Budget AV Receivers: What do you have? Where did you get it?

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[MNHTUG]

Must of us have older equipment laying around that is likely the best way to go for BYT. I sold all my old equipment a few years ago and have been using some Altec Lansing computer speakers for audio. I decided to take the plunge and buy something dedicated to BYT use. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money so I hit Craigslist, then the pawn shop, then eBay. After some searching, I found the best deals to be factory refurbished receivers. These online resources were not easy for me to find but since I found them, I thought it would be best to share. Things came together during my search when I found "Slickdeals" and started looking at past "Hot Deals" for home audio receivers. I would recommend starting there first because each of these vendors often has a coupon code that will get you a better deal.

DEAL SITES FOR HOME AUDIO RECEIVERS:
Slickdeals: Receiver Search
Accessories4Less: Stereo Receivers
Electronics-Expo: Home Audio Receivers
Newegg: Home Audio Receivers - Refurbished - Open Box
Macmall: Home Audio

So after all that, this wouldn't be a good thread unless I shared what I have. I purchased an open box Yamaha RX-V373 from Newegg last night for $165 shipped. My goal was less than $150, and they had the Yamaha RX-V371 for $135 shipped but I thought the 373 had a few more features worth the extra $30.

Yamaha RX-V373:

[FrostyFreeze]

That is a sweet receiver for a sweet price!

When I'm outside by myself (most of the time), I use wireless headphones. That way I can rock out as loud as I want and I dont have to mess with any more cables than I have to.

When I have friends over, usually Underdogg66 [/shoutout], I use the aux input on my Griffin Amplifi iPod dock:


I know it looks puny, but the sound out of that thing is BEEFY and deceptively rich & bass-heavy for something so small. You'll just have to trust me

I have a pretty tiny SoCal backyard and my whole setup is right outside my 4-year old daughter's bedroom AND about 10 feet from my neighbor's bedroom, so I cant get too carried away. I've toyed with the idea of dusting off my old Onkyo TX-8522 receiver (I paid $99 in 2008) and installing outdoor speakers on the overhang of my roof, but only using them during the 6 months out of the year when it gets dark by 5pm. Like I said, your receiver is sweet AND cheap so I'm getting pretty tempted!

[Underdog66]

Hey Frosty, although we never really crank that puppy up for BYT, I remember proving the "beefyness" of your Griffin speakers while we were making our screens.

[jjp735i]

I won a Yamaha 373 last year and use it for my home theater inside and moved my old Yamaha 485 to outside.  You'll be very please with the sound. Give it some time to open up and it really packs a punch for movie sound tracks.
I'm very happy with mine. Nice find on price.

[tronn4]

i had bought a pioneer vsk-821-k from newegg last year for roughly $150 if i recall correctly. was labeled as a "floor model" but newegg doesnt have a retail location so i took a chance. the box it came in was "scruffy lookin" (and a nerf herder) but it was the original box with the original box contents. no visible damage on anything. every mode and input works perfect.

[Glen]

I own both the V-371 and V-373 and love them both.  The 371 powers the basement theatre while the 373 is assigned to outdoor duty.  These units are a masterpiece in simplicity.  They don't confuse you with 30 pages of features you'll never use and won't require a masters degree to operate.  What you get is a 500 watt punch of crystal clear movie sound track that will knock the peanuts out of your m&m's.  The audio reproduction from these amps is an absolute treasure.  Yamaha wrote the book on user friendly, as both of these are extremely easy to set up and operate.  You won't get either of these two in a 7.1 set up as they are only available in 5.1.  But, they sound so incredibly good you won't even care!  Purchase either of these and you'll be using your Sony receiver as a wheel chock in no time!

[mharris2007]

My backyard has been under construction for about 3 months now.  It's about 5500 sq/ft.  I ran 12 sticks of conduit all over the place for 7.2 surround, plus 3 other listening zones with two speakers each.  The Pioneer SC 1522K was on sale at Costco for $599 from $1300, so I snagged one of those for my indoor space, and will be moving my onkyo TXSR 616 to do the outdoor duty.  It is 7.2 surround but lacks preamps for any of the surround sound speakers so I hope that it is up to the task of filling the space.  The 7 speakers I will be using are the OSD RS800's placed all along the side and back walls and along the back of the house for rear surrounds.  I picked up the Onkyo 616 about 6 months ago for about $349 or so.  No problems with it as of yet.  I'm also in the process of running some Cat6 through a wall and to a piece of conduit to be ran to the bbq where all my components are housed. I'll try to post some pics if anyone's interested.

[STLmovieguy]

Technical Pro
Model: RX113
Description: Receiver with Built in Equalizer
Color: Black
•   1500 watts peak power
•   FM manual tuner
•   5.1 channel home theater
•   Inputs: RCA (2 stereo audio sources, 5.1 ch)
•   iPod / MP3 input with cable
•   Outputs: Banana binding post (2 speakers), Push button (surround sound speakers),     RCA (1 record line, 2 mono to subwoofer)
•   Dual mic inputs with volume, echo, bass and treble controls
•   Fluorescent spectrum display
•   Dual 10 band equalizer with individual LED indicators
•   Cooling speed fan
•   Removable rack-mount brackets
•   Remote control included
•   Dimensions: 19'' w x 4.75'' h 12.25'' d
•   Weight : 15 lbs
•   110V / 220V
•   MSRP: $199.00

[dewey]

Must of us have older equipment laying around that is likely the best way to go for BYT. I sold all my old equipment a few years ago and have been using some Altec Lansing computer speakers for audio. I decided to take the plunge and buy something dedicated to BYT use. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money so I hit Craigslist, then the pawn shop, then eBay. After some searching, I found the best deals to be factory refurbished receivers. These online resources were not easy for me to find but since I found them, I thought it would be best to share. Things came together during my search when I found "Slickdeals" and started looking at past "Hot Deals" for home audio receivers. I would recommend starting there first because each of these vendors often has a coupon code that will get you a better deal.

DEAL SITES FOR HOME AUDIO RECEIVERS:
Slickdeals: Receiver Search
Accessories4Less: Stereo Receivers
Electronics-Expo: Home Audio Receivers
Newegg: Home Audio Receivers - Refurbished - Open Box
Macmall: Home Audio

So after all that, this wouldn't be a good thread unless I shared what I have. I purchased an open box Yamaha RX-V373 from Newegg last night for $165 shipped. My goal was less than $150, and they had the Yamaha RX-V371 for $135 shipped but I thought the 373 had a few more features worth the extra $30.

Yamaha RX-V373:

Wowwww, that's about the best looking Reciever I've ever seen!  Your gonna get me in trouble!!!!

[dewey]

I use a old pioneer Reciever I've had for over 20 years.   Still looks and works like a new one
You really don't need much.  Don't waste a whole lots of money...yet!!!