Thinking About A New Receiver

[88MVP]

Hi All,

I'm thinking about picking up a new receiver to replace a Kenwood that's about 5 years old. I haven't done much research yet, but here's what I think I need:

-Need 3 HDMI inputs (Cable box, PS3, Apple TV)
-HDMI out to the TV
-Only needs to be 5.1, but the ability to expand is good if it doesn't add much cost.
-Match well with JBL fronts and center
-"Night mode" or some feature that let's me cut the highs and lows so as not to disturb the neighbors when it gets late
-My friend's Yamaha receiver has a microphone attachment to calibrate itself. Something like this might be useful since I'm currently set up in a less-than ideal shaped room.

Thanks for the help!

 

[nsafreak]

Budget? We kindof need to know that before making recommendations, I could easily suggest a few dozen models but they may be way over your budget for all I know. Btw any receiver will match with any speakers, its matching among speakers that you have to concern yourself with.

 

[trexpesto]

There is the referb Marantz sr4002 fer $300 at Accessories4Less 1 year warranty. Click on Marantz Specials off their home page and you can see a range of the product. Free shipping with code FREESHIP.

I ended up avoiding the Denon 788 because of reported HDMI issues, got the Marantz sr6001 which supposedly plays well with PS3 but only has 2 HDMI ins.
The PS3 decodes to PCM and so I don't need TrueHD or MasterAudio. Theoretically.

Batpig's Denon chart shows which models support what audio.

As far as place to look online, besides AC4L, I also was shopping the harmonaudio ebay store, ecost, DAKmart, Vann's, audioholics, shoponkyo, a bit at amazon and audiogon and newegg, and checking for hot deal posts at fatwallet, slickdeals, and reading a ton a posts at AVSforums and audioholics to try and understand what it's all about.

Good luck - and good hunting! End of the financial year may be coming up, or a labor day sale at brick and mortar might be good. I have heard reports of.. ( was it Denon ?).. at costco some time back.

 

[PM650]

Originally posted by: trexpesto
The PS3 decodes to PCM and so I don't need TrueHD or MasterAudio. Theoretically.

This is only sometimes true, as many receivers only have an HDMI repeater & will not touch the signal (i.e. will not decode audio). Manufacturers tend to be less then forthcoming in stating whether LPCM decoding is supported with non-DTS-HD/non-Dolby Master units, it's often necessary to look at the manual to determine this. Just look at the connection diagram for an HDMI device; if the manual requires you to make an analog/digital audio connection in addition to HDMI, it doesn't support HDMI audio decoding. The marantz 4002 does indeed support HDMI audio decoding.

Nice to know I'm not the only one with a dead HDMI board as well (AVR-2808CI) :|

 

[alkemyst]

also make sure you need video switching anyway....people survived a long time prior to flat panels using the inputs on them.

 

[Alienwho]

Check out the new Pioneer lineup. I just got the new 909 (or maybe 1019, don't remember) and it meets all your criteria. Great receiver for $300.

 

[Icepick]

Originally posted by: Alienwho
Check out the new Pioneer lineup. I just got the new 909 (or maybe 1019, don't remember) and it meets all your criteria. Great receiver for $300.

I purchased this one recently too. It's VSX-919AH-K. Great receiver.

 

[88MVP]

Thanks for the suggestionsso far. I'll take a look at the Pioneer.

Aiming to come in under $500 on the budget, unless there's a really good reason to go over that.

 

[vshah]

denon 2310ci is 549 at 6ave.com with a coupon (google and you'll find it)

expires today (9/1) though. has 105wpc, decodes all the latest codecs, has audyssey EQ and dynamic volume (what you need for listening without disturbing others) and a kickass upscaling chip

 

[s44]

This year's Pioneers are way underpowered. Avoid. If you can find one of last year's Elites on clearance, that's another story.

I don't think the OP needs anything more expensive than the Onkyo 507 (2-3x the real power output to 5 channels). The Denon 2310 may be worth it for the better Audyssey, 7.1, and video scaling, though (mind you, I wouldn't be surprised if it actually had the same or less power relative to the Onkyo).

Originally posted by: trexpesto
I ended up avoiding the Denon 788 because of reported HDMI issues, got the Marantz sr6001

Great choice on the Marantz for your space. Tons of real power and MultEQ. Now don't forget to grab the calibration mic on Ebay.

 

[trexpesto]

Yeah I can't wait to get it set up. The mic (Marantz ACM1 Audyssey Microphone) appears to have disappeared from ebay and is now $50 from AC4L or OneCall.
I may start searching forum sale threads.

Sposedly they are calibrated differently for different receivers, or I'd get the denon one for 5 bucks.

Not to threaddjack, sry.

 

[mshan]

Used Pioneer VSX-1018AH-k: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb...ied.php?do=ad&id=11417

 

[Gutcheck2009]

Originally posted by: 88MVP
Thanks for the suggestionsso far. I'll take a look at the Pioneer.

Aiming to come in under $500 on the budget, unless there's a really good reason to go over that.

I am here to save you.

Pioneer Eliete SC-05.

I got mine for 599, and this thing is one mean piece of home theater.

 

[PJABBER]

Accessories4Less.com always seem to have great deals on refurbed equipment. Here is a very good Onkyo receiver for a great price -

Onkyo Refurbished TX-SR806 - $539.99 w/free shipping

Onkyo Refurbished TX-SR806

or in Silver for a bit less, $499.99 -

Onkyo TX-SR806S

 

[Fingolfin269]

You can get a damn good deal on an Onkyo 607 from newegg right now. Check the usual deal areas for how...