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Best Available A/V Receiver for a $250 Budget?

post #1 of 22
4/2/12 at 10:40am
Thread Starter 
I am currently shopping for a $250 A/V receiver and was wondering if you guys could help me with make the best choice. I'm sure this has a lot to do with personal preference, so I understand I'll probably see mixed opinions.

I am planning on buying the Energy Take Classic 5 Pack ($223 @ Amazon) and a 10" JBL Subwoofer ($50) from my brother-in-law.

The A/V receivers that I am currently look at are...

Denon AVR-1612 ($250 @ Amazon)
Onkyo TX-SR313 ($245 @ Amazon)
Pioneer VSX-821-K ($208 @ Amazon)
Pioneer VSX-522-K ($250 @ Amazon)
Yamaha RX-V471 ($240 @ Amazon)
Yamaha RX-V373 ($250 @ Amazon)

So as you can see I have an overall budget of $500-550 for the whole sound system.

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I am finishing the basement in my house this summer and it probably won't be done until July, so if there are things that haven't been released yet and are worth waiting for, let me know.
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post #2 of 22
4/2/12 at 9:06pm
Of those choices I would go with the Denon 1612, Yamaha 471, or Pioneer 821. The other models in your list are this year's base models. You will get more value out of last year's models on closeout. I prefer the Audyssey MultEQ calibration software that comes with the 1612 but that's just me. I think all three models are comparable regarding features and sound quality.
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post #3 of 22
4/2/12 at 9:22pm
Newegg has the 821 for $179 shipped. They had the 521 for $129 but it looks like they're gone.

I agree with Postrokfan on the three options.
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post #4 of 22
4/2/12 at 10:55pm
I have the 471 on my tv and it sounds amazing. My family has used yamaha receivers for quite a while and always liked them
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post #5 of 22
4/2/12 at 11:30pm
I'd probably go for the Denon if I were in your shoes. I'm surprised to see Audyssey MultEQ in a receiver in this price range.
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post #6 of 22
4/3/12 at 12:32am
Wait for another Newegg sale and you can get your Take Classic 5 pack for about $160.
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post #7 of 22
4/3/12 at 1:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by John4721 View Post

I'd probably go for the Denon if I were in your shoes. I'm surprised to see Audyssey MultEQ in a receiver in this price range.

Denon generally begins Audyssey MultEQ in the model just above the lowest level model (ie. 1612). The new 1613 is due to be released next month which is resulting in clearance prices on last year's models. However, more importantly for the OP is that the reseller Wide World Stereo is an "authorized" Denon reseller so the full 2 year warranty would be in effect (as not all Amazon resellers are authorized).
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post #8 of 22
4/3/12 at 5:23am
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys. postrokfan, your point about buying last year's models makes sense to me so I'll look into that and gene c353, that is a great deal that newegg has going right now...I'm strongly considering going with that. Is there any reason I should pay more money for the Denon 1612 or the Yamaha V471 over the Pioneer 821?
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post #9 of 22
4/3/12 at 6:45am
^^
If better audio quality is important to you, then yes as the 1612 is the only model of the group that can EQ a sub using Audyssey MultEQ.
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post #10 of 22
4/3/12 at 3:20pm
I would also choose the Denon 1612 over the Pioneer 821 if you can afford the difference. The 821 reprisents the better deal but the 1612 is the better receiver.
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post #11 of 22
4/3/12 at 6:30pm
Thread Starter 
How does the Denon 1612 and the Pioneer 821 compare to the Yamaha 471?
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post #12 of 22
4/3/12 at 6:43pm
^^
None of the lower level competitors to the 1612 can EQ the sub, ergo the 1612 is your better choice for audio fidelity, the other brands for features.
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post #13 of 22
4/3/12 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks that helps. What is everyone thoughts on Sony? They seem to have to a few models that fit my price range.
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post #14 of 22
4/3/12 at 8:36pm
I am in the market for the same thing and am looking at similar/same receivers.

Regarding EQing the sub, doesn't the 471 do that with the YPAO?

