Denon or Pioneer...

Grimster74

If you had to choose a new receiver today to use as a pre-amp, between either the Denon AVR-3808 or the Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH, which way would you go. Both are at the same price point and both seem to have roughly the same features but it seems the Denon has a lower THD of 0.05% compaired to the Elite which has a THD of 0.09%. Like I said, this will be used as a pre-amp if I decide to purchase so the built-in amplifiers will not be used. Just wanna hear what everyone has to say about the two.

Sherardp

hard one to go with but I would determine which has features you want. The 94 would get my vote, plus youre using it only has a pre/pro since your Outlaw will be providing the amplification.

WilliamM2

If your just going to use it as a pre-amp, why not get a pre-amp instead? The Onkyo PR-SC885 and the Integra 9.8 both have more features, and list for less dollars. The 885 can be had under $1400.

There is also the new NAD T-175, a little more at $2000, and may not be available till spring.

Sherardp

WilliamM2 wrote: »

If your just going to use it as a pre-amp, why not get a pre-amp instead? The Onkyo PR-SC885 and the Integra 9.8 both have more features, and list for less dollars. The 885 can be had under $1400.

There is also the new NAD T-175, a little more at $2000, and may not be available till spring.

Good suggestion, however the Integra is and has been on backorder for the longest.

Grimster74

WilliamM2 wrote: »

If your just going to use it as a pre-amp, why not get a pre-amp instead? The Onkyo PR-SC885 and the Integra 9.8 both have more features, and list for less dollars. The 885 can be had under $1400.

There is also the new NAD T-175, a little more at $2000, and may not be available till spring.

Because they are almost impossible to get your hands on one. Called my dealer in my area this past Friday about both and he said he's had many on order since October and still has yet to take delivery of any.

Mike682

That difference in THD between the two isn't noticeable to the human ear.

I heard the Pioneer Elites have very good pre-amp sections; Mantis mentioned he has a lot of experience with Elites:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=709882&postcount=26

Mike

billbillw

I'm a diehard Denon fan, so you can guess my answer. Truth is, you probably can't go wrong with either.

WilliamM2

Grimster74 wrote: »

Because they are almost impossible to get your hands on one. Called my dealer in my area this past Friday about both and he said he's had many on order since October and still has yet to take delivery of any.

Troxell can get you the Onkyo, usually in less than a month. I got lucky, ordered mine 9/21, had it delivered 9/27. Worth a shot.

Early B.

Pioneer.

mantis

Pioneer Elite.
The 94 is state of the art for a preamp. There is nothing preamp wise on the market yet that can do what it can do. Not to mention as a preamp they sound better then all other receivers I have heard.

Go Elite man.

Dan

Grimster74

Hey Dan, this is a really stupid question but I figured I'd ask beings your an Elite man, why is it that Pioneer steered away from the removable power cords. Is there some sort of method to there madness. Removable power cords are just so much easier to have when doing an custom install, say in a rack.

mantis

I'm not really sure but I could find out for yeah. I wondered that myself. There DVD players still have removeable cords. Even there brand new 95 elite Blue Ray does(which is the sickest Blue Ray Player on the market hands down).

Dan

Grimster74

Another question, how has Pioneer handled the whole firmware upgrade process with the newer receivers? I know with last years models you had to send them to an authorized Elite dealer to have it done. With the newer Elites having a LAN connection on the back, can the firmware updates if needed be done via the internet?

WilliamM2

mantis wrote: »

Pioneer Elite.
The 94 is state of the art for a preamp. There is nothing preamp wise on the market yet that can do what it can do. Not to mention as a preamp they sound better then all other receivers I have heard.

Go Elite man.

Dan

What features does the Pioneer have that no pre-amp has? Just curious.

dorokusai

Why wouldn't you go with an HT processor?

engtaz

Pioneer Elite

engtaz

millerman 3732

Grimster, what the difference in the VSX-94TXH and the VSX-84TXSi you just got rid of?

Grimster74

millerman 3732 wrote: »

Grimster, what the difference in the VSX-94TXH and the VSX-84TXSi you just got rid of?

Decodes all the new audio formats as far as i know. Now that I have to updated firmware on my XA2 wanna give it a whirl. The only reason I got rid of the 84 was I was having the humming problem I thought I'd never get figured out which I finally got resolved this past weekend.