Hello,

I've had a Pioneer VSX-D557 receiver since Christmas 1998. It has worked great since then, and was in fact working fine the day before I moved from one apartment to another. Well, when I was re-hooking everything up again in my new apartment, the receiver wouldn't output anything to the front channels. So its sitting in a repair shop right now and I'm just waiting for an estimate. If it is something in-expensive I will just get it fixed but if its gonna cost more than $100 or so, I figure I might as well just get a new receiver.

I already have a nice set of Encore speakers (center, sub, 2 fronts, 2 rears) so the receiver is the only thing I need to replace. I want to absolutely have something in the next 2 weeks so I'll have a working system for when the extended DVD of The Two Towers comes out. Unfortunately that means I don't have the normal amount of time to do all the research I like to do when purchasing new HT equipment.

So I was wondering here if anybody could recommend any good receivers. Ordering B&M or online is no problem. Its not even completely important that I hear it before purchasing, I mean really how different can one receiver decode a 5.1mix from another?

I definitely want DTS 6.1 and DD 6.1 capability (I have a DVD player that outputs DTS and I figure I can pick up a center rear speaker someday for not too much money).
S-Video switching would be cool I guess... but does running video through a receiver instead of directly to the TV cause a loss of signal clarity at all?
Should I get Component-switching to future-proof myself? (I don't have a tv with component inputs yet)
I have no need for a phono input.
More than one digital input is necessary also cause I have the dvd player and digital cable (HBO airs a surprising amount of movies in 5.1).
I don't even know what other features receivers have had in the last 5 years since I researched one. Do they make receivers yet that you can turn off any of the 6 chanels at will yet (like say if you wanted to listen to only the rear channels for whatever reason)?


So I guess I'm just looking for any good recommendations, especially like any good ones that there is a good deal on right now somwhere, stuff like that. Or even recommendations on brands to check out in AV stores.

Thanks for any help!

Forgot to mention budget..... I'd like to spend between $400-$800

Denon 3803...

Don't know much about receivers but how about these two?-->
Sony - 600W 6.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver
STRDE695 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....oryId=cat03031 OR
Sony - 600W 6.1-Ch. Home Theater A/V Receiver
STR-DE895/B http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....oryId=cat03031

OR

maybe this one-->
Yamaha - 510W 6.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver
HTR-5660 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....oryId=cat03031

**Well within your budget. Good luck...let us know what you've decided to get...I am also in the hunt for a new receiver...I need some recommendations on a good set of bookshelf speakers and speaker stands...any ideas guys????

Something from the Denon, Onkyo, or Marantz lines, in that price range.
Another to consider is the Outlaw Audio reciever.

...and *avoid* the Sonys! Don't be fooled by the specs/features. They have anemic low-current amp and relatively crappy dsp modes.... Can't go wrong with Denon or Onkyo, maybe Yamaha....

http://www.6ave.com/product.jsp?x=AVR3803OP

authorized dealer has an open box 3803 for only $698 plus 6 cent shipping which is a very nice deal.

Yeah, I remember that deal (forgot the store though) which is why I recommended it in his price range. Best buy you'll see on that great receiver for a while. And Denons are built like tanks.

another vote for the Denon 3803. get it... you won't regret it.

Hmm that does seem like a good deal on the Denon 3803... Still a lot of money though. What is the opinion on the Denon 2803?

a very nice receiver also.

http://www.6ave.com/product.jsp?x=AVR2803OP

$549 plus 6 cent shipping.

I own the 2802 and I love it.

I love the blanket statements about certain lines of products. Sorry to burst your bubble but the ES line of Sony receivers perform very well. I am on my third one now and have been nothing but thrilled. You can certainly get a powerful ES line receiver for less than $800. the 5 year parts and labor warranty is icing on the cake.

You need to go listen to different products in an environment like your home to make any real decision.

Sound is not the only consideration. This is an A/V receiver, ensure that it has all of the connections you want. How's the remote? Will you even use the remote? Does it integrate with the rest of your equipment nicely? Does it please you asthetically? Does it up-convert video to component? Is there an on-screen menu system?

I love my blue light on STR-DA4ES that kicks in when I am in DD or DTS mode.

OK, ES receivers are decent quality, but those tend to be pricey (pushing the $800 limit at best). And, IMO, for the money of an ES (or less!) you can still get a better receiver from one of the other mfr's named here. In any case, check the 4th post above. There were 2 non-ES Sony receivers suggested that are basically crap despite looking good on paper.

As for remotes, I use an MX500 that handles and integrates *all* of my equipment beautifully, so I don't give a darn about the OEM remote. And I wouldn't use my receiver to switch video unless I really *had* to (why pay more $$$ for extra cables and suffer some degree of signal degradation when you can have a direct conenction to the tv???). A receiver is primarily for processing sound and amplifying audio signals. A decent remote will handle the switching duties and let you have better direct connections to the monitor.

Glad you like your Sony, but I'd go for a Marantz or Onkyo or Denon in a heartbeat, and know that I have a much better and/or less-expensive receiver.

The ES line are good receivers although I would pick the comparable Denon receiver over an Es every time.

I do think that in general Denon makes far better receivers than Sony does.

1st choice - Onkyo
(Onkyo products are unbelievably fantastic for the price. I personally would go with one of the higher end 6.1 models, but the base 6.1 model is wonderful and even in the BOTTOM of your price range.)

2nd choice - Denon
(One of the most CONSISTANTLY top performing brands of components out there. Well worth the money.)

Well everyone, thanks for you help - I ended up going with the Denon 3803. The deal 6thave has right now was just too good to pass up (I haven't even gotten the estimate from the repair shop on my Pioneer yet... deal was just too good). For those of you who don't know, if you call 6thAve and ask for the Denon 3802, they will tell you its out of stock and are subsitituting the Denon 3803 for it. Voila, you get the $1300 3803 for $648.06 shipped to your door. Half off retail was just too good to pass up. I'll post here what I think of it when it comes in.

Please do! I like to see happy endings.