A budget AVR around 35k (or $700 from US)

[bizarre]

Hi Guys,

Two months ago, I was so inclined towards 2-channel audio that my needs looked like 90:10 (music:movies), I went ahead and bought a 2-channel setup. Only after purchasing I realized that I have hardly listened music (2 hours a week!), however my movies watching has been slightly higher (2 movies a week). I have been fancy about establishing a decent HT in phases for a while. I have been reading various threads on AVRs, their prices in India and abroad etc. Now I'm considering buying one.

I need help on:

1. Finalizing a good VFM AVR @ ~35k. It should have pre-outs as I am considering hooking my Marantz 5003 amp for music purpose. I've read several threads on connecting an integrated amp to pre-out of an AVR and its disadvantages but I would like to give it a try anyways.

2. If you think an AVR can give musical output similar to Marantz PM5003 or better, I'm willing to let pre-out condition go (I will sell off Marantz too in that case). I'm running Jamo C405 towers off the Marantz as of now.

3. A friend is visiting US in Dec. Is it worth taking the chance and buy it from US? The prices are so damn cheaper there, maybe I can hardly afford a Denon 1910 in India but I can easily buy a Denon 3310 or Yamaha 2065 for around $700 in US! It's so much tempting. :licklips:

4. If I buy from US, is the repairing and servicing a real pain? I read on HFV about how ProFx (Denon) and Lakozy (NAD) refusing even paid services/repairs or they are charging a bomb to repair them. A day-light robbery. Simply disgusting! What is the attitude of Yamaha guys in India? Or is there is risk-free OEM? Some OEM who can honour International warranty?

Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[bizarre]

Okay! Let's park those questions and please answer this one:

Denon 2310CI is selling for $488 (Rs.23k) on Amazon.

- Is it too good to take the risk?
- My friend will go to US in Dec-Jan. Makes sense to buy it now and stock it at a friend's place in US from now? Or do these kind of deals keep coming and going and I should order in Nov-Dec itself?

Looks like 2310 is being replaced by 2311 and hence low prices?

 

[illusion_heart]

Okay! Let's park those questions and please answer this one:

Denon 2310CI is selling for $488 (Rs.23k) on Amazon.

- Is it too good to take the risk?
- My friend will go to US in Dec-Jan. Makes sense to buy it now and stock it at a friend's place in US from now? Or do these kind of deals keep coming and going and I should order in Nov-Dec itself?

Looks like 2310 is being replaced by 2311 and hence low prices?

Try your luck if you can get a good deal as most sites will offer discounts on 4th july (american independence day) and if it can wait then nov - dec will be the best time as christmas season will kick in.

 

[iaudio]

Bizarre, go for a Marantz AVR itself.That would be better if you are looking for an AVR which is good for music.

 

[bizarre]

Try your luck if you can get a good deal as most sites will offer discounts on 4th july (american independence day) and if it can wait then nov - dec will be the best time as christmas season will kick in.

That's interesting. So, maybe Dec could be a good idea. However I was slightly excited because I saw this Denon for really good price. On other US sites, it's selling upwards of $800 otherwise. It sells for around 50k in India!

Bizarre, go for a Marantz AVR itself.That would be better if you are looking for an AVR which is good for music.

Thanks iAudio. Valid suggestion, however, Marantz products are as expensive in US as in India. They make more sense if they are bought in Singapore. And unfortunately my friend is going to US.

Anyways, I think I should postpone the plan till Nov-Dec and keep researching till then.

 

[iaudio]

Bizarre, if you want one solution that will serve you well for music, you will need a Marantz, CA, Nad etc.
Else if you are going to maintain both music and movie set ups, go for the Denon with eyes closed.

 

[bizarre]

Thanks iAudio.

I have been reading lots of stuff on HFV past night on acquiring a receiver from US and the repair/service related issues in India. I've sort of postponed the decision of buying a receiver from USA as of now. Maybe if I'm convinced, I will try around Diwali again.

