Need good receiver...

[cello]

Hey - I'm looking to buy a good receiver for under $850. I'm looking for a receiver with at least 2 component inputs. I also would like it to sound good with Grado SR-225 and a meta42 headphone amp. I generally listen to rock and alternative and sometimes classical. I enjoy classical on the grados, strangely enough, because, for example, for quartet recordings, it's nice to hear every detail from each instrument, and the lack of a good soundstage is not that bad.

ALSO, it would be nice if they sounded good with my roommate's speakers, which are Klipsh reference series (not sure of the exact model) with a Velodyne SPL-1200 sub. I'm not familiar at all with recievers, so in general any input would be appreciated.

 

[jeffro]

I am not sure if you need a tuner or not, but I just got the Music Direct mass e-mail and they now carry this integrated amp:

MARANTZ PM-7200 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

It looks very promising for $499 which would save you money for other equipment. I don't know anyone who has one of these amps. I use an old Marantz 1060 from the 1970's and couldn't be happier. All companies change though.

You could also pick up:

NAD C320BEE Integrated Amp

Todd carries them. Once again no tuner.

Cheers

 

[lini]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cello I'm looking for a receiver with at least 2 component inputs.

Are we talking about component video inputs on a ht receiver here - or did you refer to a stereo model that needs at least two stereo source inputs?

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[cello]

for lini, the answer is for component video... at least 2 component audio inputs is probably necessary too. For jeffro, I'm don't really need a tuner. Also, I've heard that Marantz's are kind of overpriced in the low-end range - is that true? It would be great to get a Marantz, especially since they seem to be the "best" receivers out there, but I think only for really high-end ones.

I've also heard a lot of good things about the OnkyoTX-SR601 (http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/s...601&type=store). Any thoughts?

 

[taylor]

I recall that the $300 (Now $200) Panasonic XR25 was a flavor of the month awhile back, I tihkn head-fier lan has one and could give you some more info on it. If I remember correctly, it used Class D, and had several mods available to it. It was claimed to compete with $1000 amps. But then again, what flavor of the month isn't claimed to compete with components 3-4 times it's price?

Anyway, it still warrants checking it out.

Why do you ask for component video inputs on an amp? I do not think the XR25 functions as a video preamp/processor/whatnot.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...onics&n=507846

Looking more at it, it seems to have a build in DVD player, which should offer some video functionality.

 

[gastro54]

I have the SA-XR50 ( the next gen upgrade to the 25 ) I think it sounds great with speakers. The SA-XR45 which is above the 25 is reputed to sound better, however there are no places that currently seel it. If you wanted something better than the 50, that is a panny, you'll have to wait until the SA-XR70 is released ( in august I think) unless you can find a 45 to buy. You can find loads of information about these receivers on audiocircle.com

 

[lini]

cello: Ok, next question then.

You've mentioned some music genres, but as you want component video inputs, how about the usage mix: Will you be using the thingy for home theater purposes mainly, or will listening to (stereo) music be the primary task?

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[TonyTripleA]

Well, two component video inputs might be tough... let me give you the advise I was given by a high quality video store: "don't use switchable video inputs at all, quality will degrade". If you take that viewpoint you can look at a lot more quality receivers for a lot less money. I found that simply using different inputs to my tv worked a treat: component video for high quality DVD, svideo and other inputs for lower quality VHS, etc...

And for the money the NAD receiver's will give you a better than average headphone jack. I preferred my T741 headphone jack over the Perreaux headphone amp.

Cheers,

TonyAAA

 

[cello]

What do you guys know about the Marantz SR7400. I can get it pretty cheap (for like $720 instead of the regular $900). Is it worth the extra money? I do appreciate really good sounding receivers, but I also know that I will be using this receiver primarily for home theater things. I hear that this particular receiver is a great combination of very good home theater qualities with the excellent Marantz sound. In other words, I really do want a receiver that is good for recordings as well as playing movies. What do you guys think?

 

[kentamcolin]

If your looking for solid state, some of the high end Denon receivers have excellent headphone circuits. I don't know the model numbers but I know MarkL had experience with these and spoke very highly of them indeed. They were very expensive new but on the used market I think you could do well in your near $1K budget. You might try sending him a PM to see what he used.

 

[Abula]

The best reciever that I have heard on the sub $1000, is Harman Kardon AVR-7200, it was on sale a couple of months ago, because the 7300 was coming, this reciever has a good amp inside, Sound&Vision test it to 142Wats per channel (5 driven), it weight more than 50+ pounds. It was selling for around $850 last time that I checked, but you better search the web and see if you can still find it.

The SR7400 is a nice reciever, but I heard it had some issues with heat, but havent test or audition it. I have SR6200 and although is a fine reciever, it misses on the power section, sometimes the sound feels thing and lifeless, not because of the signature, but because of the amp. I have power it with marantz moblocks and it sound really nice, but I dont have the money for an upgrade.

Another really good reciever you might want to look is Marantz SR8300, it should be on starting to get on sale as the SR8400 will come soon. It has very good amp section, and I have seen it in action powering Axiom M80 which are 4ohm speakers and did a very nice work.

Also Denon 3805 have gotten good reviews lately, but havent had the pleasure to audition it, but right now it is a little expensive, if you can wait some months it will sell around $650-700.

Try to audition as much as posible, and if you can with your speakers and in the room you will be installing your setup, many good dealers will let you take the amp for testing.

Good luck,

 

[lini]

cello: The HK AVR430 might me interesting - I haven't checked it personally, yet, but the reviews over here are very positive (for stereo and surround), and I'd definitely consider having both Dolby Headphone and Dolby Virtual Speaker a big plus. The latter works fairly well for simulating surround on stereo speakers, if the listening zone/sweet spot to be covered isn't too large - so you might even be inclined to forget about a 5.1/6.1/7.1 speaker set in favour of better stereo speakers... It might be wise to check some user reviews and reports before, though - because earlier series (especially AVRx000) were rather frequently plagued by malfunctions.

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini