Onkyo Vs Yamaha

gadgetman

WHO PUTS OUT THE BEST RECEIVER IS ONKYO OR IS YAMAHA.
I know YAMAHA HAS MORE FIELDS TO CHOOSE FROM.

AsSiMiLaTeD

If I had to choose one, I guess I'd say Yamaha.

Out of all the receivers in the mid range and above, those are actually my last two choices.

I'd rank above them:

Denon
Harman/Kardon
Sony ES
Pioneer Elite
Marantz
NAD

Mike682

Yamahas usually have a lot of connectivity options.

To me, a very important connection is pre-amp outs. Pre-amp outs are important if you want to connect a seperate amplifier in the future.

Overall, it's probably best to audition both branded receivers that have all the connections you need and take the one that sounds the best to you.

halo

The Yamaha would get my vote. I have old (late '80's) Onkyo receivers that I like and when I first purchased an AVR it was an Onkyo (don't remeber the model #) but I returned it. The old saying "they don't make 'em like they used to" applies here. IMO their build and sound quality have gone downhill in order for them to compete in the mass market. You should audition both and see (hear) which is best for you. YMMV. Good luck.

mantis

Yamaha, I think they are not what they used to be but I still perfer them over Onkyo.

For Polk rti series speakers I don't like them. I perfer Denon.

Dan

gregure

Denon would be a great choice for the Polks over Yahama and Onkyo. I've found Yamahas to be too bright for these speakers, as are Onkyos. Denon have a lot smoother sound, which is great for music, and they have plenty of power for movies. Denon's build quality is great, they are very reliable, easy to use and have realistic wattage, as opposed to some other manufacturers. No offense to others' opinions, but I wouldn't even recommend considering Sony ES receivers. They are leagues behind the other stuff that's out there.
Rotel would be a great choice if you want to spend a bit more. Pioneer Elite have excellent amps, although they are a bit on the bright side.
Marantz are pretty good too, especially when you get to the $1500 range. They do favor the vocals a bit more than Denon or Pioneer though.
I've always heard great things about NAD, but can't personally speak to their sound with the Polks. My rating, for Polk speakers would be:
Higher end:
1. B&K $3000-3500
2. Rotel $1500-2000
3. Marantz SR8500 $1500
4. Pioneer Elite VSX56TXi $1500-maybe less on clearance (get this one if you still can, it's been disco'd, but has a much better amp than the new VSX74TXVi replacement, as they compromised current output to keep the unit the same price with all the new features)

Mid level:
Denon AVR3805 or 3806 $1200
Denon 2805 $1000
Marantz SR7500
Pioneer Elite VSX72TXVi (still a good unit, even with the lesser amp)

Entry Level: (if you really must-not a good choice w/ floor standing mains)
Denon 2106-a nice unit, probably the best $600 receiver I've heard
Marantz SR5600
Pioneer Elite VSX52Xi

aaharvel

Yamaha over Onkyo anyday imo. The amps sections aren't class-leading in either brands- but i would imagine that the Yamaha would make for a really good pre-amp thanks to it's connectivity.

PolkThug

Since everyone's shootin' from the hip here, I'll take the Onkyo flagship over the Yamaha flagship.

McLoki

I like my Onkyo AVR, one thing though - their DTS decoding kind of sucks. (DD ALWAYS sounds better than DTS and from what I understand, that just shouldn't be so.)

If you were even thinking of running an external amp so you were removing the amplifier stage of the AVR from the contest - I would choose Yamaha in a heartbeat.

Michael

PolkThug

McLoki wrote:

I like my Onkyo AVR, one thing though - their DTS decoding kind of sucks. (DD ALWAYS sounds better than DTS and from what I understand, that just shouldn't be so.)

That's very odd. My 700 doesn't have that problem at all.

McLoki

PolkThug wrote:

That's very odd. My 700 doesn't have that problem at all.

