I am currently in the market for a receiver, and so far, my choices are: Harman Kardon AVR 430 Harman Kardon DPR1001 Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX Onkyo TX-NR801 I will be using it mainly for music (rock/industrial/punk) but it will also be used for movies. I was hoping to get input from some of the more competant audiophiles input on these models (or suggested other models) of receivers.
Here are the specs for the models: Harman Kardon AVR 430 • 7-Channel power: 65 watts per channel @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz – 20kHz into 8 ohms • 2-Channel stereo power: 85 x 2 @ <0.07% THD, 20Hz – 20kHz into 8 ohms • PWM high current: ±40 amps • 5 A/V inputs • 4 Audio inputs • 5 S-video inputs • A/V sync delay • 2 HDTV-compatible component video switching, 2 assignable • 6/8-channel direct inputs • A-BUS® ready • MP3 decoding • EzSet® remote: 8-device learning & programmable backlit with 2 line LCD display • 7.1-channel pre-amp outputs • Multizone with audio, includes Zone II remote • Assignable rear channel amplifiers for multiroom in 5.1 mode only • Bandwidth @ 1W: 10Hz – 130kHz • Bass-management quad crossovers • Color-coded speaker terminals • Digital inputs: 2/2 rear panel, 1/1 front panel • Digital outputs: 1/1 rear panel • Dolby Pro Logic® II • Dolby® Digital • Dolby® Virtual speaker • DSP processor: Cirrus® CS 49400 • DTS Neo:6® • DTS® 5.1 • DTS® 96/24 • DTS-ES® 6.1Matrix discrete • Harman Kardon Logic 7® with 96kHz capability • Harman Kardon VMAx® • HD radio upgrade slot • Headphone mode: 2channel Dolby® • IEC detachable power cord • Independent front and rear power supplies • Input titling • Linear transformer • On-screen display • Output DAC: 192khz/24 bit • Remote IR input/output • Signal-to- noise ratio (IHF-A): 100dB Harman Kardon DPR1001 # of Audio Inputs 5 # of Video Inputs 5 4 Ohm Capable Yes 5 Channel Power Yes 5.1 Channel Discrete Input Yes 6 Ohm Capable Yes 6.1 Channel Discrete Input Yes 7.1 Channel Discrete Input Yes A/V Inputs/Outputs 5 Banana Plug Speaker Terminals 2 Front, 2 Centre, 2 Rear Component Video Input/Output Yes Component Video Switching Yes Composite Video Input/Output Yes Digital Inputs 4 Rear, 2 Front Digital Outputs 3 Dolby Digital EX Yes Dolby Digital Surround Sound Yes Dolby Pro Logic Yes Dolby Pro Logic II Yes DSP Modes 3 DTS Yes DTS ES Yes Front AV Jacks Yes Graphic EQ No Headphone Jack Yes High Current No Included In Box 2 Remotes, Antennas Multiroom Capability Yes On Screen Display Yes Phono Inputs No Preamp Outputs Yes Remote Control Type LCD S-Video Input/Output 5 S-Video Switching Yes Station Presets 30 Stereo Power Per Channel 50 Watts/Channel THX Select No THX Ultra II No FEATURES: Logic 7 For Multi-Channel And VMax For Two Channel Enhancement High Current Capability Picture Colour-Coded Connections Picture Multi-Room/Multi-Source Features Pulse Width Modulation Amplifier DPR Remote Has Internal Firmware Programming Pioneer Elite VSX-52TX Power Amplifier Design A.D.E MOS FET Surround Power 110 x 7 (20HZ - 20kHZ @ 8 ohm, 0.09% THD Stereo Power 110 x 2 (20HZ - 20kHZ @ 8 ohm, 0.09% THD Digital Decoding & Processing: Digital Engine Motorola 48-Bit Processing Dolby Digital 5.1; Dolby Digital EX; DTS 5.1; DTS-ES Discrete 6.1; DTS 96/24; DTS NEO 6; Pro-Logic II DPL IIx; THX; Surround EX; Pioneer Original Surround Modes Advanced Surround 4 Movie / 4 Music Virtual Surround Back; Midnight