While the CRAZY deal is apparently dead moving forward, I wanted to chime in that I thought the AVR7100 was a STEAL at $800...now it's $700...and the AVR7120 at $1000 is still a pretty good deal...though I understand the contrast effect sucks.
Sorry to those of you who missed it. It was fun while it lasted! ******************************************************************************************* Thought I'd give quick summary of what people have contributed sot that it would be at the top for viewers:
First off, thanks for the green everyone. This is my first post and it's been fun. Thanks also for all the critical discussion. There's a lot of food-for-thought in everyone's posts.
Availability: 1) OneCall has confirmed ordering AVR7120s (Thanks OZ and EButash) and that they are, indeed liquidating BA receiver stock. I had already hear about a similar order for the AVR71200...don't know why they have them priced the same... 2) Boston Acoustics Sales confirmed with me that the product is discontinued but they have stock and are filling the OneCall order. 3) no ETA on the arrival, but good to know they're on their way!
Model Info: 1) It looks like the AVR7120 is a repainted and packaged Sherman Newcastle R-965 (MSRP$1999) 2) luckily it's also gotten good reviews, too. Who knows if BA asked them to tweak it at all? ...but you'd have to assume not. 3) Downsides: a) no DVI or HDMI, b) bass management even on analog inputs (relevant to external devices with >2 analog channel inputs). There are debates regarding the relative advantages of component vs. DVI/HDMI.
******************************************************************************************* Here's the original post:
What? It's true!
I had been dragging my feet on picking up the $2200 AVR7100 @ $800...well, technically, my wife was HELPING them drag...
Well, being the wonderful woman she is, she gave in and POOF the $3000 AVR7120 showed up on the site for the same $800! Wasn't there hours earlier...thanks to her, I'm getting the better one.
Anyway, Boston Acoustics was acquired by D&M holdings (Denon and Marantz) and it looks like they're no longer going to be in the receiver game (these were their first 2 ever).
Here's the link for the receivers: http://www.OneCall.com/ProductSearch.aspx?sHist=12-125%2c6-15&menu=true
Here's a review of the AVR7120 in Home Theater Magazine: http://www.hometheatermag.com/completesystems/705boston/
Amazing. Thanks to Butash for twisting my arm to post.
I appears that this unit converts Multi Channel Analog (SACD, DVD-A) to digital before going back through analog and routing through speakers. If your multi-channel source already converts to ananlog (which is how most work), then you would not want to go back to digital in the audio path of the receiver.
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 8:26a
I suppose you're right. If HDMI switching is your priority, you should look elsewhere. The other downs sides are the automatic A/D for the pre-amp in (as mentioned in the other gentleman's post) and that the ergonomics are apparently not so hot. The A/D conversion could be a bad thing or not, depending on the quality of the source unit.
At the same time, the AVR-3806 is a 38.6 lb $1300 receiver with mixed reviews. This is a 60 lb $3000 receiver with a stellar review.
You may want to look at the Onkyo units, too. I've loved my TX-SV919THX that I'm replacing.
ozMP3
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 9:17a
Ohhhhhh, I want one of these. What are the odds these will be back in stock?
Rob form OneCall stated that their order of 140 units are on their way! I expect they could be shipping as early as next week!
GREAT FIND MACHAN!
....all men should have wives that give in on a "one-time purchase" high quality A/V Equipment...we do with all their "yearly" clothes/shoes purchases...
GREEN FOR YOU!
ozMP3
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 9:55a
Are they getting 140 of the AVR7100 or the AVR7120?
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 10:03a
I called early this morning and they weren't open yet. I asked them to call me through their web site. Also, I spoke to a real live person who answered the phone on Saturday who was able to verify that they had ordered 140 or so from Boston Acoustics. The other propmising aspect is that the AVR7120 wasn't even on thier web site until last night and all of a suddon appeared at that price. I think D&M is liquidating the BA receiver stock.
I actually read through their (D&M) financial statements and business plans presentation stuff on their "Investor's Relations". There's no mention of Boston Acoustics with anything but speakers. I get the impression their cleaning house on receivers. These were, afterall, their first and with Marantz, Denon, & McIntosh line-ups what need is there for BA receivers.
