2. amps-preamps
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What receiver should I buy?

I need some help my fellow audio fans. I need to replace my beloved Harmon Kardon AVR 7300. I just want something that has HDMI. I want to spend under $2000.00. It doesn't have to be new technology. I just want to be able to continue enjoying my 5.1 Klipsch set-up at high volumes. Does anyone have any suggestions? My 7300 is old tech but a high current monster. I need something close.   Speakerwise I run Klipsch, RF 82s, an RC64, RS52's and an RW12D.  I just use it for watching movies and the occasional rock concert video (AC/DC) and the like.  I'm not an audiophile.  My hearing sucks but I do need good clean power.  The Integra DTR 70.4 has the weight and the stats  but the reviews say it's under powered.  I'm willing to buy refurbished models and "new in the box" stuff that several years old.  What should I get and where can I get it.  
128x128kevin774
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 

IMO, get the cheapest AVR you can that has a full set of pre-outs to drive a 5 channel power amp.  Then you'll never have to worry about power again.  Also when the AVR becomes obsolete or breaks in a few years, you won't be out a lot of money.  Just replace it with another cheap AVR as the mainstream manufacturers seem to change models every year.  There always closeouts or demos, especially in the Fall when the new models come out at discounts at 50% or more off MSRP.  

Meanwhile that 5 channel power amp will keep pumping out the watts and be ready for that next AVR.  And the next one.  And the next...Well you get the idea.  Good luck!

kevin774's avatar
kevin774 OP
3 posts
 
Thank you.  Those are  both good options.  I think I may want to see if about getting the inexpensive AVR that has all the HDMI inputs that I want and see if I can plug into the 7300 for the power.  If that can work, I can limp along a long time before replacing the 7300 with a proper stand alone amp.
elevick
2,638 posts
 
I'm really confused with Paraneer's suggestion?  Why get an AVR and an amp?  Buy a pre-amp/processor and a power amp.  Same theory but you aren't wasting extra money on unused features and will probably get a cleaner sounding unit since an AVR will have a built in amp too.

Go look at something like Outlaw Audio 975. It will get you through many years.  They do have a matching 5 channel power amp that should outperform most receivers in that price range.  Or, buy a used 5 channel amp from Audiogon and blow your doors off:  ATI, Rotel, Emotive and about 100 more...
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Using a cheap AVR has been discussed quite a lot. A quality amp will only reproduce the low quality signal from the cheap AVR, not improve it. A quality amp needs a quality front end to perform to its maximum potential. I second elevick's recommendation for the Outlaw Audio 975. No bells and whistles, but high quality sound.

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/outlaw-model-975-surround-processor

http://hometheaterreview.com/outlaw-audio-model-975-71-av-surround-sound-processor-reviewed/


paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
Sorry gents but I disagree.  A pre-pro is far more expensive than an AVR having the latest features and both will go obsolete in a few years anyway.  So why waste the money on a pre-pro when an AVR will offer the same performance from its processing section.  It's the power amp sections that are the most severely compromised on AVR's - not the codecs or DSP.   AVR's are nothing but features.  You can get the latest and greatest of these in an AVR that will sound just as good as pre-pro for less money too.

Put the money in a good power amp.  That will never go obsolete!

But to each his own I suppose.
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