Home Theater Reciever

[Althornin]

I'm looking at replacing my ageing Dolby Pro Logic capable reciever with something more....up to date.

I'm really looking at a couple of models right now, and i was wondering if anyone had any advice:
Denon AVR-2802
Sony STR-DE995

The Denon looks to have better sound quality, but less features and less ease of use.
Was wondering if anyone has any insight or advice, or contradictory thoughts, or maybe another model that i am not considering. The Denon model is right at my max price range, so nothing to high end.

Thanks!

 

[PC-Engine]

Yamaha RX-V1300

It has all three categories covered and cheaper than the Denon too

 

[MuFu]

Marantz SR4300/5300, Nad T742 perhaps?

MuFu.

 

[Althornin]

Well, i think the Marantz 5300 looks like a great choice to me.
So does that Yamaha.
Damn. This is hard

 

[MuFu]

What are your listening habits, film/movie-wise?

I would go and get some in-store demos and see what you like. Personally I've never liked the sound of the cheaper Denon or Sony receivers, especially not for music. In fact, the only sub-£500 receiver I have heard and been impressed by for stereo use is the Nad T752.

Never demo'd a Marantz receiver, but from what I've heard the power stage of the 5200 is far superior to that of the 4200 (paper specs aside) and is well worth the extra cost. I assume it is the same for their new models.

MuFu.

 

[Dr. Ffreeze]

Althornin,

I myself am looking into replacing my main stereo (hahah, my computer is hooked up to a 5.1 ready Sony) receiver. I have looked at Denon, Yamaha, and even Pioneer (/gasp). The Pioneer has a very interesting "Multichannel Acoustic Calibration system (microphone included)", many features, and not that expensive. One of my main concerns is bass management for what I hope is (4) 12" or (4) 15" subs in the crawlspace. =)

$293 on www.dealtime.com (not Crazy Eddie's)

Pioneer VSX-D912K 6 Channel Home Theater Receiver
110 watts x 6 • Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24 and Dolby Pro-Logic II • Multichannel Acoustic Calibration system automatically balances speaker levels • component video switching • multibrand/learning LCD remote control • 7.1 input and 6.1 preamp output

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/...&c=4&g=10420&I=130VSXD912&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N

Hope this helps,
Dr. Ffreeze

 

[Althornin]

Ok, i definately need to go get some demo time on these units, so i can hear for myself what each is capable of.

I watch movies and listen to music on my computer - center of my home entertainment center I also want games to sound awesome - currently, they are being limited by the prologic (lack of dolby digital).
I'd be using optical outputs on the soundcard (Audigy) to go directly to the reciever.
I also want something that i wont want to upgrade again for a while, which is why i am willing to spend some money on it, just not a lot cause i am poor.


I like that feature on the pioneer, my friends and i ahve been saying that it needs to be a feature for years!
My concern is, how do each of them sound??? I guess i must go and listen - how can i hear several recievers on similar setups so i can properly compare though? seems to me most dealers wont carry all brands, but maybe i am wrong.