Newbie, Quick Question on Entry-level receiver.

OscarAl · 12-19-2005, 11:12 PM

I've been looking at the pioneer 1015 and the onkyo 603. I'm coming out of a onkyo htib 570, yeah i know. I want to keep my speakers and upgrade to one of these receivers. Who can convince me to get one or the other. I'm not really comfortable with the volume situation people dislike in the pioneer. Does the onkyo have this problem. I really cant tell with the -20, to -40 volume level. Not sure what that means, but I tried the onkyo 602 in a circuit city and it sounded louder and clearer than a hk 635 they had nearby. So anyway which one would anyone recommend?

Jeff Pounds · 12-20-2005, 09:55 AM

Oscar,

Since you are buying an entry-level receiver, they might not let you do this, but have you thought about asking to take both of the receivers home for an in-home demonstration?

While trying them out in Circuit City is better than nothing, a showroom floor is not the best enviornment to test out how the receivers will sound AT HOME, in your room, with YOUR speakers.

If Circuit City won't let you do this, you might try and seek out a home audio specialty store in your area. They will likely have some entry level receivers, and be much more likely to let you take them home for an audition...

Good luck!

OscarAl · 12-20-2005, 10:57 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, but as you mentioned its an entry level receiver. I'm not so sure I want to go through that, of going to some specialty store and auditioning receivers at home. I was kind of hoping people with experience on the receivers I mention would be able to help.

Jeff Pounds · 12-20-2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Thanks for the suggestion, but as you mentioned its an entry level receiver. I'm not so sure I want to go through that, of going to some specialty store and auditioning receivers at home. I was kind of hoping people with experience on the receivers I mention would be able to help.

OK, but keep in mind that there are so many hundreds of variables involved in reproducing sound (room size, room dimensions, interconnects, speaker wire, speakers, source material, floor type, celing type... well you get the point...

) that there is no subsitute for trying a reciever out in YOUR home.

Again... good luck!

NickSI · 12-20-2005, 12:26 PM

heres my two cents Oscar. There will probably be little difference in the two systems. if you don't want to put in the time then don't be too mad when you end up with one your not happy with. HT is not all about money its also about the time your willing to put into it. my guess is that either will sound better than what you had.

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OscarAl · 12-20-2005, 12:53 PM

I was actually looking at the Onkyo 703 since it includes THX. Now I did hear the Onkyo 602 in CircuitCity and it sounded nice to me, prob nicer than the HK 635. Maybe because I'm already used to Onkyo? I just want to move up in equipment and a better quality receiver even if still the same brand. I have another question, people say how convenient having the component upconversion is. I've heard you dont need as many wires , etc. But from what I see if you connect your stuff to the receiver to then output to component, now lets say you have the HD Box component to receiver and then another set of component wire to tv. Kind of the same, or more, amount of wires. I guess the real benefit is not having to change the input on TV?

John S · 12-20-2005, 02:23 PM

The 703 is a winner.

OscarAl · 12-20-2005, 02:41 PM

Do you have it? And can anyone answer my question about how the component upconversion works?

John S · 12-20-2005, 02:56 PM

Component Upconvsersion is weak on most AVR's. I don't suggest it. I still hook every video output from any given AVR to the correspnding input on the display.

I still use the AVR to switch the components, but also must switch on the display as well.

John S · 12-20-2005, 02:57 PM

PS: I have not owned a 703, I have seen them. Dang nice powerful and robust AVR.