New topic
Printable| Author | Message |
What's up with stereo receivers these days? I have had my receiver since 1996 and now it is finally dying on me. When I hit the power button, it lights up but the radio doesn't start to play sometimes. I have to keep hitting the power button on and off five or six times before it comes on. I can live without the radio because I don't listen to the radio anymore but it also controls all the sound for my other components. I guess it's time for a new one because nothing lasts forever and it has been a good one.
Anyway, I went looking online at receivers and it is a totally different world than it was in 1996 when I bought my old JVC receiver. The only place I could think of online that would have a local store in my area was Best Buy. I was totally disappointed as I browsed their receivers online. Most of them had stuff like Satellite Radio or Ipod capability and most of them were some kind of home theater system related....all features that I don't have or give a damn about that jack the price up to where they are rediculously expensive. I'm not paying more than $150 for a damn stereo receiver. I just want an inexpensive basic AM/FM local radio receiver that I can plug my various components into. Well, I only found two online at Best Buy. I found a Sony for around $150 but the damn thing doesn't have a phono jack in the back. A phono jack is important because you just can't plug a turntable into another jack, there has to be a ground wire jack also. I have a mixer with my turntables plugged into so it doesn't matter but I'm thinking about the future if my mixer ever dies on me (because I've been through two already). The other one is a brand called Insignia for around $100 which I've never heard of and kind of scared to take a chance on. At least it has a phono jack though. Where the hell is the variety of inexpensive receivers these days (in stores) and what's the deal with taking the damn phono jacks off of them. I know that only a few people have turntables these days but at least put the damn jack on the back for those of us who do have turntables. There used to be an audio store in my area called Rex that had a nice variety of both expensive and inexpensive receivers but they have gone out of business. Circuit City was good but they have gone out of business too. All that's left are these damn monopolies like Best Buy. Best Buy is the only place I can think of that even has stereo receivers locally and their selection isn't worth a damn. Has anyone else noticed the declining era of the audio store? . . . [Edited 2/18/10 18:48pm] Andy is a four letter word. | |
- E-mail - orgNote -  Report post to moderator |
Have you checked on sites like Amazon?
I did a simple search there and found one in your price range that seems to be a good deal, judging by the reviews: http://www.amazon.com/She...lectronics Alternatively, you could check stores that are going out of business or stores that are clearing old stock. Last year I was lucky enough to find a very good receiver that retails around $2000 in most places in Europe, but because the brand was virtually unknown in my country and because the store was trying to clear their stock, I bought this receiver for less than $300:  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
vainandy said: I have had my receiver since 1996 and now it is finally dying on me. When I hit the power button, it lights up but the radio doesn't start to play sometimes. I have to keep hitting the power button on and off five or six times before it comes on. I can live without the radio because I don't listen to the radio anymore but it also controls all the sound for my other components. I guess it's time for a new one because nothing lasts forever and it has been a good one.
Anyway, I went looking online at receivers and it is a totally different world than it was in 1996 when I bought my old JVC receiver. The only place I could think of online that would have a local store in my area was Best Buy. I was totally disappointed as I browsed their receivers online. Most of them had stuff like Satellite Radio or Ipod capability and most of them were some kind of home theater system related....all features that I don't have or give a damn about that jack the price up to where they are rediculously expensive. I'm not paying more than $150 for a damn stereo receiver. I just want an inexpensive basic AM/FM local radio receiver that I can plug my various components into. Well, I only found two online at Best Buy. I found a Sony for around $150 but the damn thing doesn't have a phono jack in the back. A phono jack is important because you just can't plug a turntable into another jack, there has to be a ground wire jack also. I have a mixer with my turntables plugged into so it doesn't matter but I'm thinking about the future if my mixer ever dies on me (because I've been through two already). The other one is a brand called Insignia for around $100 which I've never heard of and kind of scared to take a chance on. At least it has a phono jack though. Where the hell is the variety of inexpensive receivers these days (in stores) and what's the deal with taking the damn phono jacks off of them. I know that only a few people have turntables these days but at least put the damn jack on the back for those of us who do have turntables. There used to be an audio store in my area called Rex that had a nice variety of both expensive and inexpensive receivers but they have gone out of business. Circuit City was good but they have gone out of business too. All that's left are these damn monopolies like Best Buy. Best Buy is the only place I can think of that even has stereo receivers locally and their selection isn't worth a damn. Has anyone else noticed the declining era of the audio store? . . . [Edited 2/18/10 18:48pm] Look at the bold type and you've probably answered your own question?  Don't laugh at my funk
This funk is a serious joint | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
phunkdaddy said: vainandy said: I have had my receiver since 1996 and now it is finally dying on me. When I hit the power button, it lights up but the radio doesn't start to play sometimes. I have to keep hitting the power button on and off five or six times before it comes on. I can live without the radio because I don't listen to the radio anymore but it also controls all the sound for my other components. I guess it's time for a new one because nothing lasts forever and it has been a good one.
