Which Receiver? Help Please!!!

[str8boostn]

Alright, I'm have been losing sleep trying to make this decision... All recommendations are greatly appreciated!!!

I finished off one of my bonus rooms to be some what of a media room... It's
22' x 13' x 9' (L x W x H)

I really didn't do anything special for sound dampening except for using a really high grade carpet pad and 5/8" sheet rock and the walls highly insulated.
I ran all Monster Cable CL2 rated stereo cable in the walls...

Here's my setup:
Projector: Sony Bravia 1080P
Blue Ray: PS3
Center: Polk CSi5
Fronts: Polk RTi10s
Surrounds: Polk FXi3s
Rears: Polk Monitor 40's (I know, I know, soon to be Polk RTi6s or RTiA3s)
Sub(s): Please Recommend, not trying to break the bank on this one, but willing to spend a decent amount.
Receiver: HELP ME!!!

I had decided at one time to buy a Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH... but now the SC-05 and SC-07's are staring me down... There is also the VSX-92TXH which also seems like a great receiver...

I'm not a huge audiophile... I want something that is great and very impressive... It's never going to be the best... but I wouldn't mind having the best in the neighborhood...
Are there drastic differences in the above listed receivers? I need at least 3 HDMI inputs (Blue Ray, Cable/Satellite, anything extra...) and at least 1 output...

Do I need more power for the speaker setup that I have? Will any one of these destroy the others in a sound off... Will my fairly novice ears notice the audio differences between any of them?

[Erik Tracy]

Whats in your wallet??? :D

Seriously....until you give us your pain threshold - you will get recommendations all over the budget spectrum. :p

[danger boy]

get the receiver with the best amps (not the most powerful, best designed).. unless you plan on adding an external amp.. if so.. then just get a MOR (middle of the road) receiver and blow your wad on a beefy amp.

[str8boostn]

Whats in your wallet??? :D

Seriously....until you give us your pain threshold - you will get recommendations all over the budget spectrum. :p

Well, I assumed that with listing those receivers in particular that it would automatically lay out the price range that I am looking to stay around...

But for to keep things simple... I'd say from $800-1800... somewhere in that ballpark...

[xcapri79]

Alright, I'm have been losing sleep trying to make this decision... All recommendations are greatly appreciated!!!

I finished off one of my bonus rooms to be some what of a media room... It's
22' x 13' x 9' (L x W x H)

I really didn't do anything special for sound dampening except for using a really high grade carpet pad and 5/8" sheet rock and the walls highly insulated.
I ran all Monster Cable CL2 rated stereo cable in the walls...

Here's my setup:
Projector: Sony Bravia 1080P
Blue Ray: PS3
Center: Polk CSi5
Fronts: Polk RTi10s
Surrounds: Polk FXi3s
Rears: Polk Monitor 40's (I know, I know, soon to be Polk RTi6s or RTiA3s)
Sub(s): Please Recommend, not trying to break the bank on this one, but willing to spend a decent amount.
Receiver: HELP ME!!!

I had decided at one time to buy a Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH... but now the SC-05 and SC-07's are staring me down... There is also the VSX-92TXH which also seems like a great receiver...

I'm not a huge audiophile... I want something that is great and very impressive... It's never going to be the best... but I wouldn't mind having the best in the neighborhood...
Are there drastic differences in the above listed receivers? I need at least 3 HDMI inputs (Blue Ray, Cable/Satellite, anything extra...) and at least 1 output...

Do I need more power for the speaker setup that I have? Will any one of these destroy the others in a sound off... Will my fairly novice ears notice the audio differences between any of them?

You can't go wrong with choosing the SC-07 if you can get it for under $1K. The SC-05 is the runner up choice.
I enjoy my SC-07. It impresses me every day I turn it on.

[renowilliams]

+1 on what xcapri says. Pioneer makes an incredible reciever.

[Sherardp]

SC-05 or the 07. Pick the one that will serve your needs best and go from there. I think you'd be happy with either.

[str8boostn]

Alright, well now I've pretty much decided on a receiver... I'll go with either the SC-05 or the SC-07... Just have to wait for a local BB to get it in stock and have it on sale... If anyone knows of one in the VA, NC, MA are, please lmk!!!

Now onto the Subwoofer... I need to try and keep this one under $500... please recommend the best possible sub under $500 and point me in the right direction...

[cfrizz]

You can look at the Polk DSW offerings, or SVS, or maybe Outlaw Audios subs.

[apphd]

Alright, well now I've pretty much decided on a receiver... I'll go with either the SC-05 or the SC-07... Just have to wait for a local BB to get it in stock and have it on sale... If anyone knows of one in the VA, NC, MA are, please lmk!!!

Now onto the Subwoofer... I need to try and keep this one under $500... please recommend the best possible sub under $500 and point me in the right direction...


As said can't go wrong with the 05 or the 07 just look at them both close to see which one fits your needs best. From the numerous comments I've seen here and other places the sound between the 2 is the same just different features. Why BB? There are many on-line sources that you could probably pick one up without the wait, and probably save some $$. BB is convenient to walk in and out with what you want, no doubt. But it adds a little cost to goods. Many Pioneer owners here that may be able to point you towards a good deal from a reputable on line dealer. The savings might allow you to go $600 on the sub which seems to open up a lot more possibilities.

