Survey: Best 5.1 AV Receiver ?

Well all 7.1 receivers do 5.1 so that gives you a huge list of choices. You wont get a concensus best receiver that's for sure. It would help if you listed what features are important to you.

For starters look at the Yamaha RX-V867
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-284-_-Product

Denon AVR 2112 can be found under $500 if you call Electronics Expo.

Add the pio elite vsx-32 to the list as well

And the marantz sr-5005

Sorry, there is o such thing as best receiver in the market AND under US$500.

At that price point sound quality is pretty low on all. But Denon and Marantz come to mind as good options.

Now for the best you could consider the Krell Evolution 707.

All the best,

Michael

Um... That's quite the statement.

Fail at life

Pretty sure we all understood what the OP meant. Way to be an idiot.

The "best"* $500 receiver(cause he said "on the market"...which doesn't mean new)...

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....tegra-DTR-7.9- ($50 over budget...but I'd take that, if 3D isn't a requirement, over pretty much EVERY new $500 receiver)

*best is subjective.

Which of these is best...
Rocky Road?
Mint Chocolate Chip?
Vanilla Bean?
Triple Fudge Chunk

Yep... I was thinking along similar lines... i.e., what is the best car on the market under $15,000

Chevy
Ford
Mercedes
Toyota
Nissan
Chrysler
etc... etc...

Good choice. Not one thing wrong with that AVR. Good luck and enjoy.

Yep.. thats a good one. Considering the target was "under" $500 and looking for a 5.1... I was actually thinking of the Denon AVR-391 (but it may be too low end). As another member already pointed out, a 7.1 system will deliver 5.1 with no problem. So... if a 7.1 system was acceptable, I'd strongly consider the Denon 1911 for the best sounding receiver in the sub $500 range. If connectivity and and flexibility was important and you were willing to sacrifice just a tiny bit on sound then I'd suggest the Yamaha RX-V667.

I would get the Denon 891 over the 1911, higher end model for $399. The 891 is basically equivalent to the 2311.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-891-.../dp/B003H04QAA

Bet if you mentioned you were in Canada from the beginning you would have gotten different recommendations. We based this on USA pricing.

Best Buy Canada has the Yamaha 6063 for $479
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...568a789ffaen02

Denon 791 for $499
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...55431496baen02

And from Futureshop

Pioneer 921 for $399
http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...a62d080523en02

Pioneer 925 for $399
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...af8e694667en02

Pioneer VSX-1025 for $499
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...2fb52380b7en02

Denon 1712 for $499
http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...7d1fa65af0en02

Well the 1712 is better than the 1612 if your only criteria is under $500.

Sounds like your decision has been made then! Go get it!