Any mid-priced Receivers Worthwhile???

Plato:

First off, you have an NAD 3020 Integrated Amplifier?? Oh man, I am jealous of you. I always loved that little thing. What I always liked about it that this "low priced" gem has sounded more powerful than it really was, and it always sounded great on top of that. At the risk of going off subject here, what components did you surround your NAD 3020 with??

Now, on to home theater receivers. When you say "mid priced", what price did you have in mind in particular ($1,000.00 to $2,000.00..... lower?? a little higher?? etc.....)? Because I got some candidates to list in just about any price range.

If you are shopping at a price point below $1,000.00, then I have several in mind that I think you should look at. Personally, I am shopping in this price range and have my eyes on a Harman/Kardon AVR-210. But, that's just me. There are others you should look at besides Harman/Kardon. Onkyo has two models you should look at, the TX-DS575X (70 Watts Per Channel x 5) for $530.00. The next model up, the TX-DS676 (85 Watts Per Channel x 5) retails for $830.00, and then there is the TX-DS777 (105 Watts Per Channel x 5, and with DTS and THX) for $1,050.00, but if you shop around, you probably get it for below that. Then, there are models from Marantz, the SR-5000 ($650.00) and the SR-7000 ($900.00). NAD also has a model you should look at (and being that you have a 3020 Integrated Amplifier, you should be VERY familiar with this brand), the T-751 for about $750.00. That's about it for models that retail for under $1,000.00.

Now, if you are shopping in the $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 range, then maybe you should look at Arcam AVR100 ($1,200.00), the Denon AVR-3801 ($1,100.00), the Sony STR-V555ES ($1,300.00) and two models from Yamaha, the RX-V1000 ($1,000.00) and the RX-V2000 ($2,000.00).

Good luck, and let us know of your decision. Thanks.

--Charles--

The Perfect Vision magazine gave a very positive review in its current issue (#35) to the Outlaw Audio 1050 6.1 channel A/V receiver. Outlaw sells via Internet, thereby avoiding middle-man markups. The receiver provides 65 x 5 wpc, and sells for $600. Outlaw's Web address is: www.outlawaudio.com

The current issue of TPV also includes their "Editor's Choice Awards" (aka, "recommended components" list). Their choice of moderate and budget A/V receivers are:
1. Harmon-Kardon AVR 7000 ($1800)
2. NAD T751 ($750)
Both of these receivers were reviewed in Issue #34.

Plato: In response to Argent's post, you asked if the Adcom GTP-760 has the capability to separately adjust the gain settings for each channel. The answer is yes. The 760 has a built-in balance test generator, and with the use of the Radio Shack analog volume meter you can set the volume levels very precisely. I recently set up my ex-wife HT system which has an Adcom GTP-760, and we were able to get all 5 channels balanced within 0.5 db of each other using only the 760's internal balancing signal. For more info about the GTP-760, see the current issue (#35) of The Perfect Vision magazine (a very positive review).

Charles, I like your suggestions, but you must be quoting retail prices. I got my SR-7000 for $675 in November.

Plato, as a current NAD owner, I think you should definitely research NAD options.

Brady

Guys,

Many thanks for the interest and for all the great suggestions. I'm going to put the NAD T751 on my short list as well. Charles, I've had the opportunity to hear the NAD 3020 with a lot of different equipment and it has never failed to exceed my expectations. It's really a great little piece. In my HT system I have a Pioneer DV333 DVD player, a Hitachi 43" HDTV-ready rear projection TV, and a pair of Yamaha NS-A100XT 3-way tower speakers with two 6.5" woofers, 4" midrange and aluminum-dome tweeter (all aluminum-cone drivers with butyl surrounds). They seem to do a nice enough job considering their cheap $299/pr price -- tight punchy bass & a crisp, smooth, detailed mid-top. My main stereo speakers are the InnerSound Eros ESL hybrids, so I do have a decent point of reference. Happy Easter to All!!!