yo yo and other home theater guys, I need receiver advice

pennylane

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2002
6,077
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So my brother had an old receiver that recently died on him and now he needs a new one. He only has about $350 to spend, but he could be a little flexible, so we'll say $400 is the absolute upper end. I wish he had more to spend but he doesn't. He is willing to go refurbished if it's from a reliable company (ie, Harman Kardon refurbs).

I'm looking at the Onkyo 604 right now because it's a "Level 4" receiver and can accept 5.1 PCM through HDMI. Is there such a receiver close to $350 that can accept 7.1 PCM through HDMI? The "future-proof receiver" sticky lists the Panasonic XR700 and Sony STRDG1000 as 7.1 HDMI PCM receivers, but they're both over $500. The Onkyo 604 is on amazon for $375. I think he'd jump over a $400 receiver that had 7.1 PCM inputs.

Is there a similarly featured (and priced) receiver that also includes pre-outs? It's not a deal breaker but it'd be nice.

Thanks.

 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
31,205
45
91
I haven't really been keeping up on the latest HDMI receivers as I'm not really looking for one at all and I figure that in a year or so, things will be a lot easier to figure out ;)