Denon Stereo Receivers

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angstadt530

Audioholic
I was browsing Denon's website, and I noticed their DRA-37. It has all the inputs I need, it's stable at 4 ohms, and it has preouts for if I ever want/need a sub or some more power (the receiver provides only 50 watts/channel--but I don't listen to really loud music/movies anyway).

I'm looking to add a not-so-expensive stereo system to my living room and I was set on the Pioneer VSX-816 until I noticed this. They are about the same price, so now I'm not really sure. (I want to stay under $300.) My thoughts are that since the Pioneer is a surround sound model with more bells and whistles, more money went into the stereo sound quality on the Denon than that on the Pioneer.

If it helps, I'm currently using an old pair of speakers that used to be my mother's, but I'm looking to upgrade to a pair of sub-$1000 floorstanders in the next couple of years. (Monitor Audio, Aperion Audio, the new MTS from SVS, Energy, Infinity, and the new x-sls from Onix are a few models that I'm considering.) Also, I'll be using the receiver for a mix of TV, music, movies, and video games.

So anyways, if anybody has any experience with Denon stereo receivers or any thoughts on the Pioneer vs. the Denon (or any other sub-$400 receiver), I'm all ears! Here are the links:

Denon: http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3389.asp
Pioneer: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069809_299915436,00.html

Thanks!
 
ParadigmDawg

ParadigmDawg

Audioholic Overlord
I would truely consider something with ~100 watts/ch since you are planning a speaker upgrade. Spend 100 more bucks and get something like the Yammy 659. Denon and Pioneer should have comaparable models and I think you will end up better off in the long run. If you dont mind buying ID you can probably get the 659 for a tad over 300 bucks.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
Things to consider looking at the two receivers you mentioned.

1.) The Denon is 4 ohm stable, making it's 50 watts worth more than the Pioneer's 100 watts (not exact on the wattage it may be 110, but it is irrelevant in any case).

2.) They both have preouts, so you can add an amp to either.

3.) Depending on how much you want to get into home theater you may want to skip the Denon just because you will be left with a piece of equipment you may not be able to use.
 
Z

zumbo

Audioholic Spartan
50W isn't enough.

It's 4ohm stable. That doesn't mean it has more than 50W. It's 50W.

The Pioneer is rated @1k. If you look, it states it has 220W total power. 220/7 = 31.43WPC. That will not cut it for HT, even though it will be used for 2-channel. Not a wise purchase.

Now, this Yamaha has a total of 400W. 400/7 = 57.14WPC. So, you can get 57W for all 7 channels. And, you get a claimed@1k 115W. Probably around 85W 20-20k. Not bad for the price. This isn't enough for HT(IMO), but it does have decent 2-channel power. And, it smokes the other two options.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=31550
 
Tetonmtnbiker

Tetonmtnbiker

Enthusiast
My $.02

Quote: "I'm looking to upgrade to a pair of sub-$1000 floorstanders in the next couple of years. (Monitor Audio, Aperion Audio, the new MTS from SVS, Energy, Infinity, and the new x-sls from Onix are a few models that I'm considering.)"

I currently have one of the speakers on your list (Monitor Audio Silver RS6), and while they are not power hogs (sensitivity = 91db) I think you might be unimpressed with a 50 watt amp. I just upgraded from an older 60 watt Denon reciever to an amp with 120 watts per channel (the speakers power handling capability) and the bass and soundstage improved dramatically. I would pick the speakers you want to get and then determine what your needs are in the reciever.

Teton
 
A

angstadt530

Audioholic
Thanks for the input guys; let me clarify a few things:

If and when I buy a new pair of floorstanders, I will most likely be getting an external amp, but for now I'm ok with just 50 watts. My old receiver was a cheap RCA receiver with 50 watts/channel, and these speakers sound just fine to me. I know they'd sound better with more power, but this system will be ok without it for now.

This is separate from my HT, and I have no intensions of ever upgrading to surround sound in my living room. 2.1 is all I'm looking for in this system.

I actually prefer buying ID! I'll go out and sample products in stores, but I'll buy online because I can get the best deals that way--but I won't buy from a site that isn't an authorized dealer of the product and doesn't carry the original manufacturer's warranty.


So it sounds like the Pioneer is out. I'll give that Yammie a look; thanks, zumbo!
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
zumbo said:
50W isn't enough.

It's 4ohm stable. That doesn't mean it has more than 50W. It's 50W.

The Pioneer is rated @1k. If you look, it states it has 220W total power. 220/7 = 31.43WPC. That will not cut it for HT, even though it will be used for 2-channel. Not a wise purchase.

Now, this Yamaha has a total of 400W. 400/7 = 57.14WPC. So, you can get 57W for all 7 channels. And, you get a claimed@1k 115W. Probably around 85W 20-20k. Not bad for the price. This isn't enough for HT(IMO), but it does have decent 2-channel power. And, it smokes the other two options.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=31550
Click to expand...
I am not saying that the Denon has more outright power, just that it is more flexible and more than likely has more headroom.

