Receiver advice - Onkyo vs Yamaha

[ChromeSushi]

Need to get a receiver and I'm thinking of getting either the Onkyo SR606 or the Yamaha HTR-6160.

The Onkyo costs $530 at Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=580TXS606B&Show=ExtInfo). I can get it for a bit less (even factoring in the crappy dollar) if I go to the US but then there are warranty issues.

The Yamaha is $500 at Future Shop (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10099878&catid=10551&logon=&langid=EN) (a bit less if I PM Best Buy).

From the bit of research I've done they seem pretty close, although the Onkyo has more HDMI inputs - an advantage but not a deal-breaker. Anyone have any advice or experience with these? Is there another receiver I should be considering in the $500 range?

[sickcars]

Need to get a receiver and I'm thinking of getting either the Onkyo SR606 or the Yamaha HTR-6160.

The Onkyo costs $530 at Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=580TXS606B&Show=ExtInfo). I can get it for a bit less (even factoring in the crappy dollar) if I go to the US but then there are warranty issues.

The Yamaha is $500 at Future Shop (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10099878&catid=10551&logon=&langid=EN) (a bit less if I PM Best Buy).

From the bit of research I've done they seem pretty close, although the Onkyo has more HDMI inputs - an advantage but not a deal-breaker. Anyone have any advice or experience with these? Is there another receiver I should be considering in the $500 range?


i dont know to much about Receivers but I do know FutureShop over prices everything so the actual price of the Yamaha is probably much lower, which would lead me to think that the Onkyo is better quality.

But thats just a guess..

[ChromeSushi]

i dont know to much about Receivers but I do know FutureShop over prices everything so the actual price of the Yamaha is probably much lower, which would lead me to think that the Onkyo is better quality.

But thats just a guess..

The problem with audio equipment seems to be that everywhere in Canada is overpriced. You can get either one in the US for about $350, but when you factor in exchange, taxes, etc. it comes close to $500 anyway.

[zoolander]

If you had to choose between the two, I hear you can fry eggs on some Onks.
Also, "poor video processing limits utility of HDMI upconversion for analog sources" according to CNET (http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/onkyo-tx-sr606-black/4505-6466_7-32956253.html) and other sources.

I have the 6160 nearly identical to the 663, bought it for $480 at FS pm'ing a bb sale in the summer. I'm pleased with it. An HTPC uses one HDMI and the other is waiting for Nagra3 to be sorted out (HD FTA). I figure if I need more HDMI inputs, I'll buy a unit at monoprice.

If you can find a Marantz for under $500, soundwise superior to both; whereas video processing - someone else with experience may comment, if I remember correctly, the video signals are not as molested, lol.
If you decide on a receiver that lacks TrueHD and DTS-HD, you can compensate with a bluray player that does it.

Note many models this year have an ATI audio problem, recognizes the HDMI video only when you are connecting an HTPC (issue needs to be resolved at the ATI end). I have nVidia, no problems.

[Felks24]

My final 3 about a year ago were Yamaha, Onkyo and Denon.

I ended up buying the Denon. (And I love it!)

(The place I bought it just happened to have it hooked up to the 5.1 Speaker set I was looking at as well - Paradigm Cinema 220 LCR, ADP Rears and PDR10 subwoofer.)

How could I say no?

[zoolander]

I can't find the link but I vaguely recall Denons are low on reliability on ConsumerReports.org. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Buying Canadian means your warranty is serviced here.
Buying from an authorized dealer using your major credit card adds up to a year of warranty, example (http://www.pcmastercard.pcfinancial.ca/rocen/cardapp/contentPG/premium_extended_warranty.asp).
(I've used the CC extended warranty on a camera without problems)

[Felks24]

I can't find the link but I vaguely recall Denons are low on reliability on ConsumerReports.org. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Buying Canadian means your warranty is serviced here.
Buying from an authorized dealer using your major credit card adds up to a year of warranty, example (http://www.pcmastercard.pcfinancial.ca/rocen/cardapp/contentPG/premium_extended_warranty.asp).
(I've used the CC extended warranty on a camera without problems)

I don't care what Consumer Reports said, I love the Denon we got. We've had it for exactly a year and it had performed flawlessly.

Was simply making another option available to the OP that they may not have thought of.

It sounds incredible, matched with the surround system we bought with it, and I don't regret buying it one bit.

[zoolander]

I don't care what Consumer Reports said, I love the Denon we got. We've had it for exactly a year and it had performed flawlessly.

Was simply making another option available to the OP that they may not have thought of.

It sounds incredible, matched with the surround system we bought with it, and I don't regret buying it one bit.

