Which receiver to get: Pioneer D811 / Newcastle R-956 / Onkyo SR600? (1 Viewer)

[Steve Griswold]

I recently got a Pioneer VSX-D711 for ~$179 which was a good deal, but to my dismay it has only one optical input and I figured I should pay a bit more to get 6.1 capability.

I think I've narrowed it down to three choices, as I want to stay below the $400 mark. These are the best price I've found online from reputable vendors.

1) Pioneer VSX-D811 - $299

2) Newcastle R-956 - $409

3) Onkyo SR-600 - $310

My main concerns:
- Ability to drive my 4-ohm Rogers speakers (shouldn't be TOO much of a problem as they're 125dB @ 2m)
- RELIABILITY
- Natural sound

Advice/thoughts?

 

[Lucas Dang]

please let me know where you found these deals.

I currently have a Sherwood newcastle 925, I also want to upgrade.

Sherwood used to be handmade in england, now made in Korea factories like eveyone else. High quality good price, not that compatible with other remotes, rarely find remote codes with other components. but their universal remote is good, just dont expect another brands remote to work it ect.

I ran an older Onkyo with all sorts of ohm configurations, it held up very well. Onkyo and newcastle should be beefier then the pioneer.

please email me. Id like to know your decision as I myself am shopping. thanks

 

[Arthur S]

Steve

Do a search on the Kenwood VR6070. THX, true 92 watts X 6. Pre-outs (for when you get the bug and decide that you need 200 watts per channel). $400 new at Vann's, $279 for Refurbs at ecost. Virtually every post I have read has been positive. A few quirks, but no defects.

Artie

 

[BrianGC]

$400 new at Vann's

Must mean you can get it for $200 new anywhere else.

 

[Earl_Ba]

I had the same problem ended up getting the Onkyo because of it's 50-60 Mhz component bandwidth. Which I need for my HDTV, DVD and Sat Receiver. Kenwood only has 10 mhz, Pioneer has 28 Mhz.

 

[ChadLB]

Other things to consider...the pioneer does not like 4 ohm speakers very well...it will usually shut down. Though I believe you can buy something to fix that issue at a very small fee.
The pioneer 811 has pre outs if you are interested in adding an amp in the future whereas the Onkyo 600 does not.
I owned the Onkyo and now own the Pioneer because I had problems with the Onkyo and didn't want to risk getting another one. I preferred the sound of the Onkyo over the Pioneer but that is OK now because I can add an amp in the future. I know nothing about the newcastle you listed.

 

[ChristopherBer]

Wait for the new Onkyo 601 , i'm sure it's going to be a great reciever!