Posted: 1/2/2013 9:25:04 AM EDT
| My ancient Technics (your joke here..................) finally played out so I need another one. Looking for something $500 or less for a 5.1 system. I have some Fluance speakers ordered to go with whatever I end up with but found out I'm waaaaaaay behind on what passes for a decent brand. Not needing something spectacular, just something for music and movies. Room is roughly 13x18 so pretty much medium size I think. Thanks. |
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Can't go wrong with Yamaha, Amazon has the RX-V473 on sale for $399.95. |
I'm needing another one too. My HK AVR-254 will only play the radio through it. 
I'm trying to decide if I really need one that upconverts. I have a Motorola Cable Box, Sony BluRay, Nintendo Wii and a Sony LCD. I will sometimes hook the laptop up to watch streaming videos from Amazon. |
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I got an RX-V1900 new open box ($310 last year) that does nicely in 5.1 with Mission CC for the front three speakers, and Wharfdale pyramids for the rears, coupled with a Polk 505 in a 15' X 20' room.
Clean and no sense of distortion at near-theatrical levels (beyond which it's too loud to think, and there's a sense the receiver is trying too hard). The upscaler chip is very acceptable, though completely outclassed with the new line (Master and Commander will always be a favorite litmus test of a chip). Suggestion: look for the folks who have to upgrade every year and sell barely used gear - the big AV forums have great classifieds. |