Best A/V Receiver for ~$400?

[Capn]

I'm looking to upgrade from this Pioneer vsx-308 and I think I'm going towards the sony-db930 for about $420 shipped. This is practically the same as the db940 except no onscreen controls and the transistors or something might be different (not sure about that). Any models you'd want over the db930? I play mostly stereo music but want something that will be good for H/T too cause I plan on keeping this for a while. As for speakers I have a pair of sony 515's which are a 200watt (yeah right) 3-way towers, got them from best buy for $200. Going to DIY myself some MTM 2-ways for an acoustics class for the rears (or centers if I like them better than the sony's)

 

[andylawcc]

me no expert or even a novice at all but I heard the Sherwood 8900 is pretty darn good, it's about 480 or above.

 

[RossMAN]

Here's your best forum based resource for Home Theatre A/V stuff, the Home Theatre Forum

 

[Grouch]

Though discontinued the DB-930 is a good choice with a quality amp section and a large number of features for the price. The remote takes some getting used to, for most people it is a love/hate thing. For $400 would be difficult to find anything better. Only others in this price range that I would consider is the Sony DB 840/940, Onkyo 575x or Denon 1801, but you would have to find a deal on the last two.

As for DIY Speakers, check out the AR DIY Speaker. For about $300 a pair they will compete with speakers costing several hundred more and beat them. They are designed by Ed Frias of EFE Speakers. A speaker builder in SoCal. Though I have not heard these speakers, I am building them, they are getting great reviews.

Some good Audio/HT sites to look into:
AudioReview Lots of consumer equip reviews. Take with a grain of salt and look out for the junk (bashing) reviews, they are easy to see.

Home Theater Forum Everything and anything under the sun regarding HT and DVD. A few movie studio reps float around and post on the message forums. This forum is very strictly moderated and almost family like, lots of fun. Very good resource and honest help and information. Step over and introduce yourself for a warm welcome. You will find me floating around there often.

My Home Theater Equipment

 

[KrackerJack]

Go for Yamaha or Nachamichi if it's in your price range. Their you best bang for you buck.

kracker

 

[Capn]

Hey grouch how do you like those bass shakers? What do you use em for? I've thought they were interesting and for about $30 a pair they are pretty cheap.

 

[Ornery]

The best bang for the buck I could snag was the Yamaha RX-V800 for as little as $545.00. That's the same unit sold at Best Buy as the Yamaha HTR-5280 for $799.00. $759.00 on sale occasionally. It's got "2 fully assignable component video inputs, 1 component video output" and good low total harmonic distortion levels.

I was supposed to get a dang $25.00 rebate from Yamaha, but they just sent a letter today saying that I hadn't purchased from "an authorized Yamaha Dealer". That means, if you buy the RX series instead of the HTR series, no rebate! They're the same damn unit!! :|

But anyway, give it some thought. I owned my last AV/Receiver for 14 years before upgrading to this one. What's $100.00 difference in price spread over a decade, when you're looking at that kind of quality difference?

 

[RGN]

You could get a Harman/Kardon on Eday for that much.

 

[Capn]

Ornery $100 is more than you'd think. This was going to be my tax return present for myself. Plus I figured it'd be big enough to pick up a dvd player, alas the federal piggybank is only giving me back like $320 (hey I only made $11k last year). So I'm already over spending w/o my dvd player. I think I'll rig my pc dvd player up somehow not sure though, (svideo out from vid card and ac3 output from soundcard should be decent right?) I liked the onkyo575x but I think I might be happier with this one. I'm one of those poor college students so got to budget my purchases.

 

[BOOBY]

sony is good but parts are nightmare. if you dont have a service center by you JVC and DENON are priced in your range.lots of junk also! check around some good deals have no out put to get the best sound you dont want
to under drive you speakers.(or over drive them)

 

[Ornery]

Hey, I'm with you Capn. I'm still trying to figure out a way to get that damn $25.00 rebate out of them!

 

[Grouch]

<< Hey grouch how do you like those bass shakers? What do you use em for? I've thought they were interesting and for about $30 a pair they are pretty cheap. >>



I use them when I am watching DVD's and on some PS Games. I have two mounted to the frame on my long couch and one on my short couch. The Sub out from my primary receiver is split out to the older Kenwood to power them. Since I am only sending them a low signal they activate (or shake) with sounds of 80hz and below, explosions, gun shots, etc. It just gives a little more effect to what you are watching and sometimes makes it feel as if the subwoofer is hitting harder.

They are pretty cool. Though can be annoying sometimes when there is bass heavy music (Any Given Sunday comes to mind) in the backround of what ever is on the screen.

I got mine at Parts Express, but I think all they have know are the powered ones, $50/ea. There is another place that sells the passive ones for $10/ea. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[Grouch]

Be careful with Harmon Kardon. They have one of the best and smoothest amplifier sections you could ask for, better than any of the receivers listed on this thread so far. Unfortunately their quality as plumeted over the past few years and their customer service isn't much better. If you go with an HK make sure you get it from an authorized retailer so you don't have any warranty concerns if it breaks.

Yamaha, also great receivers. Just not a big fan of them. I don't like how they double up models with different numbers (HTR/RVX) and the amber display was always to small and dim to read across a room.

 

[Beowulf]

For 400 the best receiver that come to mind are Sony STR-DB840 and Denon AVR1601 the Onkyo x575 is also a great receiver just a little over 400.Also get your equipment from an dealer thats authorized dealers like Denon dont authorize mail order compaines so if your receiver has any problems after a while you wont be able to use the warranty.Just some stuff to keep in mind.

 

[Mooncalf]

My vote goes for either Denon's AVR-1801 or Yamaha's RX-V596/HTR-5150?

I am not sure if that is the right model number, HTR-5150, that is the new RX-V596 because like Grouch said, it is hard to tell them apart.

 

[skywhr]

I just bought the sony strdb 840, its great paid $397

 

[Thorn]

Here's another vote for Yamaha, they make the best &quot;mid-fi&quot; receivers you can buy. Take a look at the RX-V596 (it's simply a rebadged HTR-5250), it can be had almost anywhere on the `Net for $399 or less. If you want more features, then the RX-V800 is the absolute champ of the <$600 catagory.

Check out these reviews: RX-V800 and the RX-V596. Those review scores are no mistake, these absolutely rock. I've listened to these extensively, and am ordering the V800 at the end of the week. You won't find a cleaner/better sound unless you go with seperates.

 

[Ornery]

Yeah really, the whole system is wrapped around the receiver. It's arguably the most important part next to the TV/Monitor. You can swap lower end front speakers to the rear when you buy better fronts, but that receiver will still be there.

I spent about $200.00 more than I wanted to for that Yamaha, but hell, it's done with now and I'm sure NOT sorry! I'd rather be wishing I'd spent less, than wishing I'd bought better. Hey, you only live once and it's not like that's outrageous, exotic, top end stuff anyway.

 

[Thorn]

Right on Ornery! Going cheap on the receiver is one of the cardinal sins of HT. It's much better to spend a little too much then to spend too little and be looking to upgrade in 12 months.

That V800 is just sweet. All the DSP fields you could possibly want and tons of connectivity... combine that with &quot;Best of class&quot; sound and you have a real winner. Can't wait to get my hands on the one I'm ordering and see what it can do with my B&amp;Ws.

 

[Zedfu]

Capn,
the shewood rd-7106 for 400 is an awesome deal for its performance. check out their website here.