Receiver at A4L: what to buy for ~ $500

French_guy

What receiver you buy at A4L around $500 to power RTiA5 and CSiA4?

rooftop59

This: https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr5011/marantz-sr5011-7.2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html warm up those rtis and get just about every feature you could want for a simpler setup. I think you’ll be happy!

mrloren

rooftop59 wrote: »

This: https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr5011/marantz-sr5011-7.2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html warm up those rtis and get just about every feature you could want for a simpler setup. I think you’ll be happy!

Or this https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx3300w/denon-avr-x3300w-7.2-ch-x-105-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

Marantz only uses Audyssey XT, Denon X3300 uses XT32. I have the SR5010 and do like them a lot once I figured out how to dial in Audyssey.

My Friend has the X3300 and my old RTi8. The X3300 drives them nice.

French_guy

Arghhhh....That's exactly my main dilemma: This Marantz (SR5011) vs this Denon (X3300W)
I've never heard a Marantz, but always liked their look, and I was told their sound signature will help tame the brightness of my RTiA5. On top of it, the depth is just fine for my cabinet. Also, their pre-out are better?
But the Denon X3300W has XT32, and I've read it was more competing with the SR6011, so I would assume it's better than the SR5011? Also, the depth if the 3300 MIGHT be an issue (not sure though...)

Tony M

Two great choices !!

Good luck. Maybe the Denon will fit.

Then, you have to weigh the features and reviews that might be online.

French_guy

I was looking at A4L, and saw the Integra receivers with huge discounts.....Are they good?
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/intdtr504/integra-dtr-50.4-7.2-ch-x-135-watts-thx-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html#!specifications

Tony M

The Denon weighs 1.7 lbs. more.
The Integra weighs 17.4 lbs. more.
You can control the Marantz or the Denon with an I-phone or tablet , etc. .
Both support Dolby Atmos too.
Very Nice Receivers at great prices !

I've seen a few Integras over the years that have stopped working . But you do get a 2 year warranty with it and it's on sale FOR A HECK OF A DEAL !!! But it's got to be huge compared to the other two. Yea, 2-1/4" deeper for the Integra. Will it fit ?

mrloren

One red flag on the Integra that would concern me.

These are going for upto 70% off and they are not sold out. These are Onkyo top end with a $1500 AVR selling for $400 or less and they have not sold out, some ting wong. I know they do have a heat/HDMI board issue but that is one deep price cut.

It it was me I would get the Denon for two reasons.
1. Audyssey XT32
2. I'm not liking that porthole display.

French_guy

I agree that the Integra is maybe risky......and way too big anyway
How is the "usual" Denon sound signature?

txcoastal1

Not bright, much like the Marantz

French_guy

Great...looks like the Denon is the right choice then !!!

mrloren

French_guy wrote: »

Great...looks like the Denon is the right choice then !!!

Good choice,

One thing I would like to find is a parts list for Denon and Marantz AVR. Would be nice to see what is shared and what is not. Inside pictures of the X4300 and SR7011 look the same.

They could very well be the same internal layout but Marantz using higher quality chips. Or they could be the same.

hochpt21

@French_guy

I'm basically on the fence between these two as well, but haven't pulled the trigger yet as my current avr is still hanging in there...barely.

The Marantz was $50 cheaper last week for black friday, but now at it's current price makes the Denon even more attractive in this comparison.

I trust the recommendations for the Denon, but like the look of the Marantz better, and feel that the Marantz name might have better re-sale value. But in the $500 AVR market, I don't think re-sale value is really something to consider anyways.

Good luck, interested to see how your decision progresses....

mrloren

THis is what I'm seeing
AVR-X4300H


SR7011

Other than the face plate config they look almost the same. Been looking for inside pictures of the X4400 and 7012.

hochpt21

Wow...that's crazy!

Tony M

That's a lot of micro-chips in those.

rpf65

Had a Marantz 7008, that I got used, and ran the RTI A5's with it. For music it really toned down the brightness of those tweeters, and enhanced the upper mid-range quite a bit. Unfortunately it gave up the magic smoke in a very exciting manner.

I prefer the Marantz sound over the Denon for music. As far as HT, sound wise, I wouldn't say one is better than the other, but Denon usually has more features.

Both are good choices, but I would lean Marantz.

