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cheap reciever recommendation

A

ArmenK

Golden Member
well i decided to buy some bookshelf speakers and a sub instead of the klipsch 4.1. Well now i need a reciever i guess and i dont have much money leftover so what do u guys recommend?
 
Depends on your price range...

Brands I'd look at are Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon, Kenwood (maybe), HK, etc. You could go the Sony route, but I'm not too thrilled with the sound of my receiver (STR-DE925). For good sound, I'd recommend Onkyo and Yamaha. Denon if you can afford it.

If you're willing to buy a "pre-owned" receiver (and save cash on good components), I'd suggest the marketplace listings on audioreview.com. Also check out eGay. Or try to haggle with a salesman at your local hi-fi store. If you purchase your speakers and receiver together, there's a chance you could get a larger discount.

 
I recommend the Onkyo TX-575X.

I have the TX-575 (no X) and it's a great receiver for low-end home entertainment.
 
For a HTPC, 50W should be more than enough, since you're physically very close to the monitor screen, and presumably physically very close to the speakers too. Unless you have an unusually large room, a 50W receiver would do just fine. Good receiver brands include Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon, Harman Kardon, the Pioneer Elite series and maybe NAD. Your choice depends on several factors, such as the feature set you desire(different surround formats), sound quality and budget.
 
"how many watts per channel do i really need?"

On average, 1 (for normal people) 5 (if you have hearing damage), but to handle the peaks you need 10-50. I'm assuming that the speakers will be 99% inefficient, as most are.

Be sure that any receiver you buy is capable of driving 4-ohm speakers because many are not, and you may need 4-ohm capability even with 8-ohm speakers if you drive more than one set at a time. You also want the amplifier to contain short-circuit protection, but many that use big ICs instead of discrete transistors for the output will lack this.

Technics, Aiwa, and Onkyo are some good brands. Sony is not that reliable.
 
From what I understant, low-end Sony receivers (those that cost around $500) have poor noise filtration, so you will always hear hissing. I don't know if that's true or not, but I know my Onkyo is fine.
 
I just finished researching this for a friend.

The Kenwood line of recievers, right now, has the best bang for the buck.

If you can squeeze your wallet a little more, the Denon AVR-1601 would be a better investment.

If you still need speakers, the well reviewed Kenwwod HTB-503 home theater pkg. is an incredible deal, - if you throw out the supplied speaker wire and use the real thing.

The warehouse clubs have a special club version "detuned" Kenwood pkg. for $280 which is probably what I'd do in your shoes.
 
Make sure you're using digital interconnects to connect your soundcard to your receiver, or else you will be amplifying any noise created in your PC.
BTW what bookshelf speakers are you getting, and in what configuration?
 
im getting AR 206HO bookshelf speakers for sure and possible an audiosource 8" powered subwoofer (forgot model number). Receivers are so damn expensive, im still deciding on which one to get.
 
Lore:

Poor filtration has nothing to do with noise unless a voltage regulator is noisy, but that hasn't been common since the days when discrete zener diodes were used. Something that sounds like hiss may be caused by ground loops, which can often be alleviated by connecting a wire to the chassis of each piece of equipment. The only other sources of hiss are the FM tuner (bad antenna, weak signal, or inferior tuner design) and, if Dolby is turned off, the tape deck. But I wouldn't buy Sony equipment because it's no more reliable than other brands.
 
I don't think spending $500+ on a receiver for a HTPC is sensible, unless you really need the power and features(digital processor/etc) of a mid-range receiver. If all you're using it for is windows sounds, mp3s, CD music and games, then a normal surround/multi-channel receiver will do.
 
that yamaha is way out of my price range. Im only planning on connecting 2.1 right now, dont need any of those extras. I think im gonna get a technics as was suggested
 
Im buying the JBL PB10 subwoofer, what does everyone think about this sub? I think im gonna buy the Kenwood VR405, 80wx5channels, dolby digital, coaxial digital in... looks like everything i need
 
I'm not very familiar with JBL subs, but they make commodity products, pretty mid-range stuff. Depending on the price, you might be able to get something better. Check out audioreview.com for user comments/reviews. Of course, take them with a grain of salt(or a handful), since they're reviews by people like you and me, but it does give some indication of any glaring pros and cons of a certain product.
 
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