i know there are other topics, but I'm looking specifically for the following criteria. I have a $225 voucher to spend from a contest at work, so I can't go over the $225 tax and everything. I've got the built in wall and ceiling speakers (I don't know what kind they are, and if this makes a difference, but they are whatever the builder put in). I don't have a sub yet. I know you can spend a lot more on a receiver, but I'm just looking for decent. I just want to use the surround sound system I had put in the house. Only other components I use on this tv are dvd player, and cable box.

11/22/2011 8:19:24 PM

Andre Johnson?

11/22/2011 9:06:41 PM

Since you know there are other topics, use them.

/lock/thread/delete

11/23/2011 12:54:34 AM

thinking I'll probably just get this: http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/63080/newegg-pioneer-vsx521k-5.1channel-3d-ready-av-receiver

11/23/2011 6:54:58 AM

^I ended up getting that, and this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290034

That's pretty much all I need. All the other speakers are built in. I'm a little worried about the receiver, as the reviews were mixed, but I think it will do alright. The sub got great reviews on all the sites.

11/26/2011 9:10:42 AM

I'm looking for a new receiver, preferably one that is 7.1, has an ethernet port, has at least 5 HDMI out, and offers about 90W+ x 7.


I have this receiver now - http://usa.yamaha.com/product_archive/audio-visual/rx-v657_black__u/?mode=model

I've been pretty happy with it but I want something a little bit better with a few more features than I've currently got. Suggestions?



[Edited on January 18, 2012 at 12:17 PM. Reason : trying to stay under $500]]

1/18/2012 12:07:45 PM

Pioneer VSX-1020-K

...about $550 on Amazon.

1/18/2012 1:07:34 PM

did you mean the 1021?

Why do you recommend that as opposed to Denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo?



[Edited on January 18, 2012 at 1:46 PM. Reason : .]

1/18/2012 1:39:09 PM

I meant the 1020.

I recommend it because I have one and it seems to generally meet your requirements.

I have a Pioneer because the video conversion/upscaling on my Onkyo broke after about a year or so.

From a quick glance, it seems the 1021 or 1121 may do what you want for less.

1/18/2012 2:32:41 PM

I'm comparing that model to the Yamaha RX-V671.

1/18/2012 4:35:48 PM

why 5x hdmi OUT?

1/18/2012 4:50:01 PM

Man, don't you know that 4 TVs just ain't good enough for some folks.

1/18/2012 4:56:29 PM

in the same room!

1/18/2012 5:20:04 PM

I meant to put inputs, not out. Woops


Xbox
PS3
PC
DirecTV
Tablet

[Edited on January 18, 2012 at 5:41 PM. Reason : .]

1/18/2012 5:40:21 PM

haha, how fitting to see this thread right above the Fantasy Football one

[Edited on January 18, 2012 at 5:55 PM. Reason : ]

1/18/2012 5:49:56 PM

bump

1/20/2012 3:01:37 PM

TO

I'm krallum and I approved this message

1/20/2012 4:08:58 PM

bump

1/25/2012 12:04:31 PM

I think I've narrowed it down to two - the Pioneer VSX-1121 and Yamaha RX-V671. The 1121 is down to $450 on newegg which is $50 less than the Yamaha but the promo ends today. I need help deciding. Thoughts?

[Edited on January 25, 2012 at 1:50 PM. Reason : .]

1/25/2012 1:49:57 PM

I have had an Onkyo 608 for about 3 years and have only positive things to say. The new version is the 609 and does everything you want it to do for less than $400 shipped.

HDMI OUT 5+1 (I use the +1 on the front more often than I thought I would)
7.2 Surround
ethernet port
100Wx7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120177

edit:
figures as soon as i reply you post up two nice recievers. If you ever want 3D the Onkyo is out. I would get the Pioneer because its cheaper, has an extra HDMI input and is heavier (usually means it has a better amp).
FYI: link through ebates.com to get another 2.6-4% off your total.