Fingers crossed everyone!!
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 10:06a
Sorry...140 of the AVR7100 for sure.
...and I'm guessing that they probably wouldn't have ADDED the AVR7120 to the web site unless they ordered some.
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 10:07a
Hey Butash...did you ask about AVR7120? or AVR7100?
ozMP3
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 10:09a
Before I place my order, are there any coupon codes I should know about?
Who fixes this now that BA is bowing out? I see they have an extended warranty at one call, but it looks like you may have to send this 60# monster in for service if needed. I only mention because my experience has not been great with high end stuff in the past.
I read about a lot of firmware issues on the boards with the Sherwood. I can't find any firmware updates on BA for this. Does it just run out of the box with no future upgrades/updates?
Is everyone ok with this based on the clearance and no longer manuf. issue?
Thanks.
321uam
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 10:24a
I got bad experience with receiver too! Took an HK receiver into for service, they messed it up even more but HK was willing to replace from the factory. They paid for S/H both ways. I am not convince that $800 is a good price. The MSRP is marked up at least 5X. I can't convince myself to fork over $850 and worry about service or s/h back to OneCall.
ozMP3
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 10:33a
I chatted with OneCall about the AVR7120. I guess they requested 150 of them.
Holley: Hello, this is Holley who am I speaking with today? Customer: This is oz. Holley: Hi oz. How may I help you? Customer: I'm looking at part #26575 - a Boston Acoustics AVR7120 receiver Holley: Okay. Customer: Do you know if you will get some in stock. Are they really on order? Holley: I am checking on that. Just a moment... Holley: Are you there? Customer: yes Holley: Okay. I thought I lost you. Sorry. Customer: no problem Holley: We do have them on order, but we are not quite sure when Boston will deliver them to us. We have not had any updates yet. Customer: Do you know how many you have on order? Holley: We have requested a total of 150 units, but are not sure how many we will get on the first delivery.
RotaryPowered
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 10:43a
Great deal! There are a few issues involving the firmware on the Sherwood/Newcastle R-965, they are still being resolved. I say this because the Boston Acoustic Receivers are essentially the same as the Sherwood/Newcastle receivers. They are outsourced by Sherwood/Newcastle and were rebadged as BA equipment. There has not been a lot of disccussion about the BA receivers over at AVSForum, however there are many topics on the Sherwood/Newcastle receivers which seem to be popular. I'm not sure how realistic the MSRP is on these BA receivers as their nearly identical twins are priced as follows: Sherwood/Newcastle R-965 MSRP 1999.95 There are not many retailers selling either of the R-965 & BA AVR7120, take it for what it is. I'm sure it is a decent receiver I just would'nt put the valued savings at 2k plus.
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 10:48a
Hi All...
I just spoke with someone in sales at Boston Acoustics. After giving her my all too true sob story about how bad I want this thing and that I had ordered one through OneCall she said that "yes, they are discontinued, but we do have them in stock"
I followed up with "so OneCall should get their order filled?" and she said "yes, they should"
I may be wrong about this not having anmlog multi-channel as it appears that the Sherwood R965 (which posters say is the same) does indeed have analog direct inputs.
forcedreg said: I appears that this unit converts Multi Channel Analog (SACD, DVD-A) to digital before going back through analog and routing through speakers. If your multi-channel source already converts to ananlog (which is how most work), then you would not want to go back to digital in the audio path of the receiver.
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 11:19a
It has analog inputs, but I think it still applies its bass management. So, I think you were on the right track.
Does anyone know if BA changed anything relevant in the model? (I'm pretty convinced of the Sherwood connection, though it doesn't deter me)
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 11:22a
A nice review of the Sherwood piece...pay attention to the Manufacturer's note at the bottom, too.
The BA has both these updates on board according to the Home Theater Magazine review.
So this seems to be a good piece of equipment that is about $1200-$1500 on the open market and vs. competitor offerings from Denon, Marantz, etc. Green for you OP.
This is a VERY good deal and people should be jumping on it. Its a Goliath at David's price and has pretty much everything people would need to enjoy it for years to come. IMO it the second best deal I've come across after last year's Marantz SR-8400 at UBID.
