• 09-20-2007, 02:14 PM
    Smokey
    Sony Receiver on sale ($139) from Radioshack.
    Although this Sony STR-DG500 6.1-Channel Receiver is not available on their web site, but it is on clearance and can be purchased locally. I typed in my zip code, and most of stores around my area have some in stock. Not a bad price for entry level :)

    Try it for yourself....

    http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family

    100 watts x 6 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.09% THD
    Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES®, DTS Neo:6, and Pro Logic® IIx processing
    Digital Cinema Sound modes
    Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
    component video switching: 2 in, 1 out
    digital audio inputs: 2 optical, 1 coaxial 2 audio
    5.1-channel input for SACD or DVD-Audio
    no phono input


    http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...STDG500-f.jpeg

    http://akamaipix.crutchfield.com/pro...STDG500-b.jpeg
  • 09-21-2007, 12:12 AM
    pixelthis
    That .09% distortion is probably .9, which is audible.
    But it does look like a good starter or bedroom receiver:1:
  • 09-21-2007, 04:54 AM
    Rich-n-Texas
    Good find there Smokey. If I was looking for a bedroom box I'd give it serious consideration.
  • 09-21-2007, 04:58 AM
    GMichael
    Not bad Smokey. Great job.
  • 09-21-2007, 06:00 AM
    mikemorrow
    Sony receivers are crap. $139 is to much. Go to ebay and buy a 1970's receiver for $50. Sure, no 6.1 sound. But at least you can listen to it with out earplugs.
  • 09-21-2007, 02:44 PM
    Smokey
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mikemorrow
    Sony receivers are crap. $139 is to much. Go to ebay and buy a 1970's receiver for $50.
    Although this receiver do have its drawbacks, but it probably will give better performance than vintage receivers.

    It is know fact that electronic components degrade over time, and audio receivers/amplifiers are no exception. Leaky capacitors, heat related degradation, shifting of tolerance due to age, dust, noisy variable knobs, etc... all contribute to increased sound to noise ratio (S/N ratio) and harmonic distortion (THD) for vintage receivers :)
  • 09-26-2007, 07:10 AM
    mikemorrow
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Smokey
    Although this receiver do have its drawbacks, but it probably will give better performance than vintage receivers.

    It is know fact that electronic components degrade over time, and audio receivers/amplifiers are no exception. Leaky capacitors, heat related degradation, shifting of tolerance due to age, dust, noisy variable knobs, etc... all contribute to increased sound to noise ratio (S/N ratio) and harmonic distortion (THD) for vintage receivers :)
    No it wont give you better performance. For the money you spend on a cheap receiver you can have a vintage one fixed. Even cheaper if you diy. And get 20-30 more years out of it. In 5 years you will be thowing away the new cheap one. It will cost to much to fix it. Talk to your audio expert. An old Yamaha will out perform any new cheap receiver on the market. And you can pick them up for $20-$40.
  • 09-28-2007, 03:28 PM
    PDN
    Yes, you get what you pay for with new equipment. Be very careful. It probably won't last very long and you may not even like the sound. If you can afford it, check out the lower priced new Marantz A-V, Denon, Yamaha, or even Onkyo A-V receivers. Or buy a preowned unit at audiogon.com.