Onkyo 809 vs 3008

3008 is a 9.2 setup, 809 is a 7.2 setup. Without doing much more research than I want to that is another difference.

Also XT32 v. XT is a BIG DEAL! XT32 has 100 times more filters than XT for both all your main speakers (Audyssey calls them Satellites) and your sub.

Here are some bench tests of how older model AVRs have performed in power tests. 2 channel vs. 7.1.

Onkyo 807 (Last Year's model but the 808 appears to have the same amp rating)
2 Channel: 8 ohm 143 watts/ 4 ohm 240.2 watts
7 Channel: 8 ohms: 29.9 watts

Marantz 6004
2 Channel:8 ohm 111 watts/ 4 ohm 160 watts
7 Channel: 8 ohms: 70.8 watts

Pioneer SC-27 (SC-25 uses the same ICE amps)
2 Channel:8 ohm 151 watts/ 4 ohm 224 watts
7 Channel: 8 ohms: 107.4 watts

A bit surprising no?

The 3008 is not as subject to this kind of reduction in power!

cnh

Good point. But I find Audyssey overrated--recently I purchased a cheap RatShack SPL meter and it really upped the 'tweaking' ante.

cnh

matchan wrote: »

Here is my dilema

809 + XPA 5 = $1500
3008 = $1300

I dont want to get the 3008 and then buy another amp

I plan to get the Rti a7 fronts/ cis a6 center also

Solution:

3008 @ Accessories4less (1100) + used amp:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1312948474&/B-K-Components-AV-5000-5-chann

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1312933822&/B-K-AV5000-5-Channel-Power-amp

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1313277158&/Adcom-GFA-7000-5-channels-pric

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1313277158&/Adcom-GFA-7000-5-channels-pric

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1315266812&/Parasound-1205A-5-Channel-Ampl

cnh wrote: »

Good point. But I find Audyssey overrated--recently I purchased a cheap RatShack SPL meter and it really upped the 'tweaking' ante.

cnh

Audyssey isn't overrated so much as it is misunderstood. The average Joe (the so-called set and forget crowd) almost never does a correct calibration with Audyssey. Like any room equalization, it is very much a garbage in/garbage out proposition. Your average user just puts the mic on the back of their couch or in the seat and hits next... whereas people who know how to use Audyssey place the mic on a tripod and avoid seatbacks because of the reflection/absorption issues that can make it sound horrible. If you follow a few basic guidelines when doing MultEQ XT calibration, it will give you fantastic results... and if you half-**** it, you'll think Audyssey is garbage (but then, you haven't given it the data it needs to do what it does).

Where most people's discrepancy lies as far as what Audyssey does vs. using a SPL meter to level match is this: Audyssey equalizes each channel then sets global levels based on the equalized channels' levels. If you check this post-Audyssey using the internal test tones, it usually won't match up to the levels that Audyssey has set. However, if you have properly calibrated using a tripod and double-check it with a test disc so that the tones take the entire system chain into account (including adjusting the crossovers based on the speaker specs rather than Audyssey's reading of the lower -3dB point and turning off DynamicEQ so it does not boost the surround presence when you're testing with a SPL meter), the level matching is typically dead-on correct, even if the internal tones tell a different story. This is because the signal generator for the internal tones doesn't pass through equalization in the AVR.

Then there's also the reference vs. preference issue... but that's a whole other conversation. But ultimately, I would take a 3008 over the 809 if it gets me MultEQ XT32. With careful calibration and intelligent setting of crossover points, you may very well find that with a capable subwoofer, you probably won't even need external amplification. Don't get too hung up on the power specs either... Those tests use constant noise tones that don't reflect real-world transient bursts in any listening material, and since speakers crossed over to the sub rarely require more than 50w for most home listening levels, you should be good. Additionally, there is very little listening material that requires all channels to be at peak levels at the same time, even in the most bombastic modern digital soundtrack. So go with the AVR with the most features and worry about power later IF you feel you need it.

B Run wrote: »

I just picked up a refurbished 3008 on Amazon for $720 and am very happy with it. The Audyssey multeq xt32 is great. I've gone back and forth between using it and hooking my 130 wpc Adcom amp back up. After trying them both, the amp adds a little more low and midrange punch. The 3008 can run my Rti's just fine, it's a little brighter than when I use my amp but it also seems just a tad clearer. Overall I like the sound of it paired with the Adcom, but could easily use it as is.

I have been looking for a refurb 3008 for weeks - Was there really one that low - $ 720 - on Amazon ? Lowest I have seen is open box for 1102 or refurb at Accessories Depot for 1199 ? Newegg open box was 999 but no way to get a warranty - Sq trade will not honor Newegg open box

Any advise how to find another refurb that low on Amazon ?

BTW I am currently trying out the Denon 4311 - Have it for 30 day before have to decided to keep open box at Best Buy - Have it hooked up in 11.1 using
my old Onkyo 805 as a 'power amp' - Denon does 9.1 Onkyo does next 2 channels - So far so good on the unit although HDMI handshake issues with Comcast cable box

4311 nice UI but timely to set it up just right

jon s wrote: »

You might want to reconsider getting an Onkyo right now... There have been numerous issues with overheating HDMI boards and IDE connectors failing with the latest models. Onkyo has recognized the issue with the IDE connectors but not the problems with the HDMI boards.

The HDMI boards get so hot, they dry out the caps on the board and the board fails right about the time the warranty expires (my receiver died right before the warranty expired... I was able to get it fixed under warranty. A new HDMI board costs $1,000).

The IDE connector is apparently causing issues where the receiver cycles thru different inputs on its own. While they do not have a recall on it, they did acknowledge the problem. They have to replace the connector and the associated cables as well. This problem is across several different models, almost the entire AV reciver lineup.

When did you get yours ? How long before it failed ? Seems to be problems with the later batches - 2 amazon reviews in June show bad units