stereo receiver recommendations

@ethos123

Apparently no consideration was given to adding a tuner to an Integrated amp. As separates there may well be some advantages there if you think about it..

One thing to keep in mind is the budget. So far you’ve not said what it is, or what is the phono style.

As for receivers with more than 2 channels? So what?

I once had a scooter that could do 145mph. in the quarter mile. I did not drive it that fast all the time.

I’ve found in life, having something and not needing it is better than needing or wanting it and not having it.

I’ve owned Sony, Kenwood, Sansui, Integra, Onkyo, and some I just don’t recall presently. Latest is Onkyo 805. It plays everyday for hours. I bought it new years ago. No problems at all. BTW, their support is easy to reach, but has long hold times occasionally. For in or out of warranty concerns.

As for Onkyo SQ? it is fine. Less extended by a touch than the upper end Sony likewise iterations. About as neutral as one could ask. Balanced across the bandwidth. Far more durable and reliable. Feature filled!! As for Onkyo vs Integra SQ? about the same oddly enough. Both come out of the same house.

I wish I could account on their phono section, but can’t. I’d bet they are MM only thogh.

I’d look into Peach Tree, NuForce, NAD, Arcam, as well, just off the top of my head Not trying to confuse you. Just add more choices..

For X dollars, chances are you’ll get X quality. Regardless the brand name. especially in receivers. They are aimed at one size fits all crowds. Folks who don’t want or need to have several pieces of kit to connect and match. It is what it is. Neither bad nor good. I often prefer them as a starting point from their sheer flexibility and consequent value.

I’ve heard many brands and until you reach each brands top or near top tier models, the SQ is pretty much a dead heat.

What will make the SQ seem to, or definitely improve will be either the speakers in use with the abc rec., or adding a dedicated outboard 2 ch amp later on. not really the rec itself especially in the less than $800 or so range. One last note, if a multi ch rec is considered, also think about the fact a number of 7.1 rec allow for bi amping the mains, which seems to be the only channels used going forward, but then…. Who knows the future really?

I agree with the just throw a dart here if the unit is less than a grand. Just ensure compatibility and features are appropriate for the user’s needs, ala phon type tuner HD and a support arm is a tangible asset.

Good luck.

Definitely looking for something new despite how great some vintage gear may be.

Seeing as it's not the 1970s, for me to hear them in person would require buying them myself, which isn't gonna happen. However, I figure its possible that someone on the forum might have tried one (or a similar earlier version ie 2150) and recently switched to another on the list...or perhaps has a friend with one and owns another him/herself. From that feedback, it seems like I can't really go wrong with Yamaha and that the Outlaw is a solid option as well. Onkyo and some others are also worth considering but probably not any better or different in SQ than what I had in mind already for these entry level products. No word yet about Cambridge except perhaps from those saying they're all the same.

@blindjim I hadn't considered a separate tuner, which might be a good idea. I have mostly been interested in speakers and integrated amps since its where I've started recently for my own setup as well as improvements to the SQ for my two HT setups...and even with that my experience has mostly been reading forums and reviews far more than listening to tons of gear. Frankly, I know nothing about separate tuners, but seems like a reasonable suggestion for an outside the box (pun intended) idea if she's amenable. I also had not considered the idea of using a multi-channel receiver to bi-amp the speakers and thus avoid having so many "wasted" channels. Obviously making sure her speakers are bi-amp capable would be critical.

Mostly, I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be giving bad advice. If I suggest something she's happy with, hopefully I get to hear it. Down the road hopefully she recommends someone else asks, and I get to hear whatever we put together for that person too...only thing more fun than playing with new toys is doing it on someone else's dime and getting to share the fun. Thanks again for all the feedback.

The latest models of Yamaha integrateds and receivers have all the features the OP's colleague needs.

And yes, stereo tuners are easy to come by inexpensively when one is willing to buy used to use with an integrated. That is they way I would approach this. That said, if the OP's colleague wants a receiver that is what she should buy. What remains is to pick the model that will mate well with her speakers, sonically based on taste, electrically based on power.

For a $500-$1000 budget, the Yamahas have phono, digital, and line level inputs. They are well built for the price range and have a good rep for dependability. 

Not knocking the other suggestions, just have knowledge on the Yamahas.

An FM tuner is superfluous these days. FM always was a challenged technology and at current bitrates of the better internet radio stations, the imperfections of internet radio are far smaller than those of FM. In addition, you have a far wider choice, of course. A Chromecast Audio is an easy way to do this.
On the other hand, a receiver is hardly more expensive than just an integrated amplifier. It does not require a more expensive case, and it does not require a more expensive power supply, the two most expensive components. My guess would be that the extra component cost is only a few dollars. In the case of the Yamaha receivers, their advantage over and above their amplifiers is that the more expensive ones have more digital inputs - you quite quickly need more of those (at least three for a streamer like the Chromecast Audio, for the 2 channel output of the TV, and for the digital output of the disc player).

I have the Onkyo Tx-NR838 on all day and night.
I did add a usb fan that connects to my TV so when i's on the fan is on.
It does not get hot at all even under spirited listening[gets warm but that is it]
.Having an HD Tuner would be nice as that will get you closest to "old school" radio listening .
That is based on KSHE 95 HD in my area and I am sure other stations are the probably same