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Help me make a choice on 1st AV receiver...

2362 Views 36 Replies 14 Participants Last post by drschwab, Aug 26, 2011

drschwab

Discussion Starter · Aug 14, 2011

Alright. This will be my 1st AV receiver purchase! Up to this point, I've only owned (wasted my cash on,

) HTIB systems. The system will be used as follows: 40% movies, 40% games, 10% music. This is what I have in the media room to connect to the receiver:

Video:

Samsung 61" LED DLP (3D ready, and future plans)

PS3

Xbox360 (composite only)

Audio (7.1):

Polk RTI10's for the fronts

Polk CS20 for the center

(future surrounds and rears: 4 Acoustech HT-8W)

Acoustech pl-200 sub

For this 1st receiver (of 3), I'm definitely looking for the following features:

- 3D pass through

- HDMI standby passthrough/switching

- RJ-45 Internet w/ internet radio & DLNA

- zone 2 powered/pre-outs audio (will power bathroom speakers when moved or possibly external whole house 12 channel amp)

Other features that would be nice, but aren't essential for this receiver:

- pre-outs for 7.1 (will get external amp for media room eventually)

- HD radio (either built-in/ready)

- Android functionality (remote capabilities?)

This receiver will eventually make its way into my master bedroom, and will not need to be as robust as my future media room receiver (currently eyeballing avr-4311ci, sc-37 or sc-57, rx-a3000 for that). The idea is to hold off on those flagship models till the prices drop. Anyway, here is the current list of receivers I'm looking at which I believe meet my needs:

RX-A1000

RX-A810

RX-V867

VSX-1020

VSX-1120

NR-708

NR-609

Please help me whittle/focus my search! Which can I knock off? Did I miss any I should be considering? Which would you prefer, and why?

The Denon's I looked at didn't seem to meet all my needs untill the upper price points, from what I could tell. The plan is to keep this purchase around 500 or less, which may knock the Aventage line of receivers out of the mix; though I understand they might have the best audio components of the bunch (worth the extra 100+?)...Any pros/cons you folks could share with me on my search for a receiver would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

Danny

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1 - 20 of 37 Posts

phantom52

· #2 · Aug 14, 2011

Of that list my choice would be the Yamaha 867. It does all you want for now and is the equal of the A1000 with the exception of the warranty. It can be had easily for what you have budgeted. Forget the 08 model year and go for the 09's from Onkyo. Not worth the gamble IMO. Also realize for a little more than your budget at this time you can get that Pioneer Elite on your list from Costco. Check out the thread below for the price some are getting these upper models for. Good luck.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1353621

drschwab

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 14, 2011

After doing some more research...I've narrowed the above list down to the following 2 receivers:

RX-V867

VSX-1120-K

Here are some of the reasons for removing the others, along with some questions...

VSX-1020 -- no video pass through in standby; less watts and lower video processing when compared to vsx-1120-k and price points between the two

TX-NR708, TX-NR609, TX-NR709 -- Concerned about the overall quality of these receivers. Too many issues seem to be present in reviews and forums.

RX-A1000 and RX-A810 -- lack of video processing, which might help upconvert the Xbox360 signal. Price range.

Should the Aventage receivers still be considered? I mean, is the video processing needed for the Xbox, and are the better audio components worth the extra cash compared to the other two I'm still considering?

Any particular pros/cons when choosing between the RX-V867 and vsx-1120-K?

Danny

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drschwab

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 15, 2011

I'll definitely consider the SC-35. The amps alone would make this hard to beat if I can snag it at the right price. I may be able to snag one on the cheap if I do some savy shopping.

Any reason why you choose the RX-V867 over the VSX-1120-K?

Thanks for the suggestion and advice phantom52.

afrogt

· #5 · Aug 15, 2011

The RX-V867 has dual HDMI outputs if that matters.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115284

The VSX-1120 has a usb input for iPod if that matters.

Yamaha has a 2 year warranty, Pioneer has 1 year warranty.

Newegg has the Aventage A-700 and A-800 on sale now but neither has an ethernet port for internet radio, pandora streaming, etc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115273
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115274

But they both have 3 yr warranties and are in the same price range or less than the Yamaha 867 or Pioneer VSX-1120.

Can you still find a VSX-1120 from an authorized dealer? I thought they were pretty much gone.

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drschwab

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 15, 2011

Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt /forum/post/20821840

Yamaha has a 2 year warranty, Pioneer has 1 year warranty.

