Best AVR under $1,300 (1 Viewer)

[Cristo]

Hey folks, I have enjoyed this forum immensely. Construction is nearing an end and I need to choose a receiver and Blu Ray. I will be using an Epson Home Cinema Pro 1080ub projector, Paradigm Millenia 20 speakers and a HSU VTF-3 MK 3 sub. I will use the system about 75% for HT and the rest for audio CDs and ipod music and gaming. Assuming that I will use this receiver for many years, which receivers should I consider in the range of $1,000 - $1,300? Blu Ray recommendations? Thanks.

 

[Alon Goldberg]

Hi Cristo, it depends on your definition of the word best...

For best sounding AVR under $1,300 I would lean towards the Rotel RSX-1057. Exceptional receiver in this price range, though without all the bells and whistles (HDMI 1.1, no audio over HDMI, if you don't mind using analogue interconnects for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD from your Blu-Ray Player).

But seeing as your system leans more towards home theater, the Denon AVR-2808CI would probably be my first choice (or the AVR-3808CI if you can find yourself a good deal). Excellent build quality, sounds great, matches well with your Paradigm speakers.

What is your budget for Blu-Ray?

 

[McLoki]

Personally I would recommend a nice used amp in the $500-$800 range and a decent new mid-grade AVR with preouts...

There are a couple 5 channel, 200wpc amps on audiogon now in that range (Sherborn and outlaw I believe - no affiliation BTW) and they will work great with almost any speaker you choose to run.

For an AVR to use as a pre-amp you can get whatever manufacturer you like best or works best with your speakers. Just make sure it has pre-outs on it. The amp section really does not matter much as you will only be using (at most) the back 2 channels. When you finally decide to upgrade, you can keep the amp and upgrade for the current (at the time)$500-$800 reciever again saving money on future upgrades. You also get the benefit of better sound as the amp section of a real amplifier will sound much better than the amp section on almost all sub $2000 AVR's.

 

[Cristo]

Thanks, this is part of what I need to hear. So, borrowing from my guitar amp background and knowing almost nothing about audio amplificiation, am I hearing that your recommendation is for a good quality, used amplifier as the horsepower behind the sound and a mid-range AVR as the controller? Cristo

 

[McLoki]

Correct.

A mid-line AVR with preouts will offer you the latest decoding as well as HDMi inputs and all that. You could also step up to a true Pre/Pro - but those seem to start in the $1,500-$2,000 range to get the latest of everything.

The amp will provide the power for your system and they last for years so purchasing used is rarely an issue. (follow all the normal common sense rules though)

There will be one other cost, that being 5 RCA cables to connect your AVR to the amplifier. Other than that - you should be good to go.

Michael