entry level newbie reciever (1 Viewer)

[BrendanW]

I am looking to spend 400 bucks on a reciever. I was thinking about the sony str-de1075. Any advice? suggestions?

 

[peter_anderson]

For $400 you can do better. A lot better. Audition the harman/kardon AVR-120. Denon 1802. Kenwood VR-509.

If you are planning to get further into home theater/audio, get a receiver which has pre-amp outputs for all channels. Since you are starting from scratch, don't make the same mistakes a lot of us did; buying a receiver without pre-amp outputs, not exploring DIY speakers, etc...

 

[Jerry AZ]

You can get the Onkyo 595 at JandR for around $360.

 

[Sean Dayton]

What sales rep do we need to contact at J@R to gets these great deals ? They quoted me 399$ plus shipping for the Onkyo 595 yesterday.

Sean

 

[EricHaas]

You might also add the Kenwood VR 509 and 510 to your list. The 510 is $399 online and actually has preouts on all channels. It has THX select cert too, if that floats your boat. But yes, the Onkyo is a good option in that price range. It is, comparatively speaking, easier to use than some others and thus might be ideal for a newbie. Also Onkyo has a very solid reputation compared to the Sony or Kenwood low end.

 

[Paul_Fisher]

Does the Onkyo 595 have preamps for all channels?

 

[EricHaas]

No.

 

[Kelly Scott Rickards]

Within a couple of months you will be able to get 6 channel recievers with a street price(can be as much as 30% under MSRP) of under 400 bucks...
Here are a few to consider
Pioneer VSX-D811S:$475MSRP due in april
Yamaha RX-V730: $599MSRP due in may(ish)
Yamaha RX-V630: $499MSRP due in may(ish)
Sherwood RD-8108 $399MSRP due in may
Sherwood RD-7108 $299MSRP due in may
The above recievers all have:
6ch of amplification (80X 6 for the yammies and 100x6 for the Pioneer and Sherwoods)
Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding
DTS 5.1 decoding
Dolby Digital EX 6.1 decoding
DTS ES matrix and discrete 6.1 decoding
Dolby Pro Logic 2 movie and (adjustable, we hope)music
DTS Neo:6
I believe the Pioneer and the Yammy RX-V730 also have preouts on all channels. Even the most expensive of the 5, the RX-V730 should have a street price less than a Denon 2802 or Yamaha HTR-5490 (transation, the 730 should be about $450-ish)
In case you haven't noticed, the price wars have begun

 

[MarkMaestas]

POST:

What sales rep do we need to contact at J@R to gets these great deals ? They quoted me 399$ plus shipping for the Onkyo 595 yesterday.

Sean

REPLY:

Sean,

Do a search on yahoo shopping, aol shopping,and any electronics store you can find and find the lowest online price you can. Then call JandR and ask them to price match. If you find something unbelievably low, they might not match it, but they came down off the price of $399 for me. You might try etronics.com or crazy eddies (not sure of the web site url) as a start. JandR is an authorized Onkyo dealer which makes the Onkyo warranty valid which is why you want JandR to price match as opposed to buying from one of the unauthorized sites.

Good Luck.

 

[Dave H]

I have the Yamaha HTR-5240 - I bought it about a 1.5 years ago, so it must have a new model number now. At the time, I paid around $400.00 for it at Best Buy. It's only five channel, but I have been very impressed with it. It does have DTS.

 

[Earl Simpson]

JR as always and 6th ave(ask for Steve at ext 511). He will make you spend and be in pain.

The Sony 1075 for $392 is not a bad choice. It has 6 amps, but I don't know if it has 6.1 ES.

No point in getting a RCVR if it doesn't have ES discrete and some form of es matrix/ex.

If you are really limited by that amount then you might wait. But they are starting to drop those prices as we speak.

You would be surprised what an extra $100 will do in a rcvr purchase. The pioneer 850 for $350 is a 6 channel. But not sure about the ES and matrix.

