HT questions

[TnT]

Is there such thing as a decent, budget receiver that has digital inputs and 5.1 surround sound?

Thanks,
Thien

[Dr Mordrid]

How about the Kenwood VR-605 for $199 at Best Buy?

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11163716&m=1&cat=3&scat=4

Five 100 watt surround channels plus both optical and coaxial digital inputs.

Kenwood isn't what it once was, but this looks to be a decent deal.

Dr. Mordrid

[Gurm]

My Onkyo (temporarily replacing the H/K) was $299, and kicks ass for the money.

- Gurm

[Greebe]

How about making your post worth the mention and tell us what Onkyo reciever that is Jason...

[Jon P. Inghram]

What does audio equipment have to do with Hyperthreading?!?

[K6-III]

The Onkyo SR500 is the best bet for $299.

If you want to go cheaper still, your best bet will be a Sherwood RD7106 on ebay for about $180.

If you're willing to stretch to $499, there is the Outlaw 1050....

[TnT]

@Jon HT = Home Theater until Intel messed that up recently

The cheaper Onkyos and Kenwood look pretty good for what I need. How about Pioneer? I like their DVD drives and players

I'm putting together a home theater computer that'll cost 500-600. I just need the receiver to take in the digital from the sound card; I don't want to spend too much on one component, especially since my roommate is getting his dad's old speaker set. I think he also has a record player and his uncle's record collection, so that'll be cool to hook up.

[Gurm]

Yes, I have the SR500 from Onkyo.

Pioneer's sound in this arena is sorely lacking it was tinny and undefined.

Honestly, the only two systems under $500 that I'd even consider are Onkyo and H/K, but since my last H/K overheated repeatedly under normal operating conditions, I've decided to give their cheaper units a pass. So until I can afford a $1000 tuner (at which point I'll likely ALSO be able to afford to move out of this arena into real HT altogether) I'm sticking with this Onkyo.

- Gurm

[Jammrock]

Let me fill in for KvH, who apparently has not seen the thread yet

[KvH info]

What is your budget for the receiver? Surround speakers?

Other brands to look at are the Yamaha and Denon receivers. Yamaha's are a bit more musical than Denon's, but Denon's have all the fun nifty gadgets on them. So whatever floats your boat the best.

Try and stick with the AVR series with Denon, as the lower lines make too many comprimises in sund performance. SPecifically the AVR-1603, 1803 and 2802. One or more of those should fall into your budget.

The Yamaha RX-V line will offer you an excellent balance between sound and performance. If you can dish out for the high-end RX-Z, more power to you! Look at the RX-V 530, 630 and 730.

[/end KvH info]

Of course, depending on budget, nothing will beat a nice components system. Though going seperates gets costly fast, so unless you're willing to dish out a god chunk of change for the audio, don't even bother thinking about it.

Other brands I like are Kenwood, Technics and Onkyo. I can't give you specific models, you just need to decide what works best with your budget.

The best way to find a good receiver is to:

1) Research online to find the models and brands that come highly recommended that are within your price range.

2) Find a local store that carries them (if you can find 1 store that carries multiple brands, the check it out).

3) Have a sales person hook up the speakers that resemble yours the most (i.e. cabinet size, number of drivers, same rough price range, etc).

4) Give each a listening to with the tyoe of music and movies you enjoy the most. Most stores will let you bring in your own CD's. Make sure the CD's get marked at the front door if you go to Best Buy or stores like it, so they don't think you're stealing them on the way out.

The final factor should be your own ears. Since every room and condition sounds different, the sound will change between store and home, hopefully for the better (as it did in my case).

Jammrock

[Gurm]

Jamm,

He asked for a budget receiver that does 5.1 with digital ins. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that "budget" does NOT include "$1000 for a separate amp, tuner, and decoder".

As far as I know, nothing worth listening to from Yamaha comes in under $500 does it (I'm asking here, I don't know but I haven't seen anything that cheap). Kenwood's offerings in the price range we're discussing are weaker than Onkyo and H/K's. And Technics... again you have to get a bit pricey for them to be nice.

(Says Gurm, still sitting on his 10-year-old Technics cabs).

- Gurm

[Jammrock]

I know people who think a budget system is $10k USD. You never know I was just posting seperates as another options. If you looked up all the receiver models I posted, they are all under or around $500.

And there are several under $500 worth listening to.

Jammrock

[Gurm]

Ahh, ok then.

You have to understand, I live in the fifth circle of hell (also known as Northeast Pennsylvania). The closest thing to a good electronics store around here is Circuit City.

- Gurm

[TnT]

Okay thanks guys, I'll check out the local stereo stores now that I know what I'm looking for. We don't have any big electronic stores around here just a few local shops, so hopefully they have a good selection though.

[Wombat]

Usually if you go the manufacturer's site, they'll tell you where your local distributors are. My B&Ws were well worth the hour's drive.

[gt40]

In the 'affordable' range I'd definetly put Yamaha in the 'best bang for the buck' category.
Now, if they could rid of all that added 'gadgetry' that none of us use!