Help - Best AVR for $500 2015

myriadcorp said:

I need to buy a new AVR for my bedroom and I really need some help finding the best New AVR for $500. The AVR will be powering a 5.1 Definitive Technology sat speaker setup. The max I want to spend is $500. I would be willing to buy an older model if the price for performance was worth it. Thanks for any advice.

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Looking the same, except am looking to get Ascend speakers

Honestly for a satellite sp. setup! Id go with a AVR in the 250-400 price range, satellites dont require that much power to sound good. Generally 30-65w is plenty.

Id look at avr's from Denon, Yamaha, and Marantz...

Dont go by the Manufacturers rated rms per ch. Look on the back at how many watts its capable of, minus 80-100 then divide the number left over by how many channels the avr has!

toddman36 said:

Honestly for a satellite sp. setup! Id go with a AVR in the 250-400 price range, satellites dont require that much power to sound good. Generally 30-65w is plenty.

Id look at avr's from Denon, Yamaha, and Marantz...

Dont go by the Manufacturers rated rms per ch. Look on the back at how many watts its capable of, minus 80-100 then divide the number left over by how many channels the avr has!

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I am looking at the Onkyo TX-NR636 for $450-$499 on Amazon. One issue I have with Denon is I cannot tell the models apart. They seem to overlap in price and features with confusing model numbers that does not tell you which one is the lesser machine.

myriadcorp said:

I am looking at the Onkyo TX-NR636 for $450-$499 on Amazon. One issue I have with Denon is I cannot tell the models apart. They seem to overlap in price and features with confusing model numbers that does not tell you which one is the lesser machine.

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The Denon x1100w fits your budget, its comparable to the 636 Onkyo.

I found a Marantz 5009 for $499 and the Denon x1100w for $249 at accessories4less.com I am concerned about buying factory refurbished units. However, the price savings over buying new is large. Any thoughts on buying refurbished?

Im with you and would be leary! But, many have and are satisfied with the savings. Many have recieved dead or non functioning refurbs from A4L.com . But they recieve the refurbs from the manufacturers and dont test them before shipping!

It just depends Id say on you, your budget, and what your comfortable with! Ive always bought new when the avr is on sale, lol... Ive also had great luck this way, and never gotten a lemon. Knock on wood!

A 1100w for 249.00, sounds like a No Brainer to me! Id buy it...

Since your subject line explicitly mentions "2015", you might want to consider that the 2015 models are not yet available from any of the AVR manufacturers. They're expected to start being announced in about 3-6 weeks, right after DTS has made their official announcement about their new DTS:X audio encoding.

myriadcorp said:

I found a Marantz 5009 for $499 and the Denon x1100w for $249 at accessories4less.com I am concerned about buying factory refurbished units. However, the price savings over buying new is large. Any thoughts on buying refurbished?

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I wouldn't hesitate to buy a refurb from these guys. You get a full year factory warranty. I would add the Denon AVR-X2100W for $349 to the list. I think it's worth the extra $50 over the X1100x. I have had the previous year X2000 model for about a year and it's been working great (it's only $299 for a refurb also). I've bought from accessories4less a long time ago and had no problems. They seem to have a pretty good reputation. Good luck.

Jay

Selden Ball said:

Since your subject line explicitly mentions "2015", you might want to consider that the 2015 models are not yet available from any of the AVR manufacturers. They're expected to start being announced in about 3-6 weeks, right after DTS has made their official announcement about their new DTS:X audio encoding.

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Only bad thing is the 15 model avr's wont hit shelves till Aug.-Oct.! But, if your in no hurry, then theres now worry!

I really like that hot deal on the Marantz sr 5009 for $400 off Amazon's price. It has pre amp outputs if I ever wanted to hook up an amp to it. Figuring the discount rate off normal price the Marantz will give me a much better bang for the buck. Thoughts on this over the Denon?

myriadcorp said:

I really like that hot deal on the Marantz sr 5009 for $400 off Amazon's price. It has pre amp outputs if I ever wanted to hook up an amp to it. Figuring the discount rate off normal price the Marantz will give me a much better bang for the buck. Thoughts on this over the Denon?

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There are several good choices in the $300-$500 range. A lot of comes down to personal preferences. Just to add more choices. The Denon AVR-X3000 is $399. Spec wise it seems very similar to the Marantz. It also has preamp outputs but doesn't have built-in wifi. Good luck.

Jay

hi,

You could go for open box(not refurbished) from any reputed seller where they mention that they tested it, they also come with warranty and huge discount. I bought my SR6007 from Amazon for $600 when it was at i believe $1199

Always buy from Authorized sellers/reseller, check manufacturers website before buying.

Onkyo 636 did very well in our blind shootout.
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-re...mparison-g2g-november-8-2014-kansas-city.html

Archaea said:

Onkyo 636 did very well in our blind shootout.
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-re...mparison-g2g-november-8-2014-kansas-city.html

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I live in KC. That would have been cool to test.