Good low- to mid-priced receiver?
 

My Sony 5.1 DTS receiver is dying and I'd like to replace it with something not too expensive (under $300, maybe) Someone suggested I check out Onkyo. Anyone have any specific suggestions?

I have a Yamaha RX-V530 Receiver. It has pretty good sound, and is loaded with features like component video switching, 3 digital optical inputs, and all those Yamaha sound fields. It's not the best receiver, but it's quite good for the price. I got mine for $320 at a local A/V retailer. I have my receiver powering 4 Paradigm Atoms, a Paradigm CC-170 center, and a Paradigm PDR-10 sub, and it all sounds great.

The mass-market version of this receiver is the Yamaha HTR-5550. According to Yamaha's website, it is supposedly identical to the RX-V530. You can get it at BestBuy for $399. But I do not buy audio stuff from BestBuy, because they tend not to sell decent quality stuff - and their decent quality stuff is ironically overpriced. Head over to www.jandr.com for the same receiver at $279. It's in your budget, and it should do a fine job.

Panasonic SAHE100K - $300 and it's a 6.1 receiver...

In the $300 range to keep your current 5.1 setup:
Quality: as mentioned Yamaha V530, Onkyo TX-SR500
Quantity: Pioneer VSX-811S (7.1 spkr for future expansion, but higher THD%, learning remote)

Thanks for the suggestions! That's a good start.

Now let's say I'm thinking about getting an HDTV down the road and want to have the option for compnent video. Would I need a receiver that passed compontent video or how eles would I handle that?

Another option would be to purchase refurb or used equipment. For example a refurbished Denon 1803 is available for $300; it’s a good amp and a good value at that price.

I know the Onkyo 500 gets a lot of recommendations here; I tried it and it just did not work well for me--flat, unengaging, dull.

You don't need a receiver that will pass a component signal... Most HDTVs have <i>multiple</i> component inputs... However, you'll find that most receivers do have a set of component inputs as well.

I never pass the video thru my receiver--I'm too cheap to buy an extra component or s-video cable :-)

But lets say, hypothetically, that a friend of a friend wants to pass an HD component signal through the receiver. That friend would want the component bandwidth rated in the high 20's, like 28MHz, or more.

Definitely Panasonic SAHE100 - 6.1 DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix, unofficial DD-EX, DTS NEO-6 and PLII, not to mention approx
70w X 6 & 78w X 5.

I have the SAHE100 and have been extremely pleased with it.

Denon 1803. Hands down.

The Sherwood RD 6108 is currently on sale at Circuit City for $129.99. Has to be the best of the lower priced units.

Kenwood VR-6070 a THX receiver for $398.99 at etronics.com

The new Pioneers are coming out next month, so you might want to wait on the reviews before buying.

That sounds like solid advice. Thanks again for all the suggestions. I[ll be keeping the speakers from my Sony HTB for a while (at least it has a powered sub) but am looking forward to replacing the entire HT piece by piece eventually.

Another vote for the phenomenal Panasonic SA-HE100

I have one and drool everytime I watch Lord of the Rings in DTS 6.1 Discrete :)...

You guys are starting to sound awful persuasive... :D

What persuaded me was the review from Sound and Vision when they picked it in their best of 2002 issue saying something along the lines of "for $300 you are getting sound that rivals some $800-1000 units" and you can get it for about $250-ish now (I got a silver one and it is cool)

And that Cave troll roaring RIGHT BEHIND YOU is really Kick Ash

When do Panasonic put out new models? Is there a new version of this guy right around the corner with a price drop on the current model?

Panasonic, Sony, Pioneer, etc.--in the $300-ish price range those are the 2nd-tier options. Lots of bells'n'whistles but the amps don't have the juice (despite the 'watss per channel' ratings) and that makes a huge difference. Plus, more subtle differences in processors count, although a side-by-side would let you hear what you're missing.

Sorry guys, but the Denon/Onkyo/Yamaha/H-K's are the better units for great sound. Heck, do a search here (or go to a real audio/HT site) and see what folks recommend on a budget. I've already decided on an 1803 as best bang for the buck. I used to have a Sony and will never go back. It sounded horrible/weak/strained at 110 rated w/ch, and was blown away (in volume and quality) by the 75 w/ch Yamaha that replaced it.

BTW, for $300 a refurb Denon 1803 will blow away the Panny any day. Although if you wanna live by the word of Consumer Reports (who praise Bose speakers endlessly, for example!), that's your option....

I live by the word of Sound and vision and other DVDTalkers and that Panny is good for the $230 I paid...as for power, I can't get it past half way before my ears bleed...that frankly is enough power for me.

That's kind of an unfair generalization. While most of the Denon/Onkyo/HK/Yamaha receivers do tend to be on the higher end, you will also find Sony's and Pioneers that are on the same quality level for the same price. YOUR Sony may have been weak and poor sounding, but you probably haven't listened to the Sony ES series which are every bit as good, if not better than the "real" receivers. (As a disclaimer, I own an Onkyo 575)

The power is not really about maxing out the volume. It's about being able to handle large dynamic changes without distortion. It's also about being able to maximize the potential of your speakers. Of course, power (wattage) is only one part of that whole equation.

The panny is rated at 100W and the review states that it gives a true 70W...again good enough for me...with discrete dts 6.1...