Need help with new audio receiver, what to buy

HDTVidiot · 02-07-2010, 12:24 PM

My old Harmon Kardon AVR 310 is going bad. What should I replace it with? I don't need 7.1 sound (only 5.1).

HDTVidiot · 02-07-2010, 12:37 PM

Would an Onkyo TX-SR507 5.1 be a good replacement? It be more or less powerful?

ILOVEMYHDTV · 02-07-2010, 12:46 PM

HI ALL, ok you want to replace or as we say upgrade. 1) how much you got? 2) what type of speakers? 4) how big the room? 5) you live in a house or apartment? 6) do you turn it on everyday? 7) do family if any has access to it? 8) what you gonna do with it? game movie tv music ; what what what???? Do you want to connect to tv? is your tv HIGH DEF? you know what you want, hdmi ? do want to convert video? do you need a 2nd zone? DTS-HD OR DOLBY TRUE-HD? Do you have space? how big is the whole you wanna fill? these are just a few of the questions that NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWERE TO... I HAVE A BANANA THAT LIKES TO BOUNCE...

: banana:

ckone180 · 02-07-2010, 12:53 PM

Onkyos are good bang for your buck, but there are better models that could give you more depending on what you're looking for. Try www.accessories4less.com and you will see plenty of options. Those are refurbs but have great reviews none the less. Good luck!

HDTVidiot · 02-07-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILOVEMYHDTV

HI ALL, ok you want to replace or as we say upgrade. 1) how much you got? 2) what type of speakers? 4) how big the room? 5) you live in a house or apartment? 6) do you turn it on everyday? 7) do family if any has access to it? 8) what you gonna do with it? game movie tv music ; what what what???? Do you want to connect to tv? is your tv HIGH DEF? you know what you want, hdmi ? do want to convert video? do you need a 2nd zone? DTS-HD OR DOLBY TRUE-HD? Do you have space? how big is the whole you wanna fill? these are just a few of the questions that NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWERE TO... I HAVE A BANANA THAT LIKES TO BOUNCE...

: banana:

1. Like keep under 500
2. Polk audio RT 800i (right and left) CS245i (Center), M311 (Rear right and left), PSW 350 (subwoofer)
4. Room is not that big
5. Condo ( but pretty sound proof, never had anyone complain.)
6. yes, everyday
7. live alone
8. movie, tv, music, (no games)

I have an HD TV, but I don't see reason to connect. I don't need a second zone. I have space for the receiver, will replace Harmon Kardon 310. I have blu-ray so I guess I DTS (really sure though).

Thanks for any advice.

HiDefRev · 02-07-2010, 03:53 PM

The Onkyo 507 will do a good job for you, as will HK, Marantz, Sony and Pioneer. If you purchase any of these ( www.accessories4less.com is an excellent retailer, by the way ), you'll be happy. Yes, if you have Blu-ray, you need not only Dolby and DTS, but the new HD audio formats - Dolby TrueHD and DTS MasterAudio. The Onkyo DOES decode all of these, as do some of the other receivers mentioined.

Pycroft · 02-07-2010, 05:19 PM

I have a Harman Kardon AVR, and am very happy with it. If you were pleased with your old HK, you may look at the AVR 254 or 354. 354 is more powerful, but 254 is powerful enough to drive those speakers quite well. Both those AVR's have preouts, so you can add an external amplifier if you so wish. You can usually get a refurbished 254 for around 250 bucks and refurbished 354 for around 350 on the Ebay offical HK site. I think it's the best for the price, and allows upgrades.

Pycroft

dannybenz · 02-07-2010, 08:37 PM

VSX-23TXH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you can get one for $550ish.

caliberconst. · 02-07-2010, 11:06 PM

Here is a few great receivers that should fit the bill perfectly for you, dont worry about 7.1, 5.1 you do not need to use the extra speakers terminals and anymore most receivers come with 7.1 so its not like your paying extra for that option. By the way I would stay far,far away from any sony receiver.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1909...1265608767&sr=

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V665...5609105&sr=8-2

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...denon-avr-1610

jsf0656 · 02-09-2010, 03:37 PM

i just purchased the onkyo 507 from amazon and i'm very pleased. great sound, plenty of power, easy to hookup and configure. i only have 5.1 and its more than adquate for my needs!

ILOVEMYHDTV · 03-01-2010, 06:23 PM

HI ALL. WELL. sense you haven't updated us. Under 5 bills, maybe try craiglist or ebay. A refurb; are you tight with any big box stores sales ass0ciate? If your not gonna hook to the tv

and gonna hook up straight from the bluray player, ok. Just hook up a optical to the receiver and make sure you play with the menus. So everything is nicey nice. I would quality

wire to speakers; look at the environment, how can you improve sound dynamics. Play with speaker placement; sense you live alone.

02-07-2010, 12:24 PM	#1
HDTVidiot My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5	Need help with new audio receiver, what to buy My old Harmon Kardon AVR 310 is going bad. What should I replace it with? I don't need 7.1 sound (only 5.1).