To add to cfrizz's list HSU, Elemental Designs, Epik (you would need to go used or b-stock), Velodyne may have something decent in that price as well.
Probably a couple other suggestions will come up from others.
You have a nice set up coming along there, buy the biggest, baddest sub you can find in your budget from the suggestions.

[str8boostn]

^^^Thanks for the suggestions... I haven't bought the Pioneer just yet... but I want to this week... If someone can point me to an authorized dealer online, I'd be glad to buy from one... I would also like to buy an extended warranty as well... My choice of Best Buy for this purchase would be mainly due to the fact that I can buy the SC-07 on sale right now for $1399, plus around $150 for the additional warranty, that they say will cover everything for 9 years... so with tax and all I'm looking at $1600 and the ability to walk in a drop off the unit if anything ever fails and if they can't fix it, they will replace it with something along the same lines...

But if I can buy the same thing with nearly the same warranty online from an authorized dealer, I'd be glad too... Only other plus with BB is that if I choose, I can put it on a BB CC and get 18 months of no interest...

I do have the cash to spend though, if I can find a great deal somewhere online...

Point me in the right direction...

[apphd]

Here is thread with one talked about. They are on the Pioneer site as a dealer.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83468

I'm sure there are others, check out the Ice Club thread.

Good Luck.

[bassfann]

i like marantz,but hard to get with that budget

[ViperZ]

Hey, I was in the same boat until yesterday (picking a newer receiver for myself), but my budget was lower than yours (500-700).

I ended up really liking Pioneers and Onkyos, and after some searching bought TX-SR805 Onkyo. Love that 60-lb beast.

I am sure if you'll go with SC-07, you'll love it too - ICE amps are very efficient and run cool.

[cnh]

ICE amps are great but the 805 ain't bad in its price range and has great power reserves even if it can toast bread on its backside!

Congrats....I have an Onkyo myself. You'll enjoy it.

cnh

[DanAckerman]

DSW Pro 600 is $499 on Amazon right now with coupon. (free shipping)

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000V1ONTW/

Save $100 by Using the Claim Code KDL6CROK (enter it at checkout) That sale lasts til the end of the month.

I took advantage of this deal and while I'm still getting it broke in, I'm really loving this sub.

[Dawgfish]

I would look at the 05 and 07 Pioneers and Denon 2809CI or 3808 myself for that price range. Oh yeah and the DSW Pro 600 is a great recomendation for a sub. I have two of them and luv 'em.

[GreggC]

I have had Onkyo units for several generations and really like them. They have models in your price range. You can also get refurb units from Onkyo that are a very good deal, and I have had them work well.

[xcapri79]

I would look at the 05 and 07 Pioneers and Denon 2809CI or 3808 myself for that price range. Oh yeah and the DSW Pro 600 is a great recomendation for a sub. I have two of them and luv 'em.

I second the recommendation on the DSW600. If you can get it for under $500, as DanAckerman pointed out, it is a good buy.

[bigred7078]

for the money i would go with the SC-05 allllll day long. Excellent receiver, especially when it can be found for $699

[cnh]

The new Pioneer Elites are great receivers. But please 'listen' to them first.

They are a very neutral and clean sounding amp. Not everyone likes that sound even though it's pretty accurate. Some prefer more 'warmth' less etched detail. And others...? Well there's a lot of range here.

cnh

[bigred7078]

The new Pioneer Elites are great receivers. But please 'listen' to them first.

They are a very neutral and clean sounding amp. Not everyone likes that sound even though it's pretty accurate. Some prefer more 'warmth' less etched detail. And others...? Well there's a lot of range here.

cnh

thats very true. I preferred my Marantz SR6003 to the SC-05, but everyone has different gear and different tastes.

[dane_peterson]

For a subwoofer, may I recommend HSU. I had a VTF-3 MKII and was quite pleased with it. I think I got it when it was being phased out for $499, but you should find similar performance in the VTF-2 MKIII.

[str8boostn]

I bought an SC-07... from Best Buy... I know, I know... I paid a little more for it than I would have online... but I also bought their 4 year protection too... so now I don't have to worry about the receiver for 6 years... and I got it all for right around $1400... I'm happy with the receiver choice...

I just finally got it all hooked up yesterday... going to play with it a little today... I still need a good subwoofer... My old little 10" Cerwin Vega sub is struggling to be heard...

[Sherardp]

SVS PB13U should last you forever in sub dept. If the price is too steep check out what Epik and Elemental Designs has to offer. Also HSU was mentioned prior, I have read good reviews on them also. I'm a big fan of SVS myself, but Epik and Ed seems to have some killer subs for very good prices.

[greymatter]

I would look at the 05 and 07 Pioneers and Denon 2809CI or 3808 myself for that price range. Oh yeah and the DSW Pro 600 is a great recomendation for a sub. I have two of them and luv 'em.http://www.photosnag.com/img/4210/n09x0302vnsn/clear.gif

Agreed!

[oifvet0608]

I just bought an SVS 12" tube sub for about 650 euro in Germany. I expect it to beat the heck out of my livingroom. You may also want to check out Velodyne or Outlaw subs. All of them are good.