Best AV Receiver under $500.

[lanman]

I have a Samsung HTIB TQ-85 that won't load a DVD. It keeps trying,
but just spins and never completes the task. I tried cleaning the
head(s) with a cleaning CD and resetting the factory settings, with no
luck. Can anyone suggest something else to try?

Also, if I have to replace the unit, I want to keep the speakers and
go to a component AV Receiver. (I already have several DVD players)
I'd like to spend less than $400. I'm looking at the Pioneer
VSX-917V-K Home Theater Receiver which sells for $315.00 at
amazon.com. Is this unit a good value for the price. I only need 5.1
and HDMI, which it has. Can someone comment on this Pioneer and/or
recommend their personal favorites in this price range? Thanks...

[Fritz]

Crutchfield seems to be having a sale on a lot of their receivers now
with free shipping included on almost all of them. They have quite a
few under your dollar amount and the specs you are looking for. You
should be able to get good deals anywhere now as October seems to be
the month when most manufacturers bring out their new models.

[Lloyd Parsons]

In article <8hljc3pmcimrha5kt4l4a80mu2lodecdpb@4ax.com>,
lanman <xlanmanx@aol.com> wrote:

> I have a Samsung HTIB TQ-85 that won't load a DVD. It keeps trying,
> but just spins and never completes the task. I tried cleaning the
> head(s) with a cleaning CD and resetting the factory settings, with no
> luck. Can anyone suggest something else to try?
>
> Also, if I have to replace the unit, I want to keep the speakers and
> go to a component AV Receiver. (I already have several DVD players)
> I'd like to spend less than $400. I'm looking at the Pioneer
> VSX-917V-K Home Theater Receiver which sells for $315.00 at
> amazon.com. Is this unit a good value for the price. I only need 5.1
> and HDMI, which it has. Can someone comment on this Pioneer and/or
> recommend their personal favorites in this price range? Thanks...

If you are wanting to stay @5.1, then the Harman Kardon AVR247 might be
one to also look at. Great looking unit (high WAF), plenty of power,
and the renowned HK sound.

Check avsforum.com for lots more info than you ever thought you wanted
to know about this and many other receivers.

Here's the link to the forums :

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

[Ed]

In that price range, Pioneer is solid. But since you asked what
other's preferences are, I will say Onkyo or Yamaha. I don't love the
set up menus on either, but once you get it set up, you won't have to
endure it again. Onkyo and Yamaha both start offering automatic
calibration around that price point as well - a feature worth paying
for. Beyond that, see which of the brands offers the most features
that appela to you (i.e. how many Component Inputs/Toslink/Digi Coax
do you need?).

Lastly, with regard to your DVD player, you can try blowing it out,
but since I'm such a proponent of upgrading at every possible chance,
tthis sounds like an excuse to get a new Yamaha AVR and an Oppo DVD
player!

[go_dawgs]

"Ed" <porkchopbasements@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1187709520.576405.237770@r29g2000hsg.googlegr oups.com...
> In that price range, Pioneer is solid. But since you asked what
> other's preferences are, I will say Onkyo or Yamaha. I don't love the
> set up menus on either, but once you get it set up, you won't have to
> endure it again. Onkyo and Yamaha both start offering automatic
> calibration around that price point as well - a feature worth paying
> for. Beyond that, see which of the brands offers the most features
> that appela to you (i.e. how many Component Inputs/Toslink/Digi Coax
> do you need?).
>
> Lastly, with regard to your DVD player, you can try blowing it out,
> but since I'm such a proponent of upgrading at every possible chance,
> tthis sounds like an excuse to get a new Yamaha AVR and an Oppo DVD
> player!
>

Onkyo TH-SR605 is a new unit this year - 7x90 Watts, HDMI 1.3, Audyssey Auto
Calibration, upscales analog video to HDMI

Currently $399 at J & R with free shipping.

[lanman]

On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:54:04 GMT, "go_dawgs"
<go_dawgs.spammenot@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>"Ed" <porkchopbasements@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:1187709520.576405.237770@r29g2000hsg.googlegr oups.com...
>> In that price range, Pioneer is solid. But since you asked what
>> other's preferences are, I will say Onkyo or Yamaha. I don't love the
>> set up menus on either, but once you get it set up, you won't have to
>> endure it again. Onkyo and Yamaha both start offering automatic
>> calibration around that price point as well - a feature worth paying
>> for. Beyond that, see which of the brands offers the most features
>> that appela to you (i.e. how many Component Inputs/Toslink/Digi Coax
>> do you need?).
>>
>> Lastly, with regard to your DVD player, you can try blowing it out,
>> but since I'm such a proponent of upgrading at every possible chance,
>> tthis sounds like an excuse to get a new Yamaha AVR and an Oppo DVD
>> player!
>>
>
>Onkyo TH-SR605 is a new unit this year - 7x90 Watts, HDMI 1.3, Audyssey Auto
>Calibration, upscales analog video to HDMI
>
>Currently $399 at J & R with free shipping.
>

I like the SR605 a lot. I finally decided to buy it, but alas, it's
currently out of stock at JR's.

[lanman]

On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:54:04 GMT, "go_dawgs"
<go_dawgs.spammenot@comcast.net> wrote:

>
>"Ed" <porkchopbasements@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:1187709520.576405.237770@r29g2000hsg.googlegr oups.com...
>> In that price range, Pioneer is solid. But since you asked what
>> other's preferences are, I will say Onkyo or Yamaha. I don't love the
>> set up menus on either, but once you get it set up, you won't have to
>> endure it again. Onkyo and Yamaha both start offering automatic
>> calibration around that price point as well - a feature worth paying
>> for. Beyond that, see which of the brands offers the most features
>> that appela to you (i.e. how many Component Inputs/Toslink/Digi Coax
>> do you need?).
>>
>> Lastly, with regard to your DVD player, you can try blowing it out,
>> but since I'm such a proponent of upgrading at every possible chance,
>> tthis sounds like an excuse to get a new Yamaha AVR and an Oppo DVD
>> player!
>>
>
>Onkyo TH-SR605 is a new unit this year - 7x90 Watts, HDMI 1.3, Audyssey Auto
>Calibration, upscales analog video to HDMI
>
>Currently $399 at J & R with free shipping.
>

Just ordered one, back-ordered one actually. They're termporarily out
of stock but still offered the $399 price.