# Best Surround Sound Receiver $300 to $500 **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 28, 2004, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-surround-sound-receiver-300-to-500/236889 "2004-03-28T07:20:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![larsenmtl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d78d45/32.png) [@larsenmtl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/larsenmtl)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-surround-sound-receiver-300-to-500/236889/1 "2004-03-28T07:20:28Z")
Well, my 2 year old Technics Receiver is on it’s way out. The sound cuts out and in (with the same clicks heard when switching inputs) after only an hour of use. This used to only happen when the thing ran for 6 or 7 hours straight. It’s only 2 years old and I’d try to get it fixed, but it was never a very nice receiver anyway, so… In your opinion, what’s the best surround sound receiver for $300 to $500? I’ve been looking at the: Panasonic SA-HE100K (cheap, good reviews, Consumer Reports Best Buy) or SA-HE200 but worry these will have the same problems as my Technics (underpowered, runs hot, dies after 2 years). I’ve always been a big fan of Technics/Panasonic but I worry about there receivers. Denon AVR-1604 Onkyo TX-SR601 I’ve heard excellent thing and bad things about them all. I’m more concerned about TV and DVD audio then music, but that doesn’t hurt either. Right now, I have all Technics speakers (center, 2 front, 2 rear) that’ll I’ll upgrade eventually. Any ideas? larsenMTL ---
**Author:** ![Star\_Was](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Star\_Was](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Star_Was)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-surround-sound-receiver-300-to-500/236889/2 "2004-03-28T08:04:54Z")
You might want to look at the Harmon Kardon AVR130. Circuit City has it for $400. [http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-8021&qp=0&oid=81873](http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-8021&qp=0&oid=81873) ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-surround-sound-receiver-300-to-500/236889/3 "2004-03-28T08:23:52Z")
Way below your league, but I bought a $99.00 DVD with a surround sound system, hooked up my VCR and digital video box and I have had it for over two years. No problem, sound is great! At least I, and all my friends think so. Maybe a more expensive system is better, but no complaints on what I have. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Ludicrous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/82dd89/32.png) [@Ludicrous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludicrous)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-surround-sound-receiver-300-to-500/236889/4 "2004-03-28T09:07:15Z")
On the internet I like checking out [onecall.com](http://onecall.com) I don’t work for them, just buy from them, and they ususallly have good deals. They offer manufacturer’s warranties which is unique for a webiste too. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-surround-sound-receiver-300-to-500/236889/5 "2004-03-28T14:29:40Z")
I’m pretty happy with this [Sony STRDE695](http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-8021&qp=0&oid=69793) A/V receiver from Circuit City. $300, many input/output options. ---
**Author:** ![mike1dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@mike1dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mike1dog)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-surround-sound-receiver-300-to-500/236889/6 "2004-03-28T14:57:54Z")
I’m not the one to ask about this, since I still have the receiver I got as a graduation present from high school in 1986. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2004, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-surround-sound-receiver-300-to-500/236889/7 "2004-03-28T15:21:03Z")
I have a Yamaha RX-V530, which has a lot of decent options and power to spare. They change model numbers every year, so this particular one probably isn’t available any longer. But Yamaha makes decent amps, as does Denon (my other one, which has been serving me faithfully for five years now).