Which receiver for me?

[Cajun Jeff]

Hey guys. I am currently involved with my first speaker build, a pair of Overnight Sensations. I have a very old 2 channel Sony reciever that I am using, but would like to find something better. This will serve duty in my workshop, sooo price is a factor even though it will also serve as a test bed for future speaker projects. I see a ton of old recievers on eBay, but I'm not interested in getting another crappy reciever. Since it wont be fed video I am not interested in HDMI. That leaves me wide open I presume.

I would like to be able to connect an active subwoofer.

Any suggestions?

BTW, I heard some beautiful noise yesterday in an antique store that was originating from a 70's or 80's era Realistic reciever with a CD player connected. Nice and clean and warm. Playing through a pair of 8 inch 3 way ralistics and a pair of Minimus 7's. It was at low easy listening volume, but sheesh it sounded good.

[Steve Henry]

I understand you only need 2.1, but for this price I would jump on it.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR308/Onkyo-TX-SR308-5.1-Channel-3-D-Ready-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html#!specifications

[Cajun Jeff]

That looks like a pretty nice reciever for the $$$.

I had been looking at some of the older Harmon Kardon recievers like the AVR20 or AVR???. Those are all surround recievers without the HDMI interface. Easy to find on eBay.

I really liked the warmth of the older reciever I heard yesterday. Is that something I can expect to hear from an amp like the suggested Onkyo or the modern day Harmon Kardons I have been looking at?

[greywarden]

I'm holding out for a Pioneer SA-7800 or 8800 after I finally build some speakers and a Flexy Rack

[David LR]

I understand you only need 2.1, but for this price I would jump on it.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR308/Onkyo-TX-SR308-5.1-Channel-3-D-Ready-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html#!specifications

If you peruse AV related forums, you find that Onkyo has had a reputation for
over-heating problems. Anybody know if this is a thing of the past & hopefully has been resolved in current models ??

I'm also looking for a receiver in the $300 dollar range or so, leaning towards Denon, but would consider Onkyo if overheating is not a problem these days.

Thanks,

Dave

[fusseli]

The warmth you heard was likely due to the speakers and not the receiver, unless the receiver had tone controls. If you want a solid vintage receiver, look for a Marantz. The old solid state Marantz receivers still are worth a considerable amount on ebay, no doubt due to rock solid reliability and clean sound power they produce.

If it were up to me to pick out a modern receiver, I'd buy a $100-$150 HK over an Onkyo or the like.

[Steve Henry]

If you peruse AV related forums, you find that Onkyo has had a reputation for
over-heating problems. Anybody know if this is a thing of the past & hopefully has been resolved in current models ??

I'm also looking for a receiver in the $300 dollar range or so, leaning towards Denon, but would consider Onkyo if overheating is not a problem these days.

Thanks,

Dave

Never had an issue with mine in my HT room. My brother has not had issues with his either (we both got ours at Accessories For Less).

[Steve Henry]

Another option would be this little beast - it will be the next one I buy. I have never heard any issues with Emotiva & they rarely show up for sale because of the quality.

http://emotiva.com/a100.shtm

[stangbat]

I have an Outlaw RR2150 that I'm looking to get rid of. If you want 2 channel, it is pretty nice with modern features. It also has a sub out in case you want to run 2.1.
http://outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html

I posted it in the Marketplace a couple of months ago and got no interest. I'm just throwing it out there as a possibility, it served my needs well for a couple of years.

[Kevin G.]

If you peruse AV related forums, you find that Onkyo has had a reputation for
over-heating problems. Anybody know if this is a thing of the past & hopefully has been resolved in current models ??

I'm also looking for a receiver in the $300 dollar range or so, leaning towards Denon, but would consider Onkyo if overheating is not a problem these days.

Thanks,

Dave
Overheating is not as much of an issue as poor quality control and even worse customer service. Onkyo is (IMHO) cranking out too many features and gadgety non-useful smoke and mirrors, in lieu of making the quality component of their prior reputation. The 807 and 808 line are plagued with problems, have a backordered HDMI board that will, most assuredly, fail within, (or just outside of...) the two year warranty. The board is 650.00...ridiculous if you are out of warranty. It is also backordered until the end of time. Reports of the receiver sitting in the shop for over two months, with customers screaming at Onkyo, before ANY kind of decision is made to replace the unit with a new model, abound... (no 807 refurb is being offered, and the 808 failure is so bad, that there have been cases where the customer is getting a new 809...) I am waiting for mine to fail, (probably outside of the warranty), if I am offered an 809 in replacement, it will immediately go in the classified's...

