New Stereo receiver?

G

Grouch

Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
373
After 15 years of nursing my Carver receiver along, it's time for a new receiver. I'd like to keep it under $1000. I don't need bells&whistles. I listen to mostly acoustic traditional and modern jazz. A good tuner is important but surround sound isn't. What makes/models/features should I look into?
 
go take a look at audiocircle-
there is a pannasonic digital reciever thats supposed to be real real nice for 500 or so i think-

just keep in mind 99% of the recievers today are digital amps not solid state-
 
if you use it for movies/tv at all, get the hdmi inputs/outputs

for music alone, Denon and Yamaha are economical.
 
rosconey2 said:
go take a look at audiocircle-
there is a pannasonic digital reciever thats supposed to be real real nice for 500 or so i think-

just keep in mind 99% of the recievers today are digital amps not solid state-
Click to expand...

I used to be a really, really into hi fi audio. I still am, but I built a system I love and haven't felt the urge to visit the hi fi audio sites in a while (except to ask the random question about phono cartridge loading and the like). But when I was still building my system (and in the case of the speakers, I literally built them by hand) - Audiocircle.com was a fantastic resource. They have a perfect balance of seeking great audio without all the BS and doing so on a budget.
 
Stereophile and The Absolute Sound are the journals you want. I seem to remember Adcom and Rotel getting good reviews in that price range.
 
NAD = Not Another Defective??? hehehe, sorry NAD owners, inside industry joke :)

You won't likely find Stereophile or Absolute Sound reviewing something as pedestrian as a stereo receiver these days. You can find some of the UK based mags like What HiFi sometimes reviewing affordable integrated amps, but the original poster specified that the unit had to have a solid tuner.

FYI, the Denon DRA-697CI is now available as a DRA-697CIHD as well which adds an HD radio tuner to the existing AM/FM section. Combined with the optional XM Radio, the DRA-697CIHD gives you more radio opportunity than any other stereo receiver currently available.

If it's still in production, this is probably the best stereo receiver available these days. Just be prepared to spend serious cash to get one:

http://www.meridian-audio.com/data/G51_ds_scr.pdf

In the interest of full disclosure, I work in the business and have represented, or presently represent all the manufacturers that I've posted about, so I have direct experience with these vendors. However, I can't sell you anything or arrange any deals.
 
With my $1000 ceiling, would I be better off with separate tuner, pre-amp, amp components? I assumed that my best approach was a receiver simply because that's what I'm getting rid of.
 
wont be able to do good seperates at that price imho-

and the ratings in the magazines mentioned are worthless imho-they are just whore mags who rate by how much add space you buy-

been a audio addict for quite awhile now and cant say ive ever heard anything good said about nad-

so what it comes down too is how much you end up spending-save some money and get a panny xr series,spend a little more and get the dennon
 
Grouch said:
With my $1000 ceiling, would I be better off with separate tuner, pre-amp, amp components? I assumed that my best approach was a receiver simply because that's what I'm getting rid of.
Click to expand...

15 years ago I bought an Adcom Amp (GFA 545 !!) and Pre-amp (GTP 500 II) and a Denon CD player for around $1000. I'd read about them in a few Stereophile reviews. Bottom shelf stuff as far as the audiophile crowd goes, but great reviews, a good price, and it's held up really well over the years. FYI I have Vandersteen Model II speakers. It's a good system that didn't break the bank. I'm sure prices are higher now, but if you stay away from 5-channel technology and fancy packaging and put your money into electronics you can still do well at that price point.

I'd start reading Stereophile and TAS. They're not shill rags like most of the others. I see you're in New England. Near Boston or Hartford? If so, check out some of the higher-end stores. Near Northampton, MA, Spearit Sound is good. Just go in, explain your budget and see what the people have to say. They're professionals, and they love talking sound. Being on a budget will present them with a challenge and they might really work for you to put together something good.

I'd stay away from the lower-end places like Best Buy and Circuit City. They don't carry what you're looking for, and their clerks, on balance, don't know and don't care about good sound. You want a place with dedicated listening rooms where you can listen to the equipment together and get a sense of tone, soundstage, presence, distinction, etc. I'd rather get the lowest of the good stuff, than the best of the mediocre stuff.

Take your time, don't rush, and remember to ENJOY the process and not pressure yourself to buy before you understand the landscape, and you'll do fine.
 
Personally, I'd invest in a good integrated amplifier, and buy a separate tuner. For under a grand, you could get some REALLY nice stuff.

Check out www.audiogon.com for the best deals on used high-end equipment. Just a quick glance at what they've got (that is good).

Music Hall MAMbo integrated amp : $650
Rega MIRA 3 : $630
Roksan Capsian MkII : $675
Portal Panache (awesome player) : $900

For a few more dollars, you can snag one of my all-time favorite integrateds, the Plinius 8200, for $1200.