What I need for my set up is the following:

3D capable
DTS Master HD and Dolby TruHD
Preouts for the mains
decent sound as a stereo preamp for CD's as my old Mccormack DNA-1 will drive the mains


Not trying to jack the thread, just sounds like we are looking at similar gear.
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post #15 of 22
4/3/12 at 10:19pm
Ale Sipper-

The base YPAO that comes with the 471 will not EQ the sub.

lasoski311-

I agree with the others. The 1612 is probably your best bet and worth the slightly higher price.
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post #16 of 22
4/3/12 at 11:01pm
OK guys here's my question....

What would you recommend between a used/refurb Yamaha HTR-6090 and the Denon 1612 new? I have used only Yamahas for years and love them, but my current HTR-5990 doesn't pass through 1080p. So I'm looking for a replacement.

In addition, I noticed that the Yamaha HTR-6090 supports only upto HDMI 1.2, while the Denon 1612 supports up to 1.4. How important is having support for anything beyond 1.2? Are there any components that require 1.3 or 1.4 support? I've never had a problem with my current HTR-5990 Yamaha receiver which only supports 1.2, so it's necessary for upgrade to 1.4?


Please let me know.
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post #17 of 22
4/3/12 at 11:14pm
HDMI 1.2 does not decode TrueHD and DTS-MA from blu ray. 1.2 also cannot do HDMI passthru if that matters to you. For some people it is important to be able to watch TV with the receiver off. Wouldn't be a factor for me as I always have my receiver on.

What devices are you planning to connect to your new receiver? What TV do you have?

If you have a 3D blu ray player and TV you'll need 1.4 HDMI support.
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post #18 of 22
4/4/12 at 12:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

HDMI 1.2 does not decode TrueHD and DTS-MA from blu ray. 1.2 also cannot do HDMI passthru if that matters to you. For some people it is important to be able to watch TV with the receiver off. Wouldn't be a factor for me as I always have my receiver on.

What devices are you planning to connect to your new receiver? What TV do you have?

If you have a 3D blu ray player and TV you'll need 1.4 HDMI support.

First of all thank you for your reply it's greatly appreciated.

I have a front projector that I just picked up today. The Benq W6000. I will be connecting only HDMI cables. One from my PC and one from my PS3, and want to pass their signals back to the projector via HDMI only.

With that having been said, I have been eyeballing the Yamaha RX-V471 and the price looks rather attractive for my budget. I love my HTR-5990 but not being able to utilize 1080p is sort of a deal breaker.

So, with that having been said, seeing as the HTR-6090 is the 5990's younger hipper brother, which receiver would you suggest between a refurb HTR-6090 and brand new RX-V471, assuming I can get either for around the $300-$350 range?
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post #19 of 22
4/4/12 at 3:03am
You can get a refurb 667 or a700 from newegg for $319. Also if you have s Fry's Electronics close by the 671 is on sale for $349 thru Thursday. I'd get that over the 471 or 6090.
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post #20 of 22
4/4/12 at 5:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lasoski311 View Post

Thanks guys. postrokfan, your point about buying last year's models makes sense to me so I'll look into that and gene c353, that is a great deal that newegg has going right now...I'm strongly considering going with that. Is there any reason I should pay more money for the Denon 1612 or the Yamaha V471 over the Pioneer 821?

Please shoot me an email.
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post #21 of 22
4/4/12 at 6:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by isamu View Post

OK guys here's my question....

What would you recommend between a used/refurb Yamaha HTR-6090 and the Denon 1612 new? I have used only Yamahas for years and love them, but my current HTR-5990 doesn't pass through 1080p. So I'm looking for a replacement.

In addition, I noticed that the Yamaha HTR-6090 supports only upto HDMI 1.2, while the Denon 1612 supports up to 1.4. How important is having support for anything beyond 1.2? Are there any components that require 1.3 or 1.4 support? I've never had a problem with my current HTR-5990 Yamaha receiver which only supports 1.2, so it's necessary for upgrade to 1.4?


Please let me know.


Considering I used to have a Yamaha HTR-6090, I would go with the Denon. However, you left out one very strong contender here. The Harman Kardon AVR-1600 for around $250. The HK Rates their power with all channels driven, so the power appears to be lower, but in truth it just as strong or stronger. Plus it is a Hi-current amp so it will handle low impedance speakers with ease. HK is also known for their excellent sound quality.

http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-...545970&sr=1-10
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post #22 of 22
4/4/12 at 6:35am
Also check out the Energy PS500 set on Newegg. On sale for $250!
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