So for the A/V people out there, what do you think is the best A/V receiver around $400 and below? I would be connecting a HD cable box, progressive scan DVD, XBOX, CD, and DVD. Thinking about adding satellite radio to boot. Will be used to play music but will also be running all TV and DVD audio through the receiver.

The ones that I have liked from reviews so far (haven't listened to them) are:

1. Pioneer VSX-912k
2. Denon AVR-1804
3. Onkyo TX-SR601

If there are others that people like, please let me know. Thanks for the opinions.

ERIK

 

Onkyo all the way. Denon makes a great product too, but I've always been partial to Onkyo, especially their upper level products.

 

Also don't forget the new Yamaha RX-V450 and 650. The 450 is only $300, and the 650 is like $500. For the $500, you get a fantastic receiver; way better than anything anyone else can compare to. I ought to know, I sell these for a living. We also sell 2 of the other 3 receivers you listed (no Onkyo, similar to Denon though). Yamaha wipes the floor with them all. I own a Denon 4802R, but have owned Yamaha in the past and like them very much.

The cool things about the RX-V650 is that it's a powerful 7 channel receiver (95 watts/channel - sound quality is superb at that price point), it's built like a tank for durability and performance, and it decodes most every surround sound format available. It also comes with Yamaha's new YPAO microphone. This is a small microphone you place in your seat and connect to the receiver's front panel. The reciever then plays a bunch of test tones over all the speakers and calibrates the sound accordingly. This is seriously sweet!! It takes into account the room accoustics, speaker capabilities, and connections to optimize the home theater's sound. That in itself is worth the price of admission. Get that one, you'll love it.

 

Thanks a lot Clayman. I'll definitely take a look at that one now. Thanks for the help!!

ERIK

 

Hey i would definatly check out the Yamaha im am very impressed with mine

 

I'm with the guy above. Yamaha makes a pretty damn good receiver for under $400. If you are into watching movies that would be the one to buy. For music, you can find Harmon Kardon receivers refurbished for around $400.

Sam

 

I picked up an Onkyo TX SR701 for $499 shipped from J&R on one of their "Friday Sale" days.

Very pleased with it. 100w x6, THX, Dolby 6.1,5., DTS, two component inputs... Now I can connect the HD box, the xbox and dvd player all via component

 

None of those receivers come close to the stated wattage output when powering more than stereo. I seen in the past that Yamahas are especially guilty of this even in their flagship model. I remember one of their former flagship recievers, the V1 would shut down when trying to drive 4ohm speakers where as the Integra, B&K, and Denon power the speakers with no problems.


In the past, Denons have always have higher output than yamaha, given the same listed wattage even though Denons are nowhere near their stated output either. When you see stuff like 5 x 75watts per channel they are only referring to a single channedl driven not all five channels driven at the same time.

Pioneer? The only good pioneers are the elites. And I don't think onkyo's been the same ever since Integra got it's own brand.

 

I would not buy the pioneer unless it is an elite. The denon and onkyo should be nice products although the cheap Denon stuff tends to be not as nice as the cheap Onkyo.

I would also look at the bottom of the line Sony ES series. The ES line is nice stuff and is not sold at most stores, only audiophile stores, they make nice clean power. I think they have an entry level ES series 5.1 dolby digital for about $400. I think cruthfield might sell them. I have owned a couple Sony ES's and the compare quite nicely with expensive Proton and Denon recievers I have had. I have been pretty happy with them.

Denon makes a great reciever (not sure the model #) for about $800, but the lower level stuff should not be compared to the high level Denon. So if you stick to the ones you mentioned I would pick Onkyo.

 

I can't believe nobody suggested a Harmon Kardon AVR-130! Their designs emphasize high current over inflated wattage specifications and can deliver thier rated power with all channels driven. IMO these shoud be on anyones short list of receivers.