Newbie HTM member needs help choosing HT reciever under $500 (1 Viewer)

[G Miller]

Hello all,
I stumbled accross this site about a week ago and have been reading many of the topics listed in all the forums. You seem like a very knowledgable crowd so I thought i might be able to get some good advice as to which Reciever to purchase to replace my Pro-Logic Pioneer unit.
I am looking at spending approx $1000 AU, which i think equates to aprox $450 US. After looking through several review sites i have short listed a couple of products and would like your honest opinions on them and which you feel would be the best to purchase.
I plan on using the reciever for both Movies via a AKAI DVD player and for listening to CD's. I currently own a set of Audioline 1000 speakers (not sure if they are available in America, i have a feeling they are an australian brand) and a pair of cheap pioneer surrounds and a cheap pioneer center speaker (cheap cause they cost $250 aust for the three). I plan on upgrading the surrounds shortly and purchasing a sub woofer also. (most likely the sony SA WM40)
The shortlist i have for the recievers is as follows. (Any other additions which i have missed would be great also)
Kenwood vr 510
Denon 3801
Sony STR DB 1070 or/
Sony STR DB 940
Onkyo TX-DS595
I would appreciate any input or suggestions. Thank you for you time.

 

[John Chow]

Here's some advice, use a more specific topic header

,geez people. Sorry, but this has really gotten on my nerves recently.
Ok, hmm, wow, you can get the Denon3801 for $450 US??? I thought it was usually around double that. Have you tried looking at the Outlaw 1050? That's what I have, and I'm very happy with it. I'm not sure what the shipping charge to Australia would be though. You really need to post a little more about what you are looking for in a receiver. Is Dolby Pro-Logic II a requirement? How many inputs/outputs do you want? Power requirements? I believe the Onkyo unit you listed is generally very well received around here. May be the one that is usually considered one of the best bang/buck, but I forget the model #. Anyways, good luck in your search for a receiver.

 

[G Miller]

Im sorry John, I didn't realize that there were specific rules for subject lines. I will remember in future so as not to get on your nerves. Anyways, i appologise if i didn't include enough info in my post. Im looking for a fairly basic reciever with Dolby Digital and DTS. Pro logic II is something which i am not aware of, sorry.

 

[G Miller]

Ok, maybe i should have done some MORE research! Ive just looked into the price for the Denon AVR 3801 and its $3000. Way too much for me. Im having at look at a website and it has some Sherwood recievers which look quite good. I haven't heard of that brand mentioned on these boards. Are they a reputable brand? Here is the link to the product i was looking at. Link Removed
Comments?

 

[Scott_B]

You should possibly consider Pioneer, for the amount of money your spending say 300-500 range I think you can't go wrong. Here is a reciever that is similar to one I am using now made by Pioneer. For the money I think it provides many features good for home theater and for music. There are many other good brands that people can offer on the forum, but my personal experience with Pioneer Products is good.
http://ww1.onecall.com/PID_11354.htm
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[Charles Guajardo]

Shame on you, Gary Miller! Your first post and you haven't learned the proper internet forum etiquette!
In all seriousness, I would highly recommend the Sony DB940 or Onkyo. Many people here on this forum own these receivers and are quite pleased with them. I'm not sure of their pricing in Australia, but here in the states they would be in your price range. Ultimately, the best receiver will be the one that sounds best to you in your environment. Take the time to listen and learn, it will payoff in the end.
Also, I would try to see if you can find a matching center channel before replacing your surround speakers. There is nothing like a seamless front soundstage.
Keep reading and welcome to the forum!

 

[G Miller]

Thanks Scott,
I just had a quick look at that reciever on an Australian Website and it retails for $1,399.00. Much closer to my budget. Do you have any idea how this unit compares to the Sony STR DB 940 which is about the same price?

