Best new reciever under $600.00

Hank Edwards · 06-11-2003, 02:30 PM

Howdy from Texas,
I was wondering what suggestions you might have on receivers under $700.00. I Currently use an entry level Sony teamed with Athena AFS-1 mains (which sound fantastic by the way), Klipsch Quintet center,(Athena center on order),Klipsch Quintet surrounds, and KSW-10 sub. I am intrested in somthing that is at least 6.1, and could power seprate speakers on my patio outside. I have searched the web, and it seems there are several in this price range. I have read the stats on the Marantz SR-4300, Denon AVR 1803, Onkyo TX-SR501, and I think HK has one in this range too. Does anyone have any real world experience with any of the above mentioned? Any and all suggestions are welcome as I live in a small town that is not friendly to 1st person auditions of new gear.

Thanks in advance
Hank Edwards

Jack Briggs · 06-11-2003, 02:45 PM

Howdy to you, Hank. I'm running a Denon 1803 in my bedroom system, driving an Acoustic Research HC6 system. Very pleased.

Mark Hedges · 06-11-2003, 03:14 PM

A lot of people like the Sony DA4ES at your pricepoint. It is available for about $600 from on line retailers.

I cannot tell you how it sounds personally since mine arrives tomorrow but I definatly think you should consider it.

Mark

Angelo.M · 06-11-2003, 03:21 PM

Welcome! I'd also recommend the Sony 4ES.

JeremyFr · 06-11-2003, 03:48 PM

I'd recommend taking a look at some of Yamaha's Offerings I run a Yamaha/Energy (big brother to Athena) setup and love it the Yammy I have does not do multi room multi source but does have a 2nd set of outputs for another pair of Mains. Works great if your just looking at having the same source playing outside as well as in.

**HTF Ads**

BrianAe · 06-11-2003, 04:03 PM

Denon 1803 and the Onkyo SR600 are good choices and can be found for between 350-400. Onecall.com often has a good price on the Onkyo SR800, I think they have a deal that expires today in fact.

The SR500 was a little buggy and under powered for many speakers, I dont't know about the 501.

Mark Dickerson · 06-12-2003, 12:06 AM

Hank:

Hard to believe that they don't want you to audition the gear before you buy it. Guess they want you to buy the car without a test drive, too. My condolences because trying out new gear is one of the really fun things about getting a HT system.

Receivers under $700. Here are my choices based upon a lot of shopping for something in the same price range:

1. NAD 742 (MSRP-$649; Street-$525): The cleanest, most beautiful sound you will ever hear from a receiver. All of the sounds are right and sound like they are happening in your room, not on a TV screen. Simple to use and set up, very unpretentious (read: no whiz-bang special effects that nobody ever uses), and can let you hear things on both music CDs and DVD soundtracks that you didn't even know existed. If you wanted to get even more power, check out the 752 (MSRP-$899; Street-$725). However, NAD only has five channels, so if you absolutely have to have six channels, read on.

2. Harman/Kardon AVR 325 (MSRP-$799; Street-$550): Warm sound, very dynamic, 7.1 channels so you can get your six channels easy. Uses quality components throughout.

3. Marantz 6300 (MSRP-$749; Street-$675): Tough to get a discount on Marantz, but they build a quality product, with one of the better amps available. Six channels. warm sound, but never muddy.

These are the only receivers I recommend under $700. Everyone else uses "off the shelf" parts from suppliers and they apparently do not deliver their rated power when played across all channels. Example-recently a major audio magazine tested the Yamaha 730 (MSRP $600), which Yamaha rates at 75 wpc channels. However, you will notice that in their product literature and on their website, Yamaha specifies it as 75 wpc for the fronts, 75 wpc for the centers, and 75 wpc for the rear surrounds. In other words, when testing it, Yamaha only had its cheap little power supply drive only two channels at any given time, not with all channels driven simultaneously. The Yamaha 730 tested out at a mere 39.4 wpc channel when all channels were active at the same time. This means of rating receiver power is common among Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, Kenwood, Sony, Panasonic, and JVC. Conversely, Sound & Vision recently tested the NAD 752, rated at 80 wpc x 5 channels and the receiver actually produced over 92 wpc when all channels were driven.

NAD, H/K, and Marantz are the only receiver manufacturers that rate their products with all channels driven at the same time. They are the only ones who will put in quality power supplies and output transitors in this price category, so that is who I would recommend.

Dodie · 06-12-2003, 12:11 AM

I can recommend HK 525. I'm using my 525 to power my B&W CM series speakers and I have no problem with it. With all the features I think you will be happy with 525.

Angelo.M · 06-12-2003, 08:39 AM

Quote:

[NAD, H/K and Marantz] are the only ones who will put in quality power supplies and output transitors in this price category...

Rubbish.

Open up a Sony 4ES or a Denon 2802 and have a look at the power supply, and you might revise your opinion.

Hank Edwards · 06-12-2003, 09:22 AM

How could I gage to true power of my Sony? It is said to be 100 watts per channel. What do you think,(oponion), the true watts continuous is. Would 100 entry level watts from Sony be equivelant to 50 watts of HK or NAD continous power? I am just trying to figure out what kind of volume change I am in for. My HT room is small, approx. 16x21.

Thanks
Hank Edwards