Madman34

Anyone have any opions on the Keenwood 309 or Pioneer 509s. Im trying to deceeide on the two and need some help. They both pretty much have the same features and are the same price. I just dont know if one is better then the other. Thanks

Spork

The Pioneer 509 has more features like center pre-out, DSP modes, midnight listening mode. Other than that they are the same. The Kenwood 309 is last years model, you might also try looking at the Kenwood 407 and 409 (this years model). I would personally go with the Pioneer if they were the same price.

BEC

Out of two, the Pioneer is a better choice.
It has 6 channel inputs - you can upgrade to a better processor and still keep the amp.
The Kenwood 407 is VERy similar to the 309- you get 1 more digital input and a redesigned remote (it still sucks). I wouldn't pay the extra money.

Although you get "100 watts" w/both these receivers, it's at real high THD. A pioneer/kenwood's 100w is about the same as a Denon / Yamaha / Onkyo 85 watts, maybe even 75 watts. If you can find any of those receivers in your price range, get them instead.

Madman34

Thanks for all the info. I was going to get the Denon AVR-1800 but ecost stopped carrying it. I have to get it there or at supremevideo.com because they are the only 2 sites on pointclick that carry receivers and I have $400.00 to spend from pointclick so that leaves me with the 309 or the 509s. I guess I will go with the 509s.

BEC

Ecost has the yamaha 5150 for 399.99 - the site shows 499.99, but when you click on buy, the price shows up as 399.99. Worth a thought.

If you using pointclick, you can look into crazy eddies. They're still listed under the reimbursement merchant list. You can email pointclick to see if this works.
Crazy Eddies is a little shady, but they'll
give really prices. You could get a Yamaha 795a or denon 1800 for $400-$450. W/pointclick and the 10%, maybe nearly free.

Here's a thread on Crazy Eddies: http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/004270.html

The AMEX 15% deal is gone - but pointclick may still work. You need to give them a price to beat from a competitor.

Madman34

BEC thanks for the heads up on the yamaha deal at ecost. I might try to get that one. Now if they only had it in stock. Thanks again for the help I would of never know of the cheaper price. Plus ecost has free shipping over $200.00.