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Weird question: Decent Sounding (temporary) receiver?

post #1 of 7
10/10/07 at 2:00pm
Thread Starter 
I'm upgrading my HT setup. New Speakers, new TV, the works.

I've debated going to separates and all that; and will at some point get a good receiver or separates set-up. However, I'm waiting to see the new Sherwood Newcastle (march '08). Plus, the high end HDMI stuff all seems to have these little niggling issues which just seem a little to unpolished to me (I understand HDMI is relatively new and imagine this stuff will get worked out over the next year). Who knows, maybe we'll even see more affordable ICEPower...

So... I was planning to wait to replace my trusty Kenwood receiver that I got back in college; but its starting to go (as in crap out).

Any suggestions for good temporary receivers; right now I'm debating the cheap and cheerful Panasonic XR-55, or something used that would be considered higher end. Any ideas? Anything I'm missing? I would like to keep it under $500 and am willing to wait for the "right" used deal to come along.
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post #2 of 7
10/10/07 at 3:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Admiral Ackbar View Post

Any suggestions for good temporary receivers; right now I'm debating the cheap and cheerful Panasonic XR-55, or something used that would be considered higher end.

Do you have a decent A/V dealer in your area? These folks often take trades and may have a decent older unit at a reasonable price. My dealer loaned me a very nice older Marantz while I was waiting for my Denon to be released. It worked so well I was tempted to buy it from him.
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post #3 of 7
10/10/07 at 3:19pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JWKessler View Post

Do you have a decent A/V dealer in your area? These folks often take trades and may have a decent older unit at a reasonable price. My dealer loaned me a very nice older Marantz while I was waiting for my Denon to be released. It worked so well I was tempted to buy it from him.

What kind of loan length are we talking here? I'm probably going to wait at least 6 months before buying something but I don't want to be "offended" by poor sound while I wait.
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post #4 of 7
10/10/07 at 4:46pm
How many channels do you need? If you just need a stereo receiver, you can get a decent one for ~$100 (or even less).

The SA-XR55 @ ~$180 is not a bad choice if you don't need HDMI. Because of its unique power steering capabilities it can also make a good receiver for a second stereo setup in the future, too.
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post #5 of 7
10/10/07 at 8:08pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

How many channels do you need? If you just need a stereo receiver, you can get a decent one for ~$100 (or even less).

The SA-XR55 @ ~$180 is not a bad choice if you don't need HDMI. Because of its unique power steering capabilities it can also make a good receiver for a second stereo setup in the future, too.

I'm really leaning towards that one right now. Is there anything else that competes in sound quality for the price (used or new)?

btw, this is for a 5.1 setup
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post #6 of 7
10/11/07 at 11:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Admiral Ackbar View Post

I'm really leaning towards that one right now. Is there anything else that competes in sound quality for the price (used or new)?

Probably. I often see people opt for the Onkyo and HK that are in this same price-range. The attraction of the Panasonic is that it's a digital receiver, so anything that's input into it via a digital connection remains digital throughout the decoding, processing, and amplification stages. It runs much cooler than a receiver with conventional amps and weighs only 10lbs.

I think in this price range (~$200) the performance will probably be similar (and sufficient for your needs) for just about anything you purchase. Honestly, for your purpose, I'd just buy the cheapest 5.1 (or 7.1) receiver you can find.
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post #7 of 7
10/11/07 at 11:24am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

Probably. I often see people opt for the Onkyo and HK that are in this same price-range. The attraction of the Panasonic is that it's a digital receiver, so anything that's input into it via a digital connection remains digital throughout the decoding, processing, and amplification stages. It runs much cooler than a receiver with conventional amps and weighs only 10lbs.

I think in this price range (~$200) the performance will probably be similar (and sufficient for your needs) for just about anything you purchase. Honestly, for your purpose, I'd just buy the cheapest 5.1 (or 7.1) receiver you can find.

Yeah, I think I will just pull the trigger on the Panny. Then in about a year (after I've upgraded my speakers and stuff), will move to the higher end receiver or separates that will provide a bit better sound quality to the speakers.
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