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Which budget surround sound receiver?

Discussion in 'Off Topic [BG]' started by DigMe, Jul 16, 2003.

  1. Jul 16, 2003 #1
    DigMe

    DigMe

    Aug 10, 2002
    Waco, TX
    Ok, the spouse and I are on a spending spree with our wedding money. Today we went to Fry's and bought a Canon Powershot A70 digital camera and 256 mb compactflash memory card. It kicks a$$ for the price.

    So the next target on our list is a surround sound receiver. I've been looking at sub 200 dollar models because that's what we can afford. The two that have attracted my attention are the Kenwood VR-705 S and the Pioneer VSX-D412. Anyone know anything about either of these models? They seem to have pretty similar features. At the moment I'm more inclined towards the Pioneer because of good experiences with other Pioneer products, including my DVD player. Whaddya think? Know any really good consumer review sites for these receivers. Those sites are much easier to find for digital cameras than for receivers it seems.

    brad cook
     
  2. Jul 17, 2003 #2
    Tim Cole

    Tim Cole

    Jun 12, 2002
    Findlay, Ohio
    IMO best bang for the buck is Sony, they far exceed in quality to the pioneers and kenwoods.....
     
  3. Jul 17, 2003 #3
    Wrong Robot

    Wrong Robot Guest

    Apr 8, 2002
    Every Sony Reviever I have used has far exceeded my expectations, and been a great product.

    I have a technics reciever that I got for $180(open item) it does the job, but the surround options are a bit limited.
     
  4. Jul 17, 2003 #4
    Philbiker

    Philbiker Pat's the best!

    Dec 28, 2000
    Northern Virginia, USA
    I prefer Pioneer in low end electronics. Sony in general means reliability problems in my experience. I would avoid the brand.

    Try reading a bit at www.hometheaterforum.com , lots of knowledgable people there. I've always liked Kenwood, Sherwood, Pioneer, and Panasonic/Technics at the low end. If you can find an Onkyo that fits your needs they make really good stuff. Try www.jandr.com and www.onecall.com for great prices.
     
  5. Jul 17, 2003 #5
    Brad Johnson

    Brad Johnson Inactive

    Mar 8, 2000
    Gaithersburg, Md
    DR Strings
  6. Jul 17, 2003 #6
    Stu L.

    Stu L.

    Nov 27, 2001
    Corsicana, Texas
    I say go for the Pioneer in this case. You might also see if there's a Yamaha in the same range. I've always been impressed with Yamaha. Sony's, IMPO, are overpriced for the features and noisy.
     
  7. Jul 17, 2003 #7
    Tim Cole

    Tim Cole

    Jun 12, 2002
    Findlay, Ohio
    I couldn't disagree more. Some time ago, I had a sales job with home audio equipment, and got to try every one of the mid priced pioneer, sony, kenwood, onkyo, ect.

    Pioneer had double the return/defective rate than the rest combined. Overall sound, features, and build quality was Onkyo, but once you figure in the bang for buck, Sony was the one to have.

    Most all of my home electronics are Sony (after many comparisons), and I've never had a lick of trouble......very pleased consumer.
     
  8. Jul 17, 2003 #8
    Wrong Robot

    Wrong Robot Guest

    Apr 8, 2002
    A friend of mine has two sony recievers, one of them is a high quality flag ship model that he managed to get for like $300 less than advertised, another is a more budget simple 5.1, both are incredible, they have loads of inputs and outputs, many many tonal options, plenty of aux. ports(he has some intense speaker wiring in his house, about 18-20 speakers all wired together with two recievers an amp and his computer)

    I have an old onkyo reciever as well, it is excellent.

    my technics, as I said before, is just fine, though some of the 5.1 features are a little limiting.

    I have little experience with pioneer, but philips has never let me down.
     
  9. Jul 17, 2003 #9
    Stu L.

    Stu L.

    Nov 27, 2001
    Corsicana, Texas
    Ah, I never said the Pioneer was better than the Sony. I did say I prefered Yamaha to Pioneer. I simply said IMO Sony's were overpriced. Their quality is almost always perfect, but when I had my retail job at the mega chain (which I left in '01 mind you, it has been a while) the best budget was Pioneer, and high dollar was either Onkyo or Harmon Kardon.

    But Brad wants to know about budget receivers, and IMO Pioneer is better than the Kenwood that was asked about. :)
     
  10. Jul 17, 2003 #10
    DigMe

    DigMe

    Aug 10, 2002
    Waco, TX
    If I could afford Onkyo I'd be all over it. I was at the Sony factory outlet today in San Marcos and I considered buying the Sony 575 for 189.00 refurbished but then decided against it. I wouldn't mind having Yamaha either.

    Anyone have an issue of Consumer Reports that has a receivers review? What I'd like to know from that if you have it is not what they think about the receivers but the reliability records for each major company. That would be awesome if anyone could find something like that.

    brad cook