Entry Level HDMI Receiver recommendations

mcgsxr · « **on:** 18 Jan 2010, 01:07 am »

Over the weekend, I bought a set of 5 new Energy Act6 satellite speakers, and have installed the front 3 around my plasma. I also setup my M&K sub. I stalled in putting up the back 2, as per below...

Unfortunately for me, my old Panny SAXR-15 seems to have given up the ghost - I have run HDMI from satellite receiver and dvd player to the display, and optical cable back from the display to the SAXR-15. When I turn on the SAXR-15, it does make the sound of what is being displayed, but it also makes a nasty pulsing crackling sound... so I think it might be done. Odd, as it was working fine for the past 5 years via analog inputs from my old Sony CRT.

In any case, now that it is toast, I am looking for cheap replacement options.

All sources that will be involved will connect via HDMI (so no need for upconverting), and there will never be more than 3. There are currently only 2, so I figure one extra for the future should be fine.

I figure 50wpc, 5.1 is all I really need.

As I am in Canada, I know that there are lots of good online affordable gear in the US, but shipping north of the 49th parallel tends to ruin all the fun, so unless there is a friendly AC'r in Buffalo I can work with, I will need to focus on units that can be sourced in Canada.

Budget a paltry $300 tops. Pref $200.

Hey, surround sound is not my passion, I just want it up and running on the main floor, where the best display in the house is!

mcgsxr · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 01:29 am »

This Pioneer is leading the pack at the moment.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10123910&catid=20313&logon=&langid=EN

cujobob · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 01:42 am »

I think the Pioneer 919 is the cheapest of the Pioneers to come with the nice class A/B chipamp. I'd go for that which is just over $300 online...

I own one and love it!

mcgsxr · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 01:57 am »

Looks like a nice piece - but $469 up here in Canada...

cujobob · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 02:37 am »

Are you looking only at local stores?

mcgsxr · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 03:29 am »

cheapest I saw online for that piece anywhere, was USD$359. Once you factor shipping, and conversion of funds, it has to be well into the mids 400's.

Have I missed it somewhere?

Cacophonix · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 03:44 am »

have you looked at onkyo tx sr507?

mcgsxr · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 01:45 pm »

Locally in Canada it is $499 (Crutchfield.ca) or more at retail. I see it around USD$350 plus shipping etc.

Still want input guys, I am scouring the net, and it is a rough go up in Canada, I may have to post looking for a close US neighbor, and do some drop shipping!

Phil A · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 03:41 pm »

There's also www.accessories4less.com. You can buy a factory authorized Onkyo or Marantz refurb. which comes with a one year warranty and buy a Warrentech extended warranty (http://www.answers.com/topic/warrantech-corporation) for 5 years at prices around dealer cost.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 04:08 pm »

I have reviewed, and they have some refurbed items that I would take a look at, but they ship ONLY to US addresses, so that would be one choice for me, if I can find a friendly in Niagara Falls US side (1 hour drive from my house, 20 minutes from my office in Niagara).

I see that the cheapest HDMI receivers require a separate audio connection (Onkyo TX-SR506 as an example), but I guess I can live with that, especially at $219.

The Pioneer I linked to earlier on might end up being the best I can do, for the extremely limited budget, given my Canadian location.

Don_S · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 05:18 pm »

I noticed that the Pioneer 519 and 919 were capable of a 6 ohm output but not 4 ohm. Is this typical? Sorry for the question but I am still just 2 channel. I have never had an HT receiver.

srb · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 05:41 pm »

Quote from: Don_S on 18 Jan 2010, 05:18 pm

I noticed that the Pioneer 519 and 919 were capable of a 6 ohm output but not 4 ohm. Is this typical? Sorry for the question but I am still just 2 channel. I have never had an HT receiver.

Most receivers are rated at 8 Ohm or 6 Ohm. Some of the higher end models are rated down to 4 Ohms. Some have a current limiting switch (8 Ohm or 6 Ohm position) on the back panel to help prevent against overheating.

That being said, many people have connected 4 Ohm speakers to their "8 Ohm" receiver without problems, and others have resulted in overheating and periodic protection shutdown.

It has a lot to do with the "4 Ohm" speaker. Some speakers may have a nominal 4 Ohm rating and only dip down to 3.8 Ohms at a few frequencies, while other 4 Ohm speakers may dip down further, at more frequencies and their crossovers may demand greater power from the amplifier.

My Rotel RSX-1056 receiver is rated at 8 Ohms, but I have run 4 Ohm speakers on the three front Left, Center & Right channels with no problem or overheating. I would expect the entry level receiver models to be a little less tolerant.

Steve

Phil A · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 12:06 am »

I ran 4 ohm speakers (3 Thiel SCS2s) for years on an old Sony 444ES rec'r the bedroom without a problem. It had a little switch on the back. I moved an old Adcom 555 in there eventually for the front 2 channels and now have a Marantz SR6300 receiver. I don't need anything that powerful (325W into 4 ohms) but I have it behind the TV and the amp is not too deep and fits nicely.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 02:23 am »

Second time I've typed this, so this version is much shorter.............

On my recommendation, a coworker bought an entry level Denon based on more HDMI inputs and a similar price than it's competitors. It even comes with a handy calibration mic which works very well he said. He couldn't be happier.

That being said, he's a "regular" human being, and not an obsessed home theater audiophile who's over-thought the issue so take his level if "ecstaticness" with a grain of salt.

I can't recall the model number, but will find out if you'd like tomorrow when I see him.
Best buy is where he bought it.

Bob

mcgsxr · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 02:44 am »

I would appreciate it Bob, I am interested to learn more about which Denon, and what price point.

eg1's Onkyo had a mic that once plugged in it ran through a series of self driven tests, and setup all the simple stuff really well, really quickly. I am not looking to invest what he did, but would love to leverage that technology, it was really slick.

The audio for this portion of the house has to be mostly for normal people. The Energy Act6 speakers are nice small satellites, the sub is an 8 inch M&K, it is all in the family room, so no crazy stuff for this part.

OzarkTom · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 02:53 am »

My new Denon AVR 589 came in today and looks wonderful. I bought it re-furbished unit from Ebay for $165 plus $30 for shipping. The 589 has Sirius hook-up, I have a subscription to Sirius and never had it hooked up yet. I bought it of seller dakmart. Here is the Ebay number. 180448755421

mcgsxr · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 03:04 am »

Thanks for the note, I have emailed Dakmart for a shipping quote to Canada for that Denon piece. The 590 (assume that is the current model) at Best Buy is $499 up here, FYI.

OzarkTom · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 03:16 am »

I made an offer of $165 and it was accepted, you might try a lower figure, say $150. If refused, you can always raise it to $165.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 11:35 am »

Thanks for the lead OzarkTom, but after contacting them, they said US only. Odd, since the auction clearly states international bidders must contact to get a shipping quote before bidding, and I have 100%, 120+ feedback.

Ah well, I am sure that arguing with the seller won't get me a transaction!

Back to the drawing board...

srb · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 02:16 pm »

Quote from: OzarkTom on 19 Jan 2010, 03:16 am

I made an offer of $165 and it was accepted, you might try a lower figure, say $150. If refused, you can always raise it to $165.

When I go directly to the dakmart.com website, I see this refurbished Denon AVR-589 listed for $129.98. http://www.dakmart.com/product_info.php?products_id=11039&osCsid=tv039afkpcg28n5237k80goid5

Is this the same unit?

Steve