Which receiver would you choose?

[stereonewbie]

Im starting off my Home Theater small and am looking at a few receivers around $200.

Sony STR DE 597 $200

Pioneer VSXD812K $250

Panasonic SAHE755 $150

Kenwood VR806S $190

Denon AVR483 $180

I do have a Bose AM10 system from 1996. Thanks for your time.

[HokieVT]

A refurbed Onkyo TX-SR502 if you can find one. A refurbed Denon AVR484 might also be available for less than $200. try ecost.com

[eqm]

I do have a Bose AM10 system from 1996. Thanks for your time.[/QUOTE]

you'll probably be hating life with a non-powered woofer like the bose has and a cheap chip amp like the sonys, panas, and el cheapo pioneers have. with the power demands of a passive bass woofer, you'd be a lot better off with an inexpensive yamaha or the denon previously mentioned. STAY AWAY FROM THOSE CHEAP DIGITAL AMPS!!

[Eric Z]

I do not know anything about the receivers in your list, but I can help with some basic things I learned on this site. If you're looking for a good quality build on a receiver, Yamaha is the way to go- especially if you're looking at inexpensive products. Also, some here on this site stand by either Yamaha, Denon, or Onkyo. Check out some local stores for some Yamahas that have been returned or floor models that are discontinued. I ended up getting a Yamaha HTR5760 for $325 (msrp $499)because it was a floor model- still had the store return policy and factory warranty. I'm sure there are some Yamahas at some stores where the price has been reduced significantly because of a newer model coming out.

Good luck!

[jpdowney]

Yamaha 5640 179.00
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....PROD_ID=857363

They also have some other model id you want to spend more.

[stereonewbie]

But the Yamaha link shows it only has 70 watts per channel and all of the receivers I listed have 100 watts. Dont the Bose speakers require 100 watts per speaker?

[Woochifer]

But the Yamaha link shows it only has 70 watts per channel and all of the receivers I listed have 100 watts. Dont the Bose speakers require 100 watts per speaker?

Others will chime in, but let me first say it -- pay NO attention to the wattage specs! Those are fraught with all kinds of variability (i.e. was the spec measured using 8 ohms or 6 ohms resistance? did it use a wideband test tone or a 1 kHz tone? was it tested with one channel or all channels driven? was it tested at the onset of clipping or well into the high distortion range?). By tinkering with how the test was done, the specs on one particular model could range from 20 watts/channel (all channels driven into 8 ohms using a wideband test tone up to the onset of distortion) to close to 200 watts/channel (one channel driven into 6 ohms using a 1 kHz test tone with the distortion level measuring at 20%)

This is why so many mini-systems are rated for 100 watts/channel, because if you read the fine print, those specs are doctored up in almost absurd ways just to claim 100 watts/channel. Yamaha's output specs have traditionally been among the more conservatively rated ones. The difference between 70 watts and 100 watts in the actual maximum output level is barely audible.

Bose speakers are rated at 100 watts/channel -- that refers to the MAXIMUM input, not the minimum. Most speakers are rated at a sensitivity level around 85-90 db. That means that ONE WATT will drive a speaker into that decibel range. 85 db is already considered fairly high volume, and it only takes 10 watts more to get into the 95-100 db range, which is very loud (about the level for a typical nightclub).

When assessing a receiver, go by the quality not the quantity.

[Thomsoad]

Seriously, out of the ones you listed the Pioneer VSX812 gets the nod. While I agree you may be able to get a "steal" on ebay. The Pioneer VSX812 is almost identical to the 912 (does not have the friendly theatre speaker setup like the 912). Hands down the Pioneer is the best of your choices. For the record I have a Yamaha V650 (which I love!!). But in your price range get the Pioneer.

[Geoffcin]

Im starting off my Home Theater small and am looking at a few receivers around $200.

Sony STR DE 597 $200

Pioneer VSXD812K $250

Panasonic SAHE755 $150

Kenwood VR806S $190

Denon AVR483 $180

I do have a Bose AM10 system from 1996. Thanks for your time.

I have a Pioneer VSX811s In a second system, and I've yet to be able to damage it, and I've fried a few recievers on my time. The reciever should have more than enough power for you, and it's very well featured. Passes my approval, and it's cheap.

[nick4433]

I will vote for the Pioneer 812K on that list. It is a pretty good receiver.

[stereonewbie]

Youd choose the Pioneer 812 even over the Yamaha 5650 ?

[Thomsoad]

Yes I would.
As stated before, I own Yamaha and I enjoy my system very much. But, in these choices I would take the Pioneer. More options and more power. Now people are going to talk about the wattage nonesense, but in this comparison the Pioneer does have more. All you gotta do is compare the two.

Thats the good news, now for the bad news

Neither system is going to give you any benefit over the other as long as they are plugged into Bose.
Hate to break the news to you but its true. Bose negates any benefits that could have been provided.
My recommendation is as long as you are running Bose buy a used older Sony and take your girl to dinner.

[Karigaut]

... Also, some here on this site stand by either Yamaha, Denon, or Onkyo.
Good luck!

What about Marantz? I'm starting my first hometheather system, I want to buy quality and build upp slowly, any help would be very good.

thanks

[Lord_Magnepan]

I used to own a Marantz SR7200 wich was a realy great unit. Would recommend it anytime again

[Bryan]

I've always had good luck with Yamaha receivers. My present one is the RX-V650. For Marantz, look at www.hifi.com. The 5400 may work well for you.