Need Receiver and sub recommendations

[Ranulf]

I'm looking for a receiver for my home office setup as I'm slowly going to move away from my logitech 5500. Tired of subwoofer issues and likely will want more input options (aka 4+ computers). Budget is about $200-300.

Ideally the receiver would have 2 optical input options (toslink/PCM) in case I have issues using sound out hdmi via video card. Sub wise, nothing too big. Probably a $200 limit on the sub.

TIA

 

[frowertr]

Denon 1713 and the BIC America F12.

Probably the best you can do with that budget but it will definitely work. You should be able to call around and find the 1713 close to $300. Check with http://www.electronics-expo.com/. If they don't have it you could always go down to the 1513/1613.

 

[Ranulf]

Thanks for the links. Looks like a lot of the cost is tied up in whether its a network jack for airplay etc.. Not sure I'm gonna need that stuff for now. Whats the rep of Onkyo these days?

 

[frowertr]

Onkyo is great. Cant go wrong with Denon, Onkyo, or Yamaha. Really it comes down to preference for room DSP correction programs and both Denon and Yamaha have Audyssey built in which is the gold standard.

Seeing how you are just using it with computers and not as surround sound it doesn't matter which manufacture you choose out of those three.

 

[SithSolo1]

Look into the refurished receivers here to save some cash: http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...iver/Home-Audio/Home-Theater-Receivers/1.html

My refurb Denon has been flawless for the past couple of years.

 

[Ranulf]

Thanks Sith. Tempting prices for sure, not so great store ratings though.

 

[alkemyst]

Thanks Sith. Tempting prices for sure, not so great store ratings though.

I never had a problem with them, that said some people have no business ordering online.

 

[LikeLinus]

Thanks Sith. Tempting prices for sure, not so great store ratings though.

IMHO, I would not go anywhere near a refurb from accessories4less. They have a 4.x out of 10 on resellers rating and the stories are horrible.

 

[alkemyst]

IMHO, I would not go anywhere near a refurb from accessories4less. They have a 4.x out of 10 on resellers rating and the stories are horrible.

Reselleratings.com is not an accurate picture in my opinion. If you look their reviews are almost entirely 5 stars and 1 stars. Many of the 1 star complaints are probably BS.

They have 4 cases with the BBB and all were solved.

I am sure many of those 1 star raters were made whole, but retaliated with bad feedback prior to contacting the merchant.

AVSForums speaks highly of the company and that's a better indicator to me.

 

[LikeLinus]

Reselleratings.com is not an accurate picture in my opinion. If you look their reviews are almost entirely 5 stars and 1 stars. Many of the 1 star complaints are probably BS.

They have 4 cases with the BBB and all were solved.

I am sure many of those 1 star raters were made whole, but retaliated with bad feedback prior to contacting the merchant.

AVSForums speaks highly of the company and that's a better indicator to me.

It was actually AVS that gave me the heads up about their refurb policy. I was going to get a refurb marantz for a secondary unit and then heard about their policy. No thanks.

I personally wouldn't deal with them and I don't care what anyone says. I said IMHO, I don't need you trying to sway my opinion. Do as you feel.

Funny you say they most are BS, yet most were also fixed. More double talk bullshit? You can't have it both ways.

 

[alkemyst]

It was actually AVS that gave me the heads up about their refurb policy. I was going to get a refurb marantz for a secondary unit and then heard about their policy. No thanks.

I personally wouldn't deal with them and I don't care what anyone says. I said IMHO, I don't need you trying to sway my opinion. Do as you feel.

Funny you say they most are BS, yet most were also fixed. More double talk bullshit? You can't have it both ways.

What I said was (and we see this here all the time with a member that never even bothered to call the merchant) that people probably received a broken unit, immediately left bad feedback and then were made whole.

They main sticking point is while it is free shipping, they do charge two way shipping if you have a problem. This is no different that if you dealt with the manufacturer direct. Also they usually will cover bringing the unit to a local facility to be repaired.

These are highly discounted units, you can't expect white glove treatment at walmart pricing.

I have never had a problem with them, they always answer whether email or phone and everything has been no different than new.

 

[boomhower]

I'd go with Denon or Yamaha. Onkyo has burned way to much with their HDMI issues. I won't touch one. Check your area Beat Buy websites for clearances. I picked my last reciever that way. A $600 Yamaha for around $215 on clearance to make way for new models. The F12 sub is the way to go for $200. I have one and love it.

 

[Anubis]

pretty sure the issue with A4E and Marantz is only there because A4E is not an authorized reseller so the warrenty becomes crap, they are for Denon and Onkyo AFAIK

i got a refurb Denon from them, no issues

 

[reallyscrued]

+1 for access4less.com

The refurbs come with a manufacturer warranty, what's people's business with putting the blame on a4l?

Got the 591 in my sig for 189.99 about a year ago, thing works great. I thought I had some issues with it a while back but it turned out to be bad electrical wiring in the apartment I was living in - when I relocated to a townhouse, all my issues went away.


I would definitely get a refurbed receiver and add $100 to your sub budget OP. Just my 2 cents.


This would be hot right now :

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...Networking-Receiver-w/AirPlay-3D-ready/1.html

 

[Ranulf]

Thanks for the info guys. Still thinking about it, that denon looks like a decent deal. Main concern has been I have two digital inputs available for my two gaming systems.

Hmm, Costco has the 1613 online or possibly in store for $260.

http://www.costco.com/Denon-AVR-1613-5.1-Channel-Network-AV-Receiver.product.100058297.html