Receivers only.
Hi Bob, :b
McIntosh I'm not sure if they are still making a receiver, like the MHT200 from 2005 for example.
Same with Meridian (G51). And 'bout B&K receivers (AVR505 S2 & AVR507 S2)? Classe CAP-2100...
Lexicon RV-8... Primare SPA21... Edge G3... Magnum Dynalab... Revox M51... Sunfire Ultimate (Bob Carver)...
Vac... Vincent... Are these guys still making receivers? I'm not sure, I would have to google...
But Arcam (UK), Rotel and NAD (UK & Canada), Anthem (Canada & China), are making some great sounding ones. :b ...Outlaw Audio (USA)?
Now, the other receivers (Japanese, Malaysia, China, Korea, ...), and some of the better ones,
like from Denon, Marantz, Yamaha Aventage, Integra, Pioneer Elite, Onkyo, Sherwood Newcastle, Harman Kardon, Sony ES, Kenwood (are they still in the game?); well, from reading reviews all across the globe and from many many audio/video magazines and websites, plus some of first hand experience over the years (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, or even more), we all have our own personal perception and life's priorities. What is a dream come true for one person is another's nightmare! :b
Let's see your two main questions...
1. Overall and relative strengths and weakenesses of those brands from that last paragraph above...
- They are quick to implement the latest features.
- They mass market these receivers with great quantities, to fulfill the demand; so quality control can slip sometimes. And parts can also suffer from things like tsunamis for example.
- Now with firmware updatable receivers, manufacturers can release them even faster! Good or bad? Both!
- They can make very decent pre/pros; some of them.
- They are fully loaded with all the Streaming and latest applications.
- Apple and Microsoft computer integration; Internet and all that DNA Jazz...
- The top guns sound fantastic (dual differential DACs implementation, and top analog stage).
- Very very affordable (many of them) to all segments of all societies.
So, to recap; features (latest), speed (fast to be released), Internet integration and music/video streaming(PCs), Apple, Microsoft, applications, youtube, facebook, twitter, build quality (few of them, but certainly not all), ergonomics (amazing GUIs and 3D setup screens with 'intuitivity' in many of them), performance audio/video (exceptional in some of them in relation to value), and finally overall value for most common mortals (can't beat that)! :b
2. A favorite? Yes I have few, and I think most people who know me well enough know what they are, and from one year to the next, and from 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 years ago up until today. :b
And they know too that it varies from all those years...
But today, from what is available now, and affordable, considering best value (street prices), and best performance/value/build quality/reliability/features packed ratio; this thread right here already mentioned the contenders. :b
Among them:
1. Onkyo TX-NR3009 (it's Integra equivalent is simply too much $ in general).
2. Onkyo TX-NR5009 (you can find some deals on that true flagship).
3. Denon AVR-4311CI (great value/features & street price for a great pre/pro).
4. Sherwood Newcastle R-972 (at $600, it's right up there with the unique Trinnov Optimizer).
5. Marantz SR7005 (best looker if that is your bag).
6. All Anthem receivers because they are now made in China, like most of those above.
7. All Arcam receivers (same as above I believe, but not fully sure).
---> More expensive though, but great sounding.
8. Some NAD models (China again).
9. Pioneer Elite SC-57.
10. Onkyo TX-NR1009 (great value).
...And I can continue down that list up to #100...
And then ask me the same question next year, and the cards might be all shuffled differently.
It's like investing in the stock market;
do your research into the companies' foundations and 'sound build'. :b
This is for me the very short answer to your two main questions; but I think you'll get a better viewpoint from my own perspective. :b
Cheers,
Bob