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An Audio Unregistered guest | I would like a decent 5.1 receiver for <$150. I am looking at Onkyo TX-DS494 ($140), Pioneer VSX-D511 ($135), Kenwood VR-606 ($123), Kenwood VR-616 ($133), Kenwood VR-705S ($143), Technics SADX940 ($150), Somy STR-K750P ($145). (Prices include shipping) DTS would be preferable. DVD Audio (optical) would be nice, too. Any help offered to remedy my situation would be greatly appreciated. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 1282 Registered: Dec-03 | These units are virtually the same with Kenwood and Pioneer having better power supplies, for such a mass market product. It all comes down to the features that you want. |
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AnAudioFreshman Unregistered guest | Which Kenwood? |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 1288 Registered: Dec-03 | The 7 series. |
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AnAudioFreshman Unregistered guest | Aren't Kenwood and Pioneer (along with numerous others) notorious for overrating their WPC. Do all these companies do that or is one of them better at giving the true WPC? |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 1291 Registered: Dec-03 | Actually Kenwood is one of the better ones at rating their output. |
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Bronze Member Username: HokievtPost Number: 21 Registered: Aug-04 | Also look at a refurbed Onkyo 501. It should be about $150. |
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AnAudioFreshman Unregistered guest | I'm leaning toward Onkyo 494 . . . it may have lower power ratings, but I think it may be more conservatively rated than any of the others . . . |
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Bronze Member Username: HokievtPost Number: 22 Registered: Aug-04 | Problem solved http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=199034 Denon AVR-483 $130 delivered |
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AnAudioFreshman Unregistered guest | It seems that Denon on that link has some highly exaggerated specs. 100 watts per channel AT 1 khz WITH 6 Ohm resistance (not 8 Ohm) and .7% THD. The Onkyo may not have those stats listed, but it does have 55 Watts per channel into 8 Ohm. Are they equal . . . Or am I totally off base . . . |
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Silver Member Username: BilldashillPost Number: 106 Registered: Dec-03 | I wouldn't think any receiver under $150 would have a dramatic difference in sound or power. Denon and Onkyo usually don't fudge too much on their power ratings. I'll bet that the Onkyo sounds better in this comparison. |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 1314 Registered: Dec-03 | Don't ask too much of a $150 receiver, you have to realize that these are produced at high volumes and are cheap to manufacture. |
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Bronze Member Username: Awj53West Sacramento, CA USA Post Number: 20 Registered: Jun-04 | Actually, there are very few companies that rate their watts per channel AS ALL CHANNELS DRIVEN! Usually if you look close, it is , say 100 watts per channel one channel driven! Marantz, NAD, Rotel, and Harmon Kardon are the only ones that I know of that rate their receivers at, say 55 (or what ever the rating is for a particular model) watts per channel, ALL CHANNELS DRIVEN! If your speakers are relatively sensitive, 89 DB+, and your room is of a reasonable size you should be ok! Berny, I concur, in this catagory, or at any price point really, it boils down to features! Be careful of refurbs, or B stocks, know the return policy, the unit could be a real deal, or a bust! I used to buy Yamaha B stock, six out of ten units were either cosmetically trash, or malfunctioned, or worse yet in one case, both! Alvin |
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AnAudioFreshman Unregistered guest | Thanks, I'm going with the Onkyo 494, Refurb with money back 30 day guaruntee . . . its due in a couple days . . . |