HT Receiver HELP...

[96MaxGLE 10+ year member]

Ok guys...I'm going to be buying a HT receiver this week (hopefully...//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif). I decided to start my own thread, since oxsign's was getting long. I quite a long list that I came up with after researching and browsing on eBay this weekend. Obviously when you see my list, there is quite of a price range. I know the higher-end, more $$$ receivers will probably get more votes from you guys.

I'm going to be getting the Infinity setup from my dad's friend...It consist of Primus 360 towers, Primus 160 surrrounds, Entra center & sub. I'm going to be using my 15" Adire Tumult in the near future for sub duties...getting at least 1000w.

Ok here's the long list...

Harman Kardon:

AVR-354 - $499.90/shipped (75w per ch...HDMI 1.3)

AVR-254 - $389.00/shipped (50w per ch...HDMI 1.3)

AVR-347 - $399.95+$50/shipping (55w per ch...HDMI 1.1)

- I'm leaning towards the 354 or the 254 on this list. I've read some complaints about problems w/ the HDMI on the H/K's. I LOVE the looks of the H/Ks out of all the others.

Onkyo:

TX-SR706 - $539.95/shipped (100w per ch...HDMI 1.3...4in-1out)

-Really haven't read anyting bad about this unit...decent price...Probably the ugliest out of the bunch. Picked this over the 606 b/c it looks a little better.

Denon:

AVR-2309CI - $629.99/shipped (100w per ch...)

AVR-988 - $509.95+$50/shipping

-Again, nothing really bad...absolutly LOVE the looks of the 988 but only 2 HDMI inputs.

Yamaha:

RX-V2600 - $599/shipped (130w per ch...around $1300 new)

-Beautiful unit, great reviews, but like the Denon only 2 HDMI inputs

Now on to my needs...

I only have a HD digital cable box and a blu-ray player that would use HDMI...probably will be getting DVI to HDMI for my HTPC soon, but its not necessary. One thing I didn't think about...do any of these receivers have DVI inputs? Hopefully you guys will be able to make my decision, HOPING to buy around Wed...

Click to read more...

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

I've been researching myself for that last little while. I really like the look of the HK 347/354, but the 347 is now discontinued. I haven't looked much into the yamahas myself. I've read that the denons are nice but can be tricky to work with, manual, setup etc. So I crossed that off my list. Also HK rates their power a little different so don't use that as a main factor. It should still be as powerful as the others. I can get the avr 354 for $800, or 706 for $815, both canadian authorized dealers :S So I have it down to the 354 or onkyo 706.

 

[96MaxGLE 10+ year member]

The AVR-354 is at the top of my list, for the moment anyway...

 

[96MaxGLE 10+ year member]

Come on guys...I need some help deciding, all these units have great reviews. I'll be picking up my speakers Fri or Sat, so I want to have my receiver by then

 

[mcsoul 10+ year member]

I have not looked into all of them, do they all have the mic and time correction, and adjustable high pass for the full range speakers like the Onkyo? If so it is down to what you like.

I'd get the Onkyo for price and features over looks.

 

[bigbirney420 10+ year member]

The Onkyo is best bang for the buck. The 706 doesnt have as good of processor for upconversion as the 705 from what I have read. Many of the Home audio sites recommend finding a NIB 705. Most people dont need any more than the 606 or Yamaha Rx 663. I just bought last years Yamaha 861 and love it, but it only has 2 HDMI inputs, which is all I need, but not enough for some. I havent had good luck with HK, but its been a while since I have owned one.

 

[96MaxGLE 10+ year member]

There is a SR705 on eBay right now...BNIB (opened) and comes w/ a receipt for warranty purposes. Its actually $429 +40/shipped. I'm going to look at the specs of it. I had read somewhere about the processor problems on the 606, but didn't see anything about it for the 706. I really like the Yamaha, but 2 HDMI inputs wouldn't leave any room for the future.

 

[96MaxGLE 10+ year member]

The seller has good feedback, but I asked for pictures of the actual receiver (not from the website...and it was the wrong picture anyway). I checked amazon for the 705, and its $849.00...so its more than the 706. I'm not spending that much, but hopefully this guy can get me some pics.

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

I could only see a couple small differences with the 705. Mainly for me it isn't 4Ω capable.

 

[96MaxGLE 10+ year member]

Well they have the TX-SR806 on amazon for $639.95/shipped on Amazon. I'm trying to keep it under $700...I was hoping to be around $500. Do you guys think that I should just stop looking and buy the 806? Would it be worth the extra $100 over the 706? Keep in mind its going to be powering Infinty Primus speakers...nothing really fancy...

I'm going more towards the Onkyo's now, but still really like the HK 354...and now its the cheapest on the short list. For some reason, I keep on wanting to spend more and more...but I've gotta remember that I don't need it.

 

[96MaxGLE 10+ year member]

I think one of you guys have said that the Denon's aren't really user friendly...are the Onkyo's and HK's really that much easier to set-up?

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

I've been doing the same thing. Oh the 906, 876 is nice. Way too much money. I've pretty much decided on the 706 for myself. If I can convince myself to spend $800 in a few weeks still, I will be ordering one.

 

[c_james_s 10+ year member]

For home audio my vote always goes to Denon. I think they make some of the best amps and I have never been saddened by any of my Denon equipment. Get the AVR-2309CI - $629.99. Is this the best price you found? I bought some Denon equipment online from a guy for super cheap. I saved about $300 on my stuff. If you want I could check the name of my seller and get back to you.

 

[c_james_s 10+ year member]

The denon stuff is semi hard to set up but it comes with a setup mic that did most of the set up except for crossovers and speaker size. I myself didnt mind that it was a little hard to setup since im the type of guy that would spend all day to set it up to play with it and act like its christmas time.

 

[bigbirney420 10+ year member]

For the Onkyo, you dont need any more than the 706. I researched for the last 6 months and it came down to Yamaha and Onkyo. I have an older Denon that I use in the garage, but the setup on the new ones is pretty tough. Check out some reviews on Audioholics forum