looking at new A/V receiver - am I "over buying"?

[solo40oz]

Hi, I'm a new member here. I currently have a Denon 3312 and it seems as though the hdmi board just bit the dust (I can display denon menu to tv, but none of the components hooked up via hdmi inputs will display). I'm currently looking at the following replacements:

Denon AVRX4100W
Marantz SR7008

My primary goal is to get something that sounds good. I really don't care so much about bells and whistles like bluetooth, streaming, etc... I've read that the the Audyssey XT32 sounds fantastic, which is primarily why I'm looking at these 2 models (they seem to be the least expensive I've found with this option). I'm trying to figure out if these models are overkill based on my current speaker/room setup, which is:

18x16 room
5.1 speaker setup
Front: Boston Acoustics vr950
Center: boston acoustics vr920
Rear: boston acoustics vrs
1080p tv

Questions I have:
1. Am I going to spend extra $$ money here on something that I won't be able to take full advantage of, considering I have speakers that are 13ish years old?
2. I'm a little intrigued by possibly adding some front height and rear to take advantage of the marantz 9.2 - will there be a noticeable difference here?
3. If no to the above questions, any recommendations for other receivers that cost less but might sound as good with my speaker setup?

Thanks for any feedback

 

[herbu]

I think both these receivers are great, and both likely have features you won't use. But then, a bargain model Yamaha from BB likely has features you won't use. There is a relatively small difference in the price of these 2 AVRs and a lower end AVR... several hundred dollars.

What you get is more power, probably meaning you won't need to ever think about a separate amp, (unless you catch the bug). It also means features and system upgrades you may consider in the future, even though they don't interest you now, are available w/o replacing your AVR.

You say you have a 5.1 system, but don't mention a subwoofer. I suppose you have one. If you ever discover the benefit of 2 subs, a lesser AVR will make balancing them more difficult. Maybe one day you decide to put speakers in another room, or on your porch, and could use a Zone 2. Ditto.

If $500 is not a critical amount to you, I would say go ahead and get either of these 2 AVRs. If/when you become serious, look at speakers & subs.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

have you considered repair if Denon 3312? Possibly under warranty (which is 3 years for new Denon from authorized resellers)

 

[solo40oz]

I think both these receivers are great, and both likely have features you won't use. But then, a bargain model Yamaha from BB likely has features you won't use. There is a relatively small difference in the price of these 2 AVRs and a lower end AVR... several hundred dollars.

What you get is more power, probably meaning you won't need to ever think about a separate amp, (unless you catch the bug). It also means features and system upgrades you may consider in the future, even though they don't interest you now, are available w/o replacing your AVR.

You say you have a 5.1 system, but don't mention a subwoofer. I suppose you have one. If you ever discover the benefit of 2 subs, a lesser AVR will make balancing them more difficult. Maybe one day you decide to put speakers in another room, or on your porch, and could use a Zone 2. Ditto.

If $500 is not a critical amount to you, I would say go ahead and get either of these 2 AVRs. If/when you become serious, look at speakers & subs.

Thanks for the response - yes, I do have a sub and forgot to list it. It's a Boston PV800

 

[solo40oz]

have you considered repair if Denon 3312? Possibly under warranty (which is 3 years for new Denon from authorized resellers)

I did check on warranty - unfortunately I'm about 5 weeks out of the 3 year warranty. I couldn't find much online about replacing the hdmi board - other than a few posts where people said it could cost several hundred dollars to do so. I might call Denon just to see what they have to say...

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I did check on warranty - unfortunately I'm about 5 weeks out of the 3 year warranty. I couldn't find much online about replacing the hdmi board - other than a few posts where people said it could cost several hundred dollars to do so. I might call Denon just to see what they have to say...

I'd start there
For $100-200 - I'd say it's worth the repair cost. $300 and higher I'd walk away and get a new one