Need a Budget Receiver

Gorrillasnot

Senior member
Mar 1, 2004
693
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I'm upgrading from my antique tube TV to a LCD HDTV and need to replace my current receiver which doesn't have HDMI.

Whats a decent receiver in the $200ish range?

thanks
 

Gorrillasnot

Senior member
Mar 1, 2004
693
1
81
Yeah I saw that in a newegg email.
I noticed as a con in one of the user reviews they said "No PC Software - need direct connection to monitor."
Does that mean if I wanted to use a htpc it wouldn't work if connected through the receiver?

thanks
 

nsafreak

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 2001
7,093
3
81
No, that user was talking about the unit's ability to use online services such as Pandora and other online streaming services. It seems that you can't send the unit commands through a PC not connected to it to change streams & other items. It should work just fine with an HTPC connected to it.
 

boomhower

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2007
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My pick. Good price, high quality, and has Audyssey MultEQ which does wonders for improving surround sound, and just sound in general.
 

Number1

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2006
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My pick. Good price, high quality, and has Audyssey MultEQ which does wonders for improving surround sound, and just sound in general.


Wow, what a deal. I own the 1712 (7.1 with MultEQXT) and I am very happy with it.

Edit, I noticed they are refurbished units, I would stay away.

Edit 2: I had a bad experience with a refurbished Kobo ereader bought at Futureshop. We exchanged it twice and eventualy ended up buying a new higher end unit. Obviously from what people are saying in here, Denon are doing a much better job at refurbishing their equipment. I tend to trust people's opinions in here except for a few wacos so yes, if I was in the market now I would consider a refurbished Denon units.
 
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nsafreak

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 2001
7,093
3
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Wow, what a deal. I own the 1712 (7.1 with MultEQXT) and I am very happy with it.

Edit, I noticed they are refurbished units, I would stay away.

My HK AVR-254 is factory refurbished just like the Denon and it's worked just fine for me. For manufacturers like Denon and Marantz they're very thorough at refurbishing their receivers so they're typically just as good as new units. I wouldn't have any problems purchasing either of the receivers that have been recommended as refurb units in this thread.
 

boomhower

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2007
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My refurb has been fine. I wouldn't recommend it if I had any reservations at all about them. AVS forum is full of satisfied people who have bought refurbs from AC4L.
 

skriefal

Golden Member
Apr 10, 2000
1,424
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I agree with the recommendation for the Denon AVR-1612. It's a good budget choice, and is one of the least expensive (if not the least expensive) ways to get Audyssey MultEQ processing. Doesn't have pre-outs, but you probably won't need those anyway (unless you plan to add a dedicated power amp later).
 

Number1

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2006
7,881
549
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I had a bad experience with a refurbished Kobo ereader bought at Futureshop. We exchanged it twice and eventually ended up buying a new higher end unit. Obviously from what people are saying in here, Denon are doing a much better job at refurbishing their equipment. I tend to trust people's opinions in here except for a few wacos so yes, if I was in the market now I would consider a refurbished Denon units.
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
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I agree with the recommendation for the Denon AVR-1612. It's a good budget choice, and is one of the least expensive (if not the least expensive) ways to get Audyssey MultEQ processing. Doesn't have pre-outs, but you probably won't need those anyway (unless you plan to add a dedicated power amp later).

I have a Denon AVR - 1609 and I like it better than 1612.

# of reasons
- powered Zone 2
- 2x Optical
- 2x Coaxial

I'm not sure if 1612 does Audio over HDMI, mine doesn't but I don't really care as I use Optical anyways.

Also, I got my 1609 for $169 I believe.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
99,402
17,560
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I have a Denon AVR - 1609 and I like it better than 1612.

# of reasons
- powered Zone 2
- 2x Optical
- 2x Coaxial

I'm not sure if 1612 does Audio over HDMI, mine doesn't but I don't really care as I use Optical anyways.

Also, I got my 1609 for $169 I believe.

What do you mean HDMI doesn't do audio? It's part of the spec...
Your hardware is defective if it doesn't carry audio over HDMI.
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
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What do you mean HDMI doesn't do audio? It's part of the spec...
Your hardware is defective if it doesn't carry audio over HDMI.

My Denon doesn't support it, simple as that. No Audio over HDMI.

It's not hardware, perhaps Denon limited it? Who knows.

Regardless, I don't care as I don't like using my receiver to switch Video input etc.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
99,402
17,560
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My Denon doesn't support it, simple as that. No Audio over HDMI.

It's not hardware, perhaps Denon limited it? Who knows.

Regardless, I don't care as I don't like using my receiver to switch Video input etc.

Shit. I can't believe such beasts exit...
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
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Not anymore, it was one of a kind.

Not sure why Denon would go thru the trouble to remove it?

I don't recall ANY other receivers NOT having this option.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
99,402
17,560
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that sounds like a defect not a feature

I read the spec, it was actually designed that way. My guess is HDMI just came out and they slapped a switch in an existing receiver and called it a new model.
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
0
I read the spec, it was actually designed that way. My guess is HDMI just came out and they slapped a switch in an existing receiver and called it a new model.

Correct, something along the line.

Although to be honest, I bought the receiver in 2009 so HDMI has been around for quite some time.
 

Spicedaddy

Platinum Member
Apr 18, 2002
2,305
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Shit. I can't believe such beasts exit...

Entry level receivers from a few years ago wouldn't do HDMI audio. I helped a friend setup his Yamaha receiver and wondered why the salesman had made him buy HDMI cables + optical cables when the receiver did HDMI switching. Turned out he really needed the optical cables... So no HD audio formats, and worst of all was at the prices he paid for those optical cables, it would've been cheaper to just get a better receiver and only use HDMI cables.
 

Number1

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2006
7,881
549
126
I read the spec, it was actually designed that way. My guess is HDMI just came out and they slapped a switch in an existing receiver and called it a new model.

My first Sony AVR was like this. This was back in 2007. HDMI pass-trough only. I was some pissed off when I first found out and there was nothing better in my price range. Otherwise i would have returned it.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,131
616
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I'll throw in another plug for a Denon refurb. I got mine from Dakmart and it has been flawless. I have an AVR-790.