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View Full Version : Decent "Budget" Receiver



jonheal
2007-01-04, 11:26
For a number of reasons I parted with my 17-year-old ADCOM components several months ago, and replaced them with a DENON DRA-395 receiver. Although I didn't have the capability to listen to them side-by-side, I'm pretty sure I preferred the sound coming out of the ADCOM stuff over the DENON.

The DENON is a decent receiver -- it's built well with good specs; and it has the features I was looking for that the ADCOM stuff was missing. But the character of its sound is...I guess I would describe it as sterile, or maybe even a bit shrill. I prefer the warmer sound the ADCOM stuff (or my old NAD 3020) generated.

So, I'm out shopping again. Once you pass on the name-brand consumer-grade stuff, there are very few choices in "budget" receiver category, and basically, it has come down to either the NAD C720BEE or the Outlaw Audio RR2150. There are a few others in this category, but those are the only two I found that include a line-level mono subwoofer output, which I need.

Anyone out there with experience with either of these two components?

Pale Blue Ego
2007-01-04, 15:11
Those are 2 excellent choices. The Outlaw has had some impressive reviews, and NAD has always made good, listenable receivers at a decent price. You can't go wrong with either one.