[Edited on January 25, 2012 at 2:27 PM. Reason : ebates]

1/25/2012 2:02:00 PM

That seems very comparable. Here is a comparison of some that I am looking at, including the one you just suggested.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008233%2050001415&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=488%7C82-117-401%5E82-117-401-TS%2C82-120-177%5E82-120-177-11%23%2C82-115-344%5E82-115-344-TS%2C82-115-274%5E82-115-274-TS

1/25/2012 2:33:31 PM

^^
I second Onkyo. I have the TX-NR708 and absolutely love it! My only wish is that Onkyo would update the software to allow Spotify access, that's the biggest difference from the 709 IMHO.

The 709 is 3D compatible as well, but I couldn't care less about 3D.

I love accessing Sirius and Pandora w/o extra hardware!

1/25/2012 4:34:30 PM

That is a tough choice. They will all do more than you want/need so what are your exact criteria? Do you want the option the bi-amp your front speakers. Does it fit in your furniture and has proper cooling?

Im leaning toward the Pioneer VSX-1121-K after these differences worth noting.
VSX-1121-K = 0.5" taller, 3" longer & 6lb heavier
VSX-1121-K = 7 HDMI IN vs 6
RX-A800 = 2 HDMI OUT
RX-A800, TX-NR609 = 2 sub channels
TX-NR609 = NOT 3D ready
TX-NR609 = NO Bluetooth
TX-NR609 = NOT BI-AMPable (<-- is that a word)
RX-A800 = NO Ethernet Port
RX-A800 = Burr Brown DACs
RX-A710BL = Cost $100 extra

1/25/2012 5:01:52 PM

Here is what I would like to have:

-at least 5 HDMI in
-pre-amp out
-usb
-ipod port
-7.1
-network capable
-app streaming capabale (pandora is ok but I use Rhapsody and would prefer something that could use that so I don't always have to hook my tablet up)
-HDMI upscaling
-3D (i don't really care about it but it would be nice to have the option when I get my new tv)
-bluetooth capable (not a huge requirement but it would be nice)


The rest of the features on these receivers are things I am not familiar with. I've been out of the home theater game for a while and am definitely not up to speed on some of the terms. That's what I need help with.

1/25/2012 5:31:44 PM

ALL -at least 5 HDMI in

ALL -pre-amp out (I assume for sub only right?)

ALL but RX-A800 -usb

ALL -ipod port

ALL -7.1

ALL but RX-A800 -network capable

-app streaming capabale (pandora is ok but I use Rhapsody and would prefer something that could use that so I don't always have to hook my tablet up)
I found this googling for rhapsody receivers and tend to agree http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20061992-1/six-reasons-receivers-shouldnt-be-media-streamers/

Quote :

"For owners of iOS devices (iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone): 1. Consider an AirPlay-equipped AV receiver. It's a feature we love and it's nice that you don't even have to turn on your TV to control your streamed music. Our top-rated AirPlay receivers (so far) are the Denon AVR-1912 and the Pioneer VSX-1021-K, both of which can be had for between $530 and $550."

ALL -HDMI upscaling

ALL but TX-NR609 -3D (i don't really care about it but it would be nice to have the option when I get my new tv)

ALL but TX-NR609 -bluetooth capable (not a huge requirement but it would be nice)


So of the 4 recievers:
The RX-A800 does not have features you need (ethernet & usb)
The TX-NR609 does not have features you might want (3D & bluetooth)
The RX-A710BL is out of the $500 price range and does not offer much for that extra $100-$150
Leaving the VSX-1121-K as the winner.

Now I want one

1/25/2012 5:59:15 PM

LOL $450 for that is hard to beat. That's why I've been drooling over it for the past week. I've just always owned Yamaha stuff.

1/25/2012 6:07:22 PM

I auditioned Pioneer Elite, Marantz, Denon, and Yamaha Aventage at a Best Buy/Magnolia. By far, Yamaha's Aventage line was my favorite. I didn't even pay any attention to features, and I don't know how much power you need, but I preferred the high-end Yamaha's sound by a wide margin over any of the rest.

It sounded so good that i dropped any thoughts I had of going with all separates to drive the stereo I'm piecing together--I will probably get a standalone amplifier (as no receiver at any attainable price point will have enough wattage on its own)--but I decided that I didn't even want separates, aside from the cost and complexity. I wanted the Aventage sound.

1/25/2012 6:42:08 PM

Quote :

"I auditioned Pioneer Elite, Marantz, Denon, and Yamaha Aventage at a Best Buy/Magnolia."

