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Low End Beginner Receiver

post #1 of 27
Thread Starter 
I'm going through reviews with some newer receivers and they give out a lot of information with all these extras like air play and such. I just got a Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System and would like to hook it up to a decent lower end receiver. I'll just be running my PS3 from this thing. Would the Pioneer 521 be ideal for this? Is there another type out there around 200 or so thats a great basic receiver?
post #2 of 27
For a few bucks more, I would get the Pio 821. Just a few extra goodies and a few more conveniences. Better speaker connecters. Newegg has had them for $199
post #3 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starwind View Post

I'm going through reviews with some newer receivers and they give out a lot of information with all these extras like air play and such. I just got a Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System and would like to hook it up to a decent lower end receiver. I'll just be running my PS3 from this thing. Would the Pioneer 521 be ideal for this? Is there another type out there around 200 or so thats a great basic receiver?

I would look at lower end 2011 or 2012 denons. The version of audesey denon uses eq's the sub. Most other manufacturers dont have this feature on most entry receivers. Even manufactures that utilize audessey.

Some models to look for include:
AVR-591
AVR-791
AVR-1611
AVR-1612
AVR-1712

Any one of these can often be found in the $200-300 price range.
post #4 of 27
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by karlsaudio View Post

For a few bucks more, I would get the Pio 821. Just a few extra goodies and a few more conveniences. Better speaker connecters. Newegg has had them for $199

200 would be an awesome price for one and yes I'm not too fond of the cheap er speaker connectors on the 521 that was the thing that stopped me from grabbing it from woot.com yesterday. Thank you for the response.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 67jason View Post

I would look at lower end 2011 or 2012 denons. The version of audesey denon uses eq's the sub. Most other manufacturers dont have this feature on most entry receivers. Even manufactures that utilize audessey.

Some models to look for include:
AVR-591
AVR-791
AVR-1611
AVR-1612
AVR-1712

Any one of these can often be found in the $200-300 price range.

I'm assuming the AVR-1312 doesn't have that as audesey didn't come up at all on amazon for that model? Thank you for responding to my post.
post #5 of 27
Go with a receiver in which you can set a 120hz crossover to the subwoofer. Go with a receiver that has room correction software.

Other than that... I think you will be satisfied. You'll have a HTIB killer.
post #6 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starwind View Post

200 would be an awesome price for one and yes I'm not too fond of the cheap er speaker connectors on the 521 that was the thing that stopped me from grabbing it from woot.com yesterday. Thank you for the response.



I'm assuming the AVR-1312 doesn't have that as audesey didn't come up at all on amazon for that model? Thank you for responding to my post.

Correct. Neither the older 391 or the 1312 utilize audessey or any room correction for that matter.
post #7 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starwind View Post

I'm going through reviews with some newer receivers and they give out a lot of information with all these extras like air play and such. I just got a Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System and would like to hook it up to a decent lower end receiver. I'll just be running my PS3 from this thing. Would the Pioneer 521 be ideal for this? Is there another type out there around 200 or so thats a great basic receiver?

I have the same speakers in my living room and needed a receiver a year ago. I did not want to pay much because I already have a big expensive system upstairs in a media room for serious viewing/listening. I looked in craigslist and found a NAD T744 5.1 receiver for $150. I bought it. I knew NAD makes good stuff but I was totally impressed. So, I tested by moving this $150 receiver upstairs and it was a worthy competitor to my hk avr 745. Wow. I moved it back downstairs to drive the Energy take classics and bought a newer NAD t775hD for the upstairs.

I would say that you will be taking a little risk on used gear but you could get a really good deal and be happy for years.
post #8 of 27
If you only running a PS3 through the receiver, then why do you have a receiver? I mean, are youn big into audio, music, HT or what? I don't see why a simple PS3 would warrant an AV Receiver. Unless I missed something along the way....
post #9 of 27
^^^

ummm... to have something to drive his speakers, maybe?

edit: you do realize you are in an a/v forum, right?
post #10 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj View Post

^^^

ummm... to have something to drive his speakers, maybe?

edit: you do realize you are in an a/v forum, right?

