AV reciever

[Grog]

Just looking for some opinions here, I know there are a couple of guys on here who are into AV equipment. I have a Onkyo TX-NR609 just over 3 years old. The speakers started crackling a few days ago, then no sound at all. After some internet searching looks like it is a common problem. HDMI card gets too hot and goes out. It’s out of warranty.
I want to replace it with a more reliable brand, what would you recommend for less than $1000? I really don’t need any fancy video processing, do they make a amp that will just pass through video? I would like at least 100W per channel, and at least a 5.2 ability. We mostly use it for satellite tv and movies.
Would a separate amp and receiver be more reliable? (less heat in the receiver)
Got to do more research.

[lane912]

I have a HK receiver
simple and adequate-
5.1
100w per each
hdmi in

[gr8fl4porsche]

I've had great luck with Pioneer Elite receivers.

Make sure you get enough HDMI inputs.
I use 5 or 6 to hook up my system.

[LeeH]

Do you get sound when playing the am/fm tuner?

You say the HDMI board heats up. Have you tried using other inputs?

Have you tried a factory reset?
Onkyo | Factory Reset Of An TX-NR609 (and other)

I do see a lot of broken Onkyo receivers donated at my local Goodwill. Rarely do I see Yamaha or Pioneer. If those brands are donated, they're older models but they usually work fine.

[MRM]

The Denon AVR-X2000 is on close out sale on Amazon. It's usually $699 and is now $399. It's highly rated but it does have the 4K TV stuff you don't need. It had 95 watts per channel at 8 ohms. If you need more power the X3000 series has more power but more bells and whistles for $899. The same series has other units with the same performance without the high tech tv stuff for less money. You might want to explore that series.

Denon AVR-X2000 7.1 Channel Integrated Network AV Receiver with AirPlay (Discontinued by Manufacturer):Amazon:Electronics

Here's a nice review.

Denon AVR-X2000 review from the experts at whathifi.com

And here's a nice review of the AVR-X3000 that compares the features of the X3000.

Denon AVR-X3000 review - Hands-on

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

I've had great luck with Pioneer Elite receivers.

Make sure you get enough HDMI inputs.
I use 5 or 6 to hook up my system.

I am also very happy with my Pioneer Elite, in you price range that only gets you 80 watts at 8ohms, up to 100 if you are running 6ohms.

I should add we have at least one Denon here at work that works very well too, I don't think you will be disappointed with a receiver for Denon.

Or for $599 a Pioneer with 90W @ 8ohms 135W @ 6ohms

Anything you buy will have more features than you need/want, but that is always nice to have if you want to upgrade down the road

[MysticLlama]

I've been really happy with the Marantz we bought 5-6 years ago now.

Demo'd it vs. the Pioneer Elites and liked the sound better. Maybe it's colored a way I like, maybe not, dunno, but it was more pleasing to listen to. The Pioneer did seem better for things like movies, etc.

All the good brands should be pretty close, even the Onkyo going out seems weird, but it does happen at times.

I'd say go demo a few to see what you like the tone of better.

[Grog]

I've been working a lot lately so I haven't had time to trouble shoot the receiver. I will try the reset, then the analog inputs. I have to check my TV to see how many HDMI inputs it has. If I have to I could just use it for analog input for sound and do the HDMI switching with the TV. I also have an older Dennon I could use. I think it only has a couple HDMI inputs. It's fun looking for new components though. Inputs I have are; satellite, DVD/DVR, Blu-ray dvd, LD. I think the TV has enough, at lest 4 HDMI's

[flipper35]

We have a Yamaha that we are pretty happy with. Far better than the Sony it replaced. We looked at the Elite series as well. The Yamaha was a warmer sound.

[RKDinOKC]

Use my Receiver mainly for surround sound for TV/Movies.

Had a Pioneer Elite. Replaced it with a newer one only because the newer ones have all the HDMI stuff.Well the newer one tanked after 2 years. Went to replace it and local hi-fi shop stopped selling Elites because they were having problems with them tanking. Replaced it with a Sony and am much happier even though the Sony does not have the really cool iPhone remote control the Pioneer Elite had and the Sony surround sound sounds better than either of the Pioneer Elite did.

I don't use the HDMI switching much on My receiver. My TV has 6 hdmi inputs and does Sony's internet movies, Netflicks and more so is much more centralized to use it for A/V switching and just use the Sony Receiver for 5.1 surround. If I could have found an affordable Surround processor with amp instead of a receiver I would have gotten that. sound

The one thing I miss from the Pioneer is that it had a feature where I could limit how loud you could crank up the volume. Kept the kids and nearly deaf brother from turning up the volume so loud it would fry the speakers.

[88-diamondblue]

Look at Emotiva. Great equipment and good pricing. My brother got me on to this.

I have a UMC-200 Pre-amp/processor and a UPA-700 , 7 channel x 100 rms. $1100 right now. All the reviews were very good and customer service is great. They also have a UPA-500 ($399) 5 channel x 120rms is $100 less than the 7 channel unit. Check it out. Very satisfied with features and the sound quality. www.emotiva.com

[Grog]

Thanks 88,

I was just looking at those, and the outlaw's

[OffCamber00]

Be wary of Outlaw. I had their now discontinued receiver - it never worked right. Had a problem where the sound would often cut out - sometimes it took an hour or two get it back. Additionally, I was not able to get the firmware update to install and they wanted me to ship it back with a three week turnaround, which i never did since its in my living room and i have two small kids that would go nuts w/o a tv for that long.

When it was working, it sounded great but i have since replaced it w/ a Denon and am much happier.

[Grog]

I tried the factory reset last night, no joy. Going to try different inputs and outputs later today. I need to go out and dig up some stumps. Bought a mini excavator couple of months ago but haven't had time to use it. Just finished working 47 12 hour nights with no days off. ugh. 3 weeks off now.