Help me choose: Denon AVR4520ci or Marantz SR7008

[tonydahose]

I am trying to decide on which one of these. My current set up
is older 58" plasma tv
aperion audio intimus 5T
hsu sub stf1
I also have an extra set of bookshelf intimus speakers and the sub that came with the system which i currently dont use but plan on adding it to my system with the new rcvr
I plan on upgrading the tv a led 4k in the next year or two when prices drop

I plan on having front wide and high speakers but no in ceiling ones. the room is 20' X 13' with the tv centered on the long wall. These two rcvrs are within $10 of each other at accesories for less. Which would you pick and why? I have read reviews on both. One said that the midrange on the denon sucked. Others said the sound was fine. here are the 2 rcvrs. Anything else in that range that you would suggest? It seems that most people have had no problems with buying refurbished from accessories4less. Any reservations on getting a refurb?

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr7008/marantz-sr7008-9.2-network-home-theater-receiver-with-airplay/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavr4520ci/denon-avr-4520ci-denon-s-flagship-home-theater-receiver-150wpc/1.html

i added one more, new from amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-X4000-7-2-Channel-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00CALM17C/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421618046&sr=1-2&keywords=denon+receiver+9.2

Thanks

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would not buy refurbished.

I would call Onecall & Electronics Expo and see if they would sell a brand new X4000 for $700 delivered.

Or buy the X4000 Like-New from Amazon Warehouse (full 3YR Denon warranty) for $682.

 

[zieglj01]

It is all about you - some people will say Denon, and I would say Marantz.

Where you buy is up to you - I will say, that I have had no problems with AC4L

 

[PENG]

Definitely the 4520, superior specs and more power output for $1099 brand new, unbeatable..

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-4520CI-Networking-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0092KZCKC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421631186&sr=1-1&keywords=denon receiver 4520

The 7008 is nice but not at the same level as the 4520. It is sort of in between the X4000 and the 4520.

 

[GIEGAR]

Definitely the 4520, superior specs and more power output for $1099 brand new, unbeatable..

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-4520CI-Networking-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0092KZCKC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421631186&sr=1-1&keywords=denon receiver 4520

The 7008 is nice but not at the same level as the 4520. It is sort of in between the X4000 and the 4520.

+1 The 4520 by a country mile. Awesome machine for the money. Made in Japan build quality too.

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I have read reviews on both. One said that the midrange on the denon sucked. Others said the sound was fine.

That's what got you second guessing Tony. Please ignore the subjective descriptions of the "sound quality" of various AVR's. They're simply nonsense. All modern AVR's operate at vanishingly low levels of distortion and deviation from a flat frequency response. They effectively make no "sound" at all when all EQ and post-processing is disabled.

It seems that most people have had no problems with buying refurbished from accessories4less. Any reservations on getting a refurb?

None as far as I'm concerned. I recall nothing but positive reports about refurbished units from A4L.

That 4520 for $889 you linked is a steal.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

I myself own the SR7008 and I can say that it is amazing receiver. I don't like Denon receivers myself so my vote would be for Marantz. I don't say there is anything wrong with Denon but I prefer Marantz.

 

[tonydahose]

well appearantly all 5 of the like new x4000 at amazon warehouse that were there last nite have been bought...lol. i think i am going to go with the 4520. A4L has an extended warranty thru a 3rd party called new leaf. 5 yrs total warranty for an extra $100. anybody have any dealings with them. The rep said that i can continue to bring it to a denon authorized repair center which isnt a big deal since i am close to abtelectronics, i actually worked there as a side job for awhile.

 

[tonydahose]

i was doing a bit of research on the rcvr so i was looking at crutchfield for info, reviews etc. It said that this rcvr wasn't hdcp 2.2 compliant. i chatted with a rep and he said i couldnt run my blu ray or sat input thru the rcvr and then into a 4k tv because it wont work when this becomes standard. he said it is a hardware issue not software so i cant get a software update to remedy it. now i am second guessing myself on waiting for a bit until the rcvrs have this. i want a 4k in the future but i want my rcvr to work with it too. he said onkyo is the only company that they carry that has the new hardware built in.