Doesn't A/D conversion happen no matter what receiver you use? I doubt your SACD/DVDA signals are going straight to the receiver's amps from your source device.
And with the money you guys would save on this, shell out for the DVDO VP30 to take care of your image & routing needs.
The dual Sub-out is a bonus at this price point.
EDIT: Just wanted to post this from the Home Theater review. Remember this was rated originally at its $3k asking price. And don't forget you get that very good (rebadged) Home Theater Master MX-700 remote that costs $150 by itself.
---
Ratings: Boston Acoustics AVR7120 A/V Receiver
Build Quality: 94 • Lift it up, and you'll learn a lot about the AVR7120's build quality • Looks and feels like a high-end component
Value: 90 • Yes, it's expensive, but it sounds really expensive • Boston's AVR7100 receiver is a tempting, less pricey alternative (but why bother when they are both at the same price now )
Features: 92 • Adjustable A/V synchronization maintains lip sync for all sources and displays • Upgradeable flash memory
Performance: 94 • Gets awfully close to separates levels of sound quality • Dolby Headphone processor is a big plus for headphone users
Ergonomics: 75 • Poorly written owner's manual frustrates setup chores • Onscreen menu navigation could be better
Overall Rating: 91 Boston hit one out of the park with their first-ever receiver. The AVR7120 sounds stellar and is eminently capable of serving in even the most complex custom-installation systems.
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 1:03p
great post nMo...
I read that article in paper form when it arrived and day dreamed obout it (I get HTM)...I tend to follow the stuff fairly closely and almost fell out of my chair when I saw the AVR7100 at $800...and about wet my pants when I saw the AVR7120, newly added, and at the same price last night!
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 1:07p
Update:
I just got an email asking to confirm my shipping address with my credit card. Got that all straightened away and then spoke with someone at OneCall...all set. They're not in yet, but thinking soon.
...and best of all. The price is still $800...(I was worried it was too good to be true and they'd change it when they realized the 7100 was same price)
welphd
Tired Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 1:20p
This seems like a solid receiver. Although very few people have them, judging from zero number of reviews at audioreview.com.
joetran
Broke Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 1:26p
any coupon code for free shipping?
welphd
Tired Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 1:29p
The Home Theater mag mentioned 51.8 lbs as its weight. but OneCall says 60 lbs. which is true?
I noticed that, too. I suspect 51.8 is true (also coincides with the weigth of the Sherwood R965), but don't know for sure. Maybe shipping weight rounds up to 60?
52club
Ancient Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 1:47p
The price says $799.99 on the AVR7120, but when you add it to your cart is changes to $999.99. Strange.
vulches
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 1:50p
52club said: The price says $799.99 on the AVR7120, but when you add it to your cart is changes to $999.99. Strange.
Ditto here. And the 7100 is now showing as $699.99 when added to the cart.
JMachan
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 1:58p
uh-oh...I was afraid of this...so far so good with my order, but beware folks!
LISpeedyG
Senior Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 2:00p
These guys just changed their prices.. I guess they now know how to price this better due to the demand.. Well, I would have been in at 800. But, now at 1000 I am out..
Good luck those in at 799..
pks9374
Member
posted: Jan. 24, 2006 @ 2:06p
I just checked my cart and luckliy the price hasn't changed. now I jsut have to pull the trigger.
My contractor is wrapping up my new media room (18 x 18ft) I pulled wiring myself and put in HDMI to my new Ben Q 7700 projector- new DVD and new HD Direct cable box are HDMI also- after spending way to much time trying to figure out the bugs that HDMI has and the lack of answers from the mfg's, I just found the great deal on the BA 7120. This is leaning me away from the Denon 2807. Instead of going HDMI through the receiver and getting stuck with a $1K AV receiver that is not supported/code upgradeable in the next year or two when HDMI 1.3 or next revision, and or getting stuck on digital audio issues or Directv new format not being supported etc etc etc, I am thinking get the best receiver for the $$ and buy a $200 HDMI switch keep my video signal digital and I can replace as becomes obsolete. Other than needing to change audio and video souce (learning remote with macros can handle) anyone have any feedback good idea? Are you having the same concerns/issues regarding lack HDMI components working together or HDMI standard supported by cable companies etc?
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