Onkyo will get no more of my money or business...nor will they see a dime from anyone I can possibly persuade away from a future purchase.

[Mayhem13]

Plus 1 on vintage/legacy Marantz or Harmon Kardon receivers. Sony ES series are also really nice with excellent DACS on board. The HK 3490 has tons of real world power and features. Here's one on audiogon

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1328556428&/Harmon-Kardon-HK-3490

For 120 wpc and $175......

Or a nice Marantz

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1327948133&/Marantz-SR4021

Check Craigs list for excellent deals on Legacy gear as well. There's really no reason to have to spend more than $200 on a piece like this. Good hunting!

[arlis_1957@yahoo.com]

sherwood 2channel amp will do just fine. pe even sells it.
http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-RX-4105-Stereo-Receiver-Black/dp/B0002EPWC0

[Taterworks]

Harman/Kardon makes some stellar 2-channel receivers! With their quality and styling I'd feel terrible about consigning one to the garage -- they have very solid amp designs that are on par with most integrated amps in terms of robustness and sound quality, with huge current reserves. I've sort of leapfrogged that step in the development of my 2-channel system; I use a separate preamp and power amp, but if I had it to do over again or if I were picking a system for a budding audiophile, a HK3390 or HK3490 receiver would be a great cost-effective front end on the level of NAD or ARCAM.

[ROTECH]

That looks like a pretty nice reciever for the $$$.

I had been looking at some of the older Harmon Kardon recievers like the AVR20 or AVR???. Those are all surround recievers without the HDMI interface. Easy to find on eBay.

I really liked the warmth of the older reciever I heard yesterday. Is that something I can expect to hear from an amp like the suggested Onkyo or the modern day Harmon Kardons I have been looking at?

Jeff, My adcom GFA5400 bit the dust, and lost major tonal balance on the left channel, so now I am forced to use a Harman AVR20 as you mentioned, until I pay off my new Pioneer Elite.
I have no major complaints at all...at only 60 rated WPC, it handles my 2.5ways decently. The acoustics are rather nice for a 15 year old unit, vocals and music are rather crisp. This receiver was very highly regarded at tweeter and circuit city years ago. If you can find it for about $70 bucks--- go for it. If not, you can find a newer better unit for $120 at a pawnshop or craigslist.

[djg]

The HK 3390 and 3490 have sub outs, but no active crossover like you find in the usual A/V receiver. The sub outs are full range, which is fine for a sub using a plate amp. I have a 3390, nice solid receiver without modern hdmi or other A/V connections. I think the 3490 has more inputs.

The Outlaw would also be a good unit. Has a real sub out with active crossover.

A used A/V receiver without modern features is also a good idea, cheap and plentiful. I have a couple of old Yamahas, one in my office and one loaned out to a relative.

[fernandov]

NAD makes an awesome integrated amplifier, the 316-BEE. Google it and you will find nothing but stellar reviews. It's damped very well and takes great control over the speakers. The form factor is also fairly small. Sells for around $300 new and you should be able to find used ones in great shape for about a hundred bucks less. I highly recommend it if your not looking to spend much more.

[michiganpat]

sherwood 2channel amp will do just fine. pe even sells it.
http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-RX-4105-Stereo-Receiver-Black/dp/B0002EPWC0

had one of those, sound quality just isn't there compared to my marantz 2230 and 2265.....

[joeybutts]

My Onkyo 876 does get ridiculously warm but has had three years of use and abuse and has been a trooper. Don't know if it is good fortune or what (knock on a lot of wood) but have been loving it. It is now getting a nice rest from duty since the XPA-3 came in....

[bwaslo]

get something with peamp outs. Active crossovers are getting more practical all the time, as are inexpensive amps; and passive crossover components are getting more wild in pricing. Unless you have pre outs, you won't have the option.