Hey, don't take it personal, I'm just reiterating what I recall reading in one of my CR mags. I hope your Denon lasts a long time. Cheers.

[bembol]

Denon, Onkyo and Yamaha are my Top Three Lossless Receiver.

Honestly, I only went with Denon AVR-2808CI because of I've always wanted a Denon Receiver.

I started a Poll on HDD, just to see what they went with/why.

Here's the thread...

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/home-theater-gear/51533-lossless-high-def-receiver-do-you-own-reason.html

[Felks24]

Hey, don't take it personal, I'm just reiterating what I recall reading in one of my CR mags. I hope your Denon lasts a long time. Cheers.

Nothing personal taken!! :cheesygri

It's all good!!!

[Felks24]

Denon, Onkyo and Yamaha are my Top Three Lossless Receiver.

Honestly, I only went with Denon AVR-2808CI because of I've always wanted a Denon Receiver.

I started a Poll on HDD, just to see what they went with/why.

Here's the thread...

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/home-theater-gear/51533-lossless-high-def-receiver-do-you-own-reason.html

That's a small part of why I went Denon as well. I started off with a Pioneer set that I was less than impressed with, then went through several HTIB's, and finally settled with my Denon unit. :)

[RedFlagRobot]

Buying Canadian means your warranty is serviced here.
Buying from an authorized dealer using your major credit card adds up to a year of warranty, example (http://www.pcmastercard.pcfinancial.ca/rocen/cardapp/contentPG/premium_extended_warranty.asp).
(I've used the CC extended warranty on a camera without problems)

Does anyone know if Crutchfield Canada is an authorized Onkyo or Denon dealer? They are in the US, but can't figure out if they are in Canada.

[MasterXan]

Electronics4less has the 606 for $529. Order online and in-store pickup is available

http://www.electronicsforless.ca/audio-3/amplifiers-receivers-13/onkyo-tx-sr606-7-1-channel-home-theater-receiver-with-hdmi-switc-937.html

btw, they are an authorized Onkyo dealer.

[Felks24]

Does anyone know if Crutchfield Canada is an authorized Onkyo or Denon dealer? They are in the US, but can't figure out if they are in Canada.

The only authorized Denon online dealer is Bestbuy.ca (according to Denon Canada website)

I bought my stuff at EHR. (also an authorized Denon dealer.)

[brunes]

I can't believe how much more the CDN prices are. That Onkyo is only $300 - $330 in the US, almost 1/2 the price. At that much of a difference the warranty issue is null and void since you can almost afford to buy a backup reciever for the same price!

[rpeatt]

For sure. If it buy the Onkyo 606 when I'm Flordia next week I will pay $330 USD + 5% tax USD + roughly 20% exchange rate. This equals out to about $440 CDN taxes in, since I am under my $750 exemption limit. Still worth it to buy it in the US and take my chances.

[Super_Coo]

For sure. If it buy the Onkyo 606 when I'm Flordia next week I will pay $330 USD + 5% tax USD + roughly 20% exchange rate. This equals out to about $440 CDN taxes in, since I am under my $750 exemption limit. Still worth it to buy it in the US and take my chances.

Where can you get it for $330? I'm going to the states in a few weeks.
Also on side note it's $499 at electronicsforless right now decent for in Canada.

[rpeatt]

Where can you get it for $330? I'm going to the states in a few weeks.
Also on side note it's $499 at electronicsforless right now decent for in Canada.

My bad, newegg has it for $349, free ship, no state tax if shipped to FL. Still don't know what to do, I missed the newegg boat since I'm only in FL from tomorrow to Friday...

[audit13]

According to the Bank of Canada website, the exchange rate is 29%. Yikes!

http://www.bank-banque-canada.ca/en/rates/converter.html

[mlc2000]

You definitely want a Canadian warranty.

I know from my own experience and that of friends, that the materials used for HDMI ports is very delicate and break easily. (Yamaha, Denon, Marantz,Integra) No warranty is a little scary.

[Drew_W]

If you can find a Marantz for under $500, soundwise superior to both; whereas video processing - someone else with experience may comment, if I remember correctly, the video signals are not as molested, lol.
If you decide on a receiver that lacks TrueHD and DTS-HD, you can compensate with a bluray player that does it.

If you don't mind the shameless plug (I do tons of "helpful" posting, so here's hoping), we have the Marantz SR4002 for $399 and the SR5002 for $449. Both do audio over HDMI, and I agree, will spank the Onkyo/Yamaha/Denon receivers in sound quality. We sell Denon too, but the Marantz stuff just sounds better, so it's what I like to sell.