In the meantime, I have started to think of expanding my AV setup and include a 42" HD-ready plasma, a WDTV media player and a decent external DAC for a while. I'm on the AudiogoN now to look out for a decent DAC under $500.

I know I'm bizarre!

 

[spirovious]

Try your luck if you can get a good deal as most sites will offer discounts on 4th july (american independence day) and if it can wait then nov - dec will be the best time as christmas season will kick in.

That date reminds Independence Day mov.

Hi Bizare,nice to see you after long gap.
I will vote for Denon2310 as it is cheap,sounds gr8,said to be dynamic,has preouts(check US models though)CI means upgradable.

 

[chirag007]

Try your luck if you can get a good deal as most sites will offer discounts on 4th july (american independence day) and if it can wait then nov - dec will be the best time as christmas season will kick in.

no doubt that during Nov-Dec ( because of thanks giving day, christmas ) you will get a better deal but stock may not last for the receivers that you are looking for ( denon 2310 or any current but outdated model )

Pioneer elite vsx-21txh's price went down gradually from $700 to $430 before it disappeared from online stores. Now couple of guys selling it close to MRP.

If mass realizes that there is not much difference between denon 2310 and 2311 , you may see renewed interest of denon 2310 and price may go up.

so, if you are comfortable for $488 - 5% + $30 = $495 go ahead with electronics-expo through Amazon. Infect if you get it shipped through borderlinx, it shall cost you INR 34000 total. or may be couple of thousands more.

 

[bizarre]

Hi Bizare,nice to see you after long gap.

Thanks Doc. I've been visiting HFV at least two times a day for a span of over 1hr! As far as posting is concerned, I post only when I have something to ask. I really don't have much to share or suggest/recommend hence no activity!

no doubt that during Nov-Dec ( because of thanks giving day, christmas ) you will get a better deal but stock may not last for the receivers that you are looking for ( denon 2310 or any current but outdated model )

Pioneer elite vsx-21txh's price went down gradually from $700 to $430 before it disappeared from online stores. Now couple of guys selling it close to MRP.

If mass realizes that there is not much difference between denon 2310 and 2311 , you may see renewed interest of denon 2310 and price may go up.

so, if you are comfortable for $488 - 5% + $30 = $495 go ahead with electronics-expo through Amazon. Infect if you get it shipped through borderlinx, it shall cost you INR 34000 total. or may be couple of thousands more.

I completely agree with your point. In fact this was the sole reason that I was in a hurry. But the problems associated with repairs etc bother me. 25k may be a very low investment for a 2310 but losing those 25k because of some issue worries me!

I can manage a budget of around 50k by this year end. Before looking at the super offer on Denon, I had planned a 42" HD ready plasma this Diwali and a WDTV media player. I had thought of running this setup until mid next year. Then I could afford to buy an AVR and centre speaker.

Buying the receiver right now also shoots up the budget to 70-80k right away. I will have to buy a TV anyways. And if I'm making investment in a receiver, it's criminal not to have a centre speaker. So, I'm deferring the receiver purchase to a later date and will stick to the original plan of buying a TV first.

 

[goose]

@Chirag: that was a brilliant piece of advise! I infact lost a good deal on Yamaha RX-V663 for this reason that the newer model the RX-X65 series never really made it close to the earlier gen receivers and the 663 price kept going up before it vanished from online stores. I then got the Yamaha HTR-6160 which I understand is effectively the 663 re-badged.

@ Bizarre: I really don't think there's much to worry (atleast from my experience) of getting stuff from the US. I got the Denon AVR-1609 (75wpc) and have been using it for the past year without any issues. These products are fairly reliable and one thing you have to take care is to ensure they have a decent feed of input power. I've got a Krykard 3KVA servo stab and a Maxine 1KVA step down transformer.

One comment I have about the Denon is their bass reproduction is a bit off. They sound boomy and if you reduce the sub out/bass then it lacks strength. The mid/highs are fantastic though. Excellent clarity. The Yamaha on the other hand I found it to be excellent overall and bass is pretty strong. I'm not sure if this observation on Denon holds good for higher models incl the 2310.

