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Defshep
01-13-2005, 05:30 AM
I have a question about a couple of ht receivers, as I've been shopping around to replace my Pioneer vsx-d411. Let me just say that I think the sound quality is fine - I've been in high-end, big time ht listening rooms, and I still think my system rocks Of course, I don't listen to mine at ear-piercing levels either! Maybe that excludes me from the "audio elite", but I can't see spending $10,000 on a big name home theater set up. I have Sony mf650h towers as fronts, matching 550 center, and the 150h for surrounds. I want to go 6 or 7.1, and I've found some interesting options. Panasonic's SAHE200 has some great reviews on this site. I'm also looking at the Pioneer vsx-d914 (lots of features, cnet gave it a good rating), I 've also found a discontinued Pioneer vsx-d811 for under $200 at a local Rex. I looked at Onkyo, Yamaha, etc. But they don't have the features and connectivity the "low enders" have. My room is approximately 18x20. Any suggestions?

bargainseeker
01-13-2005, 06:07 AM
I have a question about a couple of ht receivers, as I've been shopping around to replace my Pioneer vsx-d411. Let me just say that I think the sound quality is fine - I've been in high-end, big time ht listening rooms, and I still think my system rocks Of course, I don't listen to mine at ear-piercing levels either! Maybe that excludes me from the "audio elite", but I can't see spending $10,000 on a big name home theater set up. I have Sony mf650h towers as fronts, matching 550 center, and the 150h for surrounds. I want to go 6 or 7.1, and I've found some interesting options. Panasonic's SAHE200 has some great reviews on this site. I'm also looking at the Pioneer vsx-d914 (lots of features, cnet gave it a good rating), I 've also found a discontinued Pioneer vsx-d811 for under $200 at a local Rex. I looked at Onkyo, Yamaha, etc. But they don't have the features and connectivity the "low enders" have. My room is approximately 18x20. Any suggestions?If I were buying a receiver in the $300 - $400 price range right now, I would get the Onkyo TX-SR702 (http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR702&class=Receiver&p=i) receiver as a manufacturer reconditioned model for $392.90 from eCost (http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=184791). The TX-SR702 lists for $799 and eCost is an authorized Onkyo dealer (http://www.onkyousa.com/locations_intdealer.cfm). My previous experiences buying from eCost and buying manufacturer reconditioned Onkyo receivers have been good ones. There is a review of this receiver here (http://www.audioreview.com/A-V+Receivers/Onkyo/PRD_326706_2718crx.aspx).

midfiguy
01-13-2005, 07:26 AM
This Marantz SR5400 from AC4L.com for only $419 remanufactured will probably be more reciever than you'll need. I think the sound quality will be improved by stepping up to Onkyo/Yamaha/Marantz/Denon over the Sony/Pioneer receivers you are currently looking at.

I have bought refurbished from them (authorized dealer w/ full warranty on the receiver) and have never had any problems with the products.

http://www.ac4l.com/Amazing/itemdesc.asp?CartId=8099652-EVEREST-WTXSJ895&ic=MAR+SR5400&cc=&tpc=

bargainseeker
01-13-2005, 07:27 AM
Another good receiver option in the $300 - $400 range is the Denon AVR-2105 (http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/pdfs/AVR-2105FinalLit.pdf). It lists for $649 but can be bought as a manufacturer refurbished model for $369 from uBid (http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=10238829). I have bought from uBid in the past with good results and they are an authorized Denon dealer (http://www.usa.denon.com/dealers/dealers.asp?l=1) for refurbished products.

Stu-r
01-14-2005, 09:07 AM
I have a question about a couple of ht receivers, as I've been shopping around to replace my Pioneer vsx-d411. Let me just say that I think the sound quality is fine - I've been in high-end, big time ht listening rooms, and I still think my system rocks Of course, I don't listen to mine at ear-piercing levels either! Maybe that excludes me from the "audio elite", but I can't see spending $10,000 on a big name home theater set up. I have Sony mf650h towers as fronts, matching 550 center, and the 150h for surrounds. I want to go 6 or 7.1, and I've found some interesting options. Panasonic's SAHE200 has some great reviews on this site. I'm also looking at the Pioneer vsx-d914 (lots of features, cnet gave it a good rating), I 've also found a discontinued Pioneer vsx-d811 for under $200 at a local Rex. I looked at Onkyo, Yamaha, etc. But they don't have the features and connectivity the "low enders" have. My room is approximately 18x20. Any suggestions?

Have had and listened to all kinds. Now have Pioneer 1014-TX. Big plus is built-in video up-converters, and automatic room setup. Sound is great. $385 at Etronics.

Defshep
01-17-2005, 09:43 AM
Have had and listened to all kinds. Now have Pioneer 1014-TX. Big plus is built-in video up-converters, and automatic room setup. Sound is great. $385 at Etronics.
I was actually toying with the 1014-tx, also the vsx 914 model. It's tough to get any real input on the brands like Pioneer, unless it's an Elite. The prejudice against anything other than Onk, Den, Yam is pretty intense!

Stu-r
01-17-2005, 01:49 PM
I was actually toying with the 1014-tx, also the vsx 914 model. It's tough to get any real input on the brands like Pioneer, unless it's an Elite. The prejudice against anything other than Onk, Den, Yam is pretty intense!

Check the reviews on the 1014TX. I've had Pioneer, Yamaha, Denon, Sony ES series, set up Onkyos. Also have a new model Yamaha that I occasionally use for bi-amping. I haven't heard anything that betters the 1014. Unless it's something that's adding its own character to the music. Of course, there's a price for bragging rights. But, you can always hide your equipment and when someone asks what you're using, tell them, "It's a mystery system".

Ryanm
01-17-2005, 02:20 PM
I have a Yamaha 5760 that i got brand new off ebay from a reputable company for 360 including shipping and handling. It retails for 499.99 from best buy. It does just about every concievable multichannel setup you can think of. DTS/ES/Neo/24-96, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital/EX, 5.1, 7.1, has a myriad of inputs 2 component, 5 S-Vid/composite video, 3 optical, 3 coax etc. Might wanna take a look at it. I really really like my reciever so I'm understandably biased.