new amp time. what's good.

S

shadowfax

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 12, 2005
Messages
313
My much loved Technics receiver from 1996 finally died. Dammit. That was a great little amp.

So since it's been 11 years since I've shopped for an amp, I have no clue what's good. I ONLY need the amp - my speakers still work fine and they're very good - so I'm not looking for a full home theater deal - just receiver. It doesn't even have to have a tuner built in, since I have one of those too.

So I'm lookin' for something with decent surround capabilities. 500 watts or so. Good sound quality, but nothing too expensive 'cause I'm poor ;)

I know Technics isn't even available anymore, and from what I hear the Panasonic brand has dropped quite a bit in quality anyway. What brands should I be looking at?
 
If you're looking for surround, your best bang for the buck will be an integrated surround receiver. Look into used Onkyo/Yamaha/Harman Kardon for good buys.
 
I want to get a thermionic valve amp. I had a listen to one, and it completely blew me away. Finally understood all that stuff about transparency in the sound.

Kinda expensive, though, so might pay to listen to the other jokers in this thread :D
 
I've been looking at this one for around $399..
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-5KcA53F4uzX/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&I=580TXS604S

Onkyo TX-SR604
90w x 7 channel
2 HDMI In, 1 HDMI Out (1080p)
4 Optical Inputs, 2 Coax Inputs


If anyone thinks it's any good, let me know too.. Or if there is something better in the $500 range, please recommend something. I want to build a nice boomin' home theater in the basement and I also need recommendations on a reciever. :D
 
Pick up an Onkyo. Watch the onkyo outlet and you can find a great refurb 7.1 ~600W unit for ~150. It comes with a warranty.

I know of no other deal that comes close in terms of value.
 
alan.p said:
I want to get a thermionic valve amp. I had a listen to one, and it completely blew me away. Finally understood all that stuff about transparency in the sound.

Kinda expensive, though, so might pay to listen to the other jokers in this thread :D
Click to expand...

Heh, yeah, I want an individually amped 7.1 system complete with bass furnace, but that whole money thing is what's stoppin' me ;)

I looked at the Onkyos - - they look pretty impressive. Anyone know about hooking up an external EQ to 'em though? My old amp had RCA EQ outs/ins and I'm not seeing that on these - - -are EQ's a thing of the past now?
 
They do alot of EQ internally.

Go check out outlaw audio's preamp and standalone amps if you want to monkey with signal though.
 
shadowfax said:
Heh, yeah, I want an individually amped 7.1 system complete with bass furnace, but that whole money thing is what's stoppin' me ;)

I looked at the Onkyos - - they look pretty impressive. Anyone know about hooking up an external EQ to 'em though? My old amp had RCA EQ outs/ins and I'm not seeing that on these - - -are EQ's a thing of the past now?
Click to expand...

Well, all of the equipment I've played around with has had a pretty capable digital EQ or presetting feature that atleast seemed to rival a physical one to my ears.

I don't really get to play around with super high end stuff though, so I'm not certain. I just know I haven't seen one in a while.
 
After playing with the Onkyo, I still prefer the Pioneer VSX-1016TVK

Though a little more expensive, its feature set and sound is slightly more pronounced with larger more power hungry speakers.
 
Asgorath said:
What do you think...

Pioneer or Denon?
Click to expand...

Well, I've had both and to be honest it's gotta boil down to features and personal preference for design man both my Denon and Pioneer lasted me atleast 8 years...

course, I think the Denon crapped out first... so I guess 1 vote Pioneer?
 
Denon!! I have a AVR5800 that I bought a few years ago and it is still going strong. I use a Carver TFM-45 (375W continuous and 750W peak) for my Mains.
 
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