 

[bizarre]

Hi Guys,

My friend's US visit is making me insane. I had taken an oath as I won't logon to HFV until Nov when he will be in US but the oath didn't last even a day! Prices of AVRs in US are too good to resist. And here I'm confused once again.

I've shortlisted two options now:

1. Yamaha RX-V667 (new entrant). For $420 from Electronics-Expo with some coupon. $550 on Amazon. (can be bought in Dec)
2. Denon 790 (1910) for around $330. (will have to buy now!)

I've read almost all the posts of Venkat on Yamaha as how you liked the 663/863 but dislike the X65/XX65 range. I'm sort of inclined on V667 considering Yamaha has improved the amp area a lot over 665 and probably it's same 663 with better upscaling and HDMI 1.4?

The second thought is Denon because it's dirt cheap at the moment (clearance sale). But Venkat's comment as Denon's sounded harsh to him and no Pre-Outs etc are putting me on backfoot. Another big worry on Denon is service horror of ProFx.

Guys, please suggest. If it's the V663, I can wait till Dec for Christmas sale but if it's Denon 790, I must hurry up and the receiver may go off market anytime now.

On another note, will Yamaha repair this amp in India or their distributor too have the attitude of ProFx or LaKozy?

 

[venkatcr]

The Yamaha xx3 were very good machines that ruled the market. Last year, unfortunately, Yamaha did something stupid. They went and changed the power supplies in their AVR and switched to under-performing op-amps based amplification. Suddenly the AVR (xx5 series) sounded tinny and was running out of breath very quickly.

This year, Yamaha seems to have learnt it's lesson. They have brought out the new series (xx7) with two power units and discrete power amplification. The power units supply independent and isolated power to the audio circuitry and the digital circuitry. They have added nearly 130 watts to minimal power consumption. They also have HDMI 1.4 as well as a host of new features. All these are available from the 667 onwards.

I always had a soft corner for Yamaha as they decoded sound quite well. The 663 sounded excellent for music and I have a feeling, with independent power units, the 667 will do even better.

It seems worth waiting for the Yamaha. For 100 odd dollars difference you might actually get quite a lot.

Cheers

 

[bizarre]

Thanks a lot, Venkat sir.

Life is sorted. Will wait for Christmas Sale discount on 667.

 

[chirag007]

so time permits during Christmas, don't forget to do audition of mighty Pioneer VSX-1120 or elite VSX-32/33.

 

[prasanth.kumar81]

Hi Bizzare,
Even I have been thinking of buying an AVR from the US for a loooooooong time. As you rightly said the prices are too good to resist. There are two things which have always scared me:-
1) The 110-220 V Problem
2) The service in India

I recently found a site that sells dual Voltage amps in the US. This should be a probable solution of the 1st issue

Could you throw some light on the servicing aspect. What has your research revealed on the servicing of these AVRs in India. I am still undecided between Yamaha and Denon.

Thanks

 

[GeorgeO]

Bizarre
There is no need to panic and buy anything now, if the person is only going to the US in Dec-Jan. Trust me good deals will keep on coming from now until then.
I'm speaking from the experience of shopping for audio gear in the US and bring it here for over 12 years.

 

[venkatcr]

Could you throw some light on the servicing aspect. What has your research revealed on the servicing of these AVRs in India. I am still undecided between Yamaha and Denon.

When you buy a product outside of India, the authorised service centres will not even heed your call. You have to depend upon other service centres.

Cheers

 

[spirovious]

I recently found a site that sells dual Voltage amps in the US. This should be a probable solution of the 1st issue

Thanks

Whats the name?

 

[jitubisht]

spirovious -
I think they are referring to Gandhi Appliances, 110-220 Volts Refrigerators Washers Dryers Voltage Transformer, Multi-System LCD PLASMA, Region Code Free DVD Players, Unlocked GSM Cell phones NOKIA SAMSUNG, Kitchen Appliance, Power Tools, Hair Dryer
from what i can remember one of the forum members did purchase a denon from them and is happy with the purchase