Help finding a new surround receiver ~200-250

I

illgiveumorality

2[H]4U
Joined
Jan 25, 2005
Messages
3,026
Okay guys I'm sort of getting interested in new receivers, but don't make fun as I don't know too much. (Though I do know what good sound is.)
Currently lookoing at:
AVR140:$254 (Harmon)
AVR-486S: $264 (Denon)
XR55: $240 (Panasonic)
Any of these look like a good value? If you know of anything that's better in 5.1 for the same price range that's fine too.
 
I'd go with the Denon, they build quality products even down to the low end of the price range, a lot of the others cheapen up the products quite a bit at the low end. Harmon Kardon is nice too, and would be my second choice as far as brands go. I've had a lot of Sony stereo equipment and never been overly impressed with it on the low end, Pioneer is better, but really Denon and Harmon are your two top choices here.
 
Panasonic SA-XR70 or SA-XR55 hands down (edited to add the XR55 that I forgot to include before, that you might find a better value)
 
Review 2 of 4

Price Paid: $330.00 from J&R (by phone, not o

Summary:
I've been wanting to upgrade to a good receiver without breaking the bank. Digital amplification of the SA XR-70 was intriguing. So I tried it out. Had a Sony STR DE485 before that was fine, but the Panasonic is so much better. I can hear so much more detail in all channels. Bass response is better too.

Strengths:
great value, slim profile There is a bigger difference between 6.1 and 5.1 that I expected

Weaknesses:
relatively big footprint. Otherwise, I haven't really tried it out enough to notice any weaknesses

Similar Products Used:
Sony STR DE485
Click to expand...

Awesome, same upgrade path as me. Good call, I'll definitely look into it.
 
The harmon kardon you listed is a very nice receiver for your price range. Personal choice imo, whether you perfer a full digital receiver like the panny which tends to have a brighter sound than a receiver like the hk. For me, I prefer the sound of the hk (i have a avr-135) over my previous receiver, which was a panny digital. Also, the hk is one of the most aesthically pleaasing receiver I've seen; the panny scores pretty low in the looks department imho :D.
 
Yes, the XR70/XR55 aren't the prettiest receivers, but it does the job.

I am a fan of HK (and I love Lexicon's Logic 7 that HK has) but I just don't think their cheaper models are worth it.

And keep in mind the XR55 can be had new for a little over $200 last I checked.
 
I'd say Denon or the HK, I'm an HK fan myself (old AVR-55 in stereo mode)
 
Alright guys I'm interested in the XR55 now. Anyone who has info, please tell! I read that it has a smaller power supply than the XR70, but truthfully the XR70 is a tad much and the XR55 appears to be more refined (better connectors).
As for the guys who like the HK and Denon, keep on talking!
 
I'm a denon fan for their low end, but bottom line.......... : go demo them yourself.

Some call the HK "nice to look at", but I can't stand the cheap look of them.

Everyone is opinionated it seems.
In this price range, you want to look more at what each has to offer in terms of features.
 
Personally i never really liked the low-end Denon products and i do find the HK prettier :)
Again, to each their own of course.

If you want some info on the XR55 heres a 46 page long thread at AVS FORUM i think just about everything has been asked/posted about in that thread.

I'd also recommend the Pioneer VSX-1015TX reciever, altho that might be out of your price range. The rest of pioneers low-end recievers aren't quite that hot tho.
 
Is there really no interference with digital receivers? If so, screw the rest, I'm sold no joke.

That is so exciting
 
That AVS forum page for the XR55 sold me over Christmas. I AM SO HAPPY! The amp is wonderful. It has everything I could ever want except for one thing. It only has 5.1 analog imput, no 7.1 analog imputs. This really isn't a big deal at all.

Wonderful quality for only $250.

A++

Did I mention I'm very satisfied with my XR55?!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top