Newegg has the Aventage A-700 and A-800 on sale now but neither has an ethernet port for internet radio, pandora streaming, etc.

...........

But they both have 3 yr warranties and are in the same price range or less than the Yamaha 867 or Pioneer VSX-1120.

Can you still find a VSX-1120 from an authorized dealer? I thought they were pretty much gone.

The Aventage line I'm thinking is out on price point for the upper end and the new models, and since last years lower end models are lacking the ethernet functionality they are out too.

I'll have to keep the "authorized dealer" thing in mind if I decide on the VSX-1120. Thanks for that afro gt, that might end up being my deciding factor right there...

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phantom52

· #7 · Aug 15, 2011

Quote:
Originally Posted by drschwab /forum/post/20821827

I'll definitely consider the SC-35. The amps alone would make this hard to beat if I can snag it at the right price. I may be able to snag one on the cheap if I do some savy shopping.

Any reason why you choose the RX-V867 over the VSX-1120-K?

Thanks for the suggestion and advice phantom52.

No real reason except that I'm a fan of Yamaha equipment and not much for non-Elite Pioneers. Test reports for the 1120k are good but I just feel more comfortable suggesting the Yamaha. For what the 867 is selling for at this time it is hard to beat by any make or model. Easily upgradable with amps, analogs inputs should they be needed, and Yamahas long standing reputation for reliability and build quality. Just hard to beat at this time IMO. I realize that the Aventage A2000/3000 is out of your budget at this time but if it were me I would wait until you can get one of those and buy your AVR of choice instead of spending twice to get something now. The A2000 can be bought for under 1K at this time and will go lower in the near future. It will do all you want/need for years to come. JMHO. Good luck and enjoy whichever AVR you choose.

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drschwab

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 15, 2011

Good info. I'm going to keep researching the RX-V867 and, instead of the vsx-1120, look at the vsx-32. It adds the 12V trigger over the 1120, which may be important if it takes longer for those flagship model prices to drop, with respect to a whole house amplifier or external amp for the pre-outs. At this point it may just come down to deals that I can find on either receiver...As they seem fairly evenly matched. I'll post up any significant differences I come accross that might sway my decision either way. Thanks again!

bommai

· #9 · Aug 15, 2011

For sq I would recommend NAD t747 for $599.

drschwab

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 15, 2011

I'm noticing that none of the receivers I narrowed down to offer digital audio output to zone 2, which may be an issue. Is there a work around to this?

Ex. I have my cable box plugged in via HDMI, and wanna watch the news in the morning. The audio won't play in zone 2...Correct? How would I get around that, short of just listening to a radio news channel. Is there a way to get that TV audio to the second zone? Maybe by add an analog connection from the TV audio out to the receiver?

Is there a receiver currently available that meets my requested features above and does digital output to zone 2?

schan1269

· #11 · Aug 15, 2011

Forget what Phantom(and his scare tactics) says about Onkyo.

The NR808/9 and 708/9 are some of the best deals there are. They have the features you are looking for and at prices no one else can touch.

Yamaha and Pioneer/Elite will have blanket crossovers, which in my opinion, are the worst receiver choice you can make for your RTi10.

You want(in my opinion, need) multi-crossovers which Onkyo/Integra, Denon/Marantz, HK and Sony offer. (I'm pretty sure the NAD T747 offers multi-crossovers as well)

drschwab

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 15, 2011

I wouldn't go as far as saying that phantom52 "scared" me from the Onkyo line. I already had some knowledge of issues they had in the past with heat and overall quality issues by reading the forums and some reviews.

Could you comment on the heat issue? Has that been corrected with the 08/09 line? Could you make a suggestion from any of the other manufactures you listed that would meet my criteria? Thank you in advance for all of your input. I'll continue researching the crossover issue you mentioned, and the other manufactures listed. I'll post my findings too.

phantom52

· #13 · Aug 15, 2011

Quote:
Originally Posted by schan1269 /forum/post/20822196

Forget what Phantom(and his scare tactics) says about Onkyo.

The NR808/9 and 708/9 are some of the best deals there are. They have the features you are looking for and at prices no one else can touch.

Yamaha and Pioneer/Elite will have blanket crossovers, which in my opinion, are the worst receiver choice you can make for your RTi10.

