I know this is rehashed about every 2 weeks or so but... I am now ready to purchase a DD receiver.

I have sort of narrowed it down to the following:

Onyko 575x (about $400 shipped)
Sony DB940 (I think thats the right model #, not sure about the best price I can get)

The place I'm thinking of getting the Onkyo from said that if it hisses that I could send it back, though they believe the hiss problem has been taken care of.

Anyone have any other suggestions for a receiver for about $400??? Thanks!

Cracker -
I've recently been in the same place you've been in and I listened to a lot of products and read a lot of reviews. I finally decided on the Marantz Sr-7000 because it is so well rounded (GREAT for both music and HT), has so many inputs/outputs, has a great reputation, and just sounded best to me. This receiver is a little more than what your willing to pay, so I would say look for an SR-5000 from Marantz. It is very similar and a truly GREAT sounding product (better than what you listed IMO). I really don't care for ANYTHING Sony (maybe TVs) and the Onkyo has had some real probs with music output. If you look around, you can prob find the SR-5000 for around $450. Otherwise, the Onkyo you listed is pretty decent and so are the Yamaha, for that price range.

Good Luck!

I never really cared for anything Sony either however after listening and comparing receivers for about a month, I decided that the Sony DB-940 was the best option for me.

It was a great price and had all the features I wanted. It sounded very good for the money and does everything I want.

I own the Onkyo purhcased last October, after replacing it (due to hiss) in December, the new one is FANTASTIC, the high current amp and solid feel are what sold me. Mine does not have S-Videw switching, but I purchased an RCA switcher for my satellite etc... The new 575X units I understand have the switching. Don't forget to double your warranty at: freewarranty.com.

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For that price, either should be decent. The above recommendation on Marantz is a good one too. They are putting out a fine product these days (I have an SR-8000 and love it)

Also look at the Pioneer Elite VSX21

I recently purchased the Marantz SR8000 and was blown away! All I will say is give Marantz a listen. I used to be a die hard Sony freak, but after buying enough of their junk, I have personally boycotted their products. Their receivers are probably fine now, but it's like everything else with them--they come out with a line of crap for us to waste our hard-earned money on, then after listening to customer complaints for a year or two, they finally produce a quality product. IMHO they just don't respect their customers anymore.

I'm getting a JVC RX-7000V on Wednesday. DD & DTS. Very impressed with its features. And it's not too expensive. I've read that most Pioneer receivers are solid. I have an Awia Pro Logic right now. Has worked perfectly for 2 years.

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REVIEW WORLD

"Pop's trippin', man. He wanted me to ask for my bike back. You know I wouldn't trip."

I bought the Sony DB940 from soundcity for $412 shipped during their free shipping weekend. It is a ton of receiver for the price. I watched Twister DTS, my first DTS experince on this reciever and was very impressed. I've read complaints about the Stereo mode listening to music and dont see the fuss. Many of the pieces parts of the ES line are in this reciecer and it had a ton of functionality, loads of digital ins, a learning 2 way remote and s-video switchng capable. All in all an upgradable happy purchase!

I ordered the Onkyo 575x for $414 shipped from Soundcity.com They say all of the hissing/ground problems have been completely fixed with this new model. I'm excited...I should have it within a week. Now all i need to do is get some new speakers...