Of course, but most people who would be on an AV forum, would be wanting a receiver for multiple applications, high-end sound, etc. I'm guessing his television has an AUDIO OUT, split it, then hit your speakers directly while leaving TV internal audio on, I could see a 2-Channel/comparable simple solution
For him. But the question was directed at him anyways so....
post #11 of 27
His speakers aren't powered, so they need an amplifier. Receivers are easy ways to manage your inputs, process your audio, and amplify the sound to your speakers.

I have the Denon AVR 791. It's a good receiver and does everything I need it to. It has Audyssey room correction, standard "watts/channel", good sound quality, and I was able to get mine for only $230 about 7 months ago.

If I were you, I'd aim for the Pioneer 821, Denon AVR 791, or maybe even look around for a Pioneer 1021. I recently saw the 1021 on sale for $199 somewhere, might've been over the holidays, but a deal may pop up. Any of these receivers would serve you well.
post #12 of 27
There we go.... I figured as much but wanted to hear it from him so no one directed him in the wrong path
Sony receivers in my experience and from what I've seen, hold up well, easy replacement if issues pop up, and you'll get what I think you want... 5+ year old models should get you where you want to go.
post #13 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeighborBen View Post

Of course, but most people who would be on an AV forum, would be wanting a receiver for multiple applications, high-end sound, etc. I'm guessing his television has an AUDIO OUT, split it, then hit your speakers directly while leaving TV internal audio on, I could see a 2-Channel/comparable simple solution
For him. But the question was directed at him anyways so....

no, that's not a comparable solution in any way...

spend some time here and your eyes might be opened to what people want...
post #14 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeighborBen View Post

There we go.... I figured as much but wanted to hear it from him so no one directed him in the wrong path
Sony receivers in my experience and from what I've seen, hold up well, easy replacement if issues pop up, and you'll get what I think you want... 5+ year old models should get you where you want to go.

as you direct him on the wrong path...
post #15 of 27
I did open the back of an old console TV once, found the speaker connections and spliced off 4 extra channels, to create what I considered a "surround sound" in my room. It was awesome. I couldn't figure out why my "sub" wasn't producing much bass though. Ha. Ahh, childhood memories.
post #16 of 27
Given his application, I'd recommend the Sherwood-Newcastle R-772. Lots of power/features for the $$$$$.
http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_r772.html#
Yes, it's a few years old, but has HDMI 1.3, auto room calibration. List $800. Selling at JR Music World for $175.

Jim
post #17 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterofBlasting View Post

I did open the back of an old console TV once, found the speaker connections and spliced off 4 extra channels, to create what I considered a "surround sound" in my room. It was awesome. I couldn't figure out why my "sub" wasn't producing much bass though. Ha. Ahh, childhood memories.

I wish there was a "like" button when I read comments like this.
post #18 of 27
Thread Starter 
I want the full use of the speakers and just because I only have the PS3 now that i'm going to be using doesn't mean I won't be using new things that come out down the road it being the Wii U or the Xbox 720 etc... I'll have to wait until a nice deal comes up I suppose I would prefer not to get used gear due to my experience of only setting up one system in my life and just in case there is an issue I would like the warranty. Thank you all for the information really hope i can contribute to this board down the road.
post #19 of 27
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjaymz View Post

Given his application, I'd recommend the Sherwood-Newcastle R-772. Lots of power/features for the $$$$$.
http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_r772.html#
Yes, it's a few years old, but has HDMI 1.3, auto room calibration. List $800. Selling at JR Music World for $175.

Jim

Will this work well with those Energy speakers I got??
post #20 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starwind View Post

Will this work well with those Energy speakers I got??

