A/V Receivers quality question

[StanleyMuso]

I'm about to start searching for a surround receiver, and will be looking at all the usual suspects, ie Denon, Marantz, HK, Rotel, Onkyo, Yamaha etc. I know that every manufacturer goes through a period when their products, which were perviously considered good, suddenly become dogs and suffer a lot of breakdowns. For example, I've had good luck with Denon equipment over the years, but around a year or so ago, several of my friends and acquaintences were constantly returning their's to the workshop.

I guess what I'm asking is, among the current crop, are there any dogs, reliability wise, that I should stear clear from. I'd really appreciate it if you'd share your experiences. I'm not asking about features, or sound quality, just outright reliability and build quality.

Thanks.

[kexodusc]

I wouldn't say there's any dogs of the list you've provided. I don't think you'll find many that would argue that Yamaha's quality is as good as it gets. Marantz and H/K have had the most recent problems, but seem to have overcome those.
Interesting to see Rotel in that list, they're receivers are a good step up performance wise (and price wise) on offerings from the others and I wouldn't worry about Rotel quality.

[Lexmark3200]

Stanley,


I'd say, quality wise, stick with Onkyo or Denon with regards to receivers; STAY AWAY from ANYTHING NON-ES Sony, Kenwood, JVC, and perhaps Pioneer (although some argue that their Elite line of receivers are good); you can always step up, as was suggested, to Rotel, NAD, or perhaps Onkyo's premium brand, Integra. But for the most part, stick with the two brands I mentioned first.

I have used Yamaha stereo receivers in the past and were pleased with their performance; I hear they are doing some monster surround receivers right now too, but I suggest those two brands. Just lift up one of Onkyo's or Denon's receivers --- most notably Onkyo's with their oversized internal components such as resistors and heat sinks and their all-aluminum faceplates ---- and FEEL the weight difference between them and something from the likes of, say, non-ES Sony models.....it's night and day. And I wouldnt consider ---- personally --- a model from Harmon Kardon; from friends of mine that have their receiver models (new ones) and from reports from editorial contacts I have at Home Theater Magazine, it seems the buttons have been falling off them, they're always in for repair, and the quality of the product in general has become sub-par and very mass market oriented; but for whatever thats worth, I suggest Denon of Onkyo for you, Stanley.

[Worf101]

I'd go with the top three unless you've the pockets for separates. I'd recommend in this order of ease of use, features etc...

1. Yamaha with YPAO

2. Onkyo

3. Denon,.

Avoid Pioneer like the plague, trust me I learned the hard way. Sony ain't what it used to be.

Da Worfster

[Lexmark3200]

"Avoid Pioneer like the plague, trust me I learned the hard way. Sony ain't what it used to be."

Well, that answered what I wanted to know about Pioneer......

Agreed.....Stan, dont even put them in the leauge of the Onkyos and Denons etc.....

[GMichael]

I'm about to start searching for a surround receiver, and will be looking at all the usual suspects, ie Denon, Marantz, HK, Rotel, Onkyo, Yamaha etc. I know that every manufacturer goes through a period when their products, which were perviously considered good, suddenly become dogs and suffer a lot of breakdowns. For example, I've had good luck with Denon equipment over the years, but around a year or so ago, several of my friends and acquaintences were constantly returning their's to the workshop.

I guess what I'm asking is, among the current crop, are there any dogs, reliability wise, that I should stear clear from. I'd really appreciate it if you'd share your experiences. I'm not asking about features, or sound quality, just outright reliability and build quality.

Thanks.

You can go wrong with Yamaha, Onkyo or Denon. Quality products all the way.

[Lexmark3200]

You can go wrong with Yamaha, Onkyo or Denon. Quality products all the way.

Very good advice, Michael; unfortunately, as what happens with so many people who begin threads, I dont think Stanlely is here with us anymore.......

Whoops ---- and I hope you mean CANT go wrong with.....lol.......you typed CAN go wrong with.......

[GMichael]

Very good advice, Michael; unfortunately, as what happens with so many people who begin threads, I dont think Stanlely is here with us anymore.......

Whoops ---- and I hope you mean CANT go wrong with.....lol.......you typed CAN go wrong with.......

hahaha, yeah, typo.
I think that Stanley's question has already been answered and he's now out at a Tweeter or similar company listening to all his options in person. I'd be doing the same if I could.

[Lexmark3200]

hahaha, yeah, typo.
I think that Stanley's question has already been answered and he's now out at a Tweeter or similar company listening to all his options in person. I'd be doing the same if I could.

LOL! True......although I wouldnt buy anything from a chain like Best Buy or Circus ****ty --- whoops ---- meant Circuity City......

[GMichael]

LOL! True......although I wouldnt buy anything from a chain like Best Buy or Circus ****ty --- whoops ---- meant Circuity City......

I have had my share of bad experiences with both BB & CC. But I did get to crank up an Onkyo SR702 with a pair on Infinity Primus 250's at CC a few months ago. They left me alone with the DVD "5th Element" Sounded great!

[canuck1995]

I'm about to start searching for a surround receiver, and will be looking at all the usual suspects, ie Denon, Marantz, HK, Rotel, Onkyo, Yamaha etc. I know that every manufacturer goes through a period when their products, which were perviously considered good, suddenly become dogs and suffer a lot of breakdowns. For example, I've had good luck with Denon equipment over the years, but around a year or so ago, several of my friends and acquaintences were constantly returning their's to the workshop.

I guess what I'm asking is, among the current crop, are there any dogs, reliability wise, that I should stear clear from. I'd really appreciate it if you'd share your experiences. I'm not asking about features, or sound quality, just outright reliability and build quality.

Thanks.

I recently got a Yamaha HTR-5760 and I really love it! The YPAO makes setting up the acoustics of any room easy despite the room configuration. Initially I got the Sony STR then switched to Pioneer VSX and finally I settled for my Yamaha. That's the good thing about Bestbuy, you get a unit test it and keep on returning until you find the one you really want. It's really great for DVD's, and you can do alot of tweaking yourself or automatically with YPAO. If you want more go for the model with THX oh boy, its the ultimate in acoustics. BTW Yamaha 5760 has another feature you will really love, the "presence" speakers. The dialouge will be "coming out" from the tv instead of it coming out from a center speaker on the top or below the TV. But of course you have to hear it to believe it.

Hope it helps.