 

[slipperybidness]

i was doing a bit of research on the rcvr so i was looking at crutchfield for info, reviews etc. It said that this rcvr wasn't hdcp 2.2 compliant. i chatted with a rep and he said i couldnt run my blu ray or sat input thru the rcvr and then into a 4k tv because it wont work when this becomes standard. he said it is a hardware issue not software so i cant get a software update to remedy it. now i am second guessing myself on waiting for a bit until the rcvrs have this. i want a 4k in the future but i want my rcvr to work with it too. he said onkyo is the only company that they carry that has the new hardware built in.

At least they gave you good info and didn't try to take your money and run.

All this info is spot-on.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I would confirm what ADTG said above and I emphasize than you better skimp a bit on the avr and add more budget into new Sub. STF1 is nice sub , but not nearly enough for 20x13 (plus open to other rooms?) space

X3000 Amazon warehouse deals still has most of x4000 features and would probably be sufficient for you.
remember it's not the electronics, but the speakers is what makes 90% difference on sound quality.

 

[tonydahose]

i just checked on the hsu. it is only turned half way up and it is decent for me and more than enough for the mrs. lol. I also have the aperion bravus II 8" sub in my basement that i want to incorporate into this room. I would think this should be good enough??? as for the speakers i think the aperions are pretty damn good. they were definetely a huge upgrade from what i had. I have to thank this forum for that. I had like 3 or 4 posts and i won the set of bookshelf speakers that were in a contest. i liked them so much that i bought the intimus set. only difference is that they had gotten rid of the glossy black finish so not everything is a perfect match visually. I can live with that. thanks again for everybody who chimed in here. From helping me pick the shu sub to all the other advice given it is really appreciated. I don't think i will ever be a giant audiophile but it is nice to know that i can come on here and get good info when i need it.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Good sub is not just for thumping, but to pressuring the room and providing clean and powerful bass from about 20hz upto at least 120hz.
Like i said hsu sft1 is nice little sub, but i question it's performance in your large room. If you don't believe me just call hsu. Adding a different sub is quite the challenge to do correctly and in most cases is not advised.

 

[tonydahose]

ok, i called. she said with my height ceiling it is borderline enough sub if it was a closed room, which of course it isn't..lol. I thought those mics that come with the rcvrs and the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 do a good job at getting both subs tuned in to sound good? i called aperion the other day and their guy said their sub would work with the stf1. he said make sure one is in phase and the other opposite?? luckily i have a sound guy that lives on my block that sets up the acoustics for bands playing at bars and small clubs. i am hoping he could help me fine too it if necessary. fingers crossed for luck.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Xt32 is not enough. You would need subeq to properly integrate two subs, still i think getting new sub would be better value over fancier avr

 

[PENG]

Xt32 is not enough. You would need subeq to properly integrate two subs, still i think getting new sub would be better value over fancier avr

The X4000 does come with Sub EQ HT.

 

[fuzz092888]

I'm seeing an X4000 like new on amazon right now. Last one. As someone who scored a like new X4000 I can vouch for them. Comparable to my 8801 for my uses.

 

[tonydahose]

Thanks, but I think I will hold off on the big purchase until the beginning of 2016 when the 2015 rcvrs are on sale and maybe get one with the new DTS-X and something that is hdcp 2.2 compliant. So my question now is should i just stick with my Yamaha http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HTR-6130BL-5-1-Channel-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0013Z9F66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421803612&sr=8-1&keywords=yamaha+htr6130&pebp=1421803614660&peasin=B0013Z9F66

or get a something a bit more advanced, maybe with 7.1. I just went into the basement and then the garage (that is my progression for the old rcvrs. After the garage it goes to my firehouse )and it seems i have been upgrading rcvrs about every 2-3 years. Nothing real high end but every time the new one has more bells and whistles. I was thinking something used/refurbished or like new for under $300. Or stay with what i have?

 

[tonydahose]

i guess this money i have saved up is just burning a hole in my wallet. i went and bought this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BLGUKDE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 3 yr warranty was $20 so i threw that in too. It is has 7.2 channels for the front highs. This should hold me over till 2017 i'm guessing. Reviews were pretty decent. I am still going to have my neighbor come over and try to balance that other sub with the hsu. If not I think the stf2 or the vtf 1 should be good. I'm afraid i wouldn't know how to calibrate the vtf though lol.