Which receiver is the best? (1 Viewer)

[matt steele]

I am new to home theater but have been into car audio for quite some time. I have decided that I want to add some sound to my room and have managed to get some speakers for free but need to get my self a good receiver.

I have researched some brands and found the receivers that I feel would work best for me but I need some help in that most companies don't say what the rms ratings are of their equipment is. Most receivers have power ratings that are rated only at a specific frequency of 1kHz. I know this power rating is not a rms rating. Could this rating be equivalent to a peak rating ?

Below is a list of receivers that I am considering. Unfortunately I do not know which brands are better than others and what these receivers will actually put out.

Please help me find out which receiver would be the best.

How much would each receiver actually put out? Which would be the best for the money?

Onkyo TX-SR501 $264.99
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

Harman/Kardon AVR130 $274.99
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

Harman/Kardon AVR230 $349.95
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

YAMAHA HTR-5630 $169.99
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

YAMAHA HTR-5640 $219.99
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

Pioneer VSXD-412K $164.99
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

Pioneer VSX-D712K $199.99
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

JVC RX-6030VBK $149.99
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

Panasonic SA-HE75S $149.00
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

Panasonic SA-HE100S $214.79
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...re=&catid=4118

 

[Joe Tilley]

Matt, 1khz has nothing to do with power it is a frequency.
What you might be seeing is something like a rating for a receiver that has been tested for rated output at 1khz. What that means is some companys will test the power output of an amp at for example (100watts into 8ohm at 1khz)wich is not a very accurate or rather good way to measure power. If you wont something that has a better power rating out of the names you mentioned I would suggest staying with either something from Onkyo or H/K, as there power ratings will be much more accurate.

 

[matt steele]

Matt, 1khz has nothing to do with power it is a frequency.
What you might be seeing is something like a rating for a receiver that has been tested for rated output at 1khz. What that means is some companys will test the power output of an amp at for example (100watts into 8ohm at 1khz)wich is not a very accurate or rather good way to measure power. If you wont something that has a better power rating out of the names you mentioned I would suggest staying with either something from Onkyo or H/K, as there power ratings will be much more accurate.

Sorry I was not clear enough on that. This is exactly what I was trying to say. I know that 1khz is a frequency and I know it is a terrible way of rating power out put. This is why i was asking the question of "is this power rating method equivalent to peak power or max power?"

I did notice that h/k and onkyo had power ratings that were at all frequencies.

I am wanting to know if say the Harman/Kardon AVR130, which is rated at 45x5 @ all fq would be more powerful than say the Panasonic SA-HE100S, that is rated at 100x6 @ 1khz? Ignoring the fact the the panasonic has an extra channel.


Are there any internet site that have bench marked any of these receivers so I can find out exactly how much power they produce?

 

[Joe Tilley]

In multi-ch use the H/K would undoubtley win I would say. Most companies will only test one ch driven at a time at one frequency, & when it comes time to putting that power out to two or more ch through the frequency range, like 20hz to 20 khz they drop off considerably. H/K will test there receivers with 2 or more ch driven at a time through the total 20hz to 20khz range & give an rms rating through that range.

When you stack it up the panasonic that rated for 100watts per ch may end up giving you 40 watts peak when more than one ch is driven. Where as with the H/K you know what you are going to get, when they say 55watts per ch you'll get 55.

 

[ChrisLazarko]

I own a Panasonic SA-HE70 and I measured the output coming from it. Rated at 100W x5 channels it achieved about 35 watts per channel at max.

I would stick with the HK, your best bet in this whole category. I own the AVR-225 and I love mine, so if you just want a nice 5.1 setup with the basic the 130 is the way to go.

Good luck.

 

[Pesiba]

Chris,

I'm curious: how do you measure the wpc? I'd like to do the same on my receiver. Suggestions will be welcome.

Thanks.

Pesiba

 

[ChrisLazarko]

You have to take one of those voltage meter things and hook it up (not sure if they are voltage meters or what but my cousin has one of them for work so I used it)...

 

[matt steele]

To measure the rms you cannont use a DMM (digital multi meter). A much more complicated machine is needed. You can however measure the voltage ov each channel to see it they are the same.

As an experiment you could measure the voltage of your receiver and then some one could measure the voltage of their h/k or other reciever and we could compare the two voltages. This would tell us whos receiver is pushing more power but would not tell us by how much or exactly what power each receiver is actually pushing.


Anyways, some more questions.

How do Yamahaa and reseivers stack up against h/k and onkyo receivers?


By the way, there is something funny about the links at the top. You have to click on them twice for them to take you to the right place. The first time it will not go to the right page, the second time it will take you to the right place. I think it has something to do with etronics web site.

 

[Jeff_Fitz]

Matt:

Here is a link to a page that many on this board are familiar with:
Sound and Vision Test Results

This guy has essentially put together a list of the test results from Sound and Vision over the years. It doesn't list all the current models but does give you a feel for how accurate the manufacturers' ratings have been over time.

Also, if you want to compare features and specs on most of the models you have listed, check out the buyers guides at http://hometheater.valuecanuck.com

Hope that helps,


Jeff