Both receivers have about the same power consumption, in favor of the Denon. The Denon also has a larger power supply than the Pioneer, and a heftier output stage. That Denon is pretty conservatively rated.

That said, the Yamaha RX-V659 is the best option here.:)
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
angstadt530 said:
So the RX-V659 wins out over the Denon, but then again it's also more expensive. If I decided to spend a little bit more, would a more expensive Denon in the higher price range be a better choice than the 659?

DRA-397: http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3364.asp
DRA-697CI: http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3363.asp

Also, would the Yammie still be a better option than the DRA-37 with a Behringer A500 or other equally-priced stereo amp?
Click to expand...
I would say the Yamaha is the best deal you are gonna get, period.:D

It has preouts for future amps as well. A good rule to follow is "buy it right the first time, so you don't have to do it again".
 
A

angstadt530

Audioholic
Seth=L said:
"buy it right the first time, so you don't have to do it again".
Click to expand...
...Yup, that's what my father taught me a long time ago! I just find it interesting that a surround sound receiver would be a better choice than any other equally priced stereo receiver or separates combo... :confused:
 
Z

zumbo

Audioholic Spartan
angstadt530 said:
...Yup, that's what my father taught me a long time ago! I just find it interesting that a surround sound receiver would be a better choice than any other equally priced stereo receiver or separates combo... :confused:
Click to expand...

For the money, they are. We are working with a $300 budget here.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
angstadt530 said:
...Yup, that's what my father taught me a long time ago! I just find it interesting that a surround sound receiver would be a better choice than any other equally priced stereo receiver or separates combo... :confused:
Click to expand...
They should sound identical quality-wise so why not get the niceties of surround sound while you are at it, and not to mention more connectivity and features. If you decide down the line you need more power, it has preouts for all channels. Believe me, if you get the Yamaha RX-V659 or the HTR-5960 that Zumbo mentioned (credit 2 for Zumbo:D) you will be set for some time, I guarantee it.:)
 
Z

zumbo

Audioholic Spartan
angstadt530 said:
This is separate from my HT, and I have no intensions of ever upgrading to surround sound in my living room. 2.1 is all I'm looking for in this system.
Click to expand...
I am not certain about this, but I believe there are not many stereo receivers with a sub-out that offer crossover settings. I looked at the manual for the DRA-37. I don't see a crossover option.

Not only does the Yamaha have crossover settings for the sub-out, it has a phase selection as well.

Subwoofer Crossover (40, 60, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 160, 200Hz) / Subwoofer Phase Select
 
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markw

Audioholic Overlord
With a stereo receiver, it's a moot point.

zumbo said:
I am not certain about this, but I believe there are not many stereo receivers with a sub-out that offer crossover settings. I looked at the manual for the DRA-37. I don't see a crossover option.

Not only does the Yamaha have crossover settings for the sub-out, it has a phase selection as well.

Subwoofer Crossover (40, 60, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 160, 200Hz) / Subwoofer Phase Select
Click to expand...
In all likelihood the subwoofer out on the stereo is just a summed mono signal, which is fine. Remember, a stereo receiver really has no "bass management" in the sense that a full-blown HT receiver has, which will divert bass from the mains while feeding the sub.

In the stereo, the signal to the mains it totally unaffected by the subwoofer out as well.

The good side is that, since it's in parallel with the mains amp, you can use the crossover on the powered sub to dial in the cutoff (actually, low-pass)frequency where you want the sub to start doing it's thang.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
Yes, there is only one stereo receiver that I know of that actually has "bass management", that is the outlandish Outlaw.(retro style:D)
 
Z

zumbo

Audioholic Spartan
markw said:
In all likelihood the subwoofer out on the stereo is just a summed mono signal, which is fine. Remember, a stereo receiver really has no "bass management" in the sense that a full-blown HT receiver has, which will divert bass from the mains while feeding the sub.

In the stereo, the signal to the mains it totally unaffected by the subwoofer out as well.

The good side is that, since it's in parallel with the mains amp, you can use the crossover on the powered sub to dial in the cutoff (actually, low-pass)frequency where you want the sub to start doing it's thang.
Click to expand...
I understand that. But, wouldn't you want to be able to set it in the receiver. I would want to be able to cut sub frequency out of my speakers.
 
Seth=L

Seth=L

Audioholic Overlord
zumbo said:
I understand that. But, wouldn't you want to be able to set it in the receiver. I would want to be able to cut sub frequency out of my speakers.
Click to expand...
I agree with you Zumbo, maybe he didn't realize you were talking about the Yamaha when you posted the different frequency cut-offs.:confused:
 
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