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stereo receiver recommendations

Hi folks,

A friend recently got me interested in this hobby, but I'm definitely still a newbie without much real world listening experience. A colleague at work knows I'm interested in audio and came to me for advice to replace a broken stereo receiver. Problematically, she was fairly coy about budget, so a few recommendations would be greatly appreciated... Lets go with <$500, $500-600, & <$1000 as the 3 price ranges.

She definitely wants to have a phono input for a connected turntable and to have a FM tuner built in so unfortunately we're stuck with stereo receivers rather than integrated amps, which drastically limits the options. She also definitely wants to buy new. She didn't know the model of speakers so I'm not talking about a serious audiophile but rather someone who just enjoys having music playing in her home and doesnt want to give up local radio or her vinyl collection. For that reason I'm thinking ease of use, functionality, and reliability are probably just as important as sound quality (I hope that doesnt make too many of you cringe), but I still want it to sound good. Searching through musicdirect & crutchfield, I've come up with the following:

<$500: Cambridge SR10 or Yamaha R-N303
$500-600: Cambridge SR20 or Yamaha R-N602 
<$1000: Outlaw RR2160 or Yamaha R-N803

Would love input from people with experience with any of these products or recommendations about something else that might be better. Any problems any of you have found with any of the above models? Anybody experienced both in a particular price range and found one to sound particularly better? 

Thanks!
ethos123
mesch
3,529 posts
 
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.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
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).
axememan's avatar
axememan
279 posts
 
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
shoff
133 posts
 
Ethos123, do not be afraid of the Luxman R-117 because it is not new technology.  Do some research and read the reviews.  This is one of the best receivers of all time!  You can probably pick one up for less than $400.  I'm giving mine to my grandson!
generatorlabs
25 posts
 
Isn’t the Luxman R117 one of the most legendary receivers in audiophile circles? I mean for receivers, I think this thing is the holy grail for an integrated device. Have I owned one? No. But you can easily find tons of positive reviews on this forum for the Lux. And it has a ton of inputs, one of which is a phono stage. They cost a few bucks new and most were owned by picky owners so they seem to be well cared for and can be had for a low price on the used market. I swear I heard someone call this thing the McIntosh of receivers :) I have owned two high end Yamaha receivers. I still use one in my kids home theater but I have to admit that the low end is just a little light and I have to compensate by gaining my powered sub a little more than necessary. My ancient/vintage Pioneer SX class receiver always had warmth on the low end that these newer units seem to lack. It seems to me she would be delighted with a lower cost receiver and higher priced speakers, if she can swing it.
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