It used to be that picking up an entry-level receiver meant settling for the absolute bare bones and getting little in return for your investment.  The latest from Onkyo buck that trend by offering much more than one might expect from low priced receivers.  The TX-SR313 is the cheapest in the series ($299) and still packs a discrete-component output stage instead of an integrated amp.

Onkyo has announced a pair of new features coming to its receivers in 2012 but the coolest right up front is a tech called InstaPrevue.  Using InstaPrevue, you can get a picture-in-picture view of what's happening on your other inputs.  If you're watching Netflix while waiting for the game to start, you won't have to flip back and forth - just use InstaPrevue. 

Sherbourn has announced a pair of new home theater components, both designed to help drive audio through your system. The PA-7350 is an amplifier that Sherbourn describes as "reference quality."  It's capable of driving seven channels at 350 watts per channel and offers, in addition to the usual ins and outs, balanced XLR outputs.  It offers a Class H power supply with Sherbourn's Soft Switch tech.  The release date and price are yet to be announced.

Pioneer went all out with its new SC-57 and SC-55 receivers.  They boast networking features, image enhancement, iOS control and more, but the most interesting improvement is a brand new Class D3 amplifier. Pioneer's new D3 technology offers greater power efficiency which goes hand in hand with improved heat management.  You'll also get an improved signal path - a third shorter than the 2010 model - and a total harmonic distortion of 0.003 percent.

Gear comes at a wide range of prices, perhaps more with receivers than any other piece of home theater component.  You can pick up something bare-bones for as little as $200 or go for a top-of-the line receiver that costs into the multiple thousands of dollars. NAD has traditionally skewed towards the latter, offering high-end receivers to be purchased by those that favor quality over a low cost, but T 748 was designed to cater to both.  It's not a cheapo receiver that you'll find at Walmart, but at $900 it's the least expensive receiver available from the company.