I don't think any of the lower end do ES discrete. Let me check.

The VSX-D850S also offers plenty of amplification for powerful music and movie sound — 6 channels x 110 full-bandwidth-rated watts! And control is a cinch thanks to an ergonomic, versatile remote. It's pre-programmed to operate other brands of A/V gear, and can learn codes from your other remotes. The informative LCD screen adds to the convenience.

Key Features:

110 watts x 2 (stereo) into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.02% THD - or 110 watts x 6 in surround mode

Dolby Digital, DTS, Pro Logic

digital inputs: 4 optical, 1 coaxial

learning/multibrand 1-way LCD remote

DTS-ES compatible 6.1 decoding

6-D Theater processing

6-channel stereo

6-channel Digital Noise Reduction

96kHz/24-bit DACs

7.1-channel preamp input

6.1-channel preamp output

optical digital out

component video switching: 2 in, 1 out (28MHz bandwidth)

3 audio and 4 A/V (including 4 S-video and 1 front-panel) inputs

30 AM/FM presets

gold-plated audio inputs

16-9/16"W x 6-1/4"H x 17-1/4"D

warranty: 1 year

1075=

Key Features:

100 watts x 2 (stereo) into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.09% THD — or 100 x 6 in surround mode

6.1-channel and 5.1-channel preamp inputs

two 32-bit processors for surround decoding (Dolby Digital, DTS, 6.1, Pro Logic), Virtual Matrix 6.1, and Digital Cinema Sound — 27 total soundfields

dual-room/dual-source audio output

learning/multibrand remote with macro capability

on-screen display

4 audio and 5 A/V (including 3 S-video) inputs

digital inputs: 3 optical, 1 coaxial

optical digital output

2 subwoofer outputs

1 set main speaker outputs

Control A1II and S

17"W x 6-1/4"H x 15-3/4"D

warranty: 2 years

Boy, they sure beat around the bush. How can you tell from this if it does ES discrete???????????????

2802

Features

Dolby Pro Logic II: Enjoy 2-channel stereo recordings in stunning 5.1-channel surround playback. The Dolby Pro Logic II decoder reproduces dynamic 5.1-channel surround sound not only from normal 5.1-channel DVD but from 2-channel sources as well. Dolby Pro Logic II uses matrix decoding technology that has been dramatically improved over Pro Logic. With Pro Logic II, for instance, the Surround (Rear) channels are in stereo (only mono with Pro Logic) and playback covers the full frequency range (only up to 7 kHz with Pro Logic). These improvements let you enjoy a wide variety of 2-channel sources with the exciting effects of 5.1-channel surround sound. In Dolby Pro Logic II, there is a Movie mode that creates a sound space suitable for movies, a Music mode that does the same for music, and a Pro Logic emulation feature that reproduces sound effects in the way that conventional Pro Logic does.

DTS-ES Extended Surround: DTS-ES includes the Surround Back (SB; also known as Surround Rear) channel in addition to the existing 5.1 surround channels of front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, and LFE, enabling surround playback from a total of 6.1 channels. Due to differences in surround signal recording methods, DTS-ES offers two types of signal formats:

DTS-ES Discrete 6.1: discrete 6.1 utilizes the digital discrete method to record all 6.1 channels, including the newly-added surround back channel, as independent channels. Since the surround left, surround right, and surround back channels are fully independent, sound can be freely designed and sound images can move freely and rapidly amongst each other within a background sound that envelopes the room from all sides.

DTS-ES Matrix 6.1: in the Matrix 6.1 format, the surround back channel is matrix encoded in advance to the surround left and surround right channels, and when a matrix decoder plays them back, they are decoded into separate surround left, surround right, and surround back channels.

DTS Neo:6 Surround: Featuring the newest DTS matrix processing technology, the DTS Neo:6 function provides up to 6.1-channel surround sound from conventional stereo sources, and can be used with virtually any 2-channel stereo source, analog or digital. Two modes are provided: Neo:6 Cinema is optimized for surround encoded stereo movie soundtracks, while Neo:6 Music mode is optimized for superior surround sound with stereo music sources.

