perryG

First Post looking for a receiver

I am currently thinking about upgrading my antiquated Pioneer Stereo Receiver with a new Home Theater Receiver. I am looking in the $300 range which seems to be the sweet spot of bang for your buck. The models I am considering are the Sony STR-DE897 which seems good on paper. It is a 7.1 system with a nice universal remote that will control just about any device made including the TV. I am not sure I need 7.1 because it is just another speaker to have to deal with. I can currently run 5 speakers without much Hassle. The center rear will be a pain at this point. So anything 5.1 or above is good. The Sony manual says some models have up conversion and some don't so is this Russian roulette or something? The Yamaha is a 6.1 system with a simple remote for just the receiver. It has up conversion which might come in handy when I get an HDTV. The Kenwood sounds good but the details are not available since they don't seem to have an online manual available. I don't like the fact that there are only Bass and Treble adjustments on all three of these units. I would like to use my 10 band graphic equalizer but I guess I will have to run that through one of the AUX channels like for the tape deck which means I can only use it with Stereo sources with two speakers operating. The speakers I have are old Bass Reflex and some are pretty good and some are not. So I have hodge podge of speakers ranging from 12" to little 4" minimus 7's. Please excuse my ignorance of the Home Theater World.

Perry

John S

Well, with the reviews on it.. You should give the Pioneer 1014 a look. Only a little bit more. Plus it has a full EQ available for each channel!!! That is sweet indeed.


Actually, in your price range, I think the Pioneer 1014 would be pefect and probably way best buy and keep you pretty happy for a long time.

John Garcia

Sonys always looks good on paper, but the truth is, their receivers are not that spectacular. The 1014 would defintely be a better choice, but I'd look at Onkyo, Denon, Marantz and Harman Kardon also in your price range.

"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." - Mark Twain

HT: Marantz SR-8300, MA500 monoblocks x 2, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Denon 2900, Oppo 980H, Toshiba HD-A2, RC2000MkII remote, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, Slim PS2, PS3 60G + 320G USB

Bedroom: Marantz PM-7200 Integrated, GR Research A/V-1s, Sony 222ES SACD, RC3200 remote, Panamax M8EX

Audio: Audioquest * Video: Bluejeans

My DVDs My HT

RyanJE

Hey Perry,

I was thinking about going with the pioneer that these guys are talking about. Let me Know which way you go with that. I've read numerous good reviews about it and it seems pretty comprehensive for the money.

RyanJE

Hey Perry you can find this model for under 300 shipped. Use pricegrabber.

It is very similar to the 1014. Its 6.1 instead of 7.1.
the d914k.

Also, if you want you can rig your reciver to sound much like 7.1 by hooking up parallel dual rear centers.

perryG

I can't even find the 1014 on the pioneer sight. Anyone have a link for it? I will check out the 914.

Thanks

Perry

RyanJE

Perry
The 1014 isn't on the sight for some reason. But if you click on the Brochure link on the far left of the receiver page the 1014 is in the adobe doc. Also search for it in google. If your willing to bump up your Budget the yamaha Rx-v650 can be had for almost the same as the 1014. Both models have automatic calibration systems which you'll probably find to be a great luxury. I dont have any personal experience with them but I sure as hell wish I had one! Calibration is a bitch and time consuming.

John Garcia

I believe the 1014 was discontinued because the 1015 is coming out. That would make it a good time to shop for a 1014...

Calibration takes no time at all; it takes me about 30 min tops in a typical room, longer in a problem room or lousy setup. Proper speaker location/orientation can take a while though.

"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." - Mark Twain

HT: Marantz SR-8300, MA500 monoblocks x 2, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Denon 2900, Oppo 980H, Toshiba HD-A2, RC2000MkII remote, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, Slim PS2, PS3 60G + 320G USB

Bedroom: Marantz PM-7200 Integrated, GR Research A/V-1s, Sony 222ES SACD, RC3200 remote, Panamax M8EX

Audio: Audioquest * Video: Bluejeans

My DVDs My HT

RyanJE

True. Plus you have to buy a calibration disk +$40 and an SPL meter +$40 and the spl meter doesn't account for non flat frequency response based on room acoustics. So you cant actually calibrate completely accurately. Also anytime you move the speakers or rearange you have to re-calibrate. And you have to re-measure distances.

Am I wrong? Is auto calibration not a luxury feature?

perryG