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Used Receivers with 3+ HDMI and HD Audio?

post #1 of 13
6/2/09 at 8:33am
Thread Starter 
I'm looking to upgrade from my Onkyo 503 and need to find something used. I am not that familiar with non-Onkyo model numbers. Could you guys suggest some other receivers that fit this profile?
  • Has been out long enough to be commonly found used for around $250-$300. (Ideally closer to $250)
  • 3 or more HDMI inputs.
  • HD Audio. (Edit: Needs to Decode HD Audio)
  • Analog Upconversion.
  • 7.1

Here's what I've been looking at so far:

Onkyo 606
Onkyo 705
Yamaha HTR-6180
Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K


I mainly just need more model numbers to search for on Ebay and other used items sites.
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post #2 of 13
6/2/09 at 10:15am
Since you are familiar with Onkyo what about this one? It is refurbished and comes with a one year factory warranty.

Sounds better than used in my book.

Harman Audio is selling 247/347 and 254/354 AVRs on ebay for very good prices. The 354 might be the only one that won't fit your budget but all can do what the Onkyos you listed do. Don't be fooled by the seemingly lower power numbers on the HK models, HK lists power ratings "all channels driven", unlike any of the other budget receiver makers. $ for $ they are just as powerful as the others.

Marantz also have some very nice AVRs. You can check them out here.
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post #3 of 13
6/2/09 at 10:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Knucklehead90 View Post

Since you are familiar with Onkyo what about this one? It is refurbished and comes with a one year factory warranty.

Sounds better than used in my book.

Harman Audio is selling 247/347 and 254/354 AVRs on ebay for very good prices. The 354 might be the only one that won't fit your budget but all can do what the Onkyos you listed do. Don't be fooled by the seemingly lower power numbers on the HK models, HK lists power ratings "all channels driven", unlike any of the other budget receiver makers. $ for $ they are just as powerful as the others.

Marantz also have some very nice AVRs. You can check them out here.

I was tracking a 354 on ebay the other day but it ended up going for around $400, so I stopped watching those.

Ideally, I'd like to find something closer to $250, but I'm not sure how realistic that is.
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post #4 of 13
6/2/09 at 10:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nobi125 View Post

I was tracking a 354 on ebay the other day but it ended up going for around $400, so I stopped watching those.

Ideally, I'd like to find something closer to $250, but I'm not sure how realistic that is.

Had you tracked the 254 or 347 you'd have found them to be going for under $300. A 247 is roughly equivalent to the 606 and can be had for under 200$. Sometimes well under. I paid $183 with shipping for one recently.
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post #5 of 13
6/2/09 at 11:23am
Thread Starter 
I am really sad that I missed out on this deal on a 606: http://www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?edp...i_sku=41351501

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post #6 of 13
6/2/09 at 11:28am
Those kind of deals don't last long. You have to jump when they come around.
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post #7 of 13
6/2/09 at 12:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Knucklehead90 View Post

Had you tracked the 254 or 347 you'd have found them to be going for under $300. A 247 is roughly equivalent to the 606 and can be had for under 200$. Sometimes well under. I paid $183 with shipping for one recently.

The 254 looks like an incredible deal. I will be tracking the 254. The 347 only has two HDMI inputs though.

Why is the 254 so much cheaper than the 606 or receivers that have 3 HDMI inputs? The lower wattage thing?

btw, you've been a great help.
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post #8 of 13
6/2/09 at 12:10pm
Another difference between the 254/354 and 247/347 is that the *54s are capable of decoding the HD audio internally where the *47s can't. I only mention this because one of your criteria was HD audio capability but you don't state if you want the AVR to decode or not. I guess it depends on your BR player's capabilities and how important the "little blue lights" are to you.
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post #9 of 13
6/2/09 at 12:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gluvhand View Post

Another difference between the 254/354 and 247/347 is that the *54s are capable of decoding the HD audio internally where the *47s can't. I only mention this because one of your criteria was HD audio capability but you don't state if you want the AVR to decode or not. I guess it depends on your BR player's capabilities and how important the "little blue lights" are to you.

I need the receiver to do the decoding. The 254 has me really excited, it seems like just what I'm looking for. I'm looking into the lower wattage issue a bit more, it seems like HK just rates wattage a different way (kinda like Contrast Ratios on displays). I just need to make sure that I'll be ok with 350W, I do not want to buy an amp.
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post #10 of 13
6/2/09 at 12:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nobi125 View Post

I need the receiver to do the decoding. The 254 has me really excited, it seems like just what I'm looking for. I'm looking into the lower wattage issue a bit more, it seems like HK just rates wattage a different way (kinda like Contrast Ratios on displays). I just need to make sure that I'll be ok with 350W, I do not want to buy an amp.

What speakers do you have?
I drive a pair of Infinity IL40s in my BR with a 247 which has a similar if not the same amp as the 254 with 50wpc x7 all channels driven. The IL40s are large 3 way towers with 89db efficiency. Not the hardest to drive, but hard enough.

HK rates their amp sections "all channels driven". Onkyo and the rest do not, at least until you get into more premium AVRs.

The 254/354 is superior to the 247/347 by a long shot. The 247/347 is a 2007 model, the 254/354 are last years models, debuting just a year ago.

If I were shopping for a receiver today I'd get the 254. It was out of my budget when I started shopping.
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post #11 of 13
6/2/09 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Knucklehead90 View Post

What speakers do you have?
I drive a pair of Infinity IL40s in my BR with a 247 which has a similar if not the same amp as the 254 with 50wpc x7 all channels driven. The IL40s are large 3 way towers with 89db efficiency. Not the hardest to drive, but hard enough.

HK rates their amp sections "all channels driven". Onkyo and the rest do not, at least until you get into more premium AVRs.

The 254/354 is superior to the 247/347 by a long shot. The 247/347 is a 2007 model, the 254/354 are last years models, debuting just a year ago.

If I were shopping for a receiver today I'd get the 254. It was out of my budget when I started shopping.

I would have to get the model numbers and specs on the speakers when I get home. My L/R speakers are large Technics that my dad has had for like 20 years, they're about three feet all. The rest of the speakers in my 7.1 config are Panasonics that were pulled from a HTIB kit.

I'll probably be bidding on a 254 this evening.

I stumbled across the official thread for the 254 and it looks like people are having lots of issues with the HK refurbs on Ebay. All sorts of popping and drop out issues. Is HK having quality control issues these days?

Thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...043407&page=78
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post #12 of 13
6/2/09 at 5:12pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone know anymore Pioneers or Yamahas that fit?
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post #13 of 13
6/3/09 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 
The refurb 254s on Ebay are going for as much as $260 now. At $200 I would have grabbed one, but $260 for a really buggy receiver doesn't seem like a good move.
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