High Power Custom Transistor: When temperatures rise or fall inside the unit, bias current values supplied to the power transistor tend to fluctuate, causing sound quality to deteriorate. The high power custom transistor used in the AVR-2802 ensures that the bias current is constantly uniform so that the sound you hear is of consistently stable, high quality.

Wide Range Circuit Topology: Front end and power amplifier circuitry is designed with flat frequency response that extends to 100 kHz, perfectly suited for next-generation wide range audio media such as SACD and DVD-Audio.

24-bit, 96 kHz D/A Converters: The AVR-2802 uses highly accurate 24-bit, 96 kHz D/A converters to handle digital to analog conversion, giving you superior sound quality.

On-Screen Display (OSD): An OSD can be displayed on your television for easy system setup. The OSD is sent through the S-video and composite video monitor outputs; the OSD is not sent through the component video output.

5.1 Multi-Channel Input: The AVR-2802 is equipped with a 5.1-channel input to accommodate outboard decoders.

Multi-Source Function: The Multi-Source function lets you enjoy one program source in a second room, while another source is playing in the main room.

Surround Modes: In addition to straight Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, and DTS playback, you can choose from the following modes:

Dolby Pro Logic II: enjoy 2-channel stereo recordings in stunning 5.1-channel surround playback. In Dolby Pro Logic II, there is a Movie mode that creates a sound space suitable for movies, a Music mode that does the same for music, and a Pro Logic emulation feature that reproduces sound effects in the way that conventional Pro Logic does.

DTS ES Discrete 6.1 and DTS ES Matrix 6.1: DTS ES Matrix 6.1 performs matrix decoding to create a rear center speaker. DTS ES Discrete 6.1 features digital discrete recording of all channels including the surround back channel.

DTS NEO:6: allows you to choose Neo:6 Cinema mode, which is optimized for surround encoded stereo movie soundtracks, or Neo:6 Music mode, which is optimized for superior surround sound with stereo music sources.

Rock Arena: use this mode to achieve the feeling of a live concert in an arena with reflected sounds coming from all directions

Jazz Club: this mode creates the sound field of a live house with a low ceiling and hard walls. This mode gives jazz a very vivid realism.

Video Game: use this mode to enjoy video game sources

Matrix: select this to emphasize the sense of expansion for music sources recorded in stereo

5Ch/6Ch Stereo: the signals of the front left channel are output from the left surround channel, the signals of the front right channel are output from the right surround channel, and the same (in-phase) component of the left and right channels is output from the center channel. This mode provides all speaker surround sound, but without directional steering effects, and works with any stereo program source.

Mono Movie: select this when watching monaural movies for a greater sense of expansion

Panorama Mode (Dolby Pro Logic II): This mode extends the front stereo image to include the surround speakers for an exciting "wraparound" effect with side wall imaging. You can select "Off" or "On".

Dimension Control (Dolby Pro Logic II): This control gradually adjusts the soundfield either towards the front or towards the rear. The control can be set in 7 steps from 0 to 6.

Center Width Control (Dolby Pro Logic II): This control adjusts the center image so it may be heard only from the center speaker, only from the left/right speakers as a phantom image, or from all three front speakers to varying degrees. The control can be set in 8 steps from 0 to 7.

Personal Memory Plus: The Personal Memory Plus function automatically memorizes the surround modes and input modes selected for the different input sources. When an input source is selected, the modes stored in memory for that source are automatically recalled. The surround parameters, tone control settings and playback level balance for the different output channels are memorized for each surround mode.

Direct Mode: In addition to surround sound playback, the AVR-2802 lets you enjoy pure 2-channel stereo sound without any digital processing.

Bass Management and Speaker Setup: Various speaker size settings are available to ensure that small speakers do not receive full-range signals and to tell the receiver where to send signals.

