Denon receivers
jon1redleg
Posts: 242
I have a question. I am wanting to purchase a Denon Receiver to power my polk RTA15tl speakers, I have to models in mind . I need to know if they might be a good chioce, the first model is a AVR1612 120per channel and the second choice is a AVR791 125 watts per channel. I was told that the 120 or 125 watts is the correct output per channel , is this true or will it be like 60 watts per?
Can anyone help on this.
Can anyone help on this.
Post edited by jon1redleg on
Comments
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Usually the xx wpc is accurate for 2 channels. If you start powering 5 speakers with it, then power will drop down to 30 or 40wpc (or some fraction like that).Dali Optikon 1Mk2
NAD D3020 V2
Schiit Bifrost 2/64
..the rest are headphone setups. -
so either or would be a good choice?
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Jon-
Welcome to Club Polk! For starters I'd ask you provide a little more info. Is this for 2 ch music listening only, or are you using the AVR for Home Theater use as well. I'm currently using a Denon 890 for HT use and it was my 1st decent AVR. That said, I regret everyday that I didn't hold out for a 900 or 3000 series which would have had pre-outs so I could upgrade to an external amp later on. The Denon's have a nice feature set and I have been happy w/ mine but I would recommend doing alot of research before buying anything. Your speakers should sound nice on either of the choices you gave if you don't drive them to ear splitting levels all the time. If you're like me, $500 is a significant purchase but in the end I'd rather save up and spend a little more and be done than save now and have to rebuy later because of not having upgrade options to make the purchase somewhat future proof. Give us a little more info, and myself and others will be happy to help you spend your $.:razz:2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer. -
Excellent advise ^^^^^^^^Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs -
The pre-out advice is very important.
It keeps your options open in the future.
With that said, I'm VERY happy with my Denon AVR 2808-Ci. It's 3 years old now and still running like a champ. It's rated at 105wpc and it runs my Rti A7's pretty well. IMO, very well in 2Ch mode where it can push all of it's power to the A7's. -
For what it is worth, my AVR-888 was able to drive my RTA11TLs very easily. However, for 2ch listening I definitely prefer my DRA-835R.
StanStan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601 -
when I bought my Yamaha rx-v665 I knew nothing of pre-outs and how an external amp improves sound/pwr. Just by shear luck it did come w/ preouts which I used before I went w/ a dedicated 2-chl system. I had no forum like this to help me along the way and I must say the advice has been invaluable.2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E
H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-
Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc -
I have the AVR-791 and like TnHNDYMN said earlier, I love the unit but do really wish I had the pre-outs. Just an FYI, the 1612 is a step below the 791. I worked part time at Best Buy and the 791 is last years model and it's new counterpart is the 1912
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The last two Denon's I have test data for were the 2311 & the 991, both of which returned 78% of their 2-channel power into 5-channels. Usually the higher up you go in the price/model range, the more you get back (not always though). With the two you mentioned being around 120wpc, you should get somewhere between 84 & 93 watts per channel into 5 channels. A little less into 7 channels. As mentioned by others, pre-outs are a great way to remove any future issues but you should be just fine (power-wise) with either one. You will drop to a "fraction", but not 30-40 watts.Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
Processor = NAD T747
Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
TT = Audio Technica -
Take some of the advice with a grain of salt. Some guys are talking out their ****. Not all receivers that are rated at 100 WPC drop to 30 or 40 WPC when driven with 5 channels.
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Simply Stunning,Take some of the advice with a grain of salt. Some guys are talking out their ****. Not all receivers that are rated at 100 WPC drop to 30 or 40 WPC when driven with 5 channels.Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with. -
Well, that is true. If you go out and buy a yammie or some other 2 or 300 dollar unit that has 100 WPC rated at 1Khz you probably will get 30 to 40 WPC in surround mode. I just see that some members on this forum take it to mean that most units have a power reduction of this magnitude on most receivers and that is not the case.
When running mine in 5.1 channel I get a power reduction of about 17% to all speakers. That is pretty far from the 50 to 70% claimed by some members. You just gotta do your homework. -
Ya, i get what you were saying, just a out of nowhere Balls of steel remark, LMAO,,Well, that is true. If you go out and buy a yammie or some other 2 or 300 dollar unit that has 100 WPC rated at 1Khz you probably will get 30 to 40 WPC in surround mode. I just see that some members on this forum take it to mean that most units have a power reduction of this magnitude on most receivers and that is not the case.
When running mine in 5.1 channel I get a power reduction of about 17% to all speakers. That is pretty far from the 50 to 70% claimed by some members. You just gotta do your homework.Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with. -
WOW.. I love this club.. Makes me Laugh!
I will more than likely just listen to music with this sytsem. I have a 62" tv in the basement that when i get the time or the kids are not watching BARNEY, I CARLEY or SCOOBY freaking DOO I watch but as far as a movie forget about it.