Anyway, I went looking online at receivers and it is a totally different world than it was in 1996 when I bought my old JVC receiver. The only place I could think of online that would have a local store in my area was Best Buy. I was totally disappointed as I browsed their receivers online. Most of them had stuff like Satellite Radio or Ipod capability and most of them were some kind of home theater system related....all features that I don't have or give a damn about that jack the price up to where they are rediculously expensive. I'm not paying more than $150 for a damn stereo receiver. I just want an inexpensive basic AM/FM local radio receiver that I can plug my various components into. Well, I only found two online at Best Buy. I found a Sony for around $150 but the damn thing doesn't have a phono jack in the back. A phono jack is important because you just can't plug a turntable into another jack, there has to be a ground wire jack also. I have a mixer with my turntables plugged into so it doesn't matter but I'm thinking about the future if my mixer ever dies on me (because I've been through two already). The other one is a brand called Insignia for around $100 which I've never heard of and kind of scared to take a chance on. At least it has a phono jack though. Where the hell is the variety of inexpensive receivers these days (in stores) and what's the deal with taking the damn phono jacks off of them. I know that only a few people have turntables these days but at least put the damn jack on the back for those of us who do have turntables. There used to be an audio store in my area called Rex that had a nice variety of both expensive and inexpensive receivers but they have gone out of business. Circuit City was good but they have gone out of business too. All that's left are these damn monopolies like Best Buy. Best Buy is the only place I can think of that even has stereo receivers locally and their selection isn't worth a damn. Has anyone else noticed the declining era of the audio store? . . . [Edited 2/18/10 18:48pm] Look at the bold type and you've probably answered your own question? I love when he goes on rants like this. Andy, were you waving your cane around when you wrote this, cuz you sound like an old woman.  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
purplehippieonthe1 said: Have you checked on sites like Amazon?
I did a simple search there and found one in your price range that seems to be a good deal, judging by the reviews: http://www.amazon.com/She...lectronics Alternatively, you could check stores that are going out of business or stores that are clearing old stock. Last year I was lucky enough to find a very good receiver that retails around $2000 in most places in Europe, but because the brand was virtually unknown in my country and because the store was trying to clear their stock, I bought this receiver for less than $300: Thanks for the response. I ordered some CD players from a vendor on Amazon last year that didn't turn out to be what I wanted and it was a hassle shipping them back. Plus, I'm moving soon and don't really know what address I will be at (or if I'll be in a neighborhood I would trust it to be shipped to ).
. . . [Edited 2/19/10 14:00pm] Andy is a four letter word. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
RipHer2Shreds said: phunkdaddy said: Look at the bold type and you've probably answered your own question? I love when he goes on rants like this. Andy, were you waving your cane around when you wrote this, cuz you sound like an old woman.  I'm just simply looking for a basic receiver without all the added modern extras that I don't use which jack the price up, that's all. As for 1996, money's too hard to get so when I purchase something, I play it until it won't play anymore. It's been a good receiver, I'm just looking for another good one without all the silly bells and whistles to replace it. And a company should be shot for not putting a phono jack on the back of a receiver especially considering all the out of print music out there that's only available on vinyl. Andy is a four letter word. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
poetcorner61 said: Who's old, I'm just smart (and broke).
I've played my TV through my stereo speakers for years by having it plugged into the auxilary jack in the back of my receiver. I'm not crazy enough to spend hundreds of dollars on a "home theater system" type receiver so I can brag that I have "the latest thing" which basically does the same thing a much cheaper receiver does.
I'm all for advancements in technology but they don't need to stop putting a variety of the cheaper models out for sale for those of us who don't have silver spoons in our mouths. . . . [Edited 2/19/10 14:13pm] Andy is a four letter word. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
vainandy said: Who's old, I'm just smart (and broke).
I've played my TV through my stereo speakers for years by having it plugged into the auxilary jack in the back of my receiver. I'm not crazy enough to spend hundreds of dollars on a "home theater system" type receiver so I can brag that I have "the latest thing" which basically does the same thing a much cheaper receiver does.
I'm all for advancements in technology but they don't need to stop putting a variety of the cheaper models out for sale for those of us who don't have silver spoons in our mouths. . . . [Edited 2/19/10 14:13pm] I can't say anything either--really! My Ex gave me an old Kenwood receiver to replace the equally old one that died, and I'm still using it! And I have no idea how old it is! Have you thought about buying a used one or getting the one you have repaired? | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Andy, based on your description, you may just have a faulty switch or relay in that receiver.
