$400 receiver recommendation for jschaudel

[bargainseeker]

Receiver: yes, I would be willing to purchase a refurbished one on-line as long as the warranty was the same. I was looking at one site (don't remember which) some time ago and the refurbished unit (Denon) had an extremely short warranty. However, I don't know which sites a good and which are not.

I have started a new thread to address your request for recommendations on an A/V receiver around $400.

First you should know that all of the online dealers I am about to recommend are ones which are factory authorized dealers for that particular brand. I have bought from J&R, eCost and PCMall in the past with good results. I have no personal experience with Dakmart.

For a brand new receiver with a full length manufacturer warrany, I would recommend the Yamaha HTR-5760. The HTR-5760 can purchased for $399.99 plus shipping from J&R (click on the link to get an email with their $399.99 price).

In a Denon receiver, the best deal I found in your price range was the Denon AVR-1804 from Dakmart for $326.98 plus shipping. This is a factory refurbished discontinued model that comes with a 1 year warranty.

In an Onkyo receiver, I would recommend the Onkyo TX-SR702 which lists for $799 but is currently available from PCMall for $409 with free shipping (after mail in rebate) and from eCost for $409 plus shipping. This receiver is a refurbished current year model that comes with a 90 day warranty.

If I were buying today, I'd go with the refurbished Onkyo TX-SR702 even though it only has a 90 day warranty. Studies of failure rates in electronic equipment over time have shown that if a piece of electronics is going to fail, it is likely to do so in the first few months. After that, the failure rate drops to a minimum and then goes up again very gradually as failures due to age and wear and tear start to occur. Knowing these statistics, I am very keen to get a factory warranty that covers the first few months of ownership but not as concerned about coverage after that. These statistics are also why I don't buy extended warranties on receivers (and also why such warranties are so profitable to the sellers).

However, I don't think you would go wrong with any of these three.

[jschaudel]

Thanks again.

I think that a 7 channel receiver might be overkill for me, as I don't think that I will ever use all seven. Is there any other reason that I should go with a 7 channel model?

How are the Sony ES models, or the HK AVR235? I noticed that the Pioneer models have a 48 bit dsp processor vs 32 for the others. Does this make much of a difference?

The older models have 96/24 DAC processors vs. 192/24 processors. Is this something that a non-expert ear is going to hear?

When the receivers break down within the first few months, what are some of the most common causes?

Thanks.

[bargainseeker]

I think that a 7 channel receiver might be overkill for me, as I don't think that I will ever use all seven. Is there any other reason that I should go with a 7 channel model?

How are the Sony ES models, or the HK AVR235? I noticed that the Pioneer models have a 48 bit dsp processor vs 32 for the others. Does this make much of a difference?

The older models have 96/24 DAC processors vs. 192/24 processors. Is this something that a non-expert ear is going to hear?

When the receivers break down within the first few months, what are some of the most common causes?

I recommended the Yamaha HTR-5760 and the Onkyo TX-SR702 specifically because they have built-in parametric equalizers. Most listening rooms have a major peak in bass response, often around 75Hz. These equalizers help to eliminate the problem. I would prefer the Onkyo to the Yamaha because I would give it a slight edge in audio reproduction. It is after all a far more expensive unit based on MSRP.

I only use the 5.1 capabilities of my current receivers. I don't see that changing until more 6.1 and 7.1 source material (e.g., DVDs, SACDs) becomes available. That said, the 7.1 models do offer better "future proofing".

I am not familiar with the Sony line of receivers. In the past, at least, HK has had a reputation for poor reliability. I would not buy one of their receivers unless it had the full manufacturer's warranty.

I don't use the DSP modes on my receivers very much (e.g., "concert hall", "disco"). I find them to be strange and artificial. So I wouldn't put much weight on the number of bits of the DSP.

As to 96/24 DAC processors vs. 192/24 processors, I think the difference is perceptible, at least on well recorded music played through good speakers.

As to breakdowns during the first few months, I have not seen any studies which detailed the specific types of breakdowns which receivers experience during this time.

[jschaudel]

Thanks again.

As usual, very helpful.