Listening; Loudness; MCACC; Speaker Configuration; Speaker Size; Speaker Level; Speaker Distance Auto / Manual Settings Acoustic Equalization 5 Band Analog to Digital Conversion 96kHz/24-Bit Digital Analog Conversion (DAC) 192kHz/24-Bit Connectivity: Analog Audio Inputs 8; Analog Audio Outputs 2; Digital Inputs 5; Optical In 3; Coaxial In 2; Optical Digital Output 1; Multi-Channel Input 8 Channel; Audio Pre-Output 8 Channel; Composite Video Input 5; Composite Video Output 2; S-Video Input 5; S-Video Output 2; Component Video Input 2; Component Video Output 1; Component Video Conversion; Component Video Frequency Response 40 MHz; Headphone Output; Multi-Room and Source Output; Front A/V Inputs; IR IN/Out; 12 Volt Trigger; RS-232C; System Remote Control Port SR+; AC Outlet 1; SP Terminal Type Banana; Speaker A/B A/B, A+B; Adjustable Speaker Configuration Yes (2nd Zone/SB Channel/Bi-Amp) Convenience: On-Screen Display; Dot Matrix Display; Remote Type LCD; Pre-programmed; Learning Construction: Front Panel Aluminum - Urushi; Transformer Stabilizer; Direct Construction Onkyo TX-NR801 7 x 100 Watts/Channel @ 8W (FTC) Reduced Negative Feedback Design Wide Range Amplifier Technology Non-Scaling Configuration 192 kHz/24-Bit x 6 / 96 kHz/24-Bit x 2 D/A Converters High Current Low Impedance Drive All Discrete Output Stage Amplifiers Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry Linear Digital Upsampling THX Surround EX and THX Select Certified Extended Frequency Response (+ 1 dB, - 3 dB) 10 Hz-100 kHz Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS, DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix 6.1, DTS Neo:6 decoding A-Form Listening Mode Memory Composite to S-Video Conversion Multichannel Input: 7.1 39 Digital Soundfield Processing Modes Late Night Mode Color-Coded Speaker Terminals On-Screen Display Adjustable Digital Delay Crossover Adjustment Dot-Matrix Display 3 Levels Display Dimmer Pure Audio Mode Dual Banana Plug Compatible Speaker: All Terminals Sleep Timer (90 minutes; 10-min steps) Zone 2 (Multisource) Line Out: Audio/Video Powered Zone 2 Pre Outs: Front L/R, Center, Surround L/R, Surround Back L/R, Subwoofer RI-Compatible Remote Control Prepro/Learning/Backlit w/Macro Function, Absolute/Relative Volume Display and Intelli Volume Internet Features Net-Tune Ethernet 30 Presets (Internet Radio) Connections: 3 Audio and 6AV Inputs 2 HDTV-Ready Component Video Inputs 1 HDTV-Ready Component Video Output Front-Panel Video Input (with S-Video) 6 S-Video Inputs 3 S-Video Outputs 4 Optical Digital Inputs (1 Front Panel), 3 Coaxial 2 Optical Digital Outputs 1 IR In/1 IR Out Phono Input Headphone Jack
do you need 7.1 or 5.1? or will stereo do? as for the same money you can get a stereo amp of better quality than a 5.1+ amp. anyway what is the budget here?
Get a Denon AVR-3805. I've got one since half a year now. Excellent sound quality, features and design for the money (around 1000 EUR). Plus the remote looks quite snazzy Otherwise I would go for the Onkyo as it has excellent sound quality as well with the addition of network capabilities.
I am trying to get a 7.1 setup going (though I only have 5.1 speakers at the moment, I plan to purchase more later). As far as budget goes, I am looking at around 6-700 (US).
if thats your budget then i would reccomend going to a proper hifi shop so you can listen to a couple of amps and benefit from their knowledge on lots of different amps.
