Video Asylum

Posted by Ran on February 03, 2000 at 07:56:31:

Need recommendation for second receiver. shortwave reqs too.

I need a recommendation for a second receiver. My intial one is a pioneer VSX-26TX but this one is for the basement. Main requirements are 100 watts per channel, home theatre functionality, lots of flexibility but am willing to give up a bit on audiophile type performance. Need lots of inputs outputs etc. etc. Good remote reliability. My Pioneer elite VSX26TX remote is what I consider fantastic since it connected with everything.

I considered the Sony STR DB830 but it does not have multi room capability and someone said that it does not do stereo listening that well if you want it to use a sub too (one has to press some Auto Decode Format button etc. etc I believe all hearsay of course).

speakers will be B&W 602s as front speakers; B&W ASW1000 as sub (rear speakers will be added later or a cheap one until replaced next year). TV is really old but this will change in about a year. I am also looking to connect a shortwave radio to listen to some real world news in the morning when I use the area as a gym. Since I have not found the right radio as yet, I want maximum functionality since the small shortwave radios do not have volume over the din of the treadmill.

I am not so interested in over 100 watt receivers since I may get cheaper 100 watt rear speakers and I do not want to blow them with 150 watt receivers. Or is there some other way to avoid this happening so that I can broaden my selection.

Looking to spend about $400 to $650 or so depending on what I get.