5.1 Receiver suggestions?

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astrial

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#140870 23-Feb-2014 09:43

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions on a 5.1 AV receiver that I'd like to run a home theatre system with (so including some HDMI ports). My budget's probably up to $1000 for the receiver (but would prefer to spend less).

My main point of difference is that I'd like it to fit into my existing shelving system, which is 250mm deep - this is pretty severely limiting, but it would be really neat and tidy if I can find some kind of small receiver/amp that will fit in that space - otherwise I'm going to have to get a whole new rack and put it next to what I have at the moment.

Any thoughts? I've been trying to get a few google searches out there, but size doesn't seem to be a big consideration when purchasing one of these. I'm leaning towards some form of micro system or perhaps really doing the toss up between something like a Bose Lifestyle system vs. having to have an additional rack for AV.

Cheers!

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#992692 23-Feb-2014 10:29

If you cared about sound quality you'd get one with

Thd <0.1% at 20-20000hz at ALL channels driven and not worry so much about W

If i were you i'd also get one with audyssey multEQ. But that will start a lengthy debate from rich folks.

Rich folks please bear in mind OP's budget

Batman

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#992693 23-Feb-2014 10:30

Oh i just read your space constraints. I stand by my statement, if you care about sound quality that is.

insane

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#992696 23-Feb-2014 10:42

Probably limited to Pioneer, Onkyo and Sony. If I had the chance again I wouldn't have bought my Onkyo, it sounds OK but it feels like an unfinished product, far too many bugs/quirks, but packed with features.

Could potentially get a second hand higher end model if you care about sound quality?

overkill

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#992697 23-Feb-2014 10:51

astrial:

My main point of difference is that I'd like it to fit into my existing shelving system, which is 250mm deep - this is pretty severely limiting, but it would be really neat and tidy if I can find some kind of small receiver/amp that will fit in that space -

Cheers!

Is the shelf 250mm deep or the space that the receiver needs to fit in? Could you fit a deeper unit in with it sticking out past the end of the shelf? As joker touched on sound quality, you get more bang for buck purchasing a dedicated receiver (Consumer models like Onkyo, Marantz/Denon, Yamaha 5.1 for under $1000) unlike the mini systems, especially Bose....you will not regret the purchase of an AVR over a mini system.

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#992712 23-Feb-2014 11:39

astrial: ... I'm leaning towards some form of micro system or perhaps really doing the toss up between something like a Bose Lifestyle system vs. having to have an additional rack for AV...

AVOID the Bose Lifestyle system - grossly overpriced, horrible sound.

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afe66

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#992723 23-Feb-2014 12:05

I think you are going to struggle getting something that shallow especially as you need at least another 50mm to avoid bending the (many) cables that will connect into the back...

The other issue to think about is the height of the unit leaving cooling space if fitting into an existing unit. Mine is 18 cm high and it won't fit into any of the 8 units I looked at in Hunter furniture.

Could you saw away the back of the shelving unit to make more space ?

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astrial

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#993641 24-Feb-2014 21:06

Yeah, when I said something like the Bose Lifestyle, I guess I meant 'something like that in size' rather than an actual Bose lifestyle - agree, far too expensive for what it's worth.

The issue is that I have a built-in cabinet that is literally already in-set into my lounge wall. So what we have is the outside wooden boards, the internal 4x2s and the building paper, and then this cabinet which is set back a little the wall and deeper than the gib. I think it was built into the wall to give as much space as practicable in a room which is a small lounge. It's got some built-in shelving which is 250mm deep, which is obviously completely impractical and doesn't actually hold anything except trinkets - long story short, 250mm deep is about the limit, but it could overhang another 10mm or so and not look completely out of place.

This would definitely fit much easier with WAF +100 points.

The other option is a separate table or rack that I put the AVR on. This would cost me WAF points, but is not impossible. I was wondering if there are such systems that aren't deep. Width and height are not issues.

