New Receiver

[SprySpectre]

I'm in the market for a new receiver barring some amazing luck. I was robbed from my house on campus over the holiday, and unfortunately since I'm still under my parent's homeowner's insurance, I can't even claim since the value of everything stolen was just under their deductible. Thank goodness the thieves were absolutely clueless and took the least expensive things from me. They left my speakers, flat panel monitor (which was ironically sitting on top of my receiver, they had to move it to get the receiver), computer, and subwoofer. Anywho, this leaves me with possibilities of a new receiver!

I'm just starting my research now, it's time to find a good deal on a receiver that'll work for me. Any suggestions will be helpful, since I'm in the process of deciding which one I'll get. Price limit: anywhere from $200 to $400, but don't be afraid to offer options lower or a little higher...I'll be crawling AVS looking for good deals on used ones. So what do you all suggest?

Just to note, I did like the sound of the H/K receivers...I'll be starting my research with them.

edit: I'll also start considering pre/pro setups, as this will eventually be ported to a true HT setup. So if anyone here knows anything about those, I'm pretty clueless as to what to get.

[SprySpectre]

UPDATE: So after a little pre/pro research, it was as I suspected...way out of my price league. However, I'm really liking what the Panasonic SA-XR55 has to offer, it looks like a great receiver overall, and has quite the backing over at AVS. The only problem is no store around me carries it, so I can't seem to get a chance to test it out!

and now to continue the search...

[exocer]

I am really sorry to hear about your loss...Hope those dirtbags get caught... ;) However, if you're in the $200-$400 range, you can't go wrong buying a factory direct refurb straight from Harmon Kardon. This is a bargain http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=AVR%20235-Z&status=
and if you want to stretch ur budget check this out http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=AVR%20335-Z&status=

My Onkyo is a refurb, and so is my Velodyne sub. I paid 199.99 for the dps 10, and 249.99 for my receiver. Neither of them have had any quality related problems...not that it is directly related but i guess it helps to hear that refurbs are for the most part reliable nowadays..especially if buying one is your only choice.

Good luck with your choice.

[exocer]

forgot this http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=AVR%20430-Z&status=

I dont know much about HK receivers, but you should check over at AVS and see if any of the above mentioned receivers have pre-outs so you can use the receiver itself as a pre-amp and add that beefier amp of your choice later on.

[SprySpectre]

forgot this http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=AVR%20430-Z&status=

I dont know much about HK receivers, but you should check over at AVS and see if any of the above mentioned receivers have pre-outs so you can use the receiver itself as a pre-amp and add that beefier amp of your choice later on.
Thanks for those links! I've pretty much narrowed it down to the AVR 235 refurbed (either direct from H/K's website, or through the ebay store) or that Panasonic XR-55. I've found the XR-55 for about $225 shipped, and I think my max price is gonna be $250. So if I can find the refurbed AVR 235 in that pricerange with shipping included, I'll probably pull the trigger. If not, the Panny it is. I'll be checking for about a week yet, so any other options that may be enlightening are more than welcome.

[Kero-chan]

i'm u sing a pioneer vsx-1014. the 1015 is the current model. if you look hard enough i'm sure you can find one for under $300 shipped. i love my reciever. i havent had any problems with it yet and it sounds awesome. :)