You want(in my opinion, need) multi-crossovers which Onkyo/Integra, Denon/Marantz, HK and Sony offer. (I'm pretty sure the NAD T747 offers multi-crossovers as well)

The op has already ruled out the Onkyo models that you continue to tout to everyone here. Evidently he/she reads more than you do. No scare tactics from me, just the truth, too bad you can't accept it. Yes they are great deals if you want to keep sending one of them in for repairs. To the op if you consider one of the great deals for an Onkyo like this other poster always suggest, save enough money to buy another brand along with it. That way you will have a back up when you send that Onkyo in for either repairs or exchange. Yeah good luck with that Onkyo. Some people here can't seem to pimp anything but Onkyo's. Never mind the failure rate is through the roof.

Audiodork

· #14 · Aug 15, 2011

Hello,

The Pioneer Elite SC-35 currently On Sale at Costco is really tough to beat given the savings and Customer Service. There have been very few complaints about them and as the 35 appears to have the identical Amplifier Stage as the SC-37, the Bench Tested power is fantastic into 5/7 Channels.

I do not think the Onkyo's are quite as unreliable as they seem. The much larger Market Share should be factored in. Regardless, the 35 is an excellent deal at $749.

Cheers,

AD

afrogt

· #15 · Aug 15, 2011

Quote:
Originally Posted by drschwab /forum/post/20822183

I'm noticing that none of the receivers I narrowed down to offer digital audio output to zone 2, which may be an issue. Is there a work around to this?

Ex. I have my cable box plugged in via HDMI, and wanna watch the news in the morning. The audio won't play in zone 2...Correct? How would I get around that, short of just listening to a radio news channel. Is there a way to get that TV audio to the second zone? Maybe by add an analog connection from the TV audio out to the receiver?

Is there a receiver currently available that meets my requested features above and does digital output to zone 2?

Your cable box has analog outputs. All you need to do is connect a set of stereo cables from the cable box to the receiver's sat input red/white audio inputs and you'll have audio in Zone2. You probably have a set of cables lying around the house so there is no cost to you and very minimal effort. Leave the HDMI cable in place as that will work in the main zone and the stereo cables will work for zone 2.

schan1269

· #16 · Aug 15, 2011

The X09(and Integra X0.3) do not get hot like the X08 and before used to.

Read the thread on the Integra 30.3/40.3/50.3

So far they are getting rave reviews, especially since they look the part of costing what they do.

I would also recommend the Denon 2112 and 3312(skip the 2312 completely, it is a letdown, the price of the 2312 equals the street price of Onkyo NR809...which considering what you don't get in the Denon, for the price, is just embarrassing.)

If you have a Best Buy close, the Marantz SR6005 has been $450 as an open box.

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drschwab

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 15, 2011

afro gt :: thanks. I figured as much for hooking the second zone up. I wonder why manufactures haven't offered a second zone w/ digital output. I suppose that might be too much to ask for between each year. They gotta keep pushing new upgrades somehow... ;P

schan1269 :: thanks for those additional recommendations. I'm gonna review some of them and update this thread with my conclusions.

Thanks again to all! I appreciate everyones input.

MichaelJHuman

· #18 · Aug 15, 2011

I have had good luck with Yamaha.

DannyW75

· #19 · Aug 15, 2011

Another good choice would be the Harman Kardon AVR 3600. You can get it new for a great price right now. Sure, it has a few less features, but the sound quality is awesome. It does not have networking, but it is an excellent performer. IMO, receivers are being made now with too many unnecessary features, and not nearly enough focus on quality amp sections. I have always been more interested in sound quality, rather than features offering convenience. I dont think you will find a receiver with better sound quality than the HK for under 600 right now.

drschwab

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 18, 2011

Ok. Here is the update of all my research:

Denon 2112 -- Cons: No pre-outs, no 12V trigger, lacking extra binding post/speaker connection for zone 2 (independant of 7.1 for main zone)

Yamaha RX-V867 -- Con: cannot set crossover for each speaker independently.

Pioneer VSX-32 -- Cons: same crossover issue as above, customer service/lack of updates on older models, slow input switching

Alternatively, I've added another option to the list. The Denon AVR-3808ci...It lacks in 3D functionality, but that is not an absolute for this receiver, as its eventual permanent location will be in my master bedroom. Tell me what you think. I know the video processing is not that great, but I'm not sure I'll need that feature.

A few quick questions for everyone...Is the crossover functionality uber important? What if there is no sub in my master bedroom?

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