Thanks for the Yamaha and Denon advocacy. I did consider them (and Harman
Kardon), and while I'm always open to change my mind, I initally passed them
over for the following:
All seem to do well in user/web reviews and in the magazines, and at the
price point that I'm looking at ($200 - $250, or less, to my door), here's
what I saw:
Models and notes:
Onkyo TX-SR601($250+ delivered). Only missing Prologic-IIx (which I think I
don't need in my case), but has plenty of power, 192KHz/24bit DACs on
stereo, converts composite to s-vid, and allows a 2nd audio source to a 2nd
zone. Plenty of video inputs (satellite, dvd, vcr, in the future computer
and game console) with digital input on front
Onkyo TX-SR502($200 delivered). 3 year extended warranty, very hard to beat
for the price. This was a done deal except that I saw the above 601 for $55
more, 9mos less warranty and missing Prologic IIx, thus my original post.
Denon AVR-1705($295 delivered is a tiny bit out of my range, but it was the
comparable model). The thing that nagged me here was that in looking in
other brands reviews/opinions, I saw complaints about dealing with Denon for
warranty service, which is what made the user try the other brand. It seemed
to be more common against Denon. Maybe you can dispel that, or give some
insight given the fact that your an authorized service center for the 3
brands in question. Any info appreciated here, as I was originally intending
to research and buy Denon until I noticed this, then went on to Onkyo. (I
also looked at the AVR-485, but ruled against it for the same reasons as the
Yamahas below).
Yamaha HTR-5650 ($235 delivered) (most of the usability features, less of
the Dolby/DTS versions)
Yamaha HTR-5740 ($250 delivered) (less of the usability features, more of
the Dolby/DTS versions)
Yamaha has got the great sound reviews, but their receivers missed out on
some usability features like the 2nd audio source to zone B, fewer digital
and s-video inputs, on-screen display, etc. If Yamaha was better sounding,
could I live with a "lesser" receiver for those extra features? I thought it
may be worthwhile, since with the satellite and dvd and who knows what else
later putting out higher quality video, it would mean possibly swapping out
the receiver for the wrong reasons (video switching quality/bandwidth)
before I switched for sound reasons.
HK AVR 320 ($275-$300 delivered, used)
I just wasn't sure that I wanted a receiver without any kind of warranty,
and not having the up to date decoding versions without a better price.
I'll go back and research these again, unless there are othere models
suggested(I am open to open-box/refurbished/etc as long as I can get a
warranty).
My max price is $250 to my door, unless it's an exceptional deal.
For those interested in the low end of the price pool, I have only read good
reviews of the Panasonic SA-HE100 ($175) and (*gasp*) the Sherwood 7108
($155) delivered but $200 for an Onkyo 502 or $250 for an Onkyo 601 seemed
too small a gap to leave uncrossed.
Thanks for the replies, any additional info greatly appreciated
"Mark D. Zacharias" wrote in message
...
I don't mean to throw a monkey wrench at you, but nice though the Onkyo
is,
you could do better with a Yamaha or a Denon. Rotel has also been getting
lots of positives, though I have no experience with them. Between the two
Onkyo's I would choose whichever is newer, trying to get the latest
features - surround receivers formats change so fast these days. At least
get a few more months out of it before the inevitable obsolescence.
Mark Z.
Authorized servicer for Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon
"News" wrote in message
...
Hi All,
My knowledge is way out of date on home theater standards, so I'm
looking
for a little help.
I'm looking to upgrade from pro-logic to "current" standards, and see
6.1
and 7.1 recievers out there.
As far as I can tell, DVDs are just recently recording in 6.1,
specifically
for DTS-ES for discrete 6.1, and Dolby-EX simulates a 6th channel from
the
5.1 rears. Additionally 7.1 receivers seem to be repeating the 6th
signal
over a 7th speaker. If so, it looks to me like 7.1 may be overkill for a
small listening area.
Is this correct? I'm just trying to make sure before I spend the money.
I narrowed my search down to the Onkyo brand name, and I've got a chance
to
buy either of these 2 Onkyo receivers, refurbished, with extended
warranties.
The 601 is about the same price as a new 502, which is $55 more than the
refurb 502. (the 601 is also about $100 less than a new TX-SR602).
Apparently I missed a sale on the 602 
It seems that the 601 has every feature that the 502 has and most of the
602
features except for Dolby Pro-Logic IIx, whiche the 502 has, where a 5.1
signal is processed to produce a "phantom" 7.1. Any opinions on the
value
of
Pro-Logic IIx or comparing these 2 (3) receivers? $55 seems like a
decent
premium for 2nd audio source to remote room, composite-to-S-Video
conversion, OSD, and a bit more power
Any help appreciated