Best AV Receivers $500-$750 - New or Used

Dan Driscoll · « **on:** 23 Oct 2012, 06:40 pm »

In the more budget minded category, I'm looking for a new or used AVR for a 3.1 configuration. The speakers are moderately power hungry Vandersteen 2C's (88db), with a VCC-1 center channel (86db) and an Adire Rava sub. The source electronics are an Oppo BDP-83SE, Squeezebox 3 and a Comcast/Xfinity cable HD-DVR.

My minimum input/output requirements are a set of 5.1 or 7.1 inputs for the Oppo, 3 HDMI in/1 out, a pair each of analog and digital coax inputs and an optical. 5.1/7.1(2) pre-outs and a digital output would be nice, but are not a deal breaker. It should also have all the current lossless codecs and the HDMI must include the audio return channel. Auto set-up and EQ would be nice, but are not required.

Usage will be 70% HT, 30% music, but the priority is music. Please be free with your suggestions and comments.

pureiso · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 07:18 pm »

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR3312CI/DENON-AVR-3312CI-7.2-Integrated-Network-A/V-Surround-Receiver-w/AirPlay/1.html

This is what I would personally do.

It checks every single box for $600. It also helps it is a $1100 receiver, just refurbed and half off.

golfugh · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 07:22 pm »

Dan

Give Electronics Expo a call and ask for their best price on any of the Yamaha RXA series. Great receiver, has everything you are asking for and also DSD decode (if you have any SACDs). They are showing a RXA-2000 for $989, but it will go much cheaper than that if you call them (they need to get rid of the thousand series...they are on the thousand 20 series now).

I have the RXA-3000, used as a processor (I have used it to power my 5.1 setup while my amps were with Klaus). I bought it for $1250 new with a list of $2100, when they were new. Great receiver, very musical, tends slightly to the warm side of neutral. Secrets showed that it exceeded spec'd power. It runs cool and is stable into a 4ohm load.

Mark

Thirsty · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 07:32 pm »

I feel your pain, I went through the same thing last fall and eventually settled on the Denon AVR-3311CI and although I have a ATI 1505 power amp sitting here unused I've never felt the need to hook it up, I guess I should just to see if there is much of an improvement over the sound of the Denon's internal amp.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 07:39 pm »

A friend of mine offered to sell me his 3312CI for considerably less than that, but it does not have multi-channel analog inputs, so I had to decline.

I have a fairly large collection of SACD and DVD-A disks that I listen to regularly. The internal processing of the 83SE is better than any AVR I'm going to find in my price range and I'm not willing to give that up. If I send the music to an AVR or processor over HDMI I might as well get rid of the Oppo, which is not going to happen.

Quote from: pureiso on 23 Oct 2012, 07:18 pm

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR3312CI/DENON-AVR-3312CI-7.2-Integrated-Network-A/V-Surround-Receiver-w/AirPlay/1.html

This is what I would personally do.

It checks every single box for $600. It also helps it is a $1100 receiver, just refurbed and half off.

golfugh · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 07:54 pm »

Dan
Doing the same thing with the Yamaha and an Oppo BDP-95, previously the 83SE.
Mark

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 08:04 pm »

I might be shilling here....

A forum (non-audio) friend of mine has a Harman Kardon AVR146 for $160 (shipped to CONUS).
Here's the Users Manual .pdf.

If you're interested, I can get you two hooked up.
Hope that helps Dan,
Bob

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 08:27 pm »

Thanks Bob, but the 146 is an older model that doesn't have DD True HD or DTS Master Audio, plus it is only 40wpc and would not be able to drive my Vandys.

Quote from: Bob in St. Louis on 23 Oct 2012, 08:04 pm

I might be shilling here....

A forum (non-audio) friend of mine has a Harman Kardon AVR146 for $160 (shipped to CONUS).
Here's the Users Manual .pdf.

If you're interested, I can get you two hooked up.
Hope that helps Dan,
Bob

jcotner · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 08:41 pm »

I have been using Pioneer Elites for the past 13 years. VSX-21TXH for three now.
Think it has most of what you want and I drive 4 ohm speakers with mine.
I'm also doing SACD with mine via 5.1 analog inputs.
They say 6 ohm but the THX spec says 4 and I've never had an issue.
They have a higher power model as well. Not chip amps, they are discrete
so I think they sound really good. Used ones are below your price range.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 08:44 pm »

Whoops. I skimmed over the 88dB too fast.....yea....40 watts isn't enough.