Tuners:

Marantz ST6000 : $149
Denon TU-680NAb : $275
Creek T40 : $155

Any combination of the above players (and that's just what I found in a quick 5 minute search) would be LEAGUES above what you're used to.
 
go on line and check out Outlaw Audio. They are internet only and have been the darlings of the budget guys at TAS and Stereophile for years. Rotel also make VERY good stuff for the money, but they are not as cheap as they used to be.
 
RobbW said:
15 years ago I bought an Adcom Amp (GFA 545 !!) and Pre-amp (GTP 500 II) and a Denon CD player for around $1000. I'd read about them in a few Stereophile reviews. Bottom shelf stuff as far as the audiophile crowd goes, but great reviews, a good price, and it's held up really well over the years. FYI I have Vandersteen Model II speakers. It's a good system that didn't break the bank. I'm sure prices are higher now, but if you stay away from 5-channel technology and fancy packaging and put your money into electronics you can still do well at that price point.

I'd start reading Stereophile and TAS. They're not shill rags like most of the others. I see you're in New England. Near Boston or Hartford? If so, check out some of the higher-end stores. Near Northampton, MA, Spearit Sound is good. Just go in, explain your budget and see what the people have to say. They're professionals, and they love talking sound. Being on a budget will present them with a challenge and they might really work for you to put together something good.

I'd stay away from the lower-end places like Best Buy and Circuit City. They don't carry what you're looking for, and their clerks, on balance, don't know and don't care about good sound. You want a place with dedicated listening rooms where you can listen to the equipment together and get a sense of tone, soundstage, presence, distinction, etc. I'd rather get the lowest of the good stuff, than the best of the mediocre stuff.

Take your time, don't rush, and remember to ENJOY the process and not pressure yourself to buy before you understand the landscape, and you'll do fine.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the Vandersteen model 2 still kicks butt after 30 years
:thumbup: I had an Aragon/PS/Rotel/Spica system for a number of years. Upgraded to Sony SACD/Belles pre/ BAT amp/ Dali Helicon 800 speakers last year. I am pleased to say the least. Next purchase may be the Berwyn Bobcat software and Apogee mini DAC for my computer stuff.
 
i tried the outlaw audio stereo receiver and i returned it.
if you are looking for an old style receiver this isnt it except in name.
 
NousDefions said:
Personally, I'd invest in a good integrated amplifier, and buy a separate tuner. For under a grand, you could get some REALLY nice stuff.

Check out www.audiogon.com for the best deals on used high-end equipment. Just a quick glance at what they've got (that is good).

Music Hall MAMbo integrated amp : $650
Rega MIRA 3 : $630
Roksan Capsian MkII : $675
Portal Panache (awesome player) : $900

For a few more dollars, you can snag one of my all-time favorite integrateds, the Plinius 8200, for $1200.
Tuners:

Marantz ST6000 : $149
Denon TU-680NAb : $275
Creek T40 : $155

Any combination of the above players (and that's just what I found in a quick 5 minute search) would be LEAGUES above what you're used to.
Click to expand...
That Plinius probably lasted about 2 minutes at that price
:D Of that bunch, i would grab the Portal or the Mambo if the plinius was gone already and the Creek tuner. i have a Music Hall MMF-5 and it is a fine little turntable for the money.
 
modalnot said:
i tried the outlaw audio stereo receiver and i returned it.
if you are looking for an old style receiver this isnt it except in name.
Click to expand...

How about finding a used Linn all-in-one unit?
 
There is a Linn Classik Musik posted on Audiogon for $950 and a Naim Nait integrated for $899. You could do a lot worse. The Linn has the CD player built in and its a pretty good one for the money. Some dealers use to demo the Linn with Wilson Sophias, which is a bit of a trick because the Sophia is MUCH easier to drive than other Wilsons like older the Gen 7 and older Watt-Puppy , but I heard it and it sounded pretty darn good for a complete front end that retails for $1500. It would probably work well with Vandersteens and there are a LOT of them out there, so they should be pretty easy to find used.
 
RobbW said:
I see you're in New England. Near Boston or Hartford? If so, check out some of the higher-end stores. Near Northampton, MA, Spearit Sound is good. Just go in, explain your budget and see what the people have to say. They're professionals, and they love talking sound. Being on a budget will present them with a challenge and they might really work for you to put together something good.

I'd stay away from the lower-end places like Best Buy and Circuit City. They don't carry what you're looking for, and their clerks, on balance, don't know and don't care about good sound. You want a place with dedicated listening rooms where you can listen to the equipment together and get a sense of tone, soundstage, presence, distinction, etc. I'd rather get the lowest of the good stuff, than the best of the mediocre stuff.

Take your time, don't rush, and remember to ENJOY the process and not pressure yourself to buy before you understand the landscape, and you'll do fine.
Click to expand...

I'm currently north of Boston (there is a Spearit there, too) but lived the past
15 years in the Northampton area. As New Hampshire is tax free and there's at least one Rotel/NAD/etc seller there (Ensmble), I plan on going there.
I'd love to buy something used but dependable but I'm not familiar with most of the more obscure makes & models.
 
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