Front Speakers: the front speaker size may be set to "Large" or "Small"

Center Speaker: if you have selected "Large" as the front speaker size, the center speaker may be set to "Large", "Small" or "None". If you have selected "Small" as the front speaker size, the center speaker may be set to "Small" or "None".

Subwoofer: you may select "Yes" or "No"

Surround Speakers: if you have selected "Large" as the front speaker size, the surround speakers may be set to "Large", "Small" or "None". If you have selected "Small" as the front speaker size, the surround speakers may be set to "Small" or "None". Note: If you have selected "None" as the surround speakers size, the surround back speaker size is automatically set to "None".

Surround Back Speakers: if you have selected "Large" as the front speaker size and the surround speakers are set to "Large", the surround back speaker size may be set to "Large", "Small" or "None". If you have selected "Small" as the front speaker size, the surround back speaker size may be set to "Small" or "None". If the surround back speaker size is set to "Small", you may set the number of surround back speakers to 1 or 2.

Delay Time: The delay time for each channel can be adjusted from 0 to 60 feet in 1 foot increments

Test Tone: The test tone feature allows you to independently adjust the volume level of each channel

CINEMA EQ. (Cinema Equalizer): The Cinema EQ function gently decreases the level of the extreme high frequencies, compensating for overly-bright sounding motion picture soundtracks. Select this function if the sound from the front speakers is too bright. This function only works in the Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, DTS Surround and Wide Screen modes.

D.COMP. (Dynamic Range Compression): Motion picture soundtracks have tremendous dynamic range (the contrast between very soft and very loud sounds). For listening late at night, or whenever the maximum sound level is lower than usual, the Dynamic Range Compression allows you to hear all of the sounds in the soundtrack (but with reduced dynamic range). This only works when playing program sources recorded in Dolby Digital or DTS. You can select one of the four settings: "OFF", "LOW", "MID" (middle), or "HI" (high).

Surround Parameters: You can adjust the following surround mode parameters:

Room Size: this sets the size of the sound field. There are five settings: "Small", "Med.S" (medium-small), "Medium", "Med.L" (medium-large) and "Large".

Effect Level: this sets the strength of the surround effect. The level can be set in 15 steps from 1 to 15.

Delay Time: in the matrix mode only, the delay time can be set within the range of 0 to 110 ms

Dialogue Normalization: The dialogue normalization function is activated automatically when playing Dolby Digital program sources. Dialogue normalization is a basic function of Dolby Digital, which automatically normalizes the dialog level (standard level) of the signals that are recorded at different levels for different program sources, such as DVD, DTV and other future formats that will use Dolby Digital.

Component Video Switching: In addition to composite and S-Video switching, this unit can switch between two component video sources. There are 2 component video inputs and 1 component video output; each input and output has jacks labeled "Y", "PB/CB" and "PR/CR". This feature allows you to connect, and switch between, high resolution video sources equipped with component video outputs.

Last Function Memory: This unit is equipped with a last function memory, which stores the input and output setting conditions as they were immediately before the power was switched off.

Back-Up Memory: The unit is also equipped with a back-up memory. This function provides approximately one week of memory storage when the main unit's power switch is off and with the power cord disconnected.

Remote Control

Multibrand/Learning Remote: In addition to being pre-programmed to control many brands of audio/video components, this remote also has learning capability, allowing it to be customized for any installation.

System Call: Up to 2 System Call settings with a programmed series of 10 sequentially-issued commands can be stored by the remote. In addition, you can store up to 5 System Call settings with a series of 5 sequentially-issued commands.

