Recommendations on standalone surround sound receiver

Hello,

I will be in the market for a standalone surround sound receiver in the near future. I'm looking for suggestions.

- $250 or under
- Receiver only...I already have speakers and media playback devices
- 5.1 capable (won't need 7.1 as I won't have that many speakers)
- Brand is irrelevant (though I do have Sony speakers and I like the idea of having matching components across the board)
- Useage: 70% streaming music videos/music from my MBA through Apple TV, 25% movies, 5% TV.

Here are a few that I am considering...

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR31...93982&sr=8-1&keywords=surround+sound+receiver

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V37...93982&sr=8-4&keywords=surround+sound+receiver

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-8...93982&sr=8-7&keywords=surround+sound+receiver

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STR-DH74...93982&sr=8-3&keywords=surround+sound+receiver

Thoughts on any of these? Better options I may not have considered yet?

*UPDATE* Below.

Got one vote for the Yamaha. I was leaning towards either the Yamaha or the Pioneer.

Anyone else?

satcomer said:

I say if you want to use a receiver with you TV look at you TV port. Search to see if has an 'optical' output port. If it does then look at revievers that has optical input. Then connect the optical port from the TV to receiver so any sound that is coming from the TV is sent to the receivers regardedless any HDMI port is being used.

Click to expand...

Yup, I was planning on going that route. I got a new 55" LED TV back in January, all but certain it has optical out.

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macs4nw said:

If your budget was a little less constrained, you could do a lot better, quality wise, and get a receiver that'll blow all of the above choices away.

Contrary to what some people may tell you, your four choices are all roughly in the same quality ballpark. Price dictates that. It comes down more to aesthetics and features. Ideally you would want to listen to each of them, connected to the Sony speakers you already have, and that would be more than likely, in your living room.

I'd say, find a store with an excellent returns policy, and start with the Onkyo and Yamaha, and let your ears be the judge. You have the list pretty well in the order, I personally would consider them in; for me the Sony would be the last choice on that list also. Their top-of-the-line TVs are fabulous, but Sony have never been known to make great receivers.

Happy auditioning!

Click to expand...

Thank you for the insight, I appreciate it!

Sounds like the Yamaha may be the way to go. I plan on checking out the Yamaha, Onkyo, and Pioneer.

I know I'm keeping myself in a tight box shopping in this price range. I have a little wiggle room, but not a ton. I'm not really an "audiophile" by any means...I just want something that is (relatively) powerful, versatile (handles all of my audio sources - TV, XBox, PS3, Apple TV...and network connectivity that allows for direct AirPlay would be great), and will last 5-10+ years. And of course something with nice aesthetics is always a plus.

Ok, so I've decided to re-visit this and open my price range up a bit. I've been considering the following receivers...

This one if the front runner so far...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B981F2O

(V475) Pros: Powerful at 115x5, Network connectivity/AirPlay, newer technology as it is this year's model.

Cons: Top of the price range at $400.

Also considering this...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B981F38

(V375) This is essentially the same as the one I listed above, except it is only 100x5, doesn't have network/AirPlay connectivity, and it is $150 cheaper.

And this...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JF85VU

(V473) This is last year's version of the first one I listed. It's 105x5 rather than 115x5, and it's $50 cheaper.

While network/AirPlay ability would be nice, it isn't *essential*, mostly because I have an AppleTV and I can stream all of my audio through that...it's just annoying having to turn on the TV and start the AppleTV just to get some music playing.

As far as the power goes, I really don't know how much of a noticeable difference there would be between 115x5 and 105x5. Pretty minimal I'm guessing?

Thoughts?

Deleted

rhett7660 said:

I think in the price range you are going for, there is not going to be a huge difference in sound. The specs and added features will be something you want to look at.

I suggest looking at the following sites:

http://www.avsforum.com/f/
http://www.avsforum.com/f/90/receivers-amps-and-processors


http://www.hometheaterforum.com/index.php?app=forums
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/forum/66-receiversseparatesamps/

You can't go wrong with:
Pioneer
Yamaha
Onkyo
Denon
Sony

You also didn't mention what type of speakers you are going to be using and/or powering?

Click to expand...

Thank you for the links. I have been checking out the AVS forums for a while now, trying to educate myself.

The speakers I have now...

Fronts

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-F6000-Floor-Standing-Speaker/dp/B0031KKRKY/ref=zg_bs_3236453011_39

Rear

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B1000-4-Inch-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B000OG88KY/ref=zg_bs_3236451011_4

And I'm currently looking into a center channel speaker and powered sub. Leaning towards Polk for the center channel and the $200 BIC sub on Amazon.