help picking between 3 models of onkyo stereo receivers

[OS]

TX-8011 50 watt/ch (~$143 circuitcity)


TX-8211 50 watt/ch (~180 crutchfield)


TX-8511 100 watt/ch (~$270 crutchfield)


product link

For some reason the first two are basically exactly the same spec according to onkyos website with the only difference I can find being the weight of the units. The 8211 is 3+ lbs heavier, I figure it's in the quality of the construction.

And then on top of that, is it worth it to get 100 watt over both the 50 watt models. This will be for my computer, I use a stereo receiver to play music through. I want the best bang for the buck but at the same time I don't mind paying up if justified.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

TX-8011 50 watt/ch (~$143 circuitcity)

Why? It's not crutchfield.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'm confused... you have a stereo receiver already?

If it's really 100watts vs 50watts, that's really not much difference in volume output. I don't know what the actual power output of these units are.

What speakers are you hooking up?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I'm confused... you have a stereo receiver already?

If it's really 100watts vs 50watts, that's really not much difference in volume output. I don't know what the actual power output of these units are.

What speakers are you hooking up?

100 watts will typicaly sound better as there wil be less hiss at the same output level. I stand firm though. F crutchfield.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Oh, and if you're down with refurbs...

8211 for $99 + shipping

8011 for $86 + shipping

EDIT: oh, and are you set on Onkyo for sure?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
TX-8011 50 watt/ch (~$143 circuitcity)

Why? It's not crutchfield.

I, and everyone I know, has always received excellent service from Crutchfield.

They are typically more expensive than grey-market vendors, but that is because they are actually authorized to sell online and give you a real manufacturer warranty.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I'm confused... you have a stereo receiver already?

If it's really 100watts vs 50watts, that's really not much difference in volume output. I don't know what the actual power output of these units are.

What speakers are you hooking up?

I have a 20 y/o onkyo receiver thats kind of cutting out. It might be time for me to get another one.

I will be connecting bookshelf JBLs to it, which I might also upgrade.

I am not dead set on Onkyo, but I'm a happy current user and availability/price/quality is good on their stereo stuff.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Oh, and if you're down with refurbs...

8211 for $99 + shipping

8011 for $86 + shipping

EDIT: oh, and are you set on Onkyo for sure?

I'd prefer to get new unless alot of people can vouch for their refurbs. I see their refurb stuff all over the net though, maybe I should start thinking about why they're coming out the ears with refurbs.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Oh, and if you're down with refurbs...

8211 for $99 + shipping

8011 for $86 + shipping

EDIT: oh, and are you set on Onkyo for sure?

I'd prefer to get new unless alot of people can vouch for their refurbs. I see their refurb stuff all over the net though, maybe I should start thinking about why they're coming out the ears with refurbs.

There's refurbs for just about everything though.

I got a refurb HK a while ago and it was like new. I got it from the ebay seller Harmanaudio. Their refurbs are the factory refurbed units from HK and they put a new warranty on all their refurbs.

They also have a site where they sell refurbs directly without ebay, although the deals aren't as nice.

If you're interested:

Harmanaudio's site

On ebay

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Some recent HK ebay auctions for price comparison:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-33...21QQcategoryZ67799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-34...16QQcategoryZ67799QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Snuffaluffaguss]

Does the 8211 have enough inputs for you, because the 8511 also has more inputs.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
TX-8011 50 watt/ch (~$143 circuitcity)

Why? It's not crutchfield.

Dude, Crutchfield may (is most often) more expensive than other places, but the service is KICK ASS.

I just called, at 11:32 PM, EST, and told them one of the speakers I got has a busted tweeter.
The operator just took down my info, gave me an return authorization #, and told me a new speaker will be shipped out first thing monday morning. He also said I can wait till I get the new one if I want.

To me, it is worth it.