I just ordered some Sony floor standing speakers off Amazon (ssf6000) and need to buy an AV receiver to run the tv/zune/whatever through it. I was at best buy (gift card, need to get rid of it) and the guy was a big koolaid drinker on sony, but eventually convinced me that the Sony (strdh500) was the much better choice than the pioneer (vsx-518k). I was originally leaning pioneer just because Ive had good success with their car audio and the reviews seemed a hair better. But this guy seemed to (gah that sounds bad) really know details on the audio systems and was pretty passionate about it. Said he would recommend the pioneer had i got boston acoustic, polk, or some other speakers. But for certain speakers that certain receivers were better. So. Was I totally BS'd or is there some merit in what he said?

8/17/2009 8:26:48 PM

Quote :

"I was at best buy"

I think I see your problem.

8/17/2009 8:39:00 PM

well, like i mentioned i have a gift card

8/17/2009 8:41:07 PM

Both of those receivers seem to be on the extreme low end of the mid-range line of stuff. Unless you just REALLY have no other use for that gift card, you'd be way better off buying a decent mid-range receiver online and using the card for DVDs or something.

Also if that guy used HDMI as a reason he preferred the Sony, I'd like his contact info so I can punch him in the balls. HDMI passthrough is the biggest joke on the planet.

8/17/2009 8:43:58 PM

I'll follow random internet advice before I listen to anything anyone says at Best Buy.

8/17/2009 8:44:02 PM

You should.

8/17/2009 8:44:49 PM

That sony (which I still wouldn't buy) is $45 cheaper with free shipping from amazon than it is at best buy. If the gift card is your only excuse for shopping at BB, you'd be better off selling it on Craigslist for a $20 loss and buying online.

Plus the added bonus is you're no longer limited to the shitty, overpriced stuff at BB.

8/17/2009 8:49:47 PM

I bought a Mojave 3 CD at Best Buy a couple of years ago. The cashier called for a price check over the phone. After about 5 minutes, the guy came to the front asking to see the CD because he couldn't find it on the shelf.

"Oh, it's Mo-j-ave 3 not Mo-ha-ve 3"

Not as good as the time the guy at Dick's explained to me the importance of arc support.

Completed unrelated story.

[Edited on August 17, 2009 at 8:56 PM. Reason : ]

8/17/2009 8:49:55 PM

So, uh, beyond the bestbuy/these receivers/myself is a pile of shit. Which would you guys prefer of the two? Or does it not really matter (Im starting to think more and more).

Im just looking for something to play my zune out of really. Without using some low powered overpriced dock

8/17/2009 9:27:28 PM

Does it sound OK to you when you hook it up?

You don't seem overly interested in audiophile/top-o-the-line or anything like that. If it has the features you need and you like what you hear when you hook it up, keep it. If not, take it back and get the Pioneer or start searching again.

[Edited on August 17, 2009 at 9:38 PM. Reason : I still might be inclined to take El Nacho's advice and order the same unit from Amazon.]

8/17/2009 9:35:22 PM

I think the thing is, with this stuff, you really do either care or you don't. If you don't, that's fine, most anything will do if all you're trying to do is listen to your mp3s on something other than shitty computer speakers.

I just really think that ~$225 is a bit much to be spending for something that's admittedly fairly bottom of the line.

To give you an example, I just bought a receiver for my 2nd room 2 days ago that pretty much so kicks that Sony's ass up the street and back. 6 HDMI ports with full switching, support for just about every audio format out there. It's only been on the market since May, so it's not (too) old (yet). It does everything I need it to do, and then some. And I had it shipped for right at $350.

I guess the point I'm getting at is that at your price point, you seem to be right on the cusp of getting something that's fairly decent that you'll be able to use for many years. But if that's not something you're interested in, then $225 seems like a lot of money for something that's as basic as that. You should be able to find something that "just gets sound to the speakers" for $50-$75.

/2 cents.

8/17/2009 10:58:29 PM

^ appreciated

8/17/2009 11:51:54 PM