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Receiver recommendations? (on a budget)

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ashevillain:
Just wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations for a receiver? Preferences:

- Less than $200 would be ideal but could possibly go higher...
- HDMI pass through
- Don't really need 5.1 or 7.1...2-channel is enough for me at this time but I don't want to disqualify more channels. A 2.1 setup might be ideal if that is even such a thing these days.
- Bluetooth would be nice but not a deal breaker.

The basic impetus for this is that we have a TV with no outputs (didn't even know such a thing was ever made). So I'd like to plug a Fire TV stick into a receiver so I can get audio from there and just pass the HDMI through to the TV. This might be just a temporary solution as I will probably revamp everything A/V related at some point.

Any thoughts?

voltronic:
I've been extremely happy with the Denon AVR-S710W for the past year.  I only use it with 2 channels, but it was one of the least expensive receivers that included Audessey (which I find works extremely well).  The setup routine makes it very easy to configure what speakers you do or do not have.  It works flawlessly in all HDMI duties including ARC from my TV, has bluetooth, WiFi, Ethernet for remote streaming, and the sound quality is outstanding.  Again, I'm only running 2 channels but I can fill my entire open-concept first floor with any reasonable SPL.  We just went through the extended LOTR discs again this past weekend and it was phenomenal.

It retails for well over $400, but I purchased mine refurbished from Accessories4Less for under $300.  Normally I stay away from refurbished, but what I received appeared to be a completely brand new, unused unit.  They don't seem to have the S710W at the moment, but they do have the very similar S720W and S910W.

dyneq:
I was going to make the same recommendation as voltronic! It's not impossible to find really nice 2 channel receivers, but since they're not as common, you generally will pay more than for an AVR that can play stereo just fine.

My 2003-era Denon 6.1 receiver recently died. I replaced it with the Denon AVR-S720W this week. So far, I'm extremely happy with it. I do use it for a 6.2 surround setup for films, but also frequently listen to music in 2.2 (I just built 2 18" subs, but that's for another thread!).

Also like voltronic, I bought mine refurbed from the same place. It carries a Denon 1 year warranty, so I didn't feel like it was a huge risk. Came to me looking brand new and had all of the brand new accessories. I paid about $60 over your budget, but still feel like it's a great value for something I can use for music and films.

To address your other items in your wishlist: the HDMI pass through works great, and it supports ARC if your TV does (my projector does not). I tested the bluetooth and it works fine. They are also releasing firmware upgrades periodically which is a nice bonus.

twatts (pants are so over-rated...):
https://asheville.craigslist.org/ele/d/denon-avr-home-theater/6160380779.html

Terry

voltronic:

--- Quote from: dyneq on July 18, 2017, 04:22:12 PM ---I was going to make the same recommendation as voltronic! It's not impossible to find really nice 2 channel receivers, but since they're not as common, you generally will pay more than for an AVR that can play stereo just fine.

--- End quote ---

Exactly.  I was upgrading from a mid-1970s 2-channel receiver, and really needed something that would handle all the HDMI switching and be future-proof to go with the new TV in the new digs.  The way I found to do the video switching I needed was to buy something with way more audio channels than I need.  It turned out to be the right decision.
 :headphones:


--- Quote from: ashevillain on July 17, 2017, 03:24:44 PM ---The basic impetus for this is that we have a TV with no outputs (didn't even know such a thing was ever made).

--- End quote ---

I missed this part earlier.  What TV is this that?  Sounds like a great excuse to buy a new TV!  I have a great recommendation if you're interested.

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