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Looking for a receiver. Any advice or recommendations?

post #1 of 15
5/18/08 at 7:45pm
Thread Starter 
Hello, I'm not sure if this is the right sub-forum for this thread, so if it is wrong, can one of the mods move it to the correct place? Anyways, my brother just purchased a pair of the Polk Audio R50s that frys.com has on sale for 59 bucks each, so he's looking for a receiver for them. I tried looking around for any deals, but I'm not coming up with much, so if anyone knows of any good deals going on right now on a receiver you'd recommend, your help would be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure what his budget is really, but I wouldn't say anything crazily expensive. Probably around $200 max. So if there's anything in that range you would recommend, let me know. Thanks a bunch in advance for any help.
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post #2 of 15
5/18/08 at 7:52pm
NAD Monitor Series Stereo Receiver 7000 - eBay (item 260240643446 end time May-21-08 19:30:14 PDT)

The 7X00 receivers are amazing. You won't be sorry. Otherwise, this:

MARANTZ SR4021 Stereo Receiver with A/V switching capabilities 80W X 2 | Accessories4less
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post #3 of 15
5/18/08 at 11:17pm
Thread Starter 
Alright, thanks for those. He may want the NAD since it's pretty cheap, unless the bids start coming in. Otherwise, I think he's looking for something with more outputs, as far as being surround sound capable in case he gets more speakers in the future and such, you know? How do you think this Sony would be? It's reasonably priced, and has a decent amount of inputs and outputs. Thanks again.
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post #4 of 15
5/18/08 at 11:40pm
I've always been a huge fan of the vintage Pioneer Elite gear from the late 80's early 90's. Some of their home theater receivers may be good and seem to go for cheap used (could be a testament to their sound, but if they are anything like the older gear, I'm sure they'd be listenable).
An example would be something like this:
Pioneer Elite Audio/Video Receiver VSX-95 5.1 Channel - eBay (item 270237041916 end time May-19-08 18:25:06 PDT)

They have tons of outputs and inputs and are all beautifully finished. Again, maybe they aren't so great, I can't say for sure. I'm just going off my knowledge of the classic 2 channel gear.

I do have some experience with NAD gear though and I have to say, if the price fits your budget, you simply cannot go wrong with it. One caveat is that it's the ugliest gear on the market (aside from the newer high $$ stuff)
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post #5 of 15
5/19/08 at 12:11am
Thread Starter 
Alright, thanks for the info and link. If anyone else has any home theater receivers they'd like to suggest, let me know, and I'll add them to the list of options, haha.
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post #6 of 15
5/19/08 at 12:34am
Yes, vintage is the way to go IMO.

I've got a Sony ax520 from 1987, 100wpc and it sounds incredible. We got it for $10! I still can't believe how great it sounds.
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post #7 of 15
5/19/08 at 12:30pm
After tweaking some settings, I was impressed with the Panasonic digital receivers in the XR-55 and XR-57 lines. They're $150-200ish, will have to buy online for a decent deal though. Check J&R, Amazon, etc.
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post #8 of 15
5/19/08 at 5:27pm
I use the Yamaha RX-397/497 and both cost less than $200 brand new. Clean sound, good brand.

Edit: urk, just checked prices and while the 397 goes for about $160 if you look, the 497 is over $200. I got it for $189 less than a year ago, sorry.
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post #9 of 15
5/19/08 at 6:17pm
Thread Starter 
Nice, thanks for the suggestions everyone.
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post #10 of 15
5/20/08 at 2:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Punnisher View Post
I've got a Sony ax520 from 1987, 100wpc and it sounds incredible. We got it for $10! I still can't believe how great it sounds.
I've got a 520 as well and I'm the original owner....part of my first system. It's still going strong today.

Are you looking for stereo or HT receiver? At Radio Shack, the Sherwood RD-4109 is an excellent buy for a stereo receiver.
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post #11 of 15
5/20/08 at 2:38am
heh, I'll sell you my Denon AVR-2000...

Realistically, you can't go wrong with NAD, Yamaha, Denon, Marantz or Sherwood. Find a couple that have the I/O you want, read a few reviews and buy one.
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post #12 of 15
5/20/08 at 9:33am
Yamaha was mentioned and they've always been the brand that I thought had the best cost to performance ratio. In one of my first systems I had a Yamaha R9. I think it was from the late 80's. Outstanding integrated and I think I only paid around $175 shipped.
There is a whole line of 'Rs' from the late 80s... R7, R8, R9 I think and I'm guessing they'd all fit the bill. I remember my R9 being built like a tank.
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post #13 of 15
5/20/08 at 12:34pm
If you are after stereo and don't mind buying old gear I really like my Technics SU-V2 and I got mine for pretty cheap.
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post #14 of 15
5/21/08 at 12:59am
I'd personally go for a nice integrated amp. NAD, and Marantz both have excellent vintage and current models.
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post #15 of 15
5/21/08 at 1:17am
...try to buy used ...you'll get more bang-for-your-buck by far. Old 5.1 receivers (that still sound great) go for $200ish as their owners upgrade to the newer HDMI video standards that the older receivers lack.

I always loved the Marantz house sound. I would make that your top choice. Pioneer, Denon and Sherwood are also quite good in your price range. Not a big Yamaha fan, as they tend to focus too much on sound processing (marketing for distortion IMO).

Give audiogon a try ...there's always an audiophile or two there parting with some used HT gear for around your price range. For $250 you should be able to pickup something used that retailed for $900+ just a few years ago.
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