Which HT Receiver would you buy?

I have found that all receivers are quite lacking in terms of good amplification. Also, I have found that there is not a lot of difference among DSPs in receivers.

I used to own Yamaha RXV2095 receiver (list price around $1,600) and had wanted to upgrade to Yamaha RXV1 receiver (their top of the line at $3,200 list price) to improve sound quality. I A/B tested them at my dealer and found the RXV1 to be slightly better in sound. I then hooked up the RXV2095 to a 5-channel JBL Synthesis 650a amp, and I could not believe the huge improvement in sound. The combination sounded so significantly better than the RXV1. At that point, my dealer admitted that the DSPs differ very little in sound quality, but the higher priced receiver does give you more DSP modes, if that is what you are looking for. He said that the slightly better sound of the RXV1 over the RXV2095 was probably due more to the fact that RXV1 has a better amplifier.

My advice is that if your goal is to maximize sound quality, and are willing to spend up to $1,000 or a little more, you might want to consider adding a five channel amp to your receiver. Given your tight budget, you might want to consider buying a used receiver on Audiogon. Also, receivers don't maintain their value well. Audiogon has a lot of terrific deals on them. I have seen a used RXV2095 on Audiogon recently sold for $500 (mint with box and manual). This model has DD, DTS, and all the gismos and was one the most highly rated receivers in the past couple of years (see audioreview.com). Then with about $800 to $1000, you can find a terrific 5-channel amp on Audiogon, to build yourself a system that is far superior to any receiver you can buy.

I had in my own house side by side Denon 5700 (140W x5), Yamaha DSP-A1 (120Wx5), and Sony STR-DA333ES (80Wx5), the Sony was helped by Sony TA-N9000ES (115Wx5).
I know that a lot of people here don't "like" Sony, so I just want to remind that this is my own personal experience.
I also have very limited experience on pure stereo, unlike most others here deeply into it.

The 333ES even without 9000ES is way better than others in controling speakers, setup, sound quality (in the meaning of transparency which is biggest factor in HT), after adding in the 9000ES, I sold the others.

I tested all of them in combination with multiple different sets of 5.1 speakers, Norh wood (8ohm load), Paradigm Mini Monitor, B&W 601S2, NHTs (8ohm load) and Dyns (4ohm load). Sony always is clearly winner.

If you can overcome the "feeling" of owning a Sony, you may have chance to know.

I'd go seperates, even for your $1,000 budget, if you don't mind shopping around here, eBay or Harmon audio outlet, you can find yourself a decent preamp/processor and power amp.

Suggestions (just by doing a quick search)..

1) Harmon audio outlet has their Signature 2.0 preamp and 2.1 poweramp refurbed with warrenty for under $1,000.

2) Audiogon classfieds, a Sherwood Newcastle AVP-9080R preamp for $500.00 and pair it with a Rotel RB-985THX 5 channel poweramp that can be found in Audiogon classifieds for $450.00. The Rotel 985 is about the biggest bang for the buck poweramp you can find for the money.

Just my thoughts anyway...
Mark

I would buy a Harmon-Kardon Signature 2.0 preamp/controller and Signature 5 channel amp. from J&R in NYC. They have factory re3conditioned and guaranteed units for @ $700.00 that retail for over $5,000. I got set and could not be more pleased (other than an awkward remote.

Stownel:

Those are some good choices that you have listed above. Check out all of those choices, but for about $550.00 to $1,000.00, I would also check out the Harman/Kardon AVR-510 (I believe now, they are going to discontinue the AVR-510, because they are coming out with an AVR-520). This receiver may be conservative in the power department (in fact, all Harmans are that way), but you will more than make up for that shortcoming with a high current amplifier design, excellent sound quality and a decent feature set. Personally, I have the AVR-210, and had it for about the last six months, and I couldn't be any happier. It has more than enough power for my needs, has a nice set of inputs and outputs (sans component inputs and outputs), and it is well built and it is reasonably priced to boot. It even has outputs for all channels which allows me to add an amplifier if I should get into upgrading later on. Now, whether or not I would use it in a "music only" system is another matter entirely. At this point, I don't need to. I already have an excellent preamplifier (the Adcom GFP-750), so the Harman's outputs is a moot issue at this point. But now, if I want something for home theater or something like that, I couldn't be any happier.

Let us know what you eventually end up with.

--Charles--