[Charles Calkins]

Yo Guys!!!
 My dear old Kenwood surround sound receiver died. All I get out of it is two channel plus subwoofer audio. No more 5.1. The input controls quit working. So I guess I need a new receiver. Any suggestions?. Don't know anything about them. I listen to a DVD or VHS movie once every two months or so. Appreciate any suggestions.

                                             Cheers
                                            Charlie

[wilsynet]

I recently got the NuForce AVP 16.  Quite happy with it so far.

http://nuforce.com/products-ht.htm

[srb]

The $995 NuForce AVP 16 is a Preamp/Processor, not a Receiver. It would require a power amp also, probably resulting in at least a $2000 investment.

I don't know if Charlie would want to spend that for "a DVD or VHS movie once every two months or so".

The Rotel RSX-1056 & 1057 are nice units.  The 1057 is $1300 retail, and used RSX-1056's go for around $800-$900.

If that is too steep, I prefer the Denon & Marantz offerings over the Pioneer, Kenwood and Yamaha.

[Russell Dawkins]

I was advised by a friend whose ears I trust and who now is sales manager for a store that sells a lot of higher end HT stuff in Calgary that this unit is particularly good value:
http://sherwoodusa.com/prod_r771.html#
I was asking him on behalf of a friend since HT is an alien world to me, so I can't personally attest, but maybe someone else can chime in - I may be in the market myself soon.

[JLM]

Recommend asking down on the multi-channel/digital circle.

Panasonic and JVC offer the most popular low cost, high sound quality receivers.  The usual suspects (Pioneer, Denon, Marantz, Integra) come in next but at higher prices.  Outlaw is a well respected internet only option with a $900 receiver available.

For those who only make the occasional foray towards HT, recommend looking for receivers that advertize ease of setup and use.

[PhilNYC]

The Rotel RSX-1056 & 1057 are nice units.  The 1057 is $1300 retail, and used RSX-1056's go for around $800-$900.

My dad has the RSX-1055, and it is quite good.  I also like AV receivers from Arcam and Anthem.

[tvyankee]

hey

do you want something with hdmi switching or not?

what kinda of speakers do you have?

what kinda of sound do you like?  i only ask because alot of the a/v receivers really have their own sound.if you liked the kenwood then describe the sound and we'll try and match it up.

And about how much are you going to want to spend?

I have heard alot of them and my be able to help you out.

[Charles Calkins]

No HDMI. I'm using Atlantic Tech. speakers with an M&K sub. I want something simple and no taller than 4" Don't need overkill in a receiver. Don't get much use. Maybe about $300.00

                            Cheers
                           Charlie

[tvyankee]

if you don't mine silver i think this might be your best bet.

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4112934&JRSource=nsa&nsa=1


i listen to the old model sa-xr50 that i had modded by wayne and it sounds pretty dam good.

the thing about this one is it has banana's for all the speaker outputs witch i think is a better connection then a spring clip.

if you would like to go the analog route you might want to check out the

 http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR604&class=Receiver&p=i

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3254.asp

the price you see is retail on the site,you can do a froogle and get a better price.

[Charles Calkins]

Yo:
 tvyankee!! I've been looking at the Panasonic too.

                                Cheers
                                   Charlie

[DeeCee]

I was looking for a "cheapy" receiver and got a Yamaha HTR-5960 (its predecessor got a pretty good review on its "twin" model in - I forgot the mag, Absolute Vision, maybe?).

Although it has a klutzy interface and the manual leaves a lot to be desired, it doesn't suffer from a lot of that "digital edge" that a lot of receivers have.

It seems to work ok for my needs and you can find *very* cheap pricing from list if you look hard enough.

Of course, YMMV.

Good Luck,
DeeCee

[Charles Calkins]

Just saw an add from Fry's that they have the new Denon AVR-587 for $297.00. I'll go take a lok at it.

                                           Cheers
                                          Charlie