But repair charges being what they are, it might make financial sense to invest in new gear. If you're worried about "brand names", here are a few which are close to your price range. 
...Sherwood RX-4109 (around $100 online) %20front.jpg)
...Onkyo TX-8255 (under $200 online) 
...Yamaha RX-397 ($200-$250 online) These days, the "brand name" thing isn't really a big deal. Many of these audio products, especially the less expensive ones, are manufactured by companies in China and "branded" after the fact. When this happens, you could end up paying more for the "name" as you would for the exact same item from a "lesser name" company. Music for adventurous listeners tA  Tribal Records"Ya see, we're not interested in what you know...but what you are willing to learn. C'mon y'all." | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
vainandy said: I'm just simply looking for a basic receiver without all the added modern extras that I don't use which jack the price up, that's all. As for 1996, money's too hard to get so when I purchase something, I play it until it won't play anymore. It's been a good receiver, I'm just looking for another good one without all the silly bells and whistles to replace it. And a company should be shot for not putting a phono jack on the back of a receiver especially considering all the out of print music out there that's only available on vinyl. I'm teasing you. We replaced our 1995 receiver 2 years ago, and we had to save up some serious $$$$ to do it. Ours was to serve a lot of purposes, not just for music. Nonetheless, they don't come cheap anymore. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
poetcorner61 said: vainandy said: Who's old, I'm just smart (and broke).
I've played my TV through my stereo speakers for years by having it plugged into the auxilary jack in the back of my receiver. I'm not crazy enough to spend hundreds of dollars on a "home theater system" type receiver so I can brag that I have "the latest thing" which basically does the same thing a much cheaper receiver does.
I'm all for advancements in technology but they don't need to stop putting a variety of the cheaper models out for sale for those of us who don't have silver spoons in our mouths. . . . [Edited 2/19/10 14:13pm] I can't say anything either--really! My Ex gave me an old Kenwood receiver to replace the equally old one that died, and I'm still using it! And I have no idea how old it is! Have you thought about buying a used one or getting the one you have repaired?For what it would cost to repair one, I could buy the $100 Insignia brand at Best Buy. I'm fine with doing that but I read some of the reviews from customers on the Best Buy site. Most of them were good but I saw one that said it only lasted him a year. Reviews like that scare me because I can't afford to keep replacing things even if it is only $100. I have to do some major saving these days to buy even cheap things. Times are harder than ever. Andy is a four letter word. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
theAudience said: Andy, based on your description, you may just have a faulty switch or relay in that receiver.
But repair charges being what they are, it might make financial sense to invest in new gear. If you're worried about "brand names", here are a few which are close to your price range.
...Sherwood RX-4109 (around $100 online)
...Onkyo TX-8255 (under $200 online)
...Yamaha RX-397 ($200-$250 online) These days, the "brand name" thing isn't really a big deal. Many of these audio products, especially the less expensive ones, are manufactured by companies in China and "branded" after the fact. When this happens, you could end up paying more for the "name" as you would for the exact same item from a "lesser name" company. Music for adventurous listeners tA Tribal RecordsThanks TA. I have had some wonderful off brand things that have lasted me for years and I've also had some that were horrible so people are just basically taking a chance these days when they buy something. As I said before, I have ordered online before. I got both my turntables at a great price online. But this time, I know I'll be moving soon (hopefully) and I'm not sure what my new address will be. I want to get every little single thing I need before I move because once I'm gone, I won't have the money then. I could order something and have it shipped to my job but my boss (who is like my second mother) would go off on me for buying a receiver while I'm so broke. She just doesn't understand, I'm gonna have my music before I have anything else. My music is a necessity, not a luxury. Andy is a four letter word. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
RipHer2Shreds said: vainandy said: I'm just simply looking for a basic receiver without all the added modern extras that I don't use which jack the price up, that's all. As for 1996, money's too hard to get so when I purchase something, I play it until it won't play anymore. It's been a good receiver, I'm just looking for another good one without all the silly bells and whistles to replace it. And a company should be shot for not putting a phono jack on the back of a receiver especially considering all the out of print music out there that's only available on vinyl. I'm teasing you. We replaced our 1995 receiver 2 years ago, and we had to save up some serious $$$$ to do it. Ours was to serve a lot of purposes, not just for music. Nonetheless, they don't come cheap anymore.I was reading some of the online reviews and I saw several people that said they bought a particular receiver to replace their old receiver from the 1970s that finally died on them. I thought my JVC did damn good lasting since 1996 but it seems the 1970s really had the best lasting equipment. Like my grandmother used to say..."They don't make shit like they used to". Andy is a four letter word. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
vainandy said: I have had my receiver since 1996 and now it is finally dying on me. When I hit the power button, it lights up but the radio doesn't start to play sometimes. I have to keep hitting the power button on and off five or six times before it comes on. I can live without the radio because I don't listen to the radio anymore but it also controls all the sound for my other components. I guess it's time for a new one because nothing lasts forever and it has been a good one.
