Inexpensive Stereo Receiver? 2 chn

[kkreit01]

My parents want me to pick them up an inexpensive stereo receiver (2 chan). The only criteria is that it has to have a remote. They currently have an older Pioneer which works fine, but doesn't have a remote. It will run a pair of Boston bookshelf speakers. They run their TV, DVD/CD sound through it.

Locally (here), I can buy Insignia ($99), Sony ($150), and Sherwood ($99). The Insignia actually gets better reviews than Sony (both at Best Buy). From Crutchfield, I can get an open box Onkyo for $161, or new $179. I'm leaning towards the Onkyo if they don't mind the extra $60. For $99, I'm thinking Insignia. Who makes Insignia for Best Buy? They don't have a local Best Buy (or anything), so returns will be a hassle if anything is wrong with either choice.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Out of those, I'd probably lean towards Onkyo. You can get a refurbed TX-8255 from Accessories4Less for $120 with 1 year warranty. Or a brand new one from Amazon for $164 with free shipping. Amazon is pretty good about returns should anything happen to be defective/broken.

 

[CivicFan]

Insignia is made by the lowest bidder for the given specs. Not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: CivicFan
Insignia is made by the lowest bidder for the given specs.

Yup. Some time ago the receivers were made by a Chinese company called Aivin. Not sure if that's still the case...

 

[Malo83]

I have the Sherwood RX4105 2ch receiver that works great, use it in my garage pushing 2 JBL Studio S26 speakers, great tuner and cheap at Best Buy.

 

[buickman50401]

Why not just spring for an inexpensive 5.1 channel that can do Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. I've got a Pioneer from around 2001 that I still use today driving a set of Sony surround speakers with a Yamaha sub. I think I paid $199 for it back then.

I realize they only want it to drive a couple of bookshelf speakers but if you look you ought to be able to find a 5.1 for just a couple bucks more that will leave them room for expansion if they want.

 

[97tbird]

Onkyo - they have 2 models. avoid HK, esp. refurb's - they have loads of refurb's and an ebay store just for them- not a good sign. i tried one once and it was defective. didn't sound all that good either.

The onkyo model Qp suggested is a good, high-value choice.

 

[kkreit01]

^ I actually have an HK and love it. I bought mine at Costco ~4-5 yrs ago, and it still looks and works like new. It sounds much better than my previous Pioneer.

I know they'll never use 5.1. They rarely watch DVDs at all. Plus, they don't have the room for additional speakers.

The accessories4less ($120) deal looks pretty good until you add $20 shipping. Might was well spend another $20 to get a new one. Thanks for the tip though. They have lots of interesting products/deals on that website. Amazon is authorized to sell Onkyo. Customer service from Crutchfield can't be beat. Hummm?

 

[JasonC]

My Insignia 5.1 reciever that I bought last December is made by Onkyo. Im not sure if they are making all of the Insignia recievers?

 

[dailydriver]

What are the NAD 2 channels going for nowadays (or is that too 'high end' for them anyway??)?

 

[97tbird]

NAD 2 ch. receivers, slightly used older models can be found on audiogon or ebay for very good prices. they really have good sound quality, and will work very well, I think. new stuff from NAD can be pricey, though.
I'd also look in ebay for used Nakamichi 2-ch receivers. They may be old. but sometimes one finds well maintained units...

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
I'd also look in ebay for used Nakamichi 2-ch receivers. They may be old. but sometimes one finds well maintained units...


Especially if you can find one of the Nakamichi Stasis ones (power supply made by Threshold). Those things are monsters!!!!!!!!

 

[kkreit01]

Based on the reviews, price, and intended use, I bought the Insignia from BB. The salesperson claimed Onkyo makes them. I hooked it up to my basement system, and it sounded fine for $100. I packed it back up, and it will be driven to IA next week

 

[97tbird]

wow - Onkyo makes Insignia stuff now? weird.
glad you're happy.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Well, just to be clear, just because it is made by the same factory that manufactures Onkyo products, it doesn't mean it's made to the same standards and specifications that all Onkyo-branded equipment calls for.

Like CivicFan mentioned, the contract goes to the lowest bidder. I'm sure some corners had to be cut to achieve a particular price point. Not necessarily a bad thing - just different target market.

By the way, I'm selling my trusty Denon AVR-2801 for around $100, but again, freight charges would not make shipping a viable option...

 

[kkreit01]

^ I don't doubt that. I also don't doubt that he would have told me anything to make the sale. I myself thought it looked more like an older Pioneer from the exterior. Either way, I'm sure it will serve my parents well. The salesmen did say the ($50) more expensive Sony was "garbage" -- for the lack of better terms, so that made him a little more credible.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
The salesmen did say the ($50) more expensive Sony was "garbage"

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of low end Sony stuff either.

 

[cbear]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
I also don't doubt that he would have told me anything to make the sale.


BB is not commision so I think he was just talking out of his butt.

 

[Errtt]

I have loads of vintage gear, and little modern audio gear.
I just can't get away from the 70 vintage stuff - so far listened to my M-504 amp and a tube amp this week.
But I do like some vintage speaker, and some modern speakers. This week used my Klipsch RF-3s and Maggie's.

I tried some of the modern remote control stuff in the last few years - just didn't do it for me.

 

[kkreit01]

^ Yeah, but you're not 82 yrs old, and have to turn on receiver (on the bottom shelf near the floor) every time you watch TV

. They had to have a remote, otherwise their older Pioneer would have been fine. Now I get their older Pioneer

I like vintage as well. I grew up with the older Technics receivers of the 70s. My basement speakers are older Technics (garage sale $30 find), in perfect condition, and Made in USA.