AV Receiver for £500-600

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I am looking for an av receiver that will compliment my existing B&W's. MY main emphasis is music (70%) and to play movies (30%). I will be upgrading to Blu-ray soon so will want all the new HD sound formats. I will want to be connecting my xbox360 and V+/Sky HD to it soon too. Just having a brief look on the web i haved found the Denon 2808, Arcam 280 and Pioneer LX 50/60 and Onkyo 705 all around the £600 mark. I know the Onkyo has had good reviews for movies and is but how good is it with music? Anyone with exp[erience of these receivers, please let me know your thoughts.

 

[Anonymous]

It is quite difficult to get a system which provides the best of both worlds. That was my goal when I joined this website and started posting. After a few posts and from getting replies from both Andrew and Clare, it appeared that the Onkyo was the most logical choice. I am not sure wether there is a better option in your price range, but I haven't been disappointed with the Onkyo 605 paired with BR2s

 

[Andy Clough]

Hi Johnny

I'd avoid the Arcam AVR280 as it doesn't handle HD audio. The Denon 2808 is a good four-star product, and the Onkyo 705 should be sound if the rest of the current Onkyo range is anything to go by. But as we always say, any AV amp or receiver will be something of a compromise when it comes to playing music.

 

[Anonymous]

I demo'd the Denon 2808, the Onkyo 705 and the Pioneer VSLX60.

I quite liked the warmth of the Denon sound, but wasn't too keen on the Onkyo with music. After plenty of deliberation I decided to plump for the Pioneer as i thought it sounded pretty damned good, it had all the connectivity i required and was only £650 on Tottenham Court Road. It also came with a two year warranty. I thought this was a pretty good deal at that price.

I will connect it up and let you know how it goes.

 

[Anonymous]

I have been using the new receiver for a couple of weeks now and am impressed with the picture and sound quality. I believe i made the right choice.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andy Clough"]

Hi Johnny

I'd avoid the Arcam
AVR280 as it doesn't handle HD audio. The Denon 2808 is a good
four-star product, and the Onkyo 705 should be sound if the rest of the
current Onkyo range is anything to go by. But as we always say, any AV
amp or receiver will be something of a compromise when it comes to
playing music.
[/quote]

Sorry, for taking slightly off topic....Regarding this I currently have an old Technics SU-A900 Mark II amp (which at the time of purchase got top marks in all categories for its price point - back when stuff like "build" was rated - so quite a while ago

).

I've recently purchased an Onkyo 606 (which is on its way) and an Optoma HD70 as I'm converting the room into a gaming/home cinema room, but I still intend to listen to music in there too. Taking into account the age of my Technics amp will there be much of a compromise between this amp and my new receiver?

I'm now having to save up for a speaker set, but until I can afford it I'll be using my old TDL RTL3 speakers as front left & right (and providing the low frequency noises for now too) and my even older JPW Minims (circa 1989/1990) as surround L&R and finding something inexpensive to provide centre.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Are you going to be using your Technics still for music? If so, you should be aware that the 606 doesn't have preouts for front left and right, so you won't be able to use them with both amp and receiver.

 

[Anonymous]

It depends on how the Onkyo 606 compares to my Technics amplifier for music.

If I decide to keep the amplifier, once I've purchased a proper surround set for the Onkyo I'll reconnect the TDLs as well as my CD player (Arcam Alpha 7SE) and Turntable (Pro-Ject Debut Mk II Phono) to the Technics amp .