I will just be using it as a 2 channel system and no I do not listen to music so load tha the snot runs out your sinus cavity into your lap, I enjoy music at good level. My budget is around $400-500 and want a good sounding system that yes in later times would like to upgrade so I uderstand the need for pre outs and how it will be more flexible of a system.
Thanks for all the input and I will continue to look and ask questions. -
Glad to have members with a sence of humor,, more to come, and good luck,jon1redleg wrote: »WOW.. I love this club.. Makes me Laugh!
I will more than likely just listen to music with this sytsem. I have a 62" tv in the basement that when i get the time or the kids are not watching BARNEY, I CARLEY or SCOOBY freaking DOO I watch but as far as a movie forget about it.
I will just be using it as a 2 channel system and no I do not listen to music so load tha the snot runs out your sinus cavity into your lap, I enjoy music at good level. My budget is around $400-500 and want a good sounding system that yes in later times would like to upgrade so I uderstand the need for pre outs and how it will be more flexible of a system.
Thanks for all the input and I will continue to look and ask questions.Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with. -
How about a HK-3490 150 wpc , seen one for little under $500 after taxes.
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That would be just fine, I grew up useing H/K gear, still do, though its an older unit,jon1redleg wrote: »How about a HK-3490 150 wpc , seen one for little under $500 after taxes.Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with. -
HK-3490 is an older unit or yours is? Anything has to be better than my old Kenwood KA-v6000!
I just found hk on their web sight , must be old. -
My 2 channel unit is old, its 75 watts per channel, 40 amps,, And kicks **** in 2 channel mode,,jon1redleg wrote: »HK-3490 is an older unit or yours is? Anything has to be better than my old Kenwood KA-v6000!
I just found hk on their web sight , must be old.Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with. -
The H/K 3490, is i believe a 2008, model, 120, watts per channel, in 8 ohms, 150, in 4 ohms, Lots of guys on here use em for 2 channel, Very nice receiver,, jimmy.jon1redleg wrote: »HK-3490 is an older unit or yours is? Anything has to be better than my old Kenwood KA-v6000!
I just found hk on their web sight , must be old.Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with. -
Carefull now.....I think I am sold! Now all I got to do is donate some bone marrow to purchase.
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I thought the H/K 3490 was 120 watts per channel 8 ohms.Home Theatre.............
Pioneer SC-35
Polk RTi10's Fronts
Polk CSiA6 Center
RTi4 Surrounds
SVS PB-12 Sub
2 Channel.............................
Yaqin MC-100B
Energy RC-70 Speakers
Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
Van Den Hul Interconnects -
jon1redleg wrote: »Carefull now.....I think I am sold! Now all I got to do is donate some bone marrow to purchase.

The H/K 3490 is $380 shipped from Amazon right now. Keep your eye on it though, I got mine from them for $320 shipped last year.
For the money, it's very hard to beat. -
Not an Audiophile, just a dude who loves music, and decent gear to hear it with.
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I seen that last night on their page, I am waiting to see what price I can get from local shop. If they can not beat or match
I will go Amazon.
Thanks to all for the help. -
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I wiill sell you a Denon 1911 for $250
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I own the Denon AVR 891 it puts out 135 WPC in 2 channel mode and drops to 105 WPC in 7 channel, the AVR 791 which you are considering Is 125 WPC in 2 channel, and drops to 90 WPC when using 7 channel, thats still pretty decent if you are going to buy the AVR 791 I think you would be more than happy with it.Home Theater
Parasound Halo A 31 OnkyoTX-NR838 Sony XBR55X850B 55" 4K RtiA9 Fronts CsiA6 Center RtiA3 Rears FxiA6 Side Surrounds Dual Psw 111's Oppo 105D Signal Ultra Speaker Cables & IC's Signal Magic Power Cable Technics SL Q300 Panamax MR4300 Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables Audioquest Forest USB Cable
2 Channel
Adcom 555II Vincent SA-T1 Marantz SA 15S2 Denon DR-M11 Clearaudio Bluemotion SDA 2.3tl's (Z) edition MIT Terminator II Speaker Cables & IC's Adcom 545II Adcom Gtp-450 Marantz CD5004 Technics M245X SDA 2B's, SDA CRS+
Stuff for the Head
JD LABS C5 Headphone Amplifier, Sennheiser HD 598, Polk Audio Buckle, Polk Audio Hinge, Velodyne vPulse, Bose IE2, Sennheiser CX 200 Street II, Sennheiser MX 365
Shower & Off the beaten path Rigs
Polk Audio Boom Swimmer, Polk Audio Urchin
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jon1redleg wrote: »How about a HK-3490 150 wpc , seen one for little under $500 after taxes.
You kind find these units a lot cheaper than that! At one point, they were selling for $279 new?
Like Max says above, look around and 'wait'.
On Denons, I used to own an AVR-887, it had pre-outs and weighed 5 pounds more than the AVR-891. Denon has most definitely been 'adding' features but also cheaping out the construction of their sub higher end units!
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]