Inputs and Outputs

Front Panel:

Headphone Jack: standard headphone jack

Rear Panel:

FM Antenna Input: threaded F-connection

AM Antenna Inputs: spring clips

Phono Input: stereo RCA jacks with ground screw

CD Input: stereo RCA jacks

CD-R/Tape Input/Output: stereo RCA jacks

DVD Input: stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jack, S-video jack and component video jacks (3 RCA jacks labeled "Y", "PB/CB" and "PR/CR")

VDP Input: stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jack and S-video jack

TV/DBS Input: stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jack, S-video jack and component video jacks (3 RCA jacks labeled "Y", "PB/CB" and "PR/CR")

VCR 1 Input/Output: stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jacks and S-video jacks

VCR 2/V. Aux Input/Output: stereo RCA jacks, RCA composite video jacks and S-video jacks

Monitor Output: RCA composite video jack, S-video jack, and component video jacks (3 RCA jacks labeled "Y", "PB/CB" and "PR/CR")

EXT. Input: 6 RCA jacks that may be used for 5.1 multi-channel input from an outboard decoder (front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, and subwoofer)

Multi-Zone Output: stereo RCA jacks

Preamp Outputs: 8 RCA jacks (front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, surround back left, surround back right, and subwoofer)

Coaxial Digital Input: standard coaxial digital input (this digital connection may be assigned to any input, except the Phono input)

3 Optical Digital Inputs: 3 Toslink digital inputs, each with a plastic protective plug (these digital connections may be assigned to any input, except the Phono input)

Optical Digital Output 3: Toslink optical digital output with a plastic protective plug (outputs the signal coming into the optical digital 3 input)

Speakers: binding post outputs for front left A, front right A, front left B, front right B, center, surround left, surround right and surround back speakers (not 5-way, because a plastic collar prevents their use with spade lugs and they are positioned too far apart to be used with dual banana plugs)

AC Outlets: 2 switched AC outlets, maximum total 120W 1Amp

See the difference a few bucks will get you!

Ok, so call Steve at 6th ave ext 511 and tell him your broke but want the 2802 shipped for $529.

Or call JR for the Onkyo and Sony. Do your homework before calling JR, they will do price match and free ship.

 

[BrendanW]

wow, a ton of info to absord, thank you so much!

 

[ChrisMM]

Ok, so call Steve at 6th ave ext 511 and tell him your broke but want the 2802 shipped for $529.

Earl,

$529 for the 2802? Is that possible? I paid $625 door to door from 6th Ave. Should I expected even less?

 

[John Garcia]

Don't bother with ANY of the DE line from Sony, the amps are not up to the task, and the sound quality is not there. Take a look at some of the other recommendations made here.

In that price range I would consider the Denon 1802 or 2802, the Onkyo TX-DS595 or 696, or the Marantz SR5200 or 6200, possibly the Harmon Kardon AVR320. I currently own the Marantz SR6200 and I am very pleased with it.

 

[Earl Simpson]

Doesn't hurt to try! You got a good deal/relax! :b

 

[ChrisMM]

I gotch ya. You almost gave me a heart attack!!

But you are correct. When dealing with them, find the lowest price anywhere and tell them and let them give you their best deal. Think about it and haggle for more.

 

[Thomas_Berg]

The Sony 1075 for $392 is not a bad choice.

i couldnt disagree more. STAY AWAY from the Sony DE line, as you can do SOOO much better for the money. look at Denon 1802, Onkyo 595, Marantz 5200, and the H/K line. even the Kenwood VR509 outperforms that cheap Sony.

just stay away from the DE line-- you'll be glad you did. good luck!

 

[Vin]

even the Kenwood VR509 outperforms that cheap Sony.

A glowing endorsement for the Kenwood.
I agree with your recommendation to avoid the Sony DE line but IMO the Kenwood is a fine receiver that should be considered evenly with some of the other receivers mentioned.
Vin

 

[BrendanW]

I went and listened to the denon 1802 and 2802 yesterday. Wow they sounded great. I still have others to look at. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Jerry AZ]

When I ordered my 595 from JandR I just told them that I saw that someone on the HTF had gotten it from them for $360. The sales man knew about the HTF and had no problem matching that price. Maybe you can call back and try a different person.