02-07-2010, 12:46 PM	#3
ILOVEMYHDTV High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 212	Just my opinion HI ALL, ok you want to replace or as we say upgrade. 1) how much you got? 2) what type of speakers? 4) how big the room? 5) you live in a house or apartment? 6) do you turn it on everyday? 7) do family if any has access to it? 8) what you gonna do with it? game movie tv music ; what what what???? Do you want to connect to tv? is your tv HIGH DEF? you know what you want, hdmi ? do want to convert video? do you need a 2nd zone? DTS-HD OR DOLBY TRUE-HD? Do you have space? how big is the whole you wanna fill? these are just a few of the questions that NEED TO KNOW THE ANSWERE TO... I HAVE A BANANA THAT LIKES TO BOUNCE...: banana:

02-07-2010, 12:53 PM	#4
ckone180 That really hurts! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Age: 29 Posts: 528	Onkyos are good bang for your buck, but there are better models that could give you more depending on what you're looking for. Try www.accessories4less.com and you will see plenty of options. Those are refurbs but have great reviews none the less. Good luck! __________________ "Fighting Ignorance since 1973 (It’s taking longer than we thought)." The Straight Dope. Living Room Samsung LN52A630 Yamaha RX-V665 Jamo S 406 HCS 1 Playstation 3 80gb Online ID: cspldk Battlefield Bad Company 2 COD: MW2 Bed Room Panasonic TC-32LX14 Samsung BD-3252 Wii

02-07-2010, 03:53 PM	#6
HiDefRev Trust me. I'm a Doctor. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Land of Relativity, USA Age: 56 Posts: 1,105	New receiver The Onkyo 507 will do a good job for you, as will HK, Marantz, Sony and Pioneer. If you purchase any of these ( www.accessories4less.com is an excellent retailer, by the way ), you'll be happy. Yes, if you have Blu-ray, you need not only Dolby and DTS, but the new HD audio formats - Dolby TrueHD and DTS MasterAudio. The Onkyo DOES decode all of these, as do some of the other receivers mentioined. __________________ Living Room Panasonic PT-50LCZ70 50" 1080p HDTV, Sony Playstation3 80 Gig, Onkyo HT-R667 7.1 AV Receiver, Yamaha NS-6490 Main, Side and Surround Speakers, Cadence C-17 Center Speaker, Acoustic Audio HD-SUB15 15" Subwoofer, DISH ViP 722 HD DVR, Panasonic DVD Recorder/VCR, Monoprice cables Den Viewsonic NX2232W LCD HDTV, RCA RT-2500 5.1 AV Receiver, ESS-308 Main and Surround Speakers, RCA RT2500 Center Speaker Onkyo 10" Subwoofer, DISH ViP 211 HD Receiver, Magnavox Blu-Ray Player

02-07-2010, 05:19 PM	#7
Pycroft High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 316	I have a Harman Kardon AVR, and am very happy with it. If you were pleased with your old HK, you may look at the AVR 254 or 354. 354 is more powerful, but 254 is powerful enough to drive those speakers quite well. Both those AVR's have preouts, so you can add an external amplifier if you so wish. You can usually get a refurbished 254 for around 250 bucks and refurbished 354 for around 350 on the Ebay offical HK site. I think it's the best for the price, and allows upgrades. Pycroft __________________ Home Theatre: HK AVR 354, Parasound HCA 806, Polk Audio RTA 11TL's, CS400, and Monitor 30's. 2 Channel system: Polk Audio SDA 1C's, Soundcraftsmen PCR800 amp, Technics Preamp, Sony SACD player.

02-07-2010, 12:37 PM	#2
HDTVidiot My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5	Would an Onkyo TX-SR507 5.1 be a good replacement? It be more or less powerful?

02-07-2010, 08:37 PM	#8
dannybenz My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 6	VSX-23TXH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you can get one for $550ish.

02-07-2010, 11:06 PM	#9
caliberconst. waylin rules Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 345	Here is a few great receivers that should fit the bill perfectly for you, dont worry about 7.1, 5.1 you do not need to use the extra speakers terminals and anymore most receivers come with 7.1 so its not like your paying extra for that option. By the way I would stay far,far away from any sony receiver. http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1909...1265608767&sr= http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V665...5609105&sr=8-2 http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...denon-avr-1610 __________________ Panasonic 50x1 Toshiba Hd-A2 PS3 Denon 557 Comcast dchx3400 hd dvr Yamaha RX-V1400 7.1 Fronts Paradigm atom v6 Center Paradigm cc-190 Surrounds Need more Paradigm 10" ENERGY esw-10 12" Velodyne vrp-1200

02-09-2010, 03:37 PM	#10
jsf0656 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 18	i just purchased the onkyo 507 from amazon and i'm very pleased. great sound, plenty of power, easy to hookup and configure. i only have 5.1 and its more than adquate for my needs!

03-01-2010, 06:23 PM	#11
ILOVEMYHDTV High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 212	Just my opinion HI ALL. WELL. sense you haven't updated us. Under 5 bills, maybe try craiglist or ebay. A refurb; are you tight with any big box stores sales ass0ciate? If your not gonna hook to the tv and gonna hook up straight from the bluray player, ok. Just hook up a optical to the receiver and make sure you play with the menus. So everything is nicey nice. I would quality wire to speakers; look at the environment, how can you improve sound dynamics. Play with speaker placement; sense you live alone.

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