Home Theatre Receiver Conundrum... Shut up and take my money!!!

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Orsomosaurus

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 113806 28-Jan-2013 20:15
Hi guys, first post for advice so please let me know if I'm a little light on detail. I'm in the process of looking to upgrade my receiver for my home theatre and to be honest I usually have more dollars than sense, so tend to use as much money as possible to fix my problems without really seeking out all the options I have available or what is realistically appropriate. Currently I'm running; Receiver: Marantz NR1402 Fronts: Polk Audio TSi500's Rears: Polk Audio TSi400's (yes I realise these are probably overkill, see above tendency) Centre: Polk Audio CS20 Sub: Polk Audio PSW12 Cabling: AudioQuest Rocket 33 cables to TSi500, AudioQuest G-2 to TSi400 & CS20, AudioQuest Sub-A to sub. Basically I'm looking for guidance for an appropriate receiver to power the above for maximum clarity - I don't tend to slam a lot of volume through these but feel the NR1402 isn't quite keeping up. And most of the sales people I deal with seem to see me a walking commission cheque. My budget is roughly $1,500 for this piece.? Please let me know if anyone needs any more information

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 752276 28-Jan-2013 20:44
The Marantz isn't designed to handle the BIG speakers you currently have in your home. Really it's only aimed to run small satellite speakers / fit into a small space where a regular size receiver won't. I put a post up a while ago where I listed my feeling on the current main stream receiver brands... but I can't find it right now, so here's a brief run down. Marantz: 2012 / 2013 amps are easy to use, with a re-thought remote and a better GUI. Nice, powerful receivers... but the only one in your price range (new) is the SR5007. Discrete amplification, solid 'hefty' sound that certainly brings a lot of dynamics and 'slam' to the sound track. Denon: See above... but you have two options, the AVR2113 and AVR2313. Basically, Denon and Marantz come from the same stable (DMH - Denon Marantz Holdings). You'll find the specs of the receivers goes... AVR2113, SR5007, AVR2313 - prices run accordingly. So don't be surprised to find the same remote / GUI and very similar specs. However the Denon will typically cost you less and come with a longer warranty from the manufacturer. The Denon display is a lot easier to read than the Marantz. http://www.whathifi.com/review/denon-avr-2113 Yamaha: The RXV673 is an extremely well received... um... receiver. Well appointed, even handed sound and a very good spec for the money. The GUI is a piece of cake, the apps are very good, and the build quality is up there for the money. The remote could do with a re-think in my opinion, but I'd jump straight into an iOS or Android app to control it personally. Rated as the best in the price category by What HiFi. http://www.whathifi.com/review/rx-v673 Onkyo: These won't cost you much! Onkyo international, the importer and the likes of JB Hifi are pushing these amps out for very little. There has been a downside though, reliability of the receivers (HDMI's) and noticeably weaker reviews for the latest models... well, maybe not the most compelling option at this point. I looked for a WhatHifi review (trying to find one on all eligible receivers from the same source) but could only find this... http://www.whathifi.com/forum/av-receivers/onkyo-tx-nr-616 Pioneer: Great for people who like to fiddle with the settings (as well as a great iOS app). However the amps below the LX series are sonically a little weak. The VSX922 or VSX1122 are well appointed, but they're just plain difficult to drive (the remote and GUI drive me bananas). http://www.whathifi.com/review/pioneer-vsx-922-k

vexxxboy

1194 posts

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Reply # 752453 29-Jan-2013 10:29
check out the Warehouse they are selling Yamaha recievers cheap for today only http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/redalert/product/27108936369

Dunnersfella

1827 posts

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Reply # 752503 29-Jan-2013 11:25
Wow - that RXV2067 is oooooold. I wonder what warehouse in Taiwan had that sitting around? The RXV2071 is still going to be in some stores who can't sell it, the RXV2073 is the current model (Airplay / iOS app + Android App / 4k2k support etc). The RXV471 is last years amp, but doesn't offer discrete amplification. If they offered the RXV671 or (and I doubt many people would go there today) the RXV667 for a good price, you'd be getting a decent power supply...

insane

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Reply # 752521 29-Jan-2013 11:40
Dunnersfella: Onkyo: These won't cost you much! Onkyo international, the importer and the likes of JB Hifi are pushing these amps out for very little. There has been a downside though, reliability of the receivers (HDMI's) and noticeably weaker reviews for the latest models... well, maybe not the most compelling option at this point. I looked for a WhatHifi review (trying to find one on all eligible receivers from the same source) but could only find this... http://www.whathifi.com/forum/av-receivers/onkyo-tx-nr-616 I've got the TX-NR-515 and the latest firmware update has fixed the HDMI/blank screen issue, has been fine for a couple weeks now.

Jaxson

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Reply # 752544 29-Jan-2013 12:02
insane: Dunnersfella: Onkyo: These won't cost you much! Onkyo international, the importer and the likes of JB Hifi are pushing these amps out for very little. There has been a downside though, reliability of the receivers (HDMI's) and noticeably weaker reviews for the latest models... well, maybe not the most compelling option at this point. I looked for a WhatHifi review (trying to find one on all eligible receivers from the same source) but could only find this... http://www.whathifi.com/forum/av-receivers/onkyo-tx-nr-616 I've got the TX-NR-515 and the latest firmware update has fixed the HDMI/blank screen issue, has been fine for a couple weeks now. The original Onkyo hdmi issues were mechanical/heat related, so a firmware isn't going to sort that out. I know as I just spent a damn scary hour or so replacing the stuffed capacitors on my older 576 receiver. Fixed completely though, for the grand sum of $5 in parts, of which I only used a few from the pack.

Orsomosaurus

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 758707 9-Feb-2013 15:18
Thanks for all your help guys, managed to get my hands on a brand new Marantz SR5007 for $950, so hopefully this will tide me over until my next upgrade. Thanks again!!!

Skillie

95 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 758710 9-Feb-2013 15:43
But does it fit in your new entertainment unit?

Orsomosaurus

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 758716 9-Feb-2013 16:11
Now, that's a technical question... But it's not a problem that a file or router won't fix - router the woodworking tool not the one other more discussed piece of hardware, because that would just be a silly solution.

Dunnersfella

1827 posts

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Reply # 759136 10-Feb-2013 19:16
Good price - make sure you have plenty of space above and around the receiver so it can breathe.