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Help pick/suggest a new AVR

618 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  EndersShadow, 
E
So here’s the deal. I have a budget of between 500-700 for a new to me receiver. Doesn’t have to be NIB, but does need a warranty of some sort (so refurbs are ok). I would prefer something around the 500 dollar mark (so I can get some new headphones with the leftover) but I am willing to blow it all on the receiver if its justified.


Here is what I need:


1. More than 4 HDMI 1.4 ports

2. Upscale composite video (Xbox, SNES, Nintendo, etc) and send over HDMI

3. Pre-outs for at least 7 channels. Pre-outs for 7 + heights/wides would be nice but not required

4. Ability to drive one set of small bookshelf 4 ohm speakers if no pre-outs for heights/wides

5. EQ in the form of Audyssey XT or higher OR ARC


Here is my current setup:


TV: Panasonic 60” TC-P60ST30 Plasma

Receiver: Integra DTR 5.9

Amps: Carver TFM-35 (driving front left/right), Carver AV-705x (driving center and surrounds)

Fronts: Polk LSi 15

Center: Polk LSiC

Surrounds : Polk LSi F /x

Sources: Samsung BDP-1600, Xbox 360, Pioneer Laserdisc, Super Nintendo, N64, Uverse DVR


I will be adding more vintage consoles, but building a rolling console center so I can move them close to the person playing them (since old console's are not wireless). The console center will have a switch of some sort and be connected to just one input on the reciever.


I have on my short list the following receivers:

Onkyo TX-NR709

Onkyo TX-NR809

Anthem MRX-300 (assuming I can get a deal on it and while its only got 4 HDMI for ARC I am willing to make an exception)


Let me know if I am overlooking any you think are contenders. Thanks!
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Jay1
I believe the 709 is the cheapest AVR you can get with both preouts and XT, so that's the one I would pick. The best part about going with a lower priced AVR is you wont feel bad in a few years when you want to upgrade again. Add the 3 or 5 year extended warranty from A4less and you'd be covered.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR709/Onkyo-TX-NR709-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html#!warranties
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2

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay1  /t/1415513/help-pick-suggest-a-new-avr#post_22129527


I believe the 709 is the cheapest AVR you can get with both preouts and XT, so that's the one I would pick. The best part about going with a lower priced AVR is you wont feel bad in a few years when you want to upgrade again. Add the 3 or 5 year extended warranty from A4less and you'd be covered.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR709/Onkyo-TX-NR709-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html#!warranties
Click to expand...

Yeah the reason the 809 is on there is specifically because its got a MUCH better amp than the 709 and if I am driving one set of 4 ohm speakers off the Onkyo, I want to make sure its got the power to do so decently. That and lets be honest, it looks better than the 709
.


I wouldnt purchase the warranty from accessories4less. In July (when the purchase will be made) it might still be possible to get the 809 or 709 NIB for around 500. I know the 709 online is NIB for like 550.


Any other AVR's I should be looking at from Accessories4less? I really wish the darned 3009 would come down considerably in price as thats the one I really want as its got XT32, but I dont have the coin and cant afford to keep waiting
.
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Jay1
I dont think the amp section is relevant, pretty much any AVR could drive 4 ohm surrounds by themselves. If you dont feel comfortable with the 709, then your decision is made. The 3312 or 3311 would be another to consider from A4less.
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E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay1  /t/1415513/help-pick-suggest-a-new-avr#post_22130047


I dont think the amp section is relevant, pretty much any AVR could drive 4 ohm surrounds by themselves. If you dont feel comfortable with the 709, then your decision is made. The 3312 or 3311 would be another to consider from A4less.
Click to expand...

Actually just noticed the 709 doesn't have a removable power-cord, which is something I kinda wanted, so the 809 is now top of the list. Both those Denon's are contenders so I will have to look them up for sure.
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K
If you go to $799 you can get a new marantz 6006. You may be able to get it cheaper if you shop around. I think it's step up from the denon and onkyo's you're looking at.
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J
^^

The Denon 3312CI and the Marantz 6006 are basically the same model with almost identical internal components.
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E

Quote:
Originally Posted by KidHorn  /t/1415513/help-pick-suggest-a-new-avr#post_22132308


If you go to $799 you can get a new marantz 6006. You may be able to get it cheaper if you shop around. I think it's step up from the denon and onkyo's you're looking at.
Click to expand...

I cant really step up above budget on this. I will have 700 total to spend and thats it. I am seriously looking at the Onkyo 809 and the 3312CI. I like the Onkyo's weight since it should mean its got a beefier amp section.


I also really dont like the display on the Marantz 6006 since its a PITA to tell volume from far away. I really like the bigger screen with info the Denon's, Onkyo's and even Pioneer's have....


I also might have a Pioneer SC-61 in my price range. Any thoughts on that AVR
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K

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsmoothie  /t/1415513/help-pick-suggest-a-new-avr#post_22132346


^^

The Denon 3312CI and the Marantz 6006 are basically the same model with almost identical internal components.
Click to expand...

I know. The 6006 has more plugs in the back, but basically the same thing. I got an email this morning. The 3312 is on sale on amazon for $550.
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mjpearce023

Quote:
Originally Posted by KidHorn  /t/1415513/help-pick-suggest-a-new-avr#post_22134822


I know. The 6006 has more plugs in the back, but basically the same thing. I got an email this morning. The 3312 is on sale on amazon for $550.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't sleep on this deal. When I got my 3311 around that price last year they were not on Amazon for long.
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E

Quote:
Originally Posted by mjpearce023  /t/1415513/help-pick-suggest-a-new-avr#post_22136519


I wouldn't sleep on this deal. When I got my 3311 around that price last year they were not on Amazon for long.
Click to expand...

Have to sleep on any deals till cash is in hand in the middle of July
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