Gregure mentioned in this thread (post 14) that his 701 was weak on DTS decoding as well. That is what made me think it was an Onkyo thing rather than a 777 (my avr) thing.

I am willing to say it may just be my AVR but I know I am ready to move to a better pre-amp or pre-pro as soon as the channels from my amp are back from repair (single board). (been in since June. - glad I only sent in 2 channels and not the entire amp)

Michael

reeltrouble1

There is no better, denon, onkyo, and yamaha are all the same as well as the other flavors. They are all junk when it comes to 2 ch music and have no bearing in the pursuit of fine musical reproduction. Which of you out there gives a crap about how an HT explosion sounds? Every one of these receivers I have heard does ok with HT. I did not always feel this way about receivers but its my own experience.

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janmike

I purchased a Yamaha RX-V1500 for HT. The Marantz 2 CH prior to this would walk over the Yamaha. I had to add 2 CH amp to aquire better performance.

gregure

reeltrouble1 wrote:

There is no better, denon, onkyo, and yamaha are all the same as well as the other flavors. They are all junk when it comes to 2 ch music and have no bearing in the pursuit of fine musical reproduction. Which of you out there gives a crap about how an HT explosion sounds? Every one of these receivers I have heard does ok with HT. I did not always feel this way about receivers but its my own experience.

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I agree with this 100%. Even my B&K doesn't give me quite what I want for two channel. A good two-channel rig or integrated amp is still the best for straight music listening, but at least my B&K gets me closer than anything else I've ever owned.

Holydoc

Note: My following discussion is only applicable to Home Theatre (HT) applications. I am not set up to debate 2-channel systems or purely music integrated systems. I have little to no expertise in that area.

For HT usage, I have no complaints with my Onkyo. It has served me well as far as performance, connectivity, and output. The higher-end Onkyo's provide lots of options for expansion in the HT area.

McLoki, my TX-NR901 has zero problems with DTS decoding. I have been acquiring DTS DVDs (e.g., Superbits, etc) for the last few weeks. It is crisp and clear as far as decoding. I would check out your receiver.

Back on subject, Gadgetman, I cannot recommend one over the other since I have not tried out the other two. However the high end Onkyo's do everything from upconversion of you video signal to connectivity to the internet. All I can recommend is that you check out their features and see if you can test drive one at home. Here is a link to their website for some of the features. I highly recommend you check out the "NR" series for internet connectivity or the SR models for "XM radio and IPod" connectivity.

Onkyo Recievers

jrlouie

McLoki wrote:

I like my Onkyo AVR, one thing though - their DTS decoding kind of sucks. (DD ALWAYS sounds better than DTS and from what I understand, that just shouldn't be so.)

If you were even thinking of running an external amp so you were removing the amplifier stage of the AVR from the contest - I would choose Yamaha in a heartbeat.

Michael

Yep, I've noticed it on more than one DVD. DD has sounded better on mine in more than one occasion, rather than DTS. Two I can think of off hand are i,Robot and Coldplay Live 2003. Surprising. I'm just happy I thought to flip back and forth at the beginning of a movie from DD to DTS to see what's best. Although, mine is a few years old. TX-DS797. I can't wait to get rid of the AVR and grab a pre-pro and amp
Someday, ah someday.

shack

reeltrouble1 wrote:

There is no better, denon, onkyo, and yamaha are all the same as well as the other flavors. They are all junk when it comes to 2 ch music and have no bearing in the pursuit of fine musical reproduction.

