kenratboy Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 At work today (Target), Christmas stuff was going out today (I know, WAY WAY WAY too early) and it got me thinking that Christmas is not THAT far away (wait, it is...) Anyway, I was thinking about it and I decided that I should buy MYSELF something REALLY nice for Christmas. I got to thinking and I decided that a new receiver would probably be my best bet. My speakers would enjoy better power than they are currently getting (retail price at Circuit City for my front three was over $550 back in 1998, they are not trash, they got great print reviews), I need some more power to really get my speakers singing (ESPECIALLY with 5-channels going, I have to push it too hard), and, well, TOY!!! I have not purchased anything 'fun' for myself for, well, over a year, if not longer (my subwoofer, actually, that was almost 2 years ago!) Also, to rationalize the purchase, if I bought the receiver, I could actually start thinking about buying some Klipsch Reference gear, as I would have a amp that would actually do it justice (I have no doubt my current receiver would do anything BUT make RF-35's shine, it would be a waste of money to have those $1,000 speakers and a cheap receiver.) As it is, I am just going to be doing 5.1, let alone 7.1 (all the receivers I am looking at have 7.1), so I would have some future-proofing.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> The choices? I am aiming for $600. Well, the new Sony ES STR-DA1000ES is VERY nice looking. I am in the camp that if you buy the lowest model in a series, you will be inheriting a lot of the stuff from the big brothers, so your $600 amp is a $1000 amp with a few resistors changed around, and a few in/out jacks missing. Also, the Denon AVR-2803 is definitely in the running, and if the 2804 comes out, maybe even more so, but they are $800 and that is way too expensive. I will NOT consider the 3803, as it is WAY too expensive (In 5 years, I will get the 3804, 5, 6...) I will be purchasing from an authorized dealer. I will do something local if I can, hopefully a local shop. If all else fails, Crutchfield has never let me down. I need to do this through an authorized dealer because I cannot afford to have a $600 receiver die, as I couldnt replace it. Also, I would like to establish a relationship with an audio store. What other receivers should I consider? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reel 2 reel Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Shop around a little more Ken.....There is a lot more out there than those choises but, you already know that,....... so I'll just shut up and mosy along...have fun shoppin'...thatz the FUN part........gc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenratboy Posted September 8, 2003 Author Share Posted September 8, 2003 There is too much I am open to anything, as long as its decked out. I work 30-40 hours a week and will be doing so for some time still, so I need to buy some nice toys for myself every few...YEARS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancestorm Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 Definitely the H/K AVR-525Z....it's the refurbished model of the 525. I scored mine for under $600 from onecall. Highly recommend this receiver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladi Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 Why? You already have a Sony, don't repeat the same mistake twice! Now, I have a Sony too and I hate my choice back when I bought it. It may be a fine receiver, has 2 multi channel inputs, but the amplification is piss-poor. My next upgrade (deffinitely this Christmas) will be a separate amplifier, either B&K or H/K. I think in your case you will mostly benefit from a separate amp. Look into some used H/K, PA4000 for example is $899 MSRP, so I am guessing it can be found for about $600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBryan Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 Look at the Outlaw 1050. Its a great amp with stellar reviews and best of all, they don't sell through retailers so there's no mark-up in the price. The 1050 sells for $500 at outlaw.com - here's the link...http://www.outlawaudio.com//products/1050.html Also check out their cables and ICs. They are cheap (in comparison) and well regarded. Have fun, Bryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ob1clodi Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 My vote is for the outlaw. It powers my kg 4.2 quite well. Without a sub it will shake stuff quite nicely, 4.2 main and 3.2 rear set to large with 2.2 cut at 80hz. No problems so far having it for about 1 year. Excellent customer service is also an added bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenratboy Posted September 9, 2003 Author Share Posted September 9, 2003 The Harman Kardon looks sweet, and for $600 from Onecall, might be it. It didn't say refurb on that one, is it (don't assume )? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladi Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 You know what -- I looked at the specs and manual of the H/K PA 4000 myself. Looking at the back pannel, I don't see how I can input multiple channels. Can anyone throw some light on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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