Under $500 reciever recomendations

[Sandbagger]

Since I have been out of the market for so long and am a bit lazy:biglaugh:

What is a decent reciever these days, a buddy gave me the its got to stay under $500 and the lower the better, doesnt need anything crazy either.

Thanks

[Mike_TX]

What does he need -- inputs, features?

Mike

[Sandbagger]

He has a very basic set up, currently using an old(7-8yr) reciever that doesnt even have comp switching.

HDMI would be nice, has some smaller book shelf speakers so power isnt a huge deal.

I am thinking just a nice basic reciever?

[Cujobob]

Depends on what your priorities are. I like the Pioneer 919 a lot...but no pre-outs. That and a lousy remote are the biggest issues with it. Great sound quality, very reliable, EQ features and a great auto-EQ.

[cburbs]

Pioneer 919/1019
Onkyo 607
Denon 1910

[phipp01]

How about the Yamaha rx-v665? I have the 663 and I love it. Has pre-outs so if he wanted to add external amps down the line he can. If you use bing.com you can get 8% back if you use buy it now off ebay. I found one for $343 with free shipping and with the 8% back would run for a total of about $315. 4 HDMI inputs also (663 only has 2).

[Sandbagger]

Right now the projector he has only has component input, but is considering a PS3 for blue ray playback. will the receiver convert hdmi to component?

[phipp01]

Right now the projector he has only has component input, but is considering a PS3 for blue ray playback. will the receiver convert hdmi to component?

I dont believe any receiver will do that. Something to do with HDCP IIRC. He could get the component cables and a toslink cable for the PS3 if he buys one. It has 2 component in with one out. One component in is optical the other is coaxial. I assume he would have the PS3 for BR and games and an HD-DVR for cable or satellite?

[Sandbagger]

I dont believe any receiver will do that. Something to do with HDCP IIRC. He could get the component cables and a toslink cable for the PS3 if he buys one. It has 2 component in with one out. One component in is optical the other is coaxial. I assume he would have the PS3 for BR and games and an HD-DVR for cable or satellite?

Yea could do component for the PS3, plans on using it for BR and netflix, he actually doesnt have cable tv, but does rent TV series through NF

[phipp01]

Yea could do component for the PS3, plans on using it for BR and netflix, he actually doesnt have cable tv, but does rent TV series through NF

Theres also the Denon 1910. Same amount of component inputs also has pre-outs, same WPC (90). Found with Bing with the 8% back off ebay around $405 (after the 8% back) with free shipping

[alphaiii]

No pre-outs on the Denon 1910.

[phipp01]

No pre-outs on the Denon 1910.

OOPS my bad I thought there was LOL. I stand corrected

[dane]

No pre-outs on the Denon 1910.

one of my strikes against it also ... that said, I've yet to hook up an external amp to my 15 yr old Marantz receiver (only 85wpc) ... so while a "limitation in theory," lack of preouts may not actually ever affect as many people that are nervous about it..

cheers,
..dane

[Sandbagger]

Yea PreOuts are of no concern, a 2nd zone might be of more interest

I guess at this price point everything is pretty close

[phipp01]

Yeah pretty much. Dont know if you're interested but Dakmart.com sells Denon refurbed units and accessories4less.com sells Marantz refurb's. Might be able to get more for less if refurbed doesnt scare him