As for sound quality, there's nice sound, and then there's audiophile territory, which, frankly, I don't think the budget is really interested in stretching for, and realistically, unlikely to be a huge factor. So I want good sound but on balance there are other factors such as the size and cost and WAF impact.

If there's a 'reasonable' sounding AVR (or mini system amp or similar) that can fit in the dimensions, even if I have to go a bit further on the budget, I'd probably go for that, over having a separate cabinet for the AVR.

This doesn't sound possible based on the replies though?

Dunnersfella

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#993654 24-Feb-2014 21:32

Denon's AVRX1000 would be the closest 5.1 AVR I can think of... they really are smaller depth wise than most receivers out there.
BUT, it's 330mm deep, so you're out of luck there.
I honestly can't think of any options on the market, so it's time to cut the back off the cabinet or get another piece of furniture for your receiver.

stevehall

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#993670 24-Feb-2014 21:55

I got a new tv a while back, and just for tidying things up, I grabbed the second cheapest amplifier with hdmi,

It was an onkyo tx-nr509 at 398 from jbhifi,

Got it home and really surprised at how good it was, network streaming , audysey eq, and sounds great, can't complain.

If I had to start again, I would look at the more expensive mods they do to see what they offer, but for a good budget receiver then happy with this

afe66

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#993696 24-Feb-2014 22:09

Sony 1040 is $1140 at job hifi. Got very good reviews and will have reasonable life expectancy/future proofing, but that's over the 1k budget.

Where is the tv ? Is it on some sort of furniture that you could replace with one with space got the AMP ?

Could you put the amp somewhere out of sight or less out of sight and run a longer hdmi cable to the tv ? Ie amp doesn't have to sit under or right next to the tv.

What was your thoughts about placement of speakers ?

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ilovemusic

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#994278 25-Feb-2014 17:10

joker97: If you cared about sound quality you'd get one with

Thd <0.1% at 20-20000hz at ALL channels driven and not worry so much about W

If i were you i'd also get one with audyssey multEQ. But that will start a lengthy debate from rich folks.

Rich folks please bear in mind OP's budget

actually if you really cared about sound quality you would avoid audyssey and its ilk like the plague...

but the real killer is the 250mm depth requirement.

while there are plenty of compact shor avrs i could find none to recommend that is shallow enough.

time for some new cabinetry too !

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Dunnersfella

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#994397 25-Feb-2014 20:09

What about a soundbar with HDMI inputs?

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#994401 25-Feb-2014 20:14

ilovemusic:
joker97: If you cared about sound quality you'd get one with

Thd <0.1% at 20-20000hz at ALL channels driven and not worry so much about W

If i were you i'd also get one with audyssey multEQ. But that will start a lengthy debate from rich folks.

Rich folks please bear in mind OP's budget

actually if you really cared about sound quality you would avoid audyssey and its ilk like the plague...
!

absolutely! if you have 100k to spend on speakers and room treatment

astrial

29 posts

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#995111 26-Feb-2014 21:36

The TV sits within the same recess created by the built in cabinet. Yes, I could conceivably build a deeper cabinet, which is sounding like the best possibility. In the medium-term interim, I could leave the set up (which is currently costing me greatly on the WAF) is a small hall table which my 2-channel amp currently sits on. I was hoping to remove this from the equation, but it doesn't seem likely.

The suggestion on the Sony 1040 is looking like a winner, after having looked at some reviews. If we were to go with around the $1k mark, are there any other competitors out there that we might have suggestions for?

I currently have two floor standers from Yamaha which I quite like and are powered by a Yamaha 2 channel amp, so I will probably keep those, and then look at a centre speaker and two rear surrounds.

Thanks for the help

Dunnersfella

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#995142 26-Feb-2014 22:22

Listen to the Sony first, take it home and spend some time with the receiver and your speakers.
Buying an amp or speakers without listening to them / getting a feel for how they work is a massive mistake in my books.

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