I'm putting a new system into a 15 x 20 x 8 room, which plays louder because of large openings to other rooms. I've bought the Hsu VTF-15, HB-1 and HC-1 as the start of the system. I had originally ordered, and have received the pioneer 1021 - but have seen a lot of negative reviews here. My current receiver is an outdated but serviceable Onkyo 601 - 8 yrs old. After spending days on the forum, I'm afraid I'm no closer to making a choice. Primary use will be home theater - I do listen to music, a lot, but I'm not an audiophile.
Onkyo 709 - every bell and whistle imaginable, but a lot of quality issues. My own Onkyo has its own issues - stuttering at full surround at high volume. I can't watch Avatar - the unit shuts itself off. Because of this, I think I've already crossed off the list. $800 range
Pioneer Elite - VSX 51, $599 at Amazon. I understand this has a superior video chip to the Marantz, below. I can't really get a read on overall quality, and, sin
Yamaha A810 or 871 - doesn't use Audyssey system, but since I'm not really an audiophile, this doesn't bother me too much. However, there is no EQ control over the sub, so this does bother me. A810 has better warranty, but the 871 is being found on sale at sub$500 range, so it's several hundred less.
Marantz 6006 - $1099. Best sound quality, worst video chip. Small screen to see what you're doing. Highest price. Last year's versions are more affordable, but you can't do your own firmware upgrade - so you have to keep on paying the man!
Denon 3312 $1099. High price. I can't see how it is substantially better than the Marantz - in fact, I think most posters here like the marantz better.
I don't particularly care about AirPlay, since I already have apple tv I'm using this with a Sony Bravia that gets internet music (Pandora, etc..), so I can use an optical connection to go from the TV to the AVR, so an internet equipped AVR is not a must. However, I would like it to be networkable. I can spend $500 or $1000 - but I am having a hard time seeing what the extra $500 gets me. Can someone save me from going blind reading posts and reviews?
Onkyo 709 - every bell and whistle imaginable, but a lot of quality issues. My own Onkyo has its own issues - stuttering at full surround at high volume. I can't watch Avatar - the unit shuts itself off. Because of this, I think I've already crossed off the list. $800 range
Pioneer Elite - VSX 51, $599 at Amazon. I understand this has a superior video chip to the Marantz, below. I can't really get a read on overall quality, and, sin
Yamaha A810 or 871 - doesn't use Audyssey system, but since I'm not really an audiophile, this doesn't bother me too much. However, there is no EQ control over the sub, so this does bother me. A810 has better warranty, but the 871 is being found on sale at sub$500 range, so it's several hundred less.
Marantz 6006 - $1099. Best sound quality, worst video chip. Small screen to see what you're doing. Highest price. Last year's versions are more affordable, but you can't do your own firmware upgrade - so you have to keep on paying the man!
Denon 3312 $1099. High price. I can't see how it is substantially better than the Marantz - in fact, I think most posters here like the marantz better.
I don't particularly care about AirPlay, since I already have apple tv I'm using this with a Sony Bravia that gets internet music (Pandora, etc..), so I can use an optical connection to go from the TV to the AVR, so an internet equipped AVR is not a must. However, I would like it to be networkable. I can spend $500 or $1000 - but I am having a hard time seeing what the extra $500 gets me. Can someone save me from going blind reading posts and reviews?
