AV Receiver Help

bcm1
bcm1 Posts: 4
edited October 2010 in Electronics
new to forums .. but need some thots on AV Receiver; thinking denon1911 or onkyo608 ... any ideas? or should i stay with yamaha, then which?

any help greatly appreciated...

currently:
yamaha rxv1000 (in need of repair and no hdmis)
RT35i fronts, CSi30 ctr, JBL rears, 8" yam sub
Post edited by bcm1 on
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,329
    edited October 2010
    For your speaker package I suggest a Pioneer Elite vsx33 or if you can find one a Pioneer ELite vsx21thx. This is a personal favorite at under a grand receiver on the market , which now is disco and replaced with the vsx33.

    Forget the Denon , Onlyo is nice , Yamaha is nice.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,505
    edited October 2010
    Look for pre-outs
    I bought a pioneer 1020 (sold it)at a steal but made the mistake when I started listening to speakers for HT
    Leave yourself some room to upgrade
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • bcm1
    bcm1 Posts: 4
    edited October 2010
    why the pioneer elite other than personal fave?
    problem with denon? have heard good things.
    am wanting to stay under $600 if possible and get good sound, video upscaling, 2nd zone for pool/patio.

    thanks
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited October 2010
    Because you're in the Pioneer zone!
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited October 2010
    I kid. But you'll see a lot of that here. Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Onkyo (& apparently Pioneer) are all good brands - just depends on what you're looking for.

    Things to consider (features / differences)

    1 - Tonal qualities among the brands (bright, warm, neutral)
    2 - Differences among similar features (auto-setup - YPAO, Audyssey, or MCACC?)
    3 - Do you want pre-outs on your receiver, so you can connect an dedicated amplifier to it and power your speakers some day?
    4 - Do you want to be able to hook up an external hdd / iPod to play music from?

    Feel free to ask questions - perhaps we can help narrow things down.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • B Run
    B Run Posts: 1,888
    edited October 2010
    I had the Denon 1909 at it's a great receiver. The last Onkyo I had was the 674 so I can't compare it to the 608, but personally between the 2 i'd go Denon.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited October 2010
    The other thing to think about is that this year's models mostly just bring hdmi 1.4a (3d, audio return function). So if you look at any higher models from last year or the year before, you can probably get a more powerful receiver. Otherwise, almost all the brands offer dual room for under $600.

    ie. Onkyo 707, Onkyo 608, Yamaha RX-V1065 / 1900, Denon 2310 (2nd room remote), Denon 1911, Pioneer VSX-1120-k, etc.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited October 2010
    bcm1 wrote: »
    new to forums .. but need some thots on AV Receiver; thinking denon1911 or onkyo608 ... any ideas? or should i stay with yamaha, then which?

    any help greatly appreciated...

    currently:
    yamaha rxv1000 (in need of repair and no hdmis)
    RT35i fronts, CSi30 ctr, JBL rears, 8" yam sub

    I think you should decide how you want to use the receiver and then consider used/certified/previously owned in higher end models...if you can get a good deal, you can always flip it later with little to no loss....receivers drop in price like every house I buy....my last 5 receivers have all been used...as well as my separates....if you want state of the art for the receiver, e.g., 3D capability, then you will need new...many of us do not use HDMI with our receivers and instead use the multi-channel analog inputs...p.s. I am a big fan of some of the Denons and you can get a 3802 for under $300...but no HDMI or other bells and whistles..
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  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited October 2010
    If you're thinking of going Yamaha stay away from the **65 series as they were terrible. The new RXA series on the other hand are incredible value. The symmetrical design they use is something very rare at the price points offered.
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  • bcm1
    bcm1 Posts: 4
    edited October 2010
    wow ... tons of help here.

    so what am i thinking:
    * preouts would be good at somepoint, then again hadnt added yet.
    * hdmi in/out for ease and video upscaling (current setup has hdmi (dish, dvd) video only, audio is optical(dvd), analog l&r(dish)
    * no need for 3d at the moment (Samsung 46in, 1080p/120Hz, LCD)
    * auto setup feature... don't know the diffs between brands, that cal feature would be nice
    * relatively neutral on tonal quality; not sure i have heard the difference enough to choose.
    * will be upgrading to blu-ray also.

    as for getting used equip... that makes me a little nervous - getting someone elses problem, certified? where do you find that.

    hope i don't sound too elementary (aka ignorant):D
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  • fishbones
    fishbones Posts: 947
    edited October 2010
    Go to Best Buy and audition the different ones with the features you're looking for. I was impressed how well the Onkyo sounded compared to some of the other ones, but YMMV.
    ..... ><////(*>
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  • softwareperson
    softwareperson Posts: 14
    edited October 2010
    Onkyo 608 gets my vote
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  • TORI3
    TORI3 Posts: 234
    edited October 2010
    Had a Onkyo 607, but it was too bright for my RTis. Currently have a Pioneer Elite VSX23. Very nice unit with a little better dynamics. With all this said, Onkyo is still a great receiver...just depends on your system.

    The main factor is going to be the type of sound you're shooting for.

    *If you're interested, Pioneer doesn't sell authorized Elites online. You can buy regular Pioneer's online, just not the Elites. I bought my VSX as display model from BB.

    *Here's some good links for refurbished and certified Onkyo receivers:
    http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/AVReceiver/Home-Audio/Home-Theater-Receivers/1.html

    http://www.shoponkyo.com/products_refurb.cfm?specials=1&group_id=1

    Hope this helps!
    HT: RTi8s, CSi3, RTi4s, HSU ULS-15, Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH, Sunfire Cinema Seven.
    2CH: CJ MF2300, Parasound P3, PS Audio DLIII, Wadia 170i, Music Hall Maverick, Sierra-1s, Sunfire HRS8
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  • bcm1
    bcm1 Posts: 4
    edited October 2010
    thanks for all the help ...

    I went to BB, listened to everything i could in the Magnolia room
    Listened to a pioneer and a denon at some friends
    searched last year deals and found a Denon 3310 for over 60% off with free shipping

    just waiting for the arrival ... thanks again for the help.

    i am sure i will be back with other questions
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