AV Receiver Purchase Help: Onlyo 609 or Marantz SR5005 ??

[maddr1ver]

Hi Folks,
I am finally taking the plunge.... kind of...
Currently am on a handed down AV system consisting of some old school Denon Unit ( its a golden ! coloured 1312 I guess) coupled with MS Avants (pair of floor standers and bookshelf surrounds) and no Sub. Soon planning on upgrading. Usage pattern is 30% music + 60% TV/Movies + 10% karaoke ! Am very happy with my current setup but for the fact that the amp lacks HDMI and my TV has only 1 HDMi input (an early version Sony 26LCD). got too many HDMi connected devices now. Plus got a spare Core2Duo based laptop with an HDMi and optical ports and dual Hard drive bays that I plan on converting to a HTPC (Toshiba satellite).

Been reading various reviews and it seems that Either the Onkyo609 or the Yamaha 671 would be it for me. The prices for Onkyo are:
Betbuy US: $ 460 But I will have to ferry it myself and its a 120V model requiring stepdown transformer purchase --> Total Damage INR 29000
Amazon.de : Euro 400 + shipping -> should cost INR 35000: seems expensive

I would like to seek guidance of the members here as to what should I go in for and whats current going price in New Delhi ? I would not mind paying slight extra for Bill and warranty here.
By the way, the current offer in groupbuy on Marantz SR5005 at 35K too looks good. How would that compare to the Onkyo 609 ?

Thanks
Vivek

 

[spirovious]

My simple views may be helpful to you-
http://www.hifivision.com/av-lounge/16258-post-your-av-audition-demo-here-2.html

 

[maddr1ver]

Thanks Spiro.
I have actually gone through all of that thread already apart from the other posts as well. I issue is that I am musically inclined but can listen to it at home only for a limited period of time. Most of music listening takes place in my car where i have a decent system.
At home, mostly its going to be movies.
So let me put is simply: If I have a choice between
getting a 609 from US for 24000 plus a decent stepdown for 4-5k and no biill/warranty OR
Getting the marantz5005 for 35K Indian with b/W, through the current promotion at HifiMart,
what should I go for ?
Thanks again
Vivek

 

[corElement]

In my opinion you should cut the budget for the avr by 10k and make a budget to get yourself a subwoofer or atleast a center if you plan to watch movies.
Otherwise getting such a nive AVR is a waste

If you're looking to selling that old denon, lemme know.

I also have an EISA award winning Jamo center channel for sale in Gurgaon/Delhi if you're interested.

 

[spirovious]

In that case(mov),Onkyo is certainly better option.

 

[maddr1ver]

Thanks
Currently in US and hunting for Onkyo609... seems to have disappeared from shelves !
Cor... I have a center channel as ... and teh Floor-standers that I have have passive subs that give a decent thump. I do not wish to cut back much on AVR since that's the centre piece... that is what I am planning to create my system around and I do think that I need an AVR that at minimum supports upscaling and netwrok features.
Have been reading good reviews of Yamaha Aventage line and the 710BL loooks good to me as well
V

 

[manoj.p]

If you are already in US, then I would suggest take a look at Yamaha RX-A700. Its the predecessor for 710 and could be had for around $329 from Amazon if you don't care about networking option. That's essentially half the price of A710.

The lowest price of Onkyo 609 that I have seen is $299, sale at Frys.com and newegg.com. Based on the reviews, Yamaha 710/700 would be a better receiver compared to 609.

Another option that would be a big jump is Sherwood R-972. Its being sold at blowout price of $599.99. But its a higher end model, and comes with Trinnov room eq system which is available in receivers costing $13000. In the past, Sherwood R-972 unit was very buggy, with latest firmware those issues have been ironed out. If you feel adventurous, you can take a look at it. Also, check the latest threads about it on avsforum and hometheatershack.com.

As for me, I moved from Onkyo 605 to Sherwood. Big difference. I had tried the Audyssey XT32 based Onkyo 3008 before but was not much impressed. The Trinnov is in another league.

 

[snowleopard10101]

I personally prefer Denon over onkyo or marantz If you want to sell you Denon, let me know.

Hi Folks,
I am finally taking the plunge.... kind of...
Currently am on a handed down AV system consisting of some old school Denon Unit ( its a golden ! coloured 1312 I guess) coupled with MS Avants (pair of floor standers and bookshelf surrounds) and no Sub. Soon planning on upgrading. Usage pattern is 30% music + 60% TV/Movies + 10% karaoke ! Am very happy with my current setup but for the fact that the amp lacks HDMI and my TV has only 1 HDMi input (an early version Sony 26LCD). got too many HDMi connected devices now. Plus got a spare Core2Duo based laptop with an HDMi and optical ports and dual Hard drive bays that I plan on converting to a HTPC (Toshiba satellite).

Been reading various reviews and it seems that Either the Onkyo609 or the Yamaha 671 would be it for me. The prices for Onkyo are:
Betbuy US: $ 460 But I will have to ferry it myself and its a 120V model requiring stepdown transformer purchase --> Total Damage INR 29000
Amazon.de : Euro 400 + shipping -> should cost INR 35000: seems expensive

I would like to seek guidance of the members here as to what should I go in for and whats current going price in New Delhi ? I would not mind paying slight extra for Bill and warranty here.
By the way, the current offer in groupbuy on Marantz SR5005 at 35K too looks good. How would that compare to the Onkyo 609 ?

Thanks
Vivek