I don't see why not. 100 W/ch. I have a Sherwood R-771 for my bedroom system (now discontinued), driving a AR HC6 speaker system (5 spkrs + Subwoofer) and the receiver has no problem driving to LOUD levels.
The R-772 is a similar receiver with two zones and HDMI. I think Sherwood Newcastle is one of the makers out there.

In fact, I'm gonna order a R-772 today because my wife bought a new media console and now the Marantz SR 5200 AVR she had on that system won't fit in the shelves. I need something less than 6" tall and the Sherwood Newcastle fits the bill perfectly.

Also available on Amazon (subbed from J&R World). No tx/free shipping.

Note: Sherwood Newcastle is NOT the same as Sherwood. The Sherwood stuff is pretty much crap IMHO.

Go for it.

Jim
post #21 of 27
With the receiver on a shelf 6" high I sure hope you have room for ventilation.

The poor thing will overheat if you cant let the hot air escape.
post #22 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

With the receiver on a shelf 6" high I sure hope you have room for ventilation.

The poor thing will overheat if you cant let the hot air escape.

I think it will be OK. S-N R-772 doesn't run hot and it's only the opening on the console that's 6". once past the opening, the headroom is 7".

Jim
post #23 of 27
The Pioneer 821 is on sale for $189 on Newegg. Have to sign up for their email list, and use code EMCYTZT1162 at checkout.
post #24 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeighborBen View Post

If you only running a PS3 through the receiver, then why do you have a receiver? I mean, are youn big into audio, music, HT or what? I don't see why a simple PS3 would warrant an AV Receiver. Unless I missed something along the way....

Quote:
Originally Posted by NeighborBen View Post

Of course, but most people who would be on an AV forum, would be wanting a receiver for multiple applications, high-end sound, etc. I'm guessing his television has an AUDIO OUT, split it, then hit your speakers directly while leaving TV internal audio on, I could see a 2-Channel/comparable simple solution
For him. But the question was directed at him anyways so....

Quote:
Originally Posted by NeighborBen View Post

There we go.... I figured as much but wanted to hear it from him so no one directed him in the wrong path
Sony receivers in my experience and from what I've seen, hold up well, easy replacement if issues pop up, and you'll get what I think you want... 5+ year old models should get you where you want to go.

Recommend lots more reading and learning, and way less posting except to ask questions in pursuit of learning.
post #25 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeighborBen View Post

Of course, but most people who would be on an AV forum, would be wanting a receiver for multiple applications, high-end sound, etc. I'm guessing his television has an AUDIO OUT, split it, then hit your speakers directly while leaving TV internal audio on, I could see a 2-Channel/comparable simple solution
For him. But the question was directed at him anyways so....

Gonna have to disagree here I wanted a receiver so that I could watch movies and get a nice surround sound experience.......beyond that, everything else is a BONUS like for example being able to hook up my

xbox 360
ps3
wii
cable box,
etc.....
post #26 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by chashint View Post

Recommend lots more reading and learning, and way less posting except to ask questions in pursuit of learning.

a wise recommendation...
post #27 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterofBlasting View Post

His speakers aren't powered, so they need an amplifier. Receivers are easy ways to manage your inputs, process your audio, and amplify the sound to your speakers.

I have the Denon AVR 791. It's a good receiver and does everything I need it to. It has Audyssey room correction, standard "watts/channel", good sound quality, and I was able to get mine for only $230 about 7 months ago.

If I were you, I'd aim for the Pioneer 821, Denon AVR 791, or maybe even look around for a Pioneer 1021. I recently saw the 1021 on sale for $199 somewhere, might've been over the holidays, but a deal may pop up. Any of these receivers would serve you well.

I have seen the 1021 for $299 at Newegg now and then, but never at $199. I have seen the 921 at that price a few times. And the 821 is that price at Costco every day.

I just can't imagine an authorized dealer selling the 1021 for $199, that would be insane and I think a lot of people would remember that.
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