I am tired of my 62 inch dlp 720p Mitsuibishi with awful glare on screen.
Want to sell it
and get a Plasma 1080p 58-62 inch
and a new receiver to replace my 6 year old Denon receiver.

What would be the best choices for those currently and best place to buy?Online(especially for tv) or brick and mortar? It seems I can buy cheaper on Amazon for example and save taxes also.

I would like to stay in 3000 or under range for tv and around 500 for the receiver.."however" I can be persuaded to pay more on both if it makes "a lot of difference"-especially if getting a deal-maybe Kuro?.

Just bought the Panny DMP BD30A Blu Ray player and my primary use is dvds and occasional tv/sports viewing.

I will leave speakers alone for now but advice is welcome-have the standard 5.1 setup on those.

http://www.onecall.com

I think you can get a 58" Panny for that price.

I 2nd the Panny plasma...

What speakers do you have? My standard receiver recommendation is H/K but for that budget you might want to go Onkyo.

I have been looking at that..also the
Pioneer PDP-6020FD KURO Plasma TV which could get for around $4,000 shipped no tax on Amazon...is that worth the extra 1,000 or so cash?
I have polk speakers which were professionally installed in the ceiling...
probally would worry about those last and see how they sound with new receiver.
I am no audiophile but do really want to enjoy blu ray at good level of presentation.
Onkyo seems to offer the most....what would be a good choice...my new dvd player needs to have the sound processed on receiver too(not decoded onboard).

Saw this in the Denon AVR-1909 thread over at AVS:

"Use the J&R (who's an authorized Denon dealer) "phone order" deal to get the Denon AVR-1909 for under 5 bills with free UPS shipping."

Wow...this seems like the receiver to get right now..thanks for the tip!
Ken

Look at my signature. I think I did really well. The Samsung TV cost me $1,100 (it is on sale for $1,000 from Frys right now), the Denon receiver $500, and the Onkyo speakers $150.

In any case, for sure go for the receiver if the price sounds right to you. It is absolutely awesome... my surround sound has never been as amazing as it is now. Thanks Denon!

Thanks for the Tip-ordered the Denon 1909...Wow! $499 with free shipping...awesome.
Now just need to sell the tv and find a new one...then maybe the speakers after that.

That Denon receiver you just bought reeks of awesomeness for its price!

Can't believe it...Ken Cranes..(a dealer chain in my area) has the same Denon receiver advertised for $348!!!!!!
I am too lazy to go there (about 20 minutes away) and buy it and then return what I have but man..what a frakin deal .

Is this for all Ken Cranes? I didn't see it on any ads today.

It's not the same. They are advertising the 1709, not the 1909.

Hmm...the 1909 for $500 does sound quite attractive. I was looking at either the 2809 to replace my 3803 and add some HDMI switching, but I dunno.

If you decide to purchase the 1909, you have to call J&R and request it. When I called my order in, the rep said it was priced at $599. I then referenced hearing from a "friend" that they were selling it for $499 with free shipping. He put me on hold for a few moments and then said he could sell it for $499.

If you do want it for this price, I wouldn't wait long. Of course, by the holidays, it may be priced even lower.

Thanks for the advice I may wait until after the holidays...

Get an Onkyo 805 before you cannot find them anymore.

Ken Cranes ad was in Sundays paper..

Now, that suggests you should try that for anything you buy there. Hmm....gonna keep that in mind.

I had originally googled buying this Denon receiver and the Fat Wallet posting came up detailing how to proceed to get the $499 price. However, that tactic may apply (as you described) on other items. I guess I'm unaware of the profit margins on consumer electronics.

Seeing that I'm now looking for a Blu Ray player that will work (i.e. component for video/hdmi for audio if that is even possible?) with my Toshiba 65H80 rptv (until I upgrade to an hdmi capable model), I will certainly keep this tactic in mind.

Usually markup is 45-55% of the total MSRP. This never applies to video games and seldom to the cheap stuff like a $100 DVDp. But receivers, TVs, speakers, etc. Now, J&R often lists things for less than MSRP, so they are eating some of that typical markup already.

I picked up the 1909 at Magnolia Hi Fi this evening for $525. No waiting for shipping. Can't wait to play tomorrow. HDMI switching, here I come!