Receiver Reccommendations for under $500 (1 Viewer)

Well I just discovered my crappy Aiwa home theater receiver is defective and may have been all along. And wouldn't you know, I am three months outside the warranty.

Only one of the three optical inputs is working. I had been running my DVD player through one of the optical inputs all along and it works fine, but I just hooked up my Samsung SIR-T151 HD receiver to one of the other optical inputs and nothing. I verified that it was the receiver that is defective by hooking up the optical output from my DVD to the other two optical inputs on the receiver... and nada, no sound at all. :frowning:

It is probably too late to make a semi-long story short, but I think I will be in the market for a new receiver and I am looking for some suggestions ??? Sound quality is about equally as important to me as features. And based on my speakers (Wharfedale Emeralds), I think I will need a true minimum of about 60W per channel. Any suggestions in the under $500 range ?

OK... I did a little research and came up with a preliminary list of candidates (some may be over $500):

> Kenwood VR6070 (good reviews here)
> Sony DA 4ES (also good reviews here)
> Yamaha HTR-5560 (top seller & well rated on Amazon)
> H/K AVR 325 (top rated on C-Net)
> Pioneer VSX-D811S (Editor's Choice on C-Net... good rating and low price)
> Panasonic SA-HE100 (top rated in Consumer Reports)
> Onkyo TX-SR600 (second rated in Consumer Reports)

I would be a little nervous about the quality of the H/K and the Panasonic based on some reviews I have read in this forum. However, I would be interested and appreciate any opinions on any of the above.

Let me take a shot at ranking those

1.Sony 4ES
2.H/K 325
3.(tie) Yamaha HTR 5560
3.(tie) Onkyo TX-SR600
4.Kenwood 6070
5.Pioneer 811
6.Panasonic HE100

This is based on part experience part research.

I have had quite a bit of experience w/ H/K and I would not worry if I were you.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it

Add the Denon 2803. The 3803 can be had under $1k, so I'm betting if you are springing for the Sony 4Es the Denon 2803 would be in the same price range. Also, the HK 525 is around $600 if you find it at a deal.

Ranking is difficult without knowing the features he wants. It sounds like he is running lots of inputs into the receiver and letting it be a switch for many things, possibly video. I would think the Sony 4es, the HK 525, and the Denon 2803 should be near the top of the list if he's willing to go over the $500 mark and he needs video switching. Some of the others may not be able to pass HD level component video.

Try the Sony STR-DA2ES - it will be comfortably be in your budget, has most of the STR-DA4ES features and you can just add external amps if you want more power.

Onecall.com has the H/K 525 refurbished (but still with full warranty) at $520 and the 325 at $420. I'm currently considering one of these, as I think those are best buys at those prices. I'm just debating over whether I really need the 525, when I can always just add an external amp to the 325 later if I upgrade my speakers.

Ok, imo, stay far away from sony, i have had like 6 peices of sony equipment, and everything broke. I would recommend the pioneer, great sound, lot's of features. also look at the kenwood, onkyo, denon, yamaha. all good, but from past experience, stay away from sony!

Remember people are giving opinions.

My rank.........From experience/reviews/

Sony - prefer not to give my opinion on this.....

H/K - Seems to be a great bang for the buck, seems to be warm/laid back sound from readings

Yamaha - same as HK...I just don't like the look of there equipment

Onkyo - 600 I owned it and had a problem playing a couple of dvd's so I returned it. Great receiver(though it does not have pre-outs)

Kenwood - had 2 before the onkyo/pioneer not bad receiver..liked it better than sony..don't like the look of the new models(my opinion)

Pioneer - Own it....not the greatest for music. Preferred the Onkyo sound over the pioneer but enjoy the pioneer for the features/remote.

Panasonic - No idea.....

so which order would I put them in...

1. HK
2. Yammie
3. Onkyo
4. Pioneer
5. Kenwood
6. Sony
7. Panasonic

I own surround sound recievers by pioneer and yamaha, but nothing can touch my H/K 325 that I got from one call refurbished. Though, I really like my high end yamaha, the HK would be your best bet.

i might add marantz sr7200 ($499) shipped
it's from accessories4less.com
check this site out, they got tons of marantz products.

I own the Panasonic SA-HE-200 and love it. I paid $320 shipped with free rear center channel and a DVD. Instructions are bad ,but everything else is awsome.

Brian

The marantz are refurbished but you can buy an extended warranty. Accessories 4 less is a reliable company also. I bought all my speakers from there with no problems at all.
Even talked to the guy on the phone.

You should add in the Yamaha 5590. Plenty of digital inputs plus 110w per channel on a 6.1 receiver. It can be had for 519.00.

Yamaha 5590

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions !!! Sounds like the H-K 325 is in the lead so far.

One thing I realize is I should determine exactly what features are important to me. To be honest, I am not sure I even know the difference between 5.1 and 6.1. Not sure I need 6.1 since I only have 2 large fronts, a center, and 2 smaller surrounds... no sub. I think I want "THX certified", and I know I will need at least two optical inputs and one coaxial input. Don't think I need the video switching since I don't know what that is. (I feel a little ashamed to admit some of this stuff, but I am just starting to get into home theater).

One question (and maybe I need to post this separately)... What is the chance that a novice can open up their receiver and fix the optical connections ??? I am wondering if something just came lose inside. If it just needs some soldering, I can do that. One of the three optical inputs does work, so I will have a good reference point for how it should look. I just don't think it is worth my time and effort to send the receiver in for repair since it is now out of warranty and was only about $280 new. Maybe my best option is just to purchase a "coaxial" audio cable and hope the coaxial input on my receiver works ?!?!

http://www.yamahashoponline.com/product.asp?sku=2320124

Yamaha HTR 5550 direct from Yamaha at $399 with free shipping.

Hi Sean,

I have the HK AVR 325 and am very pleased with it -- no problems at all. I got mine from Costco.com for $499. Costco is no longer offering the HK, but you should be able to find it elsewhere for under $600. Also consider Marantz. There are several good receivers on your list -- compare the features they offer vs. your needs. I wouldn't worry too much about THX certification, especially in your price range. But, if you feel it's something you absolutely have to have, your options are limited under $500. Check out the Kenwood VR-7070 -- "THX Select" and priced just under $500.