Internals, chip layout may be very similar, but it's the signal paths, how they're incorporated, isolation, mounting, internal bracing, and a number of other things. Everything contributes to sound quality. Even the type of music one listens too has a bearing on which manufacturer sounds better, let alone the most important thing, your very own ears.

smglbrth

There are obviously differences in them..., still..., looks like they're made on sister assembly lines...

French_guy

Assuming I want to upgrade later with a power amp (at least for the 2 fronts, or 2 fronts + center)
1) Is there a receiver better than the other (Marantz SR5011 vs Denon AVR X3300w)
2) Which amp (2 or 3 channels) would be the best choice (used I guess) for the selected receiver AND my RTiA5

Thanks

rooftop59

If you plan to add a sub, get the Denon for the Audyssey XT32.

As for an amp, run, don't walk, and get @daboyz's B4K 3 channel amp. That puppy would power and warm up those RTis quite nicely...

mrloren

Yeah that is a nice amp and would be nice on some RTiA5.

Years ago a Friend was trying to sell me his XPA Emo. Was a much better sounding than just powering them with my Sony ES.

French_guy

Assuming I go with the Denon AVR X3300W.................I've read many times on many threads that adding an amp will be a noticeable improvement, even with RTiA5 that are not "hard to drive speakers"
There is a parasound HCA-1000 for sale on my local Craigslist for $250
Would this be a good starter for my 2 fronts? Is it a good price, or on the high side?
And then later on try to find a HCA 1500 for the 2 fronts, and keep the HCA-1000 for the center?
Or is this a waste of money, and I will be better in finding a good 3 channel power amp? In that case, which should I be looking at?

Thanks

rooftop59

The parasound is a good amp, and should be a good match for your mains. Offer $200, make sure to open it up and make sure that the caps are not bulging or leaking. And yes, it would make an excellent center channel amp, although probably overkill for what you presently have.

Why not @daboyz's B&K?

French_guy

Why not the B&K from @daboy'z: good point, and no specific reason at all
He is in the Chicago area, I'm in the Detroit area.....Not that far actually

rooftop59

I think the B&K would be a slightly better match as it is very warm sounding with a rich midrange, whereas the parasound is a more neutral with a more detailed top end which might be too much with the RTis...

tonyb

French_guy wrote: »

Why not the B&K from @daboy'z: good point, and no specific reason at all
He is in the Chicago area, I'm in the Detroit area.....Not that far actually

Because some garlic smelling dago already snatched it out of his kung-fu death grip, that's why.

French_guy

i know.....................

rooftop59

hey @French_guy I would just start off with a nicer receiver. The Denon, Marantz, or Pioneer that @Dskip is selling are all good choices, just look at the different features and reviews and pick one. Run it on its own for a while. You will notice an immediate improvement over what you have, I promise (I had the one level higher of your pioneer, and it was fine but the Denon and Marantz will both crush it). Then you can decide down the road what upgrade is next. I personally would probably get a sub before I would get an amp. A sub would take some of the load off of your speakers making them need less power anyway. And if you plan on getting a sub I would go with the Denon since it has XT32...

French_guy

Yeah....I saw Dskip's post. Was almost decided on the Denon X330W, but lots of good comments on the Elite SC-63.....Not sure about the Pioneer's room calibration vs the Audyssey XT32 though.
Other thing: I don't believe I would go anytime soon with Dolby Atmos....so it's not a deciding factor (I think)
So now my question is to know if the Elite SC-63 is a better AVR than the Denon.....in terms of sound quality, and how well it will fit with my RTiA5!!!

French_guy

rooftop59 wrote: »

The parasound is a good amp, and should be a good match for your mains. Offer $200, make sure to open it up and make sure that the caps are not bulging or leaking. And yes, it would make an excellent center channel amp, although probably overkill for what you presently have.

Why not @daboyz's B&K?

The HCA-1000 I saw on Craigslist sold for $250 apparently
But the same seller is also selling a PHP-850 preamp for $175....I've read it was a good preamp. But Is this a reasonable price?

rooftop59

French_guy wrote: »

rooftop59 wrote: »

The parasound is a good amp, and should be a good match for your mains. Offer $200, make sure to open it up and make sure that the caps are not bulging or leaking. And yes, it would make an excellent center channel amp, although probably overkill for what you presently have.

Why not @daboyz's B&K?

The HCA-1000 I saw on Craigslist sold for $250 apparently
But the same seller is also selling a PHP-850 preamp for $175....I've read it was a good preamp. But Is this a reasonable price?

I have no idea on the preamp. Hopefully, others will chime in!