Sorry, I tried. I'll keep keepin' an eye out.

Bob

randytsuch · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 09:12 pm »

$700
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6006/MARANTZ-SR6006-Home-theater-receiver-3D-ready-HDMI-AirPlay/1.html

Hard to find the 7.1 analog input in the receivers in this price range

wushuliu · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 09:15 pm »

Marantz consistently gets high marks for sound quality in their receivers. 5005/6 and 6005/6 are available on A4less. Many good reviews. My old Marantz 4003 had a very nice neutral/warm tonality that was easy to listen to. I think they also come w/ preouts. Denon are always described as clumsy to operate though they come lots of bell and whistles and so-so SQ. Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha, etc seem relatively interchangeable w/ typical budget receiver sound quality. Onkyo is trusted for honest power ratings IIRC.

WC · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 09:19 pm »

My Marantz SR-6005 has analog inputs and pre-outs. Sounds good to me.

jarcher · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 Oct 2012, 09:53 pm »

Best bang for buck for me would be a refurbed Marantz, such as:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5007/MARANTZ-SR5007-100w-x7-NetworkingTheater-Receiver-w/AirPlay-3D-4K/1.html#!specifications

The SR5007 has all the features you requested @ $600 refurbed. i.e. 5 hdmi inputs / 7 channel inputs & outputs, and at 100WPC I think has sufficient power : particularly if the heavy LF lifting is done by the sub.

A year ago I bought a refurbed 5005 from them & have been happy and would have bought from them the AV7005 I got recently, but decided to support my local dealer.

The networkability of the 5007 I think is important - both as a network player + for updates / feature adds. The SR5007 is arguably a better deal than the AV7005 I bought, which cost $400 more.

sahihe · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Oct 2012, 05:45 am »

Wrong thread. Sorry.

navin · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Oct 2012, 06:45 am »

Quote from: jarcher on 23 Oct 2012, 09:53 pm

Best bang for buck for me would be a refurbed Marantz, such as:

The 6007 is also available under $700.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Oct 2012, 04:20 pm »

The Marantz units are looking pretty good; there are a couple new and refurb models that tick all the boxes and are in my budget. I had Marantz 2 channel gear back in the day and loved how it sounded, so that's a point, also. However, I've heard they've had some reliability and QC issues the past few years. I'll have to look into that a little more.

jarcher · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Oct 2012, 02:54 am »

I personally have not had any reliability or QC issues with the three Marantz receiver / processors I have. My friend did have an issue w/ the display on his SR5005.

I did have a hum issues w/ an external Krell Showcase amp when connected via RCA / single-ended, which I didn't have w/ Anthem. But the Krell manual specifically stated to use the shorting pins in the balanced / XLR connectors when using RCA / single-ended, which I ignored. When using balanced / XLR w/ Marantz the hum went away.

So at least from my personal / direct experience - no issues so far.

Phil A · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 Oct 2012, 03:07 am »

I believe it was the Marantz 04 series that had the issues. I have a 6003 in the bedroom and it went after a month and I got a new one from the dealer and have not had any issues with it. There are posts all over AVS and other places about the 04 series. I have not heard anything about the newer ones. I considered the AV-7005 when I sold my Bryston SP1.7 and went with a Modwright 2-channel preamp with HT Bypass but I picked up a used Integra DTC 9.8 and am thrilled with it for HT. Down the road and after a move, I'll get a receiver and use the amps for height channels and back channels and use my Modwright KWA150SE and Bryston 6BSST for the primary main and surround channels.

sharpsuxx · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Oct 2012, 05:03 am »

I run the rxv1800 from yamaha runs all burr brown ADC and DACs 4 hdmi in 1 out and 7.1 analog in the bay has one for 554, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-RX-V1800-7-1-Full-HDMI-4-in-1-out-130-Watt-Receiver-MINT-/320972371855?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item4abb71b78f#ht_1671wt_1170.
It is pretty good for a receiver, sound and vision tested it at 150 watts into 8 ohms by 2 channels and 105 into 5. Pretty hefty Power Supply for a receiver, good sound as well and built like a tank. I would sell mine, but I don't think I could get anything to replace it for my surround sound system. Doesn't do DSD over HDMi but it doesn't sound like you need it, it does convert all retro video connections to HDMI though which is nice to have just one connector to the display. It passed full bandwith color over HDMI too which is nice if you have a nice display, decodes all DTSHD MA and Dolby True HD no problems.