What cheap stereo reciever for HB-1's?

[wildpanda86]

Thinking about picking up a pair of HB-1's for use in another room in our house.

The purpose of the room is gonna just be for 2 channel stereo music.

The sources for it include pretty much just iPod, a digital music streamer such as airport express or roku music server, a CD player/ changer, and a Pro-Ject turntable in the future.

It would also be nice to have a 2nd pair of speaker outputs or even a 2nd zone to power outdoor speakers in the adjacent rooftop terrace/ or I may just get a cheapy wireless system for outside to save the troube of putting wires through the walls.

Also will the HB-1's do fine by itself without a subwoofer for just music?

I am looking for something cheap & would still sound really nice.

I have already spent a ton on hometheater for the other room so I want to be cheap for this.

I am considering just using my old Sony stereo receiver from the early 90's that I bought from Roger Sound lab in Pasadena. However I can't use very thick speaker wire for it because the connectors are small & it has no phono stage... but everything else I mentiioned I can do... will this sound good with the HB-1? I am thinking it would since the sound from the reciever sounds pretty warm & the HB-1's are really efficient.

Thanks:D

[wid]

Your Sony would do just fine. As long as the speaker runs aren't to long just use 14 or 16 ga. wire. You can always buy an out board phono preamp.

[aht3]

I agree with keeping the sony but I would also suggest the Pioneer 816 for about $225 or the 1016 (better) for about $450 if these are in your budget. Both play really well and have a lot of sound options to tailor your listening. the 816 will pass component video but will not upconvert. It is still a great starter receiver and will provide power and clarity. The 1016 will upconvert to component and HDMI. It also has a learning remote. This is a step up but still a value IMO. If this is in your budget, I would recommend them. This is just my opinion and these are the only one that I really know about in the value realm of receivers.

[wid]

A couple more stereo receivers I can think of that are a good value are the Sherwood Newcastle RX 770 (http://www.axiomaudio.com/sherwood_rx770.html)and the HK 3480 (http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product_Code=HK+3480&JRSource=PriceGrabber.datafeed.HK+3480)

[feisty]

I have the Pioneer 815 and it is a great, cheap HT receiver. HOWEVER, that being said, it has the worst FM/AM reception. All my table radios do better! Does anybody know of a "reasonable" HT receiver that offers good FM/AM reception? :confused:

[aht3]

My 816 did a good job...with you 815, have you extended the flimsy antenna and moved it around?

[feisty]

Yup-did all the good things. Actually, I have a place on the coast in Delaware and anything but local-25 mile radius-is difficult. Currently using a Luxman stereo receiver which works well, but want a HT setup. And I'm using the Pioneer in metropolitan NY, where signals are good. I don't think it (Pioneer)will work on the coast of Delaware.

[aht3]

I am going to gracefully recant my recommendation of the 1016 since it does not pass audio over HMDI per the manual. I will stick to the 816.

Feisty, BTW, all of my radio stations are at least 50 miles away. I am using an 84 so it might be different but my 816 was in the same location.


Thanks and happy hunting.

[jmprader]

I'll bet your old Sony will work great.

Everytime I go through a system upgrade, I do hand-me-downs. Only when there really isn't a proper place for something does it go to e-bay or audiogon. My kids all have systems frankensteined mostly from my older gear and a few online bargains. If it's just for fun, no worries. Save your loot for the next big thing.