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Frustrated Shopper Looking for Opinions

post #1 of 14
5/7/12 at 8:58pm
Thread Starter 
I am shopping at Best Buy (where I have a credit card and is my only option right now for purchase) for a new AVR.
I tried the Yamaha RX-V373BL, and it left me craving more sound.

Exchanged it today for a Pioneer VSX-1022-K, and any time I enter the menus to adjust speaker settings, etc., it disconnects from the HDMI audio of my PC which is connected to it, meaning I have to walk over and unplug and replug the HDMI. Unacceptable.

I'm looking for something that sounds great, is easy to use and stable in the range of ~550 dollars or less. Any suggestions from Best Buy?

My center speaker is a BIC DV52CLR, my towers are Pioneer SP-FS51-LR, and my sub is the Pioneer SW-8.

There's a Denon AVR1712, Yamaha RX-V571BL, Onkyo TX-NR414, Yamaha RX-V671BL, Denon AVR1912...

I appreciate the input. I've got about 3 weeks left to decide before the 30 day period is up.
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post #2 of 14
5/7/12 at 9:17pm
If networking is not important to you I would go with the Denon 1712 since it has Audyssey MultEQ XT which is superior to the MultEQ you would get with the 1912.

From the troubles you've described with the Pioneer it sounds like a hand-shake issue. Did you have the same issue with the Yamaha or was it just the sound quality you didn't like with that AVR?
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post #3 of 14
5/7/12 at 9:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by postrokfan View Post

If networking is not important to you I would go with the Denon 1712 since it has Audyssey MultEQ XT which is superior to the MultEQ you would get with the 1912.

From the troubles you've described with the Pioneer it sounds like a hand-shake issue. Did you have the same issue with the Yamaha or was it just the sound quality you didn't like with that AVR?

No HDMI issues with Yamaha...it just sounded a bit thin like you would expect from an AVR that only cost 229.

Is the Audyssey feature worth choosing a Denon for?
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post #4 of 14
5/7/12 at 9:52pm
The short answer is yes. MultEQ or MultEQ XT will EQ the sub whereas YPAO with the low to mid-range Yamahas will not.
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post #5 of 14
5/7/12 at 10:45pm
you should be able to get the Denon 2112 for $550 or less. Talk to a salesperson since this is an outgoing model.

Yamaha RX-V671 should be pretty good too.
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post #6 of 14
5/8/12 at 5:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

you should be able to get the Denon 2112 for $550 or less. Talk to a salesperson since this is an outgoing model.

Yamaha RX-V671 should be pretty good too.

I'm not seeing that they carry the 2112. Would the 1912 do well for me instead?
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post #7 of 14
5/8/12 at 6:59am
Audyssey MultiEQ is the litmus test. That will far outweigh the other likely differences between this price class of AVR's as far as sound quality.
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post #8 of 14
5/8/12 at 8:22am
While the amplifiers in most receivers you can buy for under $1000 are not particularly good-sounding, the differences are slight. Audessy can help with room effects, but it is no panacea. It can't make a pig fly.

The Denon 1912 is one of the better ones in your price range, but IMO your fundamental problem is mediocre mismatched speakers and a totally inadequate subwoofer. Your current "subwoofer" doesn't even meet the basic qualifications to BE a subwoofer; it is ridiculously small and underpowered.

The fundamental thing you need to do is get rid of your current center speaker and get one that matches the front speakers (SP-C21), and then get a decent subwoofer, for example the Rythmic FV12.

There are very few decent subwoofers that have smaller than a 12-inch driver, and in general they need at least 300 watts RMS of amplifier power.







Quote:
Originally Posted by keanon View Post

I am shopping at Best Buy (where I have a credit card and is my only option right now for purchase) for a new AVR.
I tried the Yamaha RX-V373BL, and it left me craving more sound.

Exchanged it today for a Pioneer VSX-1022-K, and any time I enter the menus to adjust speaker settings, etc., it disconnects from the HDMI audio of my PC which is connected to it, meaning I have to walk over and unplug and replug the HDMI. Unacceptable.

I'm looking for something that sounds great, is easy to use and stable in the range of ~550 dollars or less. Any suggestions from Best Buy?

My center speaker is a BIC DV52CLR, my towers are Pioneer SP-FS51-LR, and my sub is the Pioneer SW-8.

There's a Denon AVR1712, Yamaha RX-V571BL, Onkyo TX-NR414, Yamaha RX-V671BL, Denon AVR1912...

I appreciate the input. I've got about 3 weeks left to decide before the 30 day period is up.
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post #9 of 14
5/8/12 at 9:52am
IMO you need to take the proclaimed panacea that is Audessey with a large dose of salt. It can often make things worse without you realizing it.

Basically it can take neutral sounding speakers and color them and sometimes that color is ugly.
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post #10 of 14
5/9/12 at 7:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman View Post

While the amplifiers in most receivers you can buy for under $1000 are not particularly good-sounding, the differences are slight. Audessy can help with room effects, but it is no panacea. It can't make a pig fly.

The Denon 1912 is one of the better ones in your price range, but IMO your fundamental problem is mediocre mismatched speakers and a totally inadequate subwoofer. Your current "subwoofer" doesn't even meet the basic qualifications to BE a subwoofer; it is ridiculously small and underpowered.

The fundamental thing you need to do is get rid of your current center speaker and get one that matches the front speakers (SP-C21), and then get a decent subwoofer, for example the Rythmic FV12.

There are very few decent subwoofers that have smaller than a 12-inch driver, and in general they need at least 300 watts RMS of amplifier power.

I wanted the spc21 but it won't fit under my television. The thing is enormous and blocks my screen with its height.

I guess I'll live with what I have and upgrade as money allows going forward.

Went for the avr1712.
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post #11 of 14
5/9/12 at 9:41am
I think you will be happy with the 1712, it's a good receiver for the money.

As previously pointed out, the 2 glaring weaknesses of your system are the center channel and subwoofer. If you could find a way to get fit in the C21 center to match your L-R and add a decent budget subwoofer (there's a thread or two on that) you might be very surprised in the improvement in your sound. Also, be sure to thoroughly read the Audyssey thread to understand how to utilize that feature.

Good luck!
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post #12 of 14
5/9/12 at 9:56am
Thread Starter 
I should clarify...I live in a 2-story flat with neighbors upstairs, and my room isn't all that large. My house is all wood floors. Should I still be looking to upgrade the sub?
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post #13 of 14
5/9/12 at 12:50pm
As far as handshake issues go, I've had the best luck with Yamaha and Denon. That also holds true for reliability. I would give a Denon like the 1712 or even the newer 1713 a try. That said, your speakers are mismatched and that subwoofer is pretty underwhelming so a new receiver will not solve much.
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post #14 of 14
5/9/12 at 12:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rnatalli View Post

As far as handshake issues go, I've had the best luck with Yamaha and Denon. That also holds true for reliability. I would give a Denon like the 1712 or even the newer 1713 a try.

The Denon resolved the issue. I also rolled back my ATI video/audio drivers to be careful.
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