Help me Find a New Reciever (available in the UK)

Javier Negron New member Username: Jcnuk Post Number: 1 Registered: Apr-06	Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 16:18 GMT To anyone with constructive criticisms and good advice and of course knowledgeable on Receivers, My current setup consists of 40" Sony LCD JBL Northridge Speakers 2-ND310, 2-N28, 1-NCenter 5yr old Sony Reciever (150watts per channel) I'm looking to upgrade my receiver. I recently moved from Orlando to England and find it a chore to turn on transformers etc before I can watch movies. (I bought all the equipment in the states and brought it with me) The receiver will be used primarily for Movies in a room 10x12 w\ 10ft ceilings. Since I can't go to a Best Buy or Circuit City to test some of these receivers out, I'm counting on you guys to help me find something. Before I found your site I was looking at the Onkyo TX-703. Not all receivers mentioned are available so I'll take as many suggestions as I can get. Let the battle for the right Reciever Begin! Thanks in advance, JCNUK
Stof Silver Member Username: Chitown Post Number: 929 Registered: Apr-05	Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 18:46 GMT Frank you wanna hook up this brother?
Stu Pitt Gold Member Username: Stu_pitt Irvington, New York USA Post Number: 1084 Registered: May-05	Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 18:52 GMT "Since I can't go to a Best Buy or Circuit City to test some of these receivers out..." Hopefully you'll soon realize how much of a blessing this is.
jcnuk New member Username: Jcnuk Post Number: 2 Registered: Apr-06	Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 19:07 GMT "To anyone with constructive criticisms..." "Hopefully you'll soon realize how much of a blessing this is." C'mon Frank help me out?
Frank Abela Gold Member Username: Frank_abela Berkshire UK Post Number: 1285 Registered: Sep-04	Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 16:59 GMT Oooh I don't know. Do I really wanna? Well, where to start? There are loads of receivers on the market and the ones that are also in the US are far more expensive here than in the US. That said, we have different options too. There are places that can help you do a demo and the whole HiFi industry is in a bit of a mess in the UK so dealers are eager to help you. In terms of chains that have demo facilities, there's Sevenoaks (144 stores or so), Audio Excellence (West country) and Audio T (South). There are loads of independents who provide good, possibly better in some cases, service. I have no idea where you are so I can't tell you who to try. As for brands, think of all the usual brands like Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, Marantz, Arcam. Throw in a couple of specialists such as Cyrus and Naim and you're up. Anyone can talk about the pros and cons of the various brands. The only restricition being the prices. After all over here a Denon 3806 is the same price as an Arcam AVR250 whereas it's about 60% of the price of the Arcam in the US. You also haven't mentioned budget. This would help. Regards, Frank.
Ilker A. Bronze Member Username: Iceberg Calgary, AB Canada Post Number: 61 Registered: Dec-03	Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 18:38 GMT Hi Javier, What is your budget. If i was living in UK i would be looking at ARCAM or ROTEL. If you listen to lot of music take a look at the Arcam AVR250 or 300. Nothing beats the Arcam for the money for music.
Treasure Island New member Username: Treasure_island UK Post Number: 1 Registered: Apr-06	Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 14:17 GMT Yeah looks like alot of manufacturers seem to take us Brits for right mugs! Comparing prices for electronics over in blighty to those in the US you can easily see who some of the culprits are i.e. Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer, and recently Marantz to name a few. Personally I'll not be touching any of these in the future unless they sort themselves out. Stick with the good guys methinks from now on. I'm putting together a 'mug list' anyone care to contribute..........Frank?
John A. Gold Member Username: John_a LondonU.K. Post Number: 4104 Registered: Dec-03	Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 12:51 GMT Treasure Island, I agree with Frank. I usually plug BADA at this point; you can look up local dealers registered with them: http://www.bada.co.uk/ There are many good dealers not in it, too, of course, but over many years I have had good service from various BADA dealers, or affiliates, in different parts of the country.
Treasure Island New member Username: Treasure_island UK Post Number: 2 Registered: Apr-06	Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 13:38 GMT Thanks John. I'll have a look when I'm buying new next but I was specifically targeting manufacturers who for whatever reason try it on. I have a new understanding now about the word value and it's not about getting the biggest discount from an already inflated starting point and thinking you have something great it's more about not being taken for a ride in the first place by these, usually foreign (unfortunately), manufacturers. I have absolutely nothing against anyone making money just when they start to take liberties. Anyway it will eventually take care of itself because we have the net now and I'll not be mentioning it again as it's not really my problem. Good luck with your nice Rega.
Frank Abela Gold Member Username: Frank_abela Berkshire UK Post Number: 1286 Registered: Sep-04	Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 14:27 GMT Treasure Island, the dealer margins from the likes of Denon, Pioneer and Yamaha are such that the retail price for their products in the US is lower than the trade price to the dealers in the UK! Some dealers get better prices because they shift big volume, but these are the box-shifting net-based dealers so as a customer you get absolutely no service and have to effectively buy blind. jcnuk, I concur with John A about BADA. BADA dealers are required to offer certain services (e.g. demo facilities). If you look on the BADA site you should find someone in your local area who will be helpful, and hopefully offer good service. Regards, Frank.
Treasure Island New member Username: Treasure_island UK Post Number: 3 Registered: Apr-06	Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 15:16 GMT Frank, So I am right in 'blaming' certain manufacturers. I'll be making more informed purchases from now on wherever possible. Thanks.
Treasure Island New member Username: Treasure_island UK Post Number: 4 Registered: Apr-06	Posted on Monday, April 10, 2006 - 15:50 GMT Actually John that Rega sounds more than nice going off your review.
John A. Gold Member Username: John_a LondonU.K. Post Number: 4109 Registered: Dec-03	Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 22:27 GMT Thanks, TI. Frank first drew the Rega Apollo to my attention, on this very forum. Thanks again, Frank!
Frank Abela Gold Member Username: Frank_abela Berkshire UK Post Number: 1298 Registered: Sep-04	Posted on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 15:22 GMT TI, 'Blame' is a strong word. Things generally cost more in Europe than the US. It's a smaller market working on a different voltage setting so it's reasonable to incur some cost. That said, it does annoy me that even the boutique American brands (Mark Levinson, VPI, Audio Research, conrad-johnson etc.) that come here are nigh on twice the price. John, you're welcome... Regards, Frank.

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