Sony receiver

LHippy on 19/01/2011 - 15:31

Hi all

I recently bought the speakers mentioned here; http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/37043

But predictably I need a decent receiver to go with them. Ideally I would like a Sony receiver that I can use with my Bravia's "Bravia Sync" mode.

I'm not exactly an audiophile, and not having much experience setting this kind of thing up I would really appreciate assistance.

I'm in Perth, and I would prefer to be able to get a decent deal on an entry level sony receiver in store, which are the models to look out for, and around how much should I be paying?

Thanks much,
Hippy

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • qazwsx on 19/01/2011 - 19:39

    To be honest, look at other brands for AV receivers. For the remote, just get a good Harmony remote, set it up and learn how to use it. Saves you from having to stick to Sony all the time. Some AV receivers have the codes built into their remotes, or have a learn function - worth investigating.
    Go to a store and have a look. If you are looking at spending a bit, the Yamaha RXV667 is getting good all round reviews.

  • Hippy on 20/01/2011 - 11:41

    Thanks for the reply qazwsx, how much should I be looking to pay for that Yamaha, or more generally what price should I be expecting to pay for a decent entry level reveiver?

    • h4lcyon on 20/01/2011 - 11:56

      Do you need component to HDMI upscaling?, or are all your devices HDMI?

      If all your devices are HDMI I would recommend the Onkyo SR-508, which includes a set-up mic for surround sound. I bought one of these for $550 at HN on 12 months interest free in June last year, it's great.

      You should be able to pick them up for $350-400 now?

      • Hippy on 20/01/2011 - 14:56

        Humm ideally I would be wanting to run my Ps3 through the tv in HDMI, connecting my laptop to the receiver and the tv using a VGA - VGA so that I could watch videos on the laptop, using the tv as the screen having the sound comming from the speakers. i don't beleive laptop has an HDMI port, so what would I need to connect this to the receiver?

        • h4lcyon on 20/01/2011 - 19:51

          In that case you would need to go for the 608 to get VGA input.. which is more around the $600-700 mark.

          IMO a cheaper and better option would be buying 508 + $99 for WD Live HD media player. VGA input is clunky.

          I also forgot to mention that the Onkyo remote will control most major brands of TVs, DVD players and STBs

  • Garlic on 20/01/2011 - 17:43

    What is the difference between 508 & 578?

    • h4lcyon on 20/01/2011 - 19:47

      The 578 (and 608) do up scaling of component input to full HD.

  • Hippy on 21/01/2011 - 11:47

    Humm thanks for that h4lcyon, Sounds like the 508 is a good way to start, are these usually buyable from local Harvey Norman type places, or will I need to do some online searching to find one?

  • Hippy on 21/01/2011 - 12:09

    Hey mate, is the 308 any good? seems like a decent price on thisone online, and I could always upgrade to a snazzy 7.1 when I am abit more established

    http://www.binglee.com.au/catalog/product/view/id/869/s/onky…

    • h4lcyon on 21/01/2011 - 13:30

      I reckon u could get the 508 for that price.. just ring HN shop A and tell them that shop B can do it for $380, but don't have stock and ask if they will they price match.

      • Hippy on 21/01/2011 - 14:03

        Humm thanks for the tip, given that we don't have a bing lee in Perth they might not price match, but I can always give it a shot!

  • Garlic on 21/01/2011 - 16:04

    508 quick search;

    Bingless $799
    JB $724

    • Hippy on 21/01/2011 - 19:50

      Heh maybe HN won't go for that price :P

      • h4lcyon on 21/01/2011 - 20:16

        I bought it for $550 12 months ago, surely it has dropped in price since then. $799 RRP, nobody pays that.

        The 308 lacks the setup mic, which for me was a major factor because I wanted my surround setup by the system, then all I had to do was small tweaks.

        Without the mic your on your own, and that means your sound could suffer if your setup is off.

        The 508 is more powerful, and is also 7.1

        At the end of the day it's about what you can afford.. I would try seriously haggling on the 508 before committing to buy, it's not something you buy very often and if you can get it for $100 more than the 308 it's certainly worth it.