I have done the same a few years back and I remember liking one of the receivers (Pioneer or Yamaha) better than the Onkyo I bought. I was just not willing to pay double to do so.

Quote :

"I preferred the high-end Yamaha's sound by a wide margin over any of the rest."

Since you are considering separates you must have a nice system going together where you should be able to hear the difference. I dare to say that most people who buy the cheaper brand speakers will not notice the difference in receiver sound quality once you get home out of the "sweet spot" that the magnolia has for demoing. Me included.

When I bought my house I did my homework and lurked on the AVSforums for what felt like months. Most threads on AVS that start with "help me build my system", had the recommendation of a $500 reciever with a $1500-$2000 speaker budget as the #1 thing. Being a n00b thats where I started. From there I demoed everything from Paradigm to Kilpsch. I was set on the performance/$ of the definitive line that best buy had on sale at the time . While I was waiting on me saving enough money, I happened across an entire polk monitor system on craigslist for $100 (looked new 1xCS2, 4x M40). I knew they wouldnt be the same but for the money figured I could get a bedroom set. I hooked them up in the living room and going from TV speakers to surround they were awesome. After that, I didnt see the point in getting $2000 in speakers to replace the polks.

1/26/2012 7:50:27 AM

I ordered the Pioneer yesterday from Newegg.

I have heard the Yamaha RX-V671 and the Aventage A710 and they both sound great. I have not heard the Pioneer yet. There's a 30 day return policy so if it sucks, I'll send it back. Thanks for the help guys.

1/26/2012 9:29:16 AM

I too am lookin at the VSX-1121.....unless I see the 1021 for cheap soon.

The only reason holding me back from the 1021 is poor video scaling or something compared to 1121.

1/26/2012 10:24:47 AM

Quote :

"Since you are considering separates you must have a nice system going together where you should be able to hear the difference. I dare to say that most people who buy the cheaper brand speakers will not notice the difference in receiver sound quality once you get home out of the "sweet spot" that the magnolia has for demoing."

Oh yeah, agreed 100% on all counts except that I think that most people would be able to hear the difference between the Yamaha and the others I mentioned at home on any halfway decent set of speakers...but I agree that most people would not appreciate the difference enough to justify the cost of it.

Mostly, I was just piggybacking on the comment above mine, just saying "Yeah man, I like Yamaha, too." That said, I don't know how good of speakers he's planning on using and what their power requirements will be. It might be that one of the lower-powered receivers in the Yamaha Aventage lineup would have enough power, sound better, and only cost a little bit more than he was planning on spending. If he needs a whole bunch of power, though, it might become cost prohibitive.


_________________________________

As far as what I'm putting together, I have a pair of MartinLogan Vistas on the way for my fronts, and a pair of Klipsch S-20 rear surrounds. I am pretty much settled on an Aventage receiver--I'll probably go with one of the smaller/medium models like the RX-A810, because I plan on amping the MartinLogans separately, and those Klipsch surrounds--while fairly beefy for surrounds--are only rated at 100W. Not sure about center or sub(s), yet. I'd like a MartinLogan Motif for the center, but they are fucking pricy...I'll probably just hold off on the center until I find a screaming deal on a used Motif, or the speaker gets discontinued so I can buy it for half-price like I did those Vistas.

This will be 95% geared toward stereo music listening, anyway, so I'm not in a huge hurry about the 5.1 setup (I just happened to have those Klipsch surrounds already...got them on a store closeout for $100/pair and figured that at that price, I'd buy them and figure out what to do with them later, haha).

I don't know if I want to go single sub, or if I want a .2 setup. If I do two subs, I wonder if it would be better to go with identical subs, or have something like a small 8" sub, and then a big 15" sub to fill out the really low freqs?

[Edited on January 26, 2012 at 3:52 PM. Reason : ]

1/26/2012 3:36:57 PM

only slightly relevant but Amazon has the Pioneer VSX-1121 for $450 right now

1/29/2012 8:07:42 PM

got it last night and played around with some of the settings for about 30 minutes

overall the sound was pretty damn good

I am pleased with it so far

1/31/2012 4:22:13 PM