receiver or home theater system on a budget

[[email protected]]

I have a couple of decent speakers and wanted to get your
recommendations on a budget receiver to go with them. I'm thinking
around 200-250 for the receiver. I'm later planning on adding a couple
of speakers in the back and a woofer (or whatever they call them) for
the front. Basically the receiver would need to handle 5-channels for
surround sound. It will be connected to tv, dvd, vcr, and I'd like to
run a cable from my computer so I can stream audio from it, I guess
this can be plugged into the back or front if the inputs are there.

Today I looked at the yamaha htr-5830sl which I don't know if its any
good the sales rep kept wanting me to look at the higher end systems.

Thanks,
Chris

[Wesley Hunt]

In article . com>,
wrote:

> I have a couple of decent speakers and wanted to get your
> recommendations on a budget receiver to go with them.

I've had good experiences with the factory-refurbished Onkyo receivers
at jr.com; they are also sold at shoponkyo.com. They also sell new
receivers at both of those sites.
--
Wesley Hunt
(remove "no spam" twice)

[Schizoid Man]

"Wesley Hunt" > wrote in message

>> I have a couple of decent speakers and wanted to get your
>> recommendations on a budget receiver to go with them.
>
> I've had good experiences with the factory-refurbished Onkyo receivers
> at jr.com; they are also sold at shoponkyo.com. They also sell new
> receivers at both of those sites.

The website www.accessories4less.com sells factory refurbished Marantz
receivers. You should find a model within your budget.

[[email protected]]

Thank you. I'll check out both of those website.

Chris

[ScottW]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>I have a couple of decent speakers and wanted to get your
> recommendations on a budget receiver to go with them. I'm thinking
> around 200-250 for the receiver. I'm later planning on adding a couple
> of speakers in the back and a woofer (or whatever they call them) for
> the front. Basically the receiver would need to handle 5-channels for
> surround sound. It will be connected to tv, dvd, vcr, and I'd like to
> run a cable from my computer so I can stream audio from it, I guess
> this can be plugged into the back or front if the inputs are there.
>
> Today I looked at the yamaha htr-5830sl which I don't know if its any
> good the sales rep kept wanting me to look at the higher end systems.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>

You need to clearly define what you need. 5.1, 6.1... 7.1?
and the number of device inputs. Then the level of setup automation you
want.
I started at the bottom of the lines and looked at what needs were not met.
They all were. Then looked at what the upgrades offered and realized that
it amounted to more channels, more inputs, video switching, and setup
automation (speaker level settings). I didn't want any of that stuff for 2
to 3X the cost. I ended up realizing 150$ Pioneer met my HT needs.

ScottW

[Joseph Oberlander]

wrote:

> I have a couple of decent speakers and wanted to get your
> recommendations on a budget receiver to go with them. I'm thinking
> around 200-250 for the receiver. I'm later planning on adding a couple
> of speakers in the back and a woofer (or whatever they call them) for
> the front. Basically the receiver would need to handle 5-channels for
> surround sound. It will be connected to tv, dvd, vcr, and I'd like to
> run a cable from my computer so I can stream audio from it, I guess
> this can be plugged into the back or front if the inputs are there.
>
> Today I looked at the yamaha htr-5830sl which I don't know if its any
> good the sales rep kept wanting me to look at the higher end systems.

I'd suggest the low-end Denon myself as it has very good processing
modes/capability for the price.

[edster922]

In the $200-250 price range I'd look into the new Panasonic sa-xr55 pure digital receiver, jandr.com has it for $250. Have heard a lot of people raving about these new pure-digitals, many selling off their thousand dollar separates in fact!

Other possibility is, look at Harman Kardon 135 or 235 refurb on eBay through Harman Direct...you'll still get the original manufacturer's warranty and they are very good about returns. The HK receivers have outstanding components and very conservative power ratings, so the 135 may be rated at 45wpc but its real world performance will easily crush something like the Onkyo 502 which has inflated power ratings.