So now that the Panasonic XRs are gone...

Russtafarian · « **on:** 30 Mar 2004, 07:08 pm »

Can anyone recommend a $300 HT receiver? A friend of mine wants one and I have no idea what to tell him. The Pioneer/Sony/Yamaha/Onkyo boxes all look the same to me. Has anyone actually taken on the excruciating task of listening to these to find out if one is clearly better than the others?

JLM · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 10:40 pm »

You could try a Harmon Kardon. For $300 you might find a factory reconditioned unit. I bought a ~60 wpc factory reconditioned stereo receiver last year for $160 delivered. About 35 pounds (current rated to draw up to 40 amps), tuner is better than my Rotel. Sounds good, but it had to be fixed twice (repairs were free to me and done in a timely fashion locally as per HK). According to the factory if it had failed again I would have gotten a new receiver.

But......

A rebuilt solid state receiver should be no contest against the new Panny. The comparison is laughable (not because HK builds bad stuff, IMO it's a good option at this price range).

No doubt about it, I'd put my name on the list and wait for the new Panny.

Thump553 · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Mar 2004, 09:30 pm »

Above your price range, but there is a digital Harmon Kardon DPR 1001 (7 x 50) that OneCall has for $477 on clearance. I could find out very little info about this receiver. The best info was a thread here:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=7438&highlight=dpr+1001

nm2285 · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Apr 2004, 03:24 am »

I did a decent amount of auditioning in the $400 or so price range a while ago and the receiver you pick is most dependent on how you use it in this case. Music or movies? I find Denon to be the most musical, Pioneer is decent as well (but very warm). If you can spend a few extra dollars or find one used, Marantz is definately the way to go.

Yamaha and Onkyo are good for home theater because of lots of features at this price point.

Harman Kardons are good all around performers.

Hope this helps. Let me know if any more info will help even more.

Grayson73 · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Apr 2004, 06:16 pm »

The SA-XR50 is out. I ordered one from Beach Audio for $242 shipped.

pjchappy · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Apr 2004, 08:15 pm »

Just so you know, the 50 is NOT the replacement for the 45. . .the XR70 is.

p

Grayson73 · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Apr 2004, 10:11 pm »

Is this confirmed? Some say that the SA-XR50 is the replacement for the SA-XR45 and the SA-XR70 is totally new.

pjchappy · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Apr 2004, 10:25 pm »

I've heard it from a few people. . .and when J&R.com ran out of 45s for my order, they replaced it w/ an advanced order for the 70. . .that was 2 months ago.

p