ESUguy

I'm going to finally upgrade from DPL, and was wanting opinions. I think I'm going to keep it between the following 3. The wife usually doesn't like it too loud, so volume isn't really that big a concern. I'm mainly interested in clean amplifiers. I'm choosing between the Onkyo 494, the Yamaha 5440, and the Kenwood vr-507. I want to keep it at the $300 price point, because the wife and I are expecting. Which of these would you suggest? Are there any others I should consider?

nekobus

The Onkyo 494 is a great receiver. It has nice sound, good build quality and Pro Logic II. It can be found at jandr.com for $279, but if you work them a bit you can probably get it even cheaper.

edclem

among those 3, i'd definitely go with the onkyo.
I would expect it to have the cleanest amplifier stage.
I have the 575-X and absolutely love it

DavePhipps

Yamaha will have superior performance for music, the Onkyo will be better for movies.

Of the 3 I'd probably go with the Onkyo - even if the Kenwood looks beter for the money the Onkyo is a better receiver

nekobus

We thought the Onkyo sounds just fine for music. However, YMMV.

Here is someone who was considering the same receivers, he went with the Onkyo:

http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/006492.html

wiz

I have the Onkyo 494 Receiver and I must say it is a very nice receiver. I picked mine up on http://www.ubid.com/ for $144, refurbished. It's as good as new though and I saved myself about $150+ if I would have bought it new.

I suggest the Onkyo, but then again this is the only receiver I have ever had so I'm biased.

ESUguy

Thanks guys. I was thinking of going with the Onkyo, but just wanted to make sure it was the best choice.

skar

wiz, I think you got the Onkyo 484. I picked up the same receiver from UBid (arrived on Sat). Great receiver, perhaps the best value ever! The 494 adds DPL II and S-Video switching.

wiz

484, 494, I get them all mixed up.

But yah, it is a great receiver for only $144. Can't beat it (my first one also).

matchpenalty

not to be a pain, but throwing in a monkey wrench: 6ave electronics has the Denon 2801 for 395 (online sale).. Awesome unit...

ESUguy

Thanks for all your answers. I think I'm going to stick with Crutchfield because I have a gift certificate, and I have bought from them before and had a great experience.

AW

You can get a warrantied refurb Onkyo TXDS 575X at Sound City for $299.

http://www.soundcityoutlet.com/bin/p...product_id=304

Might be worth a look at the same price as the 494. More power, no DPLII.

Indy Jones Fan

Guess I'm the only one to pick Yamaha over Onkyo. I compared the Yamaha 5460 to the Onkyo 595 and liked the Yamaha much better for Home Theater use. The Onkyo sounded too mellow for my tastes. Ultimately I chose a Denon AVR-3802 over both the Yamaha and Onkyo.

Geofferson

I too would vote for the Yamaha. I had a similar decision to make earlier this year between a Onkyo, Denon and Yamaha. I ended up going with the Yamaha and am glad I did.