Low-end Receiver suggestion? (1 Viewer)

[Matthew WR]

I am looking for a receiver for a living room "theater".
Any suggestions for receivers that meet the following requirements?

- Around $200 (+/-)
- 5.1 only (Dolby & DTS) (6.1 not needed due to room constraints)
- Pro Logic II
- S video switching (don't need component)
- sub out
- enough power for a 26'x 16' room
- A-B speaker switch (will play secondary speakers (on deck)only without playing the living room speakers

Any suggestions?

 

[BobMcN]

U-Bid has refurbished Onkyo TSXR500 HT receivers for less than $200. Go there and search on "Onkyo.

Enjoy,
Bob

 

[Jonathan_D]

You might take a look at the Panasonic SA HE100. I'm not sure about the A/B switch, but it satisfies most of the rest of your criteria, has gotten good reviews for what it is and can be had in the $240 range (maybe cheaper if you hunt).

 

[Matthew WR]

although they don't appear to have the a-b speaker selection, anyone konw much about the lower model Sherwood receivers...like the 7108 or 8108?

I'll have to check out tha Panasonic and onkyo

 

[Bob McElfresh]

You have seen the Receiver Comparison Chart at the top of this fourm? The receivers are sorted by price just to let you see what you get/dont get based on price.

The first receiver that gives you SVideo switching is about $300 (based on SRP).

 

[GregLee]

The "receiver selection chart" is not very comprehensive at the low end, and doesn't give street prices. The Pioneer DSX711 or equivalent Radioshack RCA STAV-4090 meet your criteria. The 4090 was $250 last I checked, but I saw some mention of a coupon at the Radioshack web site, which might bring it down a little.

I don't know what you want the speaker AB switching for, but my RCA STAV-3990 has the constraint that when the B speakers are switched on, you get sound through only the two front A speakers. If that doesn't suit you, you ought to check that whatever receiver you settle on doesn't have this limitation.

 

[Matthew WR]

Thanks for the replies. The reason for the A/b switching is because I want to be able to drive speakers in another room (b room) while having the ability to have the A room speakers either on or off. The other room is actually a deck. I assume when manufacturers say a-b switching that there will be an extra set of speaker terminals on the back for a "B room". right?

As of right now, my leaders are the Panasonic SA-HE100K, the Pioneer VSX-D711, and the Kenwood 6050. Anyone have thoughts on how these 3 compare? Thanks,

MR

 

[GregLee]

I think the Kenwood VR-6060 is a step up from the others, since it is 6.1 and apparently has a healthy amount of power, with other features. I haven't tested the AB switching (I have the 6070), but the manual does not mention a limitation like the one I mentioned earlier.

Edit: Sorry, I misread 6050 for 6060. Of course, the 6050 only has a pre-out for a surround back speaker. Yes, it has binding posts for the B speakers, and I checked the manual to verify there is no mention of a limitation on AB switching.

 

[Matthew WR]

Thanks greg....so even if it's the Kenwood 6050 and not the 6060, would you still lean toward the Kenwood?

I assume with each of these you can have both a CD and DVD player hooked up. The reason I ask is that the kenwood appears (at least on the website picture) to have a DVD/CD input. Does this mean you can only hook up oen or the other?

 

[Bill Will]

If the rear center speaker & a phono input are important to you than it's the Panasonic. Also if I'm not mistaken the Panasonic has more "REAL" Watts then the Kenwood or Pioneer & that might be something to consider if your planning on running two sets of speakers at once. I think the big drawback to the Panasonic is it's remote control but a universal remote can take care of that problem.

 

[GregLee]

From looking at the 6050 manual, I gather there are inputs for both a DVD and a CD player, in addition to a VCR. I can't help you choose, because my only experience is with the STAV-3090, a step down from the 711, and the 6070, a step up from the 6050.

 

[Matthew WR]

the "real watts" is important to me because I'll be trying to fill up a fairly large room w/ sound. I have an Onkyo receiver that I'm sure doesn't come anywhere near it's stated watts, and this is good to know.

 

[GregLee]

I don't think we know how the "real watts" of the Panasonic and Kenwood receivers compare. Bill Will says the Panasonic is the only one of the 3 with rear center speaker and phono input, but actually the Kenwood VR-6050 has a rear center pre-out and it does have a phono input. So perhaps he is not really intimately familiar with the 6050. The 6070 did quite well on tests, as reported by Sound & Vision in Nov., but I haven't seen independent tests for the 6050 and don't know how similar the amps are (the specs are similar).

 

[AaronJB]

The Panasonic is advertised at 100x6, although it apparently is 70x6 and 78x5. Still more than enough power to fill a mid-sized/large room.

 

[Bill Will]

Greg's right I really don't know too much about the Kenwood receiver but I do know the Panasonic puts out a lot of watts especially in stereo. S&V rated it with both channels driven as 147 watts at 8ohms & 175 watts at 4ohms. But don't take my word for it you should really check out all 3 receiver's for yourself for sound quality, power, connections, remotes & etc & go with the one that makes you happy

 

[Vin]

Matthew,

CC has the Kenwood 6050 and the Pioneer 711 on sale for $250 each. I picked up the 711 yesterday because one of my Kenwood VR-507s started to have a problem with the IR sensor, i.e., it seems that after the receiver heats up it no longer responds to remote commands.

Both of my systems (basement & living room) are used almost exclusively for HT and I find the low end Kenwoods to be great in this application!

The Kenwood 6050 is more or less the successor to my VR-507 although the VR0-507 has 3 S-video inputs on the back, the 6050 has only two. The descripiton for the 6050 is misleading because it says it has 3 S-video inputs but one of them is in the front....this is clearly seen if you look at the picture of the back of the receiver at Crutchfield's website. The reason I mention this is that S-video switching is one of your requirements....it was for me too so the Pioneer was a more suitable replacement for my VR0-507, as it does indeed have three S-video inputs on the back (in addtion to one in the front).

Other than this issue with the number of S-video inputs, the Kenwood will surely be able to accomodate your other needs including A/B speaker switching. FYI, when the B speakers are turned on (either alone or in additon to the A main speakers) you won't get any sound from your surround speakers because the amps for the surrounds are shared with the B speakers....of course, there are separate speaker terminals for a set of B speakers. Oh yea, one other thing, I never found the Kenwood VR-507 to be underpowered in my basement which measures only slightly smaller than your room.

BTW, my Kenwood VR-507 is going into the shop to be repaired under warranty which is 2 years parts and labor according to my manual/warranty card...I've had the receiver for ~1.5 years so I'm covered. Kenwood is still offering a 2 year warranty (on the 6050)....the Pioneer I just bought is warrantied for one year only, parts & labor.

Vin

 

[Jason Tracewell]

I too own a Kenwwod VR-507 and have had no problems with mine at all *knock on wood*.. I use it mostly for Home Theater, but do run the occasional CD and VCR as well..

I plan on upgrading soon, mainly for the need of multiple component imputs, otherwise, I am very happy with this unit.

The room I am running it in is slightly larger than the 26x16 and it fills the room nicely..

Also, I have watched a few VCR tapes with the DD Pro-Logic II and have to say it sounds awesome.. The video may look out-dated, but the audio was very impressive for an older VHS tape... The Pro-Logic II is a must have...

Other than that, I second everything else Vin mentioned above about the same receiver... Don't know if any of this will help, but figured I would add my 2¢...

-Jason