Which Receiver

[Mark Mitten]

My brother in law is in the market for a surround set up. Chances are he is looking at Best Buy only. Out of what they sell which is the better reciever? Harmon Kardon, Yamaha, Pioneer? I'm not sure what else the sell. I'm guessing about the $500 range.

Thanks,

[Matt J_S]

For an Entry reciever I like the Yamaha's good value for the dollar, I haven't shopped at that end but he should make sure its got HDMI otherwise he could find himself upgrading sooner than he thinks.

[Michael Mitten]

Just sell him all your gear for $500, except my Adcom.

[Stew]

For around $500, I'd get the Onkyo 606 or 705 from Amazon.

[ArtieK]

Originally Posted by Stew

For around $500, I'd get the Onkyo 606 or 705 from Amazon.

Bingo.

[E Jones]

The Onkyo 606 can be had from Amazon for $400 shipped to his door. I just purchased one a couple of weeks ago and I've been very impressed with it. It's HDMI and can decode all of the new surround formats if he was to go Blu. Plus with Amazon they have a very generous 30 day return policy and will even pay for the return shipping if for some reason he doesn't like it.

-EJ

[Matt J_S]

THere should be a poll on how many of you guys own the Onkyo lol

[ArtieK]

I have a Denon. But there's a good reason the Onkyos are so popular; they're full featured at decent prices. Especially the 805, which is practically a ridiculous price for what you get.

[E Jones]

Originally Posted by Matt J_S

THere should be a poll on how many of you guys own the Onkyo lol

I actually have a Denon 988 arriving at my place tomorrow. I originally wanted to get the Denon when I ordered the Onkyo but it was out my my price range. A week later eCost dropped the price on the Denon almost $200. So that put the Denon only $40 more than the Onkyo. So now I'm going to play with the Denon and assuming I like it more I'll be returning the Onkyo back to Amazon... I'd still recommend the Onkyo I only have a few quibbles with it: the main one being that it doesn't have outputs to be used as a pre/pro.

-EJ

[Max Yokell]

Mark,
If the guys wants cheap the Onkyo's seem to be the bang for the buck deal.

Personally I like my Denon and the competing Onkyo was nearly the same price but we are talking about much higher price points. The onkyos rule in the $500 category.

[James W. Johnson]

Hey guys, im looking for one too. I went to CC and Best Buy yesterday.
Ive basically done no research so I don't know which are the best models.
I saw a Harmon Kardon at Best Buy , forget which model but it was
an open boxed unit, like $525 it was normally over $800.

Ive had Denon's in the past with good luck. Hmm the last setup I had
before my accident was a component system, forget which it was.
My memory is worthless after my motorcycle accident.


Id like to spend $700 or so, which models between Onkyo and Denon should
I check out?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And this is off topic but how about pointing out some good speakers to go
with it, yeah I am sure there are a bunch but point out a few .

Oh and a subwoofer too, hmm I have not bought a subwoofer since 1997 or
so. I built em all.
Ya know the first HT set of speakers I ever owned were from Paradigm
the subwoofer I bought from them was very nice too.

thanks

[Carl V]

Originally Posted by James W. Johnson

Hey guys, im looking for one too. I went to CC and Best Buy yesterday.
Ive basically done no research so I don't know which are the best models.
I saw a Harmon Kardon at Best Buy , forget which model but it was
an open boxed unit, like $525 it was normally over $800.

Ive had Denon's in the past with good luck. Hmm the last setup I had
before my accident was a component system, forget which it was.
My memory is worthless after my motorcycle accident.


Id like to spend $700 or so, which models between Onkyo and Denon should
I check out?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And this is off topic but how about pointing out some good speakers to go
with it, yeah I am sure there are a bunch but point out a few .

Oh and a subwoofer too, hmm I have not bought a subwoofer since 1997 or
so. I built em all.
Ya know the first HT set of speakers I ever owned were from Paradigm
the subwoofer I bought from them was very nice too.

thanks

What are you specific needs?
Cost
Size of speakers: stand mount...Floorstander
size of room
you want the whole kit-n-kaboodle?
Veneers choices important or is basic balck fine?

[James W. Johnson]

My living room is about 13x25, dining area is inside of that.

All hard flooring and a leather sofa so sound is gonna bounce around. :-)

Cost? Well I am kinda flexible there.
Look at my current system, its a Sony Shelf stereo. :-)
Yes I need the whole kit n kaboodle.
Hiding speaker wires aint gonna be easy. Wireless surrounds would be nice.
Black is fine but id like light wood colored veneer .
My TV is a new Sony z series 46"

[James W. Johnson]

I was just looking at Magnolia Hi-Fis website , they have some stores in Seattle
(90 mile drive)
I found a smoking deal on some sweet bookshelf speakers.


http://www.magnoliaav.com/Products/P...5/Default.aspx

[Max Yokell]

James,
Have you checked out the AV123 web site they have everything from inexpensive bookshelfs in the ELT line and up the cost to the X Series and then there are some Rocket Bookshelfs that I use for surrounds that are nice as well.

Max

[Jason Lorette]

James...be warned...you said 'buy a subwoofer', the IB guys should be piping up at any moment.

[Matt J_S]

How concerned are you about hiding wires? If thats a big deal and your not up to some major fishing what about a Sound bar? like the Yamaha that will reproduce the feel of surround sound from 1 central speaker. It actually does a not half bad job of it.

[ArtieK]

That kinda looks like an apartment Jason, or I'd be all over James.

Of course if I'm wrong, I'm ready...

[Shane Martin]

Id like to spend $700 or so, which models between Onkyo and Denon should
I check out?

The 805 is the best deal going at that price range. The closest Denon to compare is the 3808 and it's $1500.

[Jason Lorette]

Originally Posted by ArtieK

That kinda looks like an apartment Jason, or I'd be all over James.

Of course if I'm wrong, I'm ready...

...I had no doubt.

[Max Yokell]

That Denon does things that the 805 doesn't do, like internet radio, on screen displays including overlays, upconversion to 1080P and I am sure a couple other things as well. The 3808 lines up more with the Onkyo 875 which still lacks the internet radio and network music video and picture features of the 3808 as well as the On Screen Displays with overlays.

Sure the 805 maybe a huge bargin but I would take a 3808 any day of the week over it or the more expensive 875.

Max

[ArtieK]

It's way out of budget range though.

[Colton]

It's hard to find a Onkyo 805 for less than $600.

[James W. Johnson]

Originally Posted by ArtieK

That kinda looks like an apartment Jason, or I'd be all over James.

Of course if I'm wrong, I'm ready...

nope is a house which closed in Aug. I paid $189,000 cash.

[James W. Johnson]

Originally Posted by Matt J_S

How concerned are you about hiding wires? If thats a big deal and your not up to some major fishing what about a Sound bar? like the Yamaha that will reproduce the feel of surround sound from 1 central speaker. It actually does a not half bad job of it.

Id love something like that but I like dbs, like 100+. :-)