Anyway, I went looking online at receivers and it is a totally different world than it was in 1996 when I bought my old JVC receiver. The only place I could think of online that would have a local store in my area was Best Buy. I was totally disappointed as I browsed their receivers online. Most of them had stuff like Satellite Radio or Ipod capability and most of them were some kind of home theater system related....all features that I don't have or give a damn about that jack the price up to where they are rediculously expensive. I'm not paying more than $150 for a damn stereo receiver. I just want an inexpensive basic AM/FM local radio receiver that I can plug my various components into. Well, I only found two online at Best Buy. I found a Sony for around $150 but the damn thing doesn't have a phono jack in the back. A phono jack is important because you just can't plug a turntable into another jack, there has to be a ground wire jack also. I have a mixer with my turntables plugged into so it doesn't matter but I'm thinking about the future if my mixer ever dies on me (because I've been through two already). The other one is a brand called Insignia for around $100 which I've never heard of and kind of scared to take a chance on. At least it has a phono jack though. Where the hell is the variety of inexpensive receivers these days (in stores) and what's the deal with taking the damn phono jacks off of them. I know that only a few people have turntables these days but at least put the damn jack on the back for those of us who do have turntables. There used to be an audio store in my area called Rex that had a nice variety of both expensive and inexpensive receivers but they have gone out of business. Circuit City was good but they have gone out of business too. All that's left are these damn monopolies like Best Buy. Best Buy is the only place I can think of that even has stereo receivers locally and their selection isn't worth a damn. Has anyone else noticed the declining era of the audio store? . . . [Edited 2/18/10 18:48pm] Check out J&R Music's website. When  go 2 a Prince concert or related event it's all  up in the house but when log onto this site and the miasma of bitchiness is completely overwhelming! | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
vainandy said: I'm not paying more than $150 for a damn stereo receiver. I just want an inexpensive basic AM/FM local radio receiver that I can plug my various components into. Well, I only found two online at Best Buy. I found a Sony for around $150 but the damn thing doesn't have a phono jack in the back. A phono jack is important because you just can't plug a turntable into another jack, there has to be a ground wire jack also.
If you pay a little more than $150.00, there's a TEAC AM/FM Receiver at Radio Shack. http://www.radioshack.com...absetBasic It's a "Web Only" item, meaning it's not regular in-store stock; but you can choose to have it delivered to your local Radio Shack store and pick it up from there. And yeah - it has phono inputs for a turntable. I checked the User Manual online for you. http://www.teac.com/resou...manual.pdf  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
You can ALWAYS go to a pawn shop...don't knock it, I bet you, you will find what you are looking for... | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Aaron6 said: You can ALWAYS go to a pawn shop...don't knock it, I bet you, you will find what you are looking for...
This would be my answer. Inexpensive, and probably a working receiver that was traded in because the original owner needed money OR traded up for some of the newer features. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Cinnie said: Aaron6 said: You can ALWAYS go to a pawn shop...don't knock it, I bet you, you will find what you are looking for...
This would be my answer. Inexpensive, and probably a working receiver that was traded in because the original owner needed money OR traded up for some of the newer features. Yeah. It's the obvious answer really. | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Cinnie said: Aaron6 said: You can ALWAYS go to a pawn shop...don't knock it, I bet you, you will find what you are looking for...
This would be my answer. Inexpensive, and probably a working receiver that was traded in because the original owner needed money OR traded up for some of the newer features.  frugal.  National Funk League✮✮ | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Go pick a mid level Denon or Yamaha and u will have years of enjoyment. Find yourself a Fry's or go 2 B&H online. [Edited 2/22/10 10:42am] | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Graycap23 said: Go pick a mid level Denon or Yamaha and u will have years of enjoyment. Find yourself a Fry's or go 2 B&H online.
[Edited 2/22/10 10:42am] Fry's carry refurbished units too. National Funk League✮✮ | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
GirlBrother said: Cinnie said: This would be my answer. Inexpensive, and probably a working receiver that was traded in because the original owner needed money OR traded up for some of the newer features. Yeah. It's the obvious answer really. StarMon said: Cinnie said: This would be my answer. Inexpensive, and probably a working receiver that was traded in because the original owner needed money OR traded up for some of the newer features. frugal.owww I'm feelin the love  | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Try the pawn shop Andy! Upper persuasion for the lower invasion | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
Andy
I feel your pain. I had the same thing happen to me about two years ago. I settled on the Sherwood that someone put a pic of. It has worked fine. BobSteezy | |
| - E-mail - orgNote - Report post to moderator |
