User Freidly AVR?
gnikolo -- Tue, 05/16/2006 - 06:31
Hi everyone,I am getting ready to purchase a receiver for my 74 year old
Dad.It must be simple to use,have analog inputs for SACD and upconvert video
to component.I am strongly considering a Sony 3000ES,The price is right and
it seems to cover all the bases.What is your opinion?Thanks,George
:roll: :D :shock:
George,
One affordable and very user friendly AVR reviewed not long ago in TPV was the Yamaha RX-V657.
Yamaha is now replacing the RX-V657 with a new AVR, the RX-V659, which offers even more features (e.g, a phonostage and an optional module for iPod compatibility), but that should otherwise preserve all the things we liked about the original 657.
What stood out for me about the Yamaha was the fact that it offered very good "core" sound, and built upon that foundation with DSP-driven room EQ functions that, happily, enhanced accuracy without sounding like garrish gimmicks.
Another big plus was that the RX-V657 was very easy to set up--a characteristic I assume carries forward in the RX-V659.
Finally, the RX-V657 and -659 are both XM-ready. At first, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about XM, but it quickly won me over (it's a great way to access favorite genres of material, or gain exposure to new ones).
__________
Another unit that offers less in the way of DSP/automation tools, but that also offers fine "core" sound is the Harman Kardon AVR-140, reviewed by Arnie Williams in the current issue of TPV (Issue 68).
__________
I hope thes suggestions prove useful for you. Keep us posted on your final decision.
Best,
Chris Martens
Audio Editor, The Perfect Vision
Senior Writer, The Absolute Sound
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Post new comment