looking for deals on a/v receiver

[progman]

Anyone have any recomendations on not only places to find good deals on a/v receivers, but also some good models in the $150-$300 range?

Thanks

[spigidygak]

Well to answer your first question, you might be better off trying to deal with someone at your local audio store. Or you could risk it and look for a factory refurbished at ubid.com or harmon international's refurbished sight (do a search, I can't find the url right now, but I'm looking for it).

To answer your second question, I'd go with anything Kenwood you can afford if you're mostly looking into listening music, or Harmon/Kardon if you're gonna be using it for t.v. and movies.

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[feurio]

I also recommend ecost.com for good prices.

As for the receiver itself, I think Yamaha produces more natural sound than Kenwood or Harman Kardon for the same price. Check out reviews on audioreview.com and you'll see that most Yamaha receivers are all highly rated. Personally, I'm getting the HTR 5240 as soon as my Paradigm Mini-Monitors come in.

[progman]

I've always considered speakers (and wattage) to be the only thing (or at least 95%) that matters for sound quality...

do some receivers make the sound considerablye better? right now I have an old Pioneer 70w/side stereo receiver hooked up to infinity rs4s

thoughts?

[bbur]

check out eCost.com

I just went there and saw a Kenwood audio/video stereo receiver (Dolby pro logic.....)
for only

[bbur]

check out eCost.com

I just went there and saw a Kenwood audio/video stereo receiver (Dolby pro logic.....) for only $149

[BigDamnHardboiled]

The receiver is all that stands between the source signal and your speakers, so the answer to the sound quality question is an emphatic YES. There's a deluge of technical wizardry involved in more costly receivers (multiple processors, seperate amplifier, etc.) that add up to a better sound. But the main reason to upgrade is to access current surround sound standards, such as Dolby Digital and DTS. You'll find that the home theater experience provided by a 5.1 channel receiver will promptly remove any concerns about obtaining decent sound through just two speakers.

[Bandito]

If you don't upgrade to a DTS receiver why upgrade at all? You can get DTS capable receivers for as much or even less than that of a Pro Logic, THS, 5.1, etc. You will kick yourself if you upgrade now, and again in a year. Don't buy yesterdays technology.

[osseckiii]

From personal experience, I would recommend a Yamaha receiver, I got mine the HTR-5140, which has DD, but no DTS for under $250.

[jeepers]

Http://www.hifi.com

The prices aren't the BEST on the net, but you ALWAYS get something free with your order (or at a cost of $0.01). I got a free dvd player, free soundworks table radio etc... and shipping is free. Give 'em a look

[kil45]

check out mercata.com. I just recently bought a jvc reciever for 280 shipped using my 20% discount. I recommend that u take a look and see if any of the recievers interest u.