[brj]

Greetings all!

Over the past few years my parents AV system has gradually been updated to something that is almost easy to use.  The last holdout is their 15+ year old Mitsubishi receiver.  It would be great to finally replace it and have them be able to more consistently utilize their system.  I haven't really tracked the receiver market lately, so I'm hoping for some suggestions.  Specifically, I'm trying to target the following requirements:

1) Modest price, say $200-400
2) Sound as good as one might find at this price point
3) Discrete remote codes.  (For example, separate "power on" and "power off" codes, rather than a simple toggle)
4) 2 HDMI inputs (1.3 would be nice, but not required) and 1 analog (for an older VCR)

I'll be controlling the system for them using a Universal Remote MX-850, and it drive a Sharp Aquos LCD TV while taking inputs from a digital cable box and Oppo DVD player via HDMI and a VCR via component or S-video.  The connected speakers are an older set of Paradigm monitors, so massive power isn't needed.

Any suggestions would be appreciated - thanks!

[brj]

Bumping for some input...  Santa is running late!

[TF1216]

Yamaha RX-V661 and 663.
Onkyo SR-605 or 606 models
Marantz 7002
Denon 1908 or 1909 

You would drive yourself crazy with all of the options and deciding what is important to you.

I own a Yamaha RX-V661.  Some are for sale on eBay (8% Microsoft cashback) for $260 shipped.  The V663 is newer but not sure if you care.  If I could buy all over again I might still get the V661 because of its price.  If I wanted to spend more I would spring for a Denon 2809 I think.  I like the idea of controlling the receiver's settings via a GUI and I want to see what the hype is about the Audyssey algorithm and dynamic volume control the Denons do.

[brj]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I had been looking through the Onkyo, Denon, Sherwood Newcastle, and Pioneer lines, although somehow I forgot about Marantz.  Yamaha is one I've never really tracked.

The problem is knowing whether they support discrete remote codes - I can't find a convenient source of information that documents this anywhere, and in this instance, that is a significant driver.

Just for reference, do you know that the above models do meet this criteria, at least for power and input selection?

Thanks!

[randytsuch]

From what I remember, Harmony/logitech has a database that they keep to support their remotes.

And, you can just sign up to get access to their database, you don't have to actually own one of their remotes.

I have the Onkyo 705, and I think it has a discrete on/off code.

BTW, the 705 is a step up from what you are considering, but I like it.  I have watched a few HDDVD movies lately, and the sound is pretty impressive.  But, I am using a seperate NAD amp for the front three channels, which might make a difference.

Randy

[brj]

I hadn't considered the Harmony database because I was using the URC remote - good idea, Randy!  I'll take a look at it tonight and see if you can search for such features easily.

I did read up on the Onkyo 606 a bit, and it looks interesting, although I haven't been able to confirm discrete on/off or input select yet.  I think the x06 series are updates of the x05 series primarily to include HDMI 1.3a.

[randytsuch]

I don't think there is an easy way to search for features, but hopefully I am wrong.

I think you have to enter the a specific device, and then see if it has the features you want.

Since I think you list is pretty short, should not be a bid deal.

When I was looking, I was considering Denon, Yamaha, Sherwood Newcastle, Harmon Kardon and Onkyo.  I lucked into a great price for the 705 at a Circuit City sale, and they have a 30 day trial period, so I gave it a shot.  For the money I paid, it's a great piece.  If not the Onkyo, HK was next on my list, but they did not have the HDMI features I wanted at the time.

Randy

[brj]

I learned that the Denons have discrete codes for power and input selection, so I think I'll head in that direction.  I may have to get creative to record them, but at least they are there and Denon is a brand with a fairly good reputation and a product that will work in this application.  (All of the Denon 09 models also have the Audyssey Dynamic Volume automatic volume-leveling system, which my parents will probably appreciate more than all of the other features!)  I think I'll try to find a good deal on a refurb unit...

I did look at the Onkyos, especially the 606, but ruled it out I have a fairly confined cabinet I'll have to deal with and the 606 seems to have a higher than normal heat output.  The HKs looked interesting, but the more affordable units didn't have as much power as I'd hoped.  Marantz has a good reputation in this market as well, but they didn't seem as competitively priced.  I was least familiar with the Yamahas, but several models seemed well thought of and I found specific comments on sound quality.  In the end, however, the Denon feature set won out.

Thanks to both of you for the suggestions!

[randytsuch]

I learned that the Denons have discrete codes for power and input selection, so I think I'll head in that direction.  I may have to get creative to record them, but at least they are there and Denon is a brand with a fairly good reputation and a product that will work in this application.  (All of the Denon 09 models also have the Audyssey Dynamic Volume automatic volume-leveling system, which my parents will probably appreciate more than all of the other features!)  I think I'll try to find a good deal on a refurb unit...

I did look at the Onkyos, especially the 606, but ruled it out I have a fairly confined cabinet I'll have to deal with and the 606 seems to have a higher than normal heat output.  The HKs looked interesting, but the more affordable units didn't have as much power as I'd hoped.  Marantz has a good reputation in this market as well, but they didn't seem as competitively priced.  I was least familiar with the Yamahas, but several models seemed well thought of and I found specific comments on sound quality.  In the end, however, the Denon feature set won out.

Thanks to both of you for the suggestions!

One thing I have heard about HK is that they are more conservative in their power ratings then others, so I would take a lower HK power number with a grain of salt.

But, I don't think you can go wrong with Denon.  There are lots of happy Denon receiver owners out there, so they must be doing something right.

This place http://www.dakmart.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=denon&osCsid=sunmt9iivtne4uid74hb3skiq7

is a b stock, authorized denon dealer.
When I was thinking denon, I was going to buy from them.
If you buy from an unauthorized place, you might not have a valid warranty.
Their stuff is normally a generation old, but the price is right.

Randy

[brj]

One thing I have heard about HK is that they are more conservative in their power ratings then others, so I would take a lower HK power number with a grain of salt.

I understand.  I take all power ratings, no matter who the manufacturer, with a whole pile of salt!

(Would it really be so hard to report peak and continuous RMS power with both 2 and all channels driven into a known, standard load?  Of course, even that leaves room for argument, as some speakers provide less resistive and more reactive loads than others...)

But, I don't think you can go wrong with Denon.  There are lots of happy Denon receiver owners out there, so they must be doing something right.

I certainly hope so, but I wouldn't bet against them simply having better marketing!

Ignoring sound quality, which I couldn't really evaluate well anyway and honestly wasn't the biggest driver in this application, the biggest strike against the Denons seems to be their difficulty in set-up.  It sounds as if their menus and UI in general leave a bit to be desired.  Since I'm going to be the one dealing with it, however, I figure I can beat it into submission.

This place http://www.dakmart.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=denon&osCsid=sunmt9iivtne4uid74hb3skiq7

is a b stock, authorized denon dealer.

  Guess who I ordered a refurb unit from late last night?

If it was my own unit, I may have risked skipping the warranty, but since this will be a gift, I wanted to make sure that I could get service if I needed it.  DAKmart is one of the two authorized refurb/B-stock vendors for Denon, and they had the larger selection last night.  They also augment the stock 90 day Denen refurb warranty to bring it up to a full year.

Thanks again!

[brj]

Well nuts...

I just found out that one of the authorized vendors for Denon has a 25% off coupon.  In case anyone else is interested, 6th Avenue Electronics is offering 25% off select receivers (not just Denon) when using the AFLAUD25 coupon code, and they have free ground shipping at the moment.