Johnson]

Steve is overly dramatic but he speaks the truth, my first 5.1 receiver was a Harman Kardon that died a premature death. I have a six year old Sony CD changer that's been flawless but I certainly wouldn't buy one of their receivers, I have an Onkyo that I'm very happy with.

[Angelo.M]

I shouldn't have bit.

Sony ES receivers and H/K receivers are worthy of consideration by anyone looking for a solid AVR for their HT system. Everyone's mileage will vary, of course. Sorry you had a bad experience.

[David Ruggiero]

Steve Adams said

"STEER CLEAR OF SONY AND HK. Harman's high current theroy COOKS the receiver causing all kinds of problems."

Well, I've never had a problem with my Harman Kardon, much less "all kinds of problems."


"Sony, sound like crap!"

Everyone has different tastes in sound, what you think "sounds like crap" someone else might find perfectly acceptable. I'm sure their are plenty of people here who own Sony and are happy with the sound.


" their customer service is terrible, and their