Home theater receiver?

[ActiveAero]

Here is the deal: My mom purchased a new TV and sound system from Best Buy. In ended up being junk. Never buy an Advent TV EVER!!! We bought a 27 inch flat screen with a built in HDTV receiver and its possibly the worst looking screen I've ever seen in my life. The resolution is TERRIBLE and after only 2 days the screen is already starting to go out (has color streaks across it).

The sound system was a Toshiba, not bad, but our room really isn't set up for a 5.1 surround sound setup to be positioned correctly and we don't watch THAT many movies to really use it.

I've opted for a nice floor mounted twin speaker set to go along with a new TV (most likely a Toshiba 27 inch, has great reviews everywhere).

Now I just need the best receiver I can get for under $200. The only problem is it has to come from Best Buy since this will all be on store credit.

They offer Kenwood, Yamaha, KLH, Pioneer, and Sony units all within that price range.

Any suggestions on what to look for?

[WiggiE]

I'd say Yamaha.

[Matt Harris]

I just got a Yamaha. I've always been a fan of the brand.

[xamraci]

I can only compare on what my father has purchased in the past...he had pioneer stereo equipment for over 10 years and intermitently swaps out with kenwood and has soon after follwed with such a transition...the reciever we are using is kenwood and works rather well...yet..my grandfather had yamaha ONLY in his Reading/Music room before he passed away...it was literally TIME-less..yamaha makes great stuff...and I cant say I would be let down by anything Pioneer or Kenwood...

I have also found(thru my dads experience)that less BLING ussually makes for a longer lasting reciever...just the luck of the draw perhaps...but plain and FUNCTIONAL has been our best in the 4-6 reciever/Cd Changer/Casset/am-fm recievers we have owned in the past 20 years. My dad likes to Veg out and listen to music/movies:nuts: (when hes home, makes for great Family TIME:confused: _)

[WiggiE]

I just got a Yamaha. I've always been a fan of the brand.
Agreed, although I recently picked up a Harmon Kardon that smokes most Yamaha's.

For $200 you aren't going to get much reciever. If you are able to add another $100 it'll be waaayyy nicer. Pioneer and Yamaha are going to be the only two worthy choices at that price level.

[Grider]

Yamaha. There is a reason they have use tuning forks as their logo. :)

I have a Panasonic setup that I have been happy with for years. But I would love to put Yamaha stuff in its place.

[ActiveAero]

Picked up a Yamaha 500watt reciever and two Athena floor standing speakers as well as a 27 inch Toshiba flat screen. Hooked everything up and it sounds great. TV seems nice too considering the price.

Now I just have to buy a few more S-video cables to get the DVD player hooked up.