YAHAT: What's the best receiver in the $300 range?

[Shawn]

I'm looking for a new reciever and wondering what would be the best to get that would be around $300. I want something that supports DTS (though they probably all do now). Any suggestions?

 

[loup garou]

Refurb'd Onkyo SR600 or a new SR501.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: werk
Refurb'd Onkyo SR600 or a new SR501.

I second this thought


although the 600 has a learning remote...very nice feature


edited because I went to public schools

 

[kindest]

Onkyo's are good. As is Harmon/Kardon.
both could be had around there for the lower models.

 

[Shawn]

Hmm.... the SR600 is only 80w/channel. Some of the Yahamas in that price range had 100w/channel. Would it make that much of a difference? I'm guessing higher wattage doesn't always mean better sound.

 

[BigSmooth]

I searched for a long time recently and ended up with a Kenwood. Look at something like the VR-7060, it is an extremely full-featured receiver for the price. The VR-7070 is even better with a full set of preamps and THX certification.

I've used Denon and Yamaha receivers in the past and liked them a great deal, but I ended up with a Kenwood because it was a better value for my needs.
Onkyo, Panasonic, JVC, H/K, and Pioneer all make solid receivers as well.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: iloveme2
Hmm.... the SR600 is only 80w/channel. Some of the Yahamas in that price range had 100w/channel. Would it make that much of a difference? I'm guessing higher wattage doesn't always mean better sound.

I own the TX-SR600....I love it. Power has never been an issue. I am not very familiar with Yamaha's products, but I can tell you that Onkyo has never served me wrong. In the price range that you are talking about, a 600 sounds like the best bet.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
I searched for a long time recently and ended up with a Kenwood. Look at something like the VR-7060, it is an extremely full-featured receiver for the price. The VR-7070 is even better with a full set of preamps and THX certification.

I've used Denon and Yamaha receivers in the past and liked them a great deal, but I ended up with a Kenwood because it was a better value for my needs.
Onkyo, Panasonic, JVC, H/K, and Pioneer all make solid receivers as well.

yes, you do get a pretty good bang for your buck with kenwood...as long as you dont mind distortion. <1%thd my arse

 

[amnesiac]

I have an SR600 as well. Incredible piece of equipment. Great sound, great features, very easy to use. Highly recommended.

 

[Broohaha]

this looks like "Yet Another AssHat Thread"

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
I searched for a long time recently and ended up with a Kenwood. Look at something like the VR-7060, it is an extremely full-featured receiver for the price. The VR-7070 is even better with a full set of preamps and THX certification.

I've used Denon and Yamaha receivers in the past and liked them a great deal, but I ended up with a Kenwood because it was a better value for my needs.
Onkyo, Panasonic, JVC, H/K, and Pioneer all make solid receivers as well.

yes, you do get a pretty good bang for your buck with kenwood...as long as you dont mind distortion. <1%thd my arse

Did you listen to it somewhere? I think the distortion is minimal. I hooked up the speakers to my old Yamaha and then the Kenwood and there was no audible difference in distortion at any volume level. There are plenty of people on the HT forums who agree with me.

Of course, when I listened to it the first time at Best Buy with their filthy setup, it sounded like s***.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
I searched for a long time recently and ended up with a Kenwood. Look at something like the VR-7060, it is an extremely full-featured receiver for the price. The VR-7070 is even better with a full set of preamps and THX certification.

I've used Denon and Yamaha receivers in the past and liked them a great deal, but I ended up with a Kenwood because it was a better value for my needs.
Onkyo, Panasonic, JVC, H/K, and Pioneer all make solid receivers as well.

yes, you do get a pretty good bang for your buck with kenwood...as long as you dont mind distortion. <1%thd my arse

Did you listen to it somewhere? I think the distortion is minimal. I hooked up the speakers to my old Yamaha and then the Kenwood and there was no audible difference in distortion at any volume level. There are plenty of people on the HT forums who agree with me.

Of course, when I listened to it the first time at Best Buy with their filthy setup, it sounded like s***.

I sell them

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: BigSmooth

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
I searched for a long time recently and ended up with a Kenwood. Look at something like the VR-7060, it is an extremely full-featured receiver for the price. The VR-7070 is even better with a full set of preamps and THX certification.

I've used Denon and Yamaha receivers in the past and liked them a great deal, but I ended up with a Kenwood because it was a better value for my needs.
Onkyo, Panasonic, JVC, H/K, and Pioneer all make solid receivers as well.

yes, you do get a pretty good bang for your buck with kenwood...as long as you dont mind distortion. <1%thd my arse

Did you listen to it somewhere? I think the distortion is minimal. I hooked up the speakers to my old Yamaha and then the Kenwood and there was no audible difference in distortion at any volume level. There are plenty of people on the HT forums who agree with me.

Of course, when I listened to it the first time at Best Buy with their filthy setup, it sounded like s***.

I sell them

Where?

 

[isasir]

Pioneer VSX-D811s

 

[rudeguy]

Where?

ABC Warehouse

Highest position held: Home Audio Manager

Length of employment: 4 years

any other questions?

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: rudeguy

Where?

ABC Warehouse

Highest position held: Home Audio Manager

Length of employment: 4 years

any other questions?

No, I was curious because few retailers in my area sell mid-to-high end Kenwood receivers.
I respect your opinion on Kenwood, but I simply disagree.

 

[Shawn]

I'm thinking I might go with a Kenwood. I'm not sure yet though but what are some good Kenwoods in that price range?

 

[glen]

Pioneer from etronics.com

 

[SithSolo1]

You want Onkyo, Denon, or Harman Kardon. Kinda hard to find them in that range but try OneCall

 

[Shawn]

I found this.... http://discountjungle.net/yamrx105chav.html It's referbished so I dunno but looks like a good deal.

Yamaha's site

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: SithSolo1
You want Onkyo, Denon, or Harman Kardon. Kinda hard to find them in that range but try OneCall

HK has good prices on factory remanufactured equipment at http://www.harmankardon.com.

 

[resinboy]

Kenwoods are loud, but Onkyo's have CURRENT.

 

[billandopus]

Originally posted by: resinboy
Kenwoods are loud, but Onkyo's have CURRENT.

Onkyo is very good. There are some decent receivers out there for sure but the first brand that I would be looking for is Onkyo.

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Originally posted by: RishiS
Pioneer VSX-D811s

I have a older model that that one but its almost the same, Seems to work ok.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: iloveme2
I found this.... http://discountjungle.net/yamrx105chav.html It's referbished so I dunno but looks like a good deal.

Yamaha's site

I'd still go with the SR600 as it supports DD-EX and DTS-ES and 50Hz component switching over the Yamaha.

But if you reeeaaally need that extra 20 watts...