[manekineko]

Hi everybody,


Back in the day, I picked up a Panasonic XR-25 receiver based on the recommendations of this forum. It used digital amplification that was supposed to revolutionize the way home audio was done, being cheaper, cooler, smaller, with very clear sound. At the time people said it was an unbelievable value, arguably besting receivers several times its price. I was extremely happy with that one, but it's really starting to show its age, without HDMI and all of its optical inputs cracked due to their poor design on the female connectors.


Anyway, are there any recommendations on a great receiver in terms of value these days?


Did the whole digital amplifiers thing ever catch on? From the ones I've seen they still seem as large and bulky as I remember for the most part.

 

[croseiv]

I'm guessing it didn't take over the world? The Pioneer SC-25/27 are using class D amps now though, and several amp makers are using class D amplifiers too.

 

[Danielson99]

There are plenty of receivers that are a great deal in terms of value but that will vary for each person. For example, some people find no value in any video processing in the receiver, many find it the top priority.


In the past couple years it seems that all the manufacturers have packed as many features onto AVR's as they can and scaled back the power a bit to offset the cost.

If you use an Ipod look into the Pioneer models, they come with a free Ipod cable.

If you like Audyssey then look into the Denon AVR-1910/790, it has the best Audyssey suite in that price range.

If you want the most features for your dollar you could try the Yamaha RX-V465 or Onkyo TX-SR507/607, even the Pioneer VSX-919.


The sad part (in some ways) is that they are all pretty much 'cookie cutter' models now. Features and performance won't vary alot between brands and models of similar cost.

 

[manekineko]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Danielson99 /forum/post/18103303


There are plenty of receivers that are a great deal in terms of value but that will vary for each person. For example, some people find no value in any video processing in the receiver, many find it the top priority.


In the past couple years it seems that all the manufacturers have packed as many features onto AVR's as they can and scaled back the power a bit to offset the cost.

If you use an Ipod look into the Pioneer models, they come with a free Ipod cable.

If you like Audyssey then look into the Denon AVR-1910/790, it has the best Audyssey suite in that price range.

If you want the most features for your dollar you could try the Yamaha RX-V465 or Onkyo TX-SR507/607, even the Pioneer VSX-919.


The sad part (in some ways) is that they are all pretty much 'cookie cutter' models now. Features and performance won't vary alot between brands and models of similar cost.

Interesting, so in terms of what you're saying, it sounds like because there are so many values out there now, nothing is a great value anymore.


I could really care less about gimmicks like iPod integration. Haha, I just need to hook my AV components together, and would like to do so in a way that has the best possible audio and video for the cheapest price.

 

[Taperwood]

I'll probably catch some flack for saying this, but I've lost track of how many times I've started reading a receiver thread only to see it degenerate into comments like "it weighs 10 pounds less than last year's model; it must be crap!" Old habits die hard.


I, too, have been happily motoring along with very small and quite affordable, great-sounding, two-channel digital amplification for many years now. The whole secret to great sound is your speakers, anyway. Some day, the receiver market will catch on, but I can't say when that will happen. There are many "digital" receivers around, but most start around $1000 and go up quickly from there. I don't know if it's a technology thing or a marketing thing, but I wish the manufacturers would move the ball forward.


It's funny; video and audio sources are completely digitized now yet amplification "must be analog" to sound right....according to many

 

[JMII]



Quote:
Originally Posted by manekineko /forum/post/18103221


Did the whole digital amplifiers thing ever catch on? From the ones I've seen they still seem as large and bulky as I remember for the most part.

Its sad... I too went with a Panny digital amp due to the size and cooler run advantages. However they no longer make anything today that is comparable.


So for my upgrade to HD audio codes and HDMI switching I went with the Pioneer 1019. Its about twice the size of my old Panny

but it has alot of features for the money and thus is considered to be an good value buy.