Ok, I'm starting to narrow it down!! A few more questions (1 Viewer)

[Alex_C]

I'm starting to narrow down the list. I do not want to spend more than $600.

I won't be able to listen to any of these so I'm going go by your opinions.

If you can think of any others I should take a look at, let me know.

H/K 525 Refurb $546 at onecall.com

Denon 2802 Refurb $472 at ebay authorized dealer

Yamaha 1300 $499 ... can't find authorized dealer

Yamaha 5660 $499 at Best Buy

Yamaha RXV-640 $499 at tweeter

I don't know much about the differences in the Yamaha's yet.

I need some guidance here since I can't listen to them.
It will be used for HT only.
The room is 22'x25' and I'm using DefTech 2006 fronts.
I'd like 6.1.


Thanks everyone!

 

[JackS]

Alex- I thought by the tone of your other posts, you'd narrowed it down to to the Denon 2802 or 2803. Since your still on the fence and your budget is $600 bucks, I beleive you can add the Sony DA4 to your list. On line pricing as I remember it, should make this possible. The standard 5yr warranty on ES products is a nice cushion should you need it.

 

[Rob||Kur||]

Check this out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=14981

Pretty good deal.

 

[Alex_C]

Little help here?

What is the best of the Yamaha choices?

 

[Dodie]

you can't go wrong with HK 525. I am driving my what they call "Power Hungry" B&W speakers (CM Series) with an HK 525 and I think my HK have no problem with it.

 

[Rob||Kur||]

If it means anything, I really disliked my RX-992V. I'm glad it blew out. It was very bright and harsh sounding I got myself a Parasound amp and H/K preamp that blew it away. So much more details in music that were lost on the Yamaha. Of course, that doesn't mean ALL Yamaha receivers are bad, but then again, that one cost over $1000 new.

 

[Alex_C]

I'm going to sit down with the spec sheets for the H/K and Denon today. Although I still don't understand a lot of it, I hope to glean some understanding; enough to make a decision.

 

[Alex_C]

The Denon 2802 has 90watts per channel in surround and the H/K 525 only has 70.
Should that really be a concern? My room is 22'x25'.
I'm starting to lean toward the 525 if 70 watts is sufficient.

 

[Philip_T]

Alex,
I don't think you could go wrong with either receiver. Both are very popular on these boards and people who have purchased either one have been satisfied for the most part. If wouldn't be too concerned about the power rating of the H/K. It seems that most owners of this receiver have reported no issues when driving even power hungry speakers, and it looks like your speakers are fairly efficient. And besides, you could get a separate amp down the road to give you more power if find you need it. You should be able to find a Parasound 855 amp rated at 85 watts x 5 channels for around $300-$400. Very good amp. I love mine paired with my 2802.

Regards,
Phil

 

[RobCar]

Of the Yamahas you mentioned, the best one is the RX-V1300. A really solid unit with a lot of great features.

See this thread for one owner's thoughts on it:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...hlight=rxv1300

If you can't find an authorized dealer, consider a place like http://www.hificiti.com. They have a 30-day money back guarantee, plus they offer their own repair guarantee that matches the manufacturer warranty. No extra cost.

 

[Rick-S]

I agree with Rob completely. I have the HTR 5490 which is basically equivalent to the RX-V1200 of which the 1300 replaced.
This unit produces only 85 watts of RMS power and I have never looked back.
Yamaha's are a little bright but thats what I like in my sound.

 

[Jamey F]

Rob Kur said

If it means anything, I really disliked my RX-992V. I'm glad it blew out. It was very bright and harsh sounding I got myself a Parasound amp and H/K preamp that blew it away. So much more details in music that were lost on the Yamaha. Of course, that doesn't mean ALL Yamaha receivers are bad, but then again, that one cost over $1000 new.

I had/have a Yammy 992. I thought it was a big step up from the onkyo I had. It was definately warmer than the Onkyo, and a touch warmer than my current 3803. I attribute this slight warmth over the 3803 due to the fact the denon is WAY more detailed and accurate. The Denon is better in every respect. It should be with it being years more advanced. I didn't pay $1k for the 992 ($650 locally new with warranty and it was needed). It was worth every penny at the time. The much lower cost is why I choose it over a similar Denon model at the time.

With the choices listed, I would say the HK, but I would look hard at the 2803. The 2802 won't be as good a receiver to switch component sources.

 

[Mark Dickerson]

Alex:

Of your list of Yamaha receivers, the 1300 is easily the best of the bunch. The 1300, 2300, 3300 are Yamaha's higher end models (i.e., they use better parts in them).

The Denon 2802 has only one flaw for a purely HT receiver and that is its component video switching section. The video bandwidth is only 27 Mhz, which is not wide enough to fully transmit a high definition signal. If that is not important to you, then I would go with the Denon 2802. If it is important, look to the Denon 2803 or elsewhere.

The Yamaha 1300 has a component video bandwidth of 60 Mhz, and it has a "brighter" sounding amplifier, which may be a better fit with your Def Tech fronts. I have no information on the 640 as it is a new model, but the old 630 only had a video bandwidth of 30 Mhz (which may or may not be relevant, here). The 5660 is part of Yamaha's receiver line meant to compete in the HTIB segment of the market (again, using the cheaper parts)--I would not recommend it when you can get the other Yamahas just as cheaply.

I hope this information helps distinguish these products in some meaningful way for you. Good luck.

 

[Greg Herzig]

Another good deal...HTR-5660 $359

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ory=39801&rd=1

 

[Shiu]

Alex, this site has some detailed reviews on Yamaha, Denon and Onkyo products.

http://www.audioholics.com/productre...ware/index.php