 

[G Miller]

The link that you posted scott said that the unit cost $499 US. which when i use a currency converter equals only $850 AUST. thats a damn site less than the $1399 retail price here. Just a query though. What power do the US powerpoints run? Here in australia its 240 volts, and i have a feeling its different in the U.S. If this is the case, does that mean that i am unable to purchase an American made unit?

 

[John Morris]

Gary: I happen to really like Sherwood Newcastle stuff. I owned their AVP-9080r pre/pro and AM-9080 amplifier and they were great bang for the buck units. The 9080 pre/pro was especially nice for music too due to an analog bypass. I also own a SN R-945 which I use in my bedroom for that system. So, although I have never listened to the R-756, I'd bet that, if it uses similar guts at the AVR-9080r, it is a damn good receiver and one worthy of your consideration!
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Take Care,
merc
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DFAST, 5C, DVI, HDCP, SafeAudio, Macrovision and Lewinski!!!
[Edited last by John Morris on August 07, 2001 at 10:39 PM]

 

[Saurav]

Im sorry John, I didn't realize that there were specific rules for subject lines.

Relax, there are no rules that you've broken But think about it, if you said "I need help choosing receivers for USD $500" instead of saying "I need help", which topic header would get you more responses? This forum gets loads of messages, and most of the experienced members (who are the ones whose advice you're really seeking) usually don't look into each and every thread. So, even though everyone would like to help you, you'll probably miss out on a lot of people who have had direct personal experience with the products you're considering, simply because they won't know what this thread is about, and they might not bother looking.
Anyway... don't feel bad about anything, use this as a learning experience or something, and welcome to the forum (and the addiction

)

 

[John Chow]

Gary,
Sorry 'bout that It's something that's been building up for a while, and seeing your post, with a post below titled 'please help wally', just kinda snapped a nerve. Usually stuff that bothers me just makes me ignore it, rather than post a reply
I believe you will have a problem with the voltage. I think here in the US we use about 120V (that's what my receiver manual says and my subwoofer has a switch set to 115V). This will probably limit your options quite a bit, so it's probably a good idea to figure out precisely what is available to you.
Do you know how much power you want? Depending on the efficiency spec of your speakers and the volume at which you like to play things, you may want more wattage to help power them.

 

[G Miller]

Im not really sure about the whole power thingy. I mean ive seen some recievers which say 100W x5 that are $700 AUD and some that are 100W x5 which are $3000 AUD. On my current Pioneer VSX 455 i don't turn the thing up past 1/2 way on the volume control as the pictures start rattling on the walls. (its an old house with timber floors) So i don't think im after HUGE power output.
Further into my research ive come across a Yamaha RX-V800 which has won several awards in australia as the best reciever under $2000. Although it is pushing the budget at $1650.

 

[Jeremy Hegna]

Gary,
You are looking at the right brands, but don't give up on Denon quite yet
They have a couple of other receivers closer to your budget. The 1802 and 2802 should be out or close behind the newly released 3802. All of these units are very nice at their price point and their a bit less expensive as you drop in model #. They are also brand new, sporting most of the latest technologies. See Denon.com
Denon is a Japanese company and makes receivers with both types of power inputs. You'll be fine in that respect.
Another possibility is the Outlaw, at outlawaudio.com. I'm not sure if this unit can be converted to your electrical standard, but it's worth a look.
Onkyo has some well received pieces as does Kenwood and Sony with their ES line.
Good Luck and welcome to HTF
Jeremy

 

[G Miller]

Thank you for the advice.
I haven't heard of the Outlaw brand before. I will have to check them out.
I have had a look at some of the lower end Denon models and to be honest i cant really tell them appart from the high end models. Im no Audiophile by any stretch of the imagination, so i doubt i would get the most out of a more expensive model. I guess my main concern is that i want something which i wont have to upgrade again for another 5 or so years. I know there is no such thing as future proof,but i only had my pro-logic reciever less than 12mths before i was told that i needed to upgrade. Don't want the same thing to happen again i guess