2. home-theater
  3. 180873-167033

Budget friendly receiver choice

I want to stay with 5.1 (or better, don't see the need/benefit vs trouble of 7.2 etc) but also use the system for audio a lot. 

I have a dedicated 18" Dayton 18-22 sub (sealed enclosure)  with the excellent amp from the Elemental Design A7. Front tower speakers (various, experimenting, changing, still not found the final one). 

On my wish list:

- DSP

- pre out (so I can use other amps I have)

- nice: use build in amps for bi amping (Anthem MRX 710 i read offers that option0

- stable (to drive critical speakers if need be)

- low price certainly under $1,000 , $600 preferred (so used obviously)

- probably should be able to feed 4k TV (Vizio M75 currently)

- ideal (but not done anymore): pre/main amp split (remember these small metal U shaped bridges that good full amps had?) 

 

I mentioned the Anthem MRX 710 because I just saw one offered locally (without the software/mic). To stay under $600, I likely need to make more compromises. 

 

Suggestions (full make/model so I can look up prices and reviews)? 

kraftwerkturbo
mahler123
3,037 posts
 

I had an Onkyo for several years, frankly can't remember the model number, it seemed similar to yours but had no RC.  It worked fine, no issues, sounded excellent.  I switched to Anthem 520 because I wanted the ARC, but the Onkyo was reliable

kraftwerkturbo OP
310 posts
 

First impression (2 channel audio, played from cheap CD player via optical and same CD played from computer via 30 ft USB C cable to Shiit DAC, then cheap RCA to receiver) was very impressive (the Shiit combination was NOTICEABLY better, assume the Panasonic CD player is NO GOOD). 

mahler123
3,037 posts
 

MidFi equipment is undervalued.  One can get a lot of enjoyment and quality reproduction 

kraftwerkturbo OP
310 posts
 

I think that goes for anything 'mid level'. It is useless to 'qualify'  mid vs high xxxx in any field, wether it is a $250,000 turntable or a $2.5 Mio car (but the factor is 1000 for the turntable (vs mid xxx) and only 100 ($25,000 for a 'mid car'). Neither can be logically justified. 

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