I will have to disagree with my friend from Coastal Ga. My HT rig is a Denon AVR, RT55i fronts, Dayton Titanic sub, and a Sony SACD/CD player. I am impressed with how well this rig does 2 channel. I can compare it with my NAD Amp, Cambridge Audio/ NAD CDPs, ELP pre and SDA 1Cs in my 2 channel rig and IMO I am not giving up a lot in the way of fine musical reproduction. The RTxxi speakers have always mated well with the Denon AVRs. I guess this is one of those "synergy" issues we all talk about. As much as I like my SDA rig...if all I had was my Denon and RT55is...it would be just fine.

reeltrouble1

Well, my Tenn, brother not really the same gear now is it. GM asked about Onk vs. Yammie and I threw in Denon for S&G's. Yes, NAD and B&K, Rotel etc. have taken some steps to improve there gear over the junk and manufacture better products. Actually, Denon could be very good as well as Onk if they would concentrate on the music, but they seem to be trying to fill alot of markets, moving towards the PC whole house thing. (BTW really nothing really wrong with this and pretty smart business I am sure).

Now, I have never heard the flagships, no way I am going to dump 3-4 grand into a receiver, besides, its still all in one box and you have to deal with non-discreet circuits, amp heat, elec. crosstalk and so on, so why not buy two seperate boxes? Specialized to do their one thing!!!

My experience with receivers is from 1000-1200 on down new price, Onk and Yammie and Denon, I stand on my original statement, junk when we are talking two channel. Its not the price its the way they work, heck the Dodd ELP and the Rouge are examples of some great pre's well under a grand, add a used amp say a ss NAD, B&K, CJ, or what have you that is high current and you are way ahead muscially speaking. If you want HT just pick the reciever that meets your needs, they all do a decent job.

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shack

reeltrouble1 wrote:

Well, my Tenn, brother not really the same gear now is it.

Actually...it is. The Denon I'm referring to is a middle of the road (under $1,000) 5.1 AVR. I was compairing the Denon HT rig to my NAD 2-channel rig. I've had the Denon / RT55is and the NAD / SDA-1C in the same room and while not equals...the Denon does a very good job as I have it set up. Again they just seem to go well together....synergy I suppose.

reeltrouble1 wrote:

My experience with receivers is from 1000-1200 on down new price, Onk and Yammie and Denon, I stand on my original statement, junk when we are talking two channel.

I can't speak for any but the one in my den...and it ain't junk.

Come on up and give it a listen sometimes. You're always welcome.

reeltrouble1

I do truely believe in synergy. Basically, system thinking, with problems within any rig being systemic to each rigs final potential. My interest is peaked, I used 55i with my present Onk for a while and although it was rather nice, its was nowhere near my present set-up. Perhaps your individual systems synergy is the key. Of the three brands we talked about I would give an edge to the Denon for music, mostly based on their ability to make musical DVD players, they know how to do it, just seems they dont focus on it.

We really do need to get together enjoy tunes and some golf, I am pretty sure I can get up your way next spring, should be a great time to visit Tenn.

Now I know there are some other owners out there who use receivers, feel free to chime, I dont bite too Hard!!! :eek: Its about learning.

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cmy330go

I agree with most of what is being said here. I will just say from my experience selling Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, and Harman Kardon, That the Denon, and HK are probably the best match sonically for the RTi series. However the Yamaha has them all beat on build quality, reliability, and connectivity.

Just my experience.

reeltrouble1

cmy330go wrote:

I agree with most of what is being said here.

Just my experience.

CMY,

Not sure what your agreeing with, but I do see your a parasound man for music. My point exactly. Never heard a really bad sounding Parasound. My Woodshed Rig had surpassed my other by so much I could not stand the screeching coming from it. Had to change that and I did. As far as build, reliability, connectivity, the lower end **** receivers all seem the same to me. So exactly what is your experience saying different? I would really like to know, when I popped the top on the ones I looked at they were all pretty much equivilant. Hell, I paid about 200 for a panny for my daughter, she likes it for HT, thing sounds like crap for music though, but I cant tell much difference in the processing compared to my 1000 Oinker which it sold new for. I suppose the Oink sounds better for music than the Panny, but I still consider it junk compared to a NAD 1130 pre I own, and light years from the Dodd ELP and the MLP is levels beyond that.

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