Two Receivers to Choose From...

[PiratePowWow]

I can get an NAD 755 for $600

or Harmon Kardon AVR-254 for $380

Which should I go with? Which will last me a decade?

 

[450]

I don't think that those two receivers are comparable.

Also, what speakers are you using?

 

[PiratePowWow]

Just realized I didn't provide nearly enough info.

More info coming right up!

I have no speakers at the moment, but will be getting some $nice$ Klipsch/Pioneers. I'm going to start with just a center channel and add left/right and surround as I can afford them.

Any HD movies I watch will be through an HTPC, I do not plan on getting a stand-alone BD player. The NAD does not support TrueHD, but I am researching whether or not that will even be an issue since I will be using an HTPC.

What do you think?

 

[EndersShadow]

Suggest you head over to AVSForum for this one. Much more info there. Here and here are some quick links on that receiver to get you started.

Also if I had to recommend anything I would go with the following brands: Onkyo, Denon, Harmon Kardon. Recommend staying away from Yamaha (as much as it hurts to say that)

 

[Sycraft]

I have no experience with H&K receivers so I can't really say. NAD makes good equipment, but in my opinion they want too much money for what you get. If I were looking for a receiver in that price I would personally get a Denon AVR-2310CI. It lists for $850, but the dealers like 6th Ave will give you a price around $600 if you call and ask. Alternatively, you can get one with less features, for less dollars.

As for lasting a decade, well no guarantees about that. Any electronics could fail in 10 years, and nobody offers warranties that long. In terms of features, hard to say. In theory, we are good in terms of standards for now and there shouldn't be any new ones. Could be that some come out and you don't care. Could be they come out and you want them.

At any rate, I'd get a Denon. In fact, I did get a Denon. Got an AVR-3808CI and I'm rather happy with it.

 

[Mr. Wolf]

Marantz SR7001 or SR8001 >> Denon >> NAD >> HK.

 

[Sycraft]

I think those Marantz receivers are a bit out of his budget range. Best price I see is $900+. Also I don't know that Marantz is so much the way to go for computer based audio. More or less they seem to be D&M's THX certified line and you pay more for that. Ok well THX certification isn't really that useful when you are going for computer sources like games. THX certification costs money, so I wouldn't spend money on it unless there is a reason.

For about the same price as the SR8001 I got my 3808CI which has some features unavailable on the Marantz receivers (MultEQ XT being what I was really interested in). I'd rather have the money go towards those than THX certification.

Remember that Denon and Marantz are both D&M Holdings brands (that is what D&M means).

 

[Mr. Wolf]

For music, digital or analog, nothing beats Marantz. I agree that THX certification is fairly meaningless. I like Denon, in fact had a very nice AVR-988 for my computer audio system. However, I wanted a "warmer" sound (Denon is about as neutral as it gets) and auditioned a Marantz. Within 10 minutes I was hooked and bought my 8001. I love it for games, movies, HDTV, music, etc. Different strokes...

 

[EndersShadow]

I too wanted a Marantz however there was a notable flaw in my situation. This may not be a deal breaker but I want to mention it. Marantz receivers will not apply Audyssey noise correction to blu-ray formats. In my application I was going to be using it for a home theater which is not the case here. However should he ever go to a 5.1 system and install a blu-ray player in his computer (which I have as well) he wouldnt be able to use noise correction when listening to blu-rays. That may or may not be a deal breaker based on room acoustics, but thought it bared mention.

Onkyo and Denons will and I think Harmon Kardon's as well.

 

[PiratePowWow]

I didn't think I needed to say it, but apparently I do.

This is for a home theater/home stereo setup.

 

[EndersShadow]

I didn't think I needed to say it, but apparently I do.

This is for a home theater/home stereo setup.

That is info we needed. This forum is more for hooking up your computers audio to speakers. The Home Theater PC's and Equipment thread is more for this stuff (thought there is obvious overlap)