Thinking of a new receiver

[SilentBob]

Well the bug is back and it wants me to upgrade something again. This time it's the receiver. Currently i have a Marantz SR4300 which is nice for my HD-A1 player with the analog connections for my TrueHD tracks but i feel bad for my PS3 and Blu-ray movies. So i'm looking into getting a HDMI receiver to enjoy my LPCM tracks and TrueHD tracks as well.

So naturally i was thinking of getting the Onkyo 605 with all the next-gen sound format support. Then i saw the Cnd price for the receiver which is roughly $700-750. I was told because of the high end receivers not as in demand up here then in the states. That is costs more to import them here to sell . . . even when our dollars is only 5-6 cents below the american dollar. Thought of importing from the states but with conversion, duty fees crossing the boarder and shipping i wouldn't save anything.

So i'm thinking of maybe purchasing last years Onkyo model the 604 for $400 Cnd Though i will miss out on the DTS-HD tracks in their full glory.

So my question is Do i wait out a few months for a price drop on the 605 or go ahead and buy 604 and enjoy the TrueHD and LPCM tracks on my movies



EDIT NOTE:


The $400 receiver isn't the 604 but the 504 which doesn't have any HDMI. . . and so i shall be waiting a bit longer for an upgrade.

[Sehnzeleid]

Check out the Harman Kardon AVR-247

[powerknowledge]

From the little I've heard about the HK, it sounds like a solid performer.

Here's my (admittedly now biased) $.02:

I'm EXTREMELY happy with the Onkyo TXSR 805, the "step up" from the 605; it's the best AVR I've ever owned, and I'm coming off Denons and Pio Elites.

All reviews (pro and "average user") of the 605 have been overwhelmingly favorable; here's a good place to start:
http://www.hometheatermag.com/receivers/807onk605/
There's also a HUGE thread at AVS forums.

The only problem is that the price might take a bit of time to come down, but refurbs (whenever they come available) might also be an option. And given that Onkyo enjoys much wider commercial distribution than Denon and PE, discounts at big box B&Ms shouldn't be too difficult to find (though I'm speaking from knowledge of places here in the States; milage might vary in Canada).

All I know for sure is this: Onkyo (a brand I'd been happy with before, but not overwhelmed by) didn't just step up to the plate with their new line, they left the plate behind in the dust. And the future-proofing offered by the 605 alone might be worth the extra cash.

[sub780lime]

I really like that Onkyo and have been leaning towards purchasing one for a little while....money seem to be the biggest hold-up.