Audio gurus - Help me choose a receiver

In My Humble Opinion
1

I already have a 5.1 receiver for my home theater system. What I am considering purchasing is a dedicated 2-channel receiver for my turntable (and, rarely, FM).

So, I’m in the market for a relatively inexpensive, dependable, nice sounding unit with a phono input.

There is such an animal out there, isn’t there?

Or, if nothing else, I’ll appreciate a list of brands to seek out / brands to avoid.

Thanks,
mmm

2

For a contrarian view…

I am recovering Audio guru. I used to agonize over specifications - ending in analysis paralysis. Two realizations eventually took over.

  • a friend demoed his very high end system with a calibration disk - I was over 40 and could not hear the high frequencies I had obsessed about.
  • modern equipment is so far superior to what was sold in the early days, almost everything from a leading mfg is fine.

I now shop by the features I want, such as inputs, AirPlay, streaming etc. and do a reality check with Amazon reviews.

YMMV

3

Forgot to say, yes there are 2-channel units but they are in the minority. Onkyo and Sony for two.

4

I bought an Onkyo TX-8020 for this purpose from Amazon about a year ago, paid $150 (I see it’s $200 now), works great.

5

I have an Onkyo AVr at home and I like it overall. Their 2 channels should be as good but if you’re willing to spend a bit more I’d look at Cambridge Audio or Harmon Kardon as well. Cructhfield has a few here.

6

A year or two ago, when I was looking for a simple receiver to add sound to another room, I settled on this one. I didn’t end up buying it (or any other), but it looked a little better than the others in its class and price range. I haven’t done any research recently, but it doesn’t seem as though 2-channel audio receivers is a burgeoning market these days, so I doubt there could be many dramatically superior new competitors.

ETA: Oops, just realized this one doesn’t seem to have a phono input, but you could probably buy a simple preamp that would boost the signal. That would also open up more receivers for your consideration, since I imagine that many new receivers don’t have phono inputs.

7

See here for preamps.

8

Just bought (as in, last week) an Onkyo 8260. Sounds great, lots of inputs, and connects to the wifi and various streaming services (I’ve used its built in Chromecast compatibility thus far).

Their cheaper models (and models from previous generations) all seem to get great reviews as well.

9

I have an old (and I mean old) Pioneer 2 channel receiver that is awesome except for the fact that it does not have a remote control. I very nearly just bought a new Pioneer Elite 2ch receiver with phono input and Bluetooth capability just to have a remote, so I know they make what you’re looking for and are excellent quality.
Onkyo is good, too.

10

You might want to check out thrift stores, such as Goodwill, where they get dumped and abandoned. I’ve seen some high-end, older Yamaha amplifiers (yes amplifiers, not receivers) with phono / tape/ tuner inputs and A-B speakers, but nothing high-end like you see in today’s electronics. The only caveat is they usually come with “No returns/exchanges”, but for $9.99 maybe give it a try.

11

Thanks, everyone. I’m a little surprised that receivers with phono inputs are still semi-rare these days.

I want to cry every time I think about the fact that I sold my vintage Sansui 8080db at a garage sale for basically a handful of magic beans. There’s one on ebay right now for $995.
mmm

12

But have you tried planting those beans yet?