kilcher

Right now I have my audio going through a stereo that's about 10 years old. I love it and it sounds awesome but I can't hook up a center channel speaker. Plus I'm moving into an upstairs condo and don't really want the speakers sitting on the floor.

I found two bookshelf speakers and a center channel speaker that I want. They are Cerwin Vega, $99 for the bookshelfs and $99 for the center channel. I'm not out to build the ultimate home theater system. I really liked the way they sounded in the store and my question is, if I buy a cheap receiver will that greatly affect the quality of the sound? I'm talking $150 or less here. The receiver would only be used for this setup (TV and DVD). I guess the question is: If I were to hook them up to a $150 receiver and a $500 receiver, would there be a signifficant difference? I'm probably asking the wrong group, you guys are perfectionists.

If I can't get something that sounds good for around $150 then I'll probably just stick with what I've got. Thanks in advance for your help!

Brian Shannon

Well since you asked

There are differences in receivers yes. Generally speaking this price difference should not matter, HOWEVER, there are $500.00 receivers and then there are $500.00 receivers.

A $500.00 offering from Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo would be superior to a $500.00 piece from Panasonic, Sanyo, Fisher etc.

Having said all that I am not sure given your speaker choice it will matter at all.

Good luck

The addition of a center channel will make a huge difference for video watching.

MichaelBlanton

I bought a Denon 1601 receiver last year from ubid for around $175 after shipping. That may be about as cheap as you want to go. The amp will drive a 4ohm load and the specs are across the full 20-20khz range. So there are 'cheap' amps that are significantly better than others.

Hunt around the internet...You'll find something.

kilcher

I looked around at Ubid but I don't know enough about receivers to just place a bid plus their setup is a little confusing to me. Anyway, I noticed Best Buy has 0% interest on everything until January 2003 so I think I'm just going to splurge and buy a new one. They only have two for $199 (which is about what I'm willing to spend). I think I'm going with the Pioneer but if you have comments I'd like to hear them...

Sony - http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=...1&cat=3&scat=4
Pioneer - http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=...1&cat=3&scat=4

Circuit City has quite a few for $199 if you think any of those are better I'd be willing to get it over there.

Brian Shannon

Here are some other ideas on this chart

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-GpNQyoP...mp.asp?g=10420

Good luck!

Goblincat

I've got a $300 (at the time) Kenwood receiver (VR-307 or something like that) in my first floor theater and a $500 Yamaha receiver (HTR5460) in the basement theater. The first day I hooked up the Yamaha, I couldn't believe how rich the sound was comapred to the Kenwood. I went back and listened to many of my CDs, because they sounded so much better.

Dah-Dee

I bought a (gulp) Teac Dolby Digital receiver a couple of years ago at Costco, for something like $175-200, and it's been much, much better than I expected, performance-wise and quality-wise (hasn't died yet or acted up, knock on wood) (can you tell my expectations were pretty low?). It's currently driving a pair of old Technics towers (honeycomb woofers), a JBL center speaker, and 2 cheapo surround speakers (KLH?). As you can see, not a dream setup. I did recently add a Sony powered sub, yippee! It actually does rock, figuratively (and, sometimes, I think, literally). Anyway, my point is that, not being especially picky about my audio, I've been pleasantly surprised with my Teac. Maybe worth considering, although I can see some others have also pointed out similar prices for what appear to be better products. Good luck with your search, though.

kilcher

Ok, I've come to my senses. Initially I was going to get a new reciever ($200), bookshelf speakers ($100), center channel speaker ($100), and speaker stands ($50). That comes out to $450.

I got to thinking, I'm going to end up with an old receiver and a so-so receiver that I will eventually have to replace with a good one. And I have stands for my current speakers which are perfectly good. So now I've decided to buy a $400 receiver and the center channel speaker and just use the speakers I already have.

So I'm afraid I'll need to ask for more advice. These are models I looked at from Best Buy and Circuit City (not sure if these links will work)...

Harmon Kardon AVR125
http://www.circuitcity.com/ewebIMa/d...k_18&oid=52444
Sony STRDE885
http://www.circuitcity.com/ewebIMa/d...k_20&oid=52440
Pioneer VSXD811S
http://www.circuitcity.com/ewebIMa/d...k_21&oid=55170

The Harmon Kardon only has 45 watts per channel but has good reviews. The HK and Pioneer both have a 4.9 rating (out of 5), the Sony only has a 3.9. I don't really put much faith in those ratings though.

I've heard Denon is an excellent brand and was wondering what you thought of this model (and if this is the one I should get)...

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...VR1602&o=m&a=0

If there are others I should be considering let me know. Right now it's looking like I'll probably go for the Denon but I need a little reassurance. Thanks guys!

nekobus

Check out the Onkyo 500 ($279) and 600 ($429). Both are excellent receivers for the money. The prices are from jandr.com (call to get these prices).

Brian Shannon

I would get the Denon over the other choices listed.

skar

I would get the Onkyo SR-500 if you want to keep it under $300. In the $400 range I recommend the Onkyo SR-600 and the Denon 1802.