A/V Receiver recommendations?

Question

Can you recommend a good 5.1 or 7.1 stereo receiver under $500? Minimum requirements are that it must have some kind of midnight or theater mode, the ability to connect all of the following: dvd player, television, game console (at least 1), vcr, cd player and a turntable if possible. Or alternatively, can you recommend a good home theater in a box set with a good receiver and good sounding speakers for under $1000? Any recommendations for Bose equipment will be ignored.

Answer 1

Okay, for under $500 I would try to find the best Onkyo (on sale) you can find. Denon is better but too pricey.

As for HTIB systems, the best I have heard are Denon (one is under $1000 I think) and again Onkyo. Many manufacturers make good speaker or good electronics but not both. Onkyo does a good job on both in my opinion. I think Bose HTIB systems suck too :-)

Answer 2

As long as the record player has a built in preamp you can get a Yamaha HTR-5960 for 500$ that will more than suit your needs. Or for around 700$ you can get a Denon DHT486DV for a good HTIB which also has a powered second zone. It comes with 7 speakers so you can use 5 for your home theater and 2 in another room and one person can listen to music in the other room, while you watch a movie in the main room or just do a 7.1 home theater. If you want better sound for music you can get a Yamaha YHT-370 for 410$ and add a powered subwoofer for 100-300$ and get better sound but no powered second zone and less digital inputs. Plus it doesnt come with a dvd player.

You can find these on http://www.bestbuy.com

Answer 3

HTIB: Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, Harman/Kardon, JVC

-or-

A/V Receiver: Onkyo, JVC, Sherwood Newcastle
Surround System Speakers: Energy, KEF, BIC Acoustech

Answer 4

DO NOT BUY BOSE! In that price range you will have a hard time finding one with a phono preamp. Other than that I would also recommend either an Onkyo or Denon. I have a Pioneer VSX D-812 which does everything you are looking for (except phono) for less than $300.

Answer 5

I recommend the Pioneer VSX-1015TX. I have the 1014 and it is out of this world! It will take care of ALL of your needs and then some. It is also THX certified. Check out their site. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069809_209686388,00.html

Although i own Bose...i would go with Polk, JBL or Infinity for speakers.

By the way...the other A/V recievers mentioned above are NOT THX certified.

Answer 6

Amen to Yamaha! The best A/V for the $ period.
I have had a Model#5760 for about a yr. and it has been great! If you have a Fry's in your area ,
look for their deals on Polk R series speakers.

Answer 7

I just got this denon 1707 im enjoying so far havent noticed the midnight or theater mode yet, very good buy I have it hooked up to Mirage speakers
Its hooked up to my dvd player
xbox 360
ps2
xbox
cable box
vcr
everything else like my
genesis
snes
n64
is hooked up through this
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2288981
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=11700
can find that remote cheap at walmart, really saves time with your system, have fun

oops heres the reciever
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RFerJ1DWE89/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=033AV1707

Answer 8

Go with a Yamaha A/V receiver & a Polk surround system, its in your price range and they will rock.

Answer 9

ONkyo or Denon are awesome. They have plenty of inputs for all of your gear. Best of luck.

Answer 10

Marantz or Yamaha - those are the best at that price range...