        BTW HN stores never call other HN stores when price matching, you just have to call their bluff ;)

        • Hippy on 24/01/2011 - 14:59

          Sounds like a Plan, I'll look around at some Harvey norman stores.

          Do you reckon the Good Guys would stock this line, I have a $150 gift voucher there that would soften the blow!

          If I could get the 508 for under $500 I reckon that would be ideal.

          I'm guessing the difference between the 508 and 507 is that the 508 is 7.1 and the 507 is 5.1?

          I have the speakers to run my setup in 7.1, but most likely not the room to set up all the smaller speakers, 5.1 would most likely work for me at this stage.

  • llama on 21/01/2011 - 20:52

    Onkyo SR series…
    Factory refurbished and end of lines from ExtraStock

    307 $369
    507 $499
    607 $699

    http://stores.channeladvisor.com/PremiumHomeTheatre/Store/Se…

    But that is similar in price to to 308 and 508 series Hmmm

    • Hippy on 24/01/2011 - 15:00

      Looks like a good site, have you used them before?

      Also the refurbished stock means it was broken previously, then fixed for resale yeah?

      • llama on 24/01/2011 - 15:10

        ExtraStock is great if you are in the right place at the right time - and when they want to clear something, then they really slash it.

        They sell on eBay as well, but the prices are cheaper direct. Delivery is within a day or so by eParcel - almost always have to sign for it. That is a bit of a pain for cheap items, as we aren't home during the day and have to go to PO to collect (I keep forgetting to use my work PO Box). Service and communications have been excellent for me.

        Refurbished are often client returns, either repaired or simply repacked. When a client returns something to a retailer, the retailer doesn't check it, they just return to the supplier. Often the problem with the item is simply "operator error" or change of mind… but since the item has been opened it cannot legally be sold as "new".

        • Hippy on 24/01/2011 - 19:54

          Ahh fair enough, thanks very much for clearing that up for me, I guess that given these come with a 2 year warrenty there is peace of mind as well.

          I'll see if I can get say the 508 locally at a sub $500 price, if not, this may be the best way to go.

          Thanks again for the help

  • h4lcyon on 24/01/2011 - 19:55

    The differences between the 507 and 508 is 5.1 vs 7.1 and HDMI 1.3a vs HDMI 1.4 (return audio, 3d, lip sync)

    The 508 does the Dolby IIx (rear surround)or IIz (front high surround) 7.1 setup so you have some flexibility with your speaker positioning, or you can have music into a 2nd room if you wish.

    Good luck!

    • Hippy on 25/01/2011 - 11:33

      Humm sounds like the 508 would be the preferance if I can find it for a decent price, off to harvey norman! and good guys ;)

      Thanks for all the help with this stuff h4lcyon I have to admit this is my first speaker setup so I was a little lost at the begining!

  • Hippy on 25/01/2011 - 18:29

    Ok so I did a little recon today, for the 508; cheapest JB will go is 550-580 and Harvey norman won't go under $540 do y'all reckon it's worth going for that as a starting amp?

    • h4lcyon on 25/01/2011 - 20:20

      You know what I think :) - the 508 should set you up for 5-10yrs

      If possible, get HN to do interest free for 12 months making it easier to manage.

      If you were spending a bit more u could do 1000 days interest free, deferred payments.

    • llama on 25/01/2011 - 23:16

      For a $40 premium ove rthe refurbished 507, you definitely should get the 508.

      Note that neither does up-conversion - if you play a Component Video source (eg: Foxtel Box) then you need to change source on the TV from HDMI to Component, then back to HDMI afterwards to watch a DVD

  • Hippy on 27/01/2011 - 11:57

    Hi Guys I just wanted to say thanks, by way of an update i picked up the 508 for $520 from JB with a good HDMI cable at $50 off.

    Set it up last night with the speakers and while it took a little tweaking, it all seems to be working fine!

    Thanks again for all your help!

    • h4lcyon on 27/01/2011 - 20:45

      Good to hear you are happy with your purchase :)

  • Hippy on 14/03/2016 - 21:12

    Bleh Onkyo Receiver is dead; developed the no-sound bug; thank god for this thread telling me the date of purchase so I can look up receipt!

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