THX Ultra2 PLUS - what is it good for? Better than THX Ultra2?

[Heimkino]

Greetings,

I'm new here.

Because of new products supporting the whole HD-stuff, I'd like to get a new home theater in 2008. Actually I own a Denon AVC-A1SRA combined with the DVD-A1 of the same brand. The A/V-receiver drives a 7.1 THX-Ultra 2 certified loudspeaker system.

As I already said, I want to sell my DVD-A1 and AVC-A1SRA to buy something that supports Blu-Ray and HD DVD and further Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD, etc.

Well, I don't know, when they'll be available here in Germany, but these buddies are, what I want in 2008:

--> denon.co.jp/company/release/newavamp.html

The Denon AVC-A1HD or maybe even the combined Denon AVP-A1HD + POA-A1HD would be perfect for me. They seem to support THX Ultra2. So far, so good... no... maybe bad...

The RX-Z11 buddy from Yamaha supports THX Ultra2 Plus. "Plus"... that means more than THX Ultra 2 "without Plus"... :

--> yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=558249&CTID=5000300

I really would like to stay at Denon, because I'm a Denon-user for years now and happy with their products, that are mostly made in Japan and not Malaysia or China. (But maybe this is unimportant.)

My question so far:

Is there a huge advantage of the THX Ultra2 Plus, compared to the THX Ultra 2? Would you prefer the Yamaha over the Denon ONLY BECAUSE of that "PLUS"???

Thank you for every answer!!!

 

[j_garcia]

Clearly a new product from them. This is all I could find about it on their site:

http://www.thx.com/news/20070806A.html

 

[fmw]

Basically a receiver has to produce more amplifier power in order to acheive Ultra 2 Plus certification.

 

[AVRat]

If you don't need 10 channels of amplification, Denon will be producing a 7-channel AVR-5308. Don't know the European model number. Should know more about it after CEDIA show this week in the states. Just checked, I think it's the AVC-A1HD that you mentioned.

 

[jcPanny]

High end seperates

In your high end price range, you should consider seperates (Preamp/processor + 7 channel amp). That way you can upgrade the pre-pro when new technology is available and keep a good quality amp for many years.

Pre-pros including the new Integra are starting to include HDMI 1.3 and all the latest features. Also, check out the new digital amp from Axiom. 1400 Watts and dynamic distribution of power sound cool but no reviews yet.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/A1400-8.html

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

In your high end price range, you should consider seperates (Preamp/processor + 7 channel amp).

Pre-pros including the new Integra are starting to include HDMI 1.3 and all the latest features. Also, check out the new digital amp from Axiom. 1400 Watts and dynamic distribution of power sound cool but no reviews yet.

Yeah, but at ONE CHANNEL DRIVEN?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

THX Ultra2 Plus Vs. THX Ultra 2?

Pure marketing scheme!

I would rather get a NON- THX AVR4308 receiver from Denon than a Pioneer, Yamaha, or Onkyo THX Ultra 2 PLUS X 10 to the infinity power

Pioneer, Yamaha, and Onkyo are good receivers, but the fact is that THX of any kind doesn't mean anything as long as you have a great company like Denon.

 

[darien87]

Pure marketing scheme!

I would rather get a NON- THX AVR4308 receiver from Denon than a Pioneer, Yamaha, or Onkyo THX Ultra 2 PLUS X 10 to the infinity power

Pioneer, Yamaha, and Onkyo are good receivers, but the fact is that THX of any kind doesn't mean anything as long as you have a great company like Denon.

Can you please explain your logic here?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Can you please explain your logic here?

Oh, good, can we get some kind of controversy going on here?

Companies have to pay Lucas Films money just for that THX Logo. It meets the "THX" specification for power rating, features, etc.

But who thinks a Denon AVR-2808 will NOT meet or exceed all those THX standards, even though it does not carry the THX logo? The Denon 3808 and 4308 do not carry the THX Logo either. But come on! Which would you rather have? The Denon 4308 or the Onkyo 805 THX Ultra2?

The Pioneer VSX-1016TX THX Select2 receiver at Best Buy is rated @ 110wpc w/ THD of 0.09%. It has HDMI-1.1 or 1.2 & no TrueHD or DTS-MA.

The Denon 2808 is 110wpc THD of 0.05%, has HDMI 1.3, TrueHD, & DTS-MA.
Which is better? The THX Pioneer or the non-THX Denon?

 

[j_garcia]

I am not a fan of Pioneer's receivers, so I won't comment on them, but Denon is really not much different from any other receiver manufacturer, THX or not. Yes the companies have to license the logo, but it really adds nothing to the cost to the consumer. I agree, it doesn't necessarily make one receiver better than another, but beyond that I don't follow what you are saying except that it comes off as "Denon is the best". Between the 805 and the 4308, I'd take the 805.

 

[darien87]

I am not a fan of Pioneer's receivers, so I won't comment on them, but Denon is really not much different from any other receiver manufacturer, THX or not. Yes the companies have to license the logo, but it really adds nothing to the cost to the consumer. I agree, it doesn't necessarily make one receiver better than another, but beyond that I don't follow what you are saying except that it comes off as "Denon is the best". Between the 805 and the 4308, I'd take the 805.

Exactly what I was thinking. I wasn't trying to start a flame war. It's just that you came off like a "fanboy".

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Between the 805 and the 4308, I'd take the 805.

Okay, that requires explanation!
You mean if someone were to GIVE you one of those receivers for FREE, you would take the Onkyo 805?

 

[Heimkino]

Hello again,

I agree with you AcuDefTechGuy, I think Denon is a good company that produces components of a good quality.

But until now I thought THX is kind of a quality seal. THX 2 Ultra - so were my thoughts - gives you a guaranty that every single component of your home theater works fine together, and that on a high level.

I have no experience with the Yamaha company. I only can say that I own Denon stuff for a long time and I'm very very pleased with everythink I own from Denon.

Maybe this is a very simple perception, but I like Denon. But I don't understand why they do not offer THX Ultra 2 Plus for their newest high-end products that will come out in 2008 (in Europe). I really want this "PLUS", because it is something new... George Lucas has caught me again... holy ...shi..... uhm.. Lucas...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I wasn't trying to start a flame war. It's just that you came off like a "fanboy".

I don't even own a receiver. I have never owned Denon products. I've listened to various receivers. Most of them sound the same to me. My local HT store has the Denon 4308, and the Denon just sounds more neutral to me than any receiver I've listened to. But I could be wrong.

Bottom line, THX of any kind doesn't really mean all that much. The logo does look cool, though.

 

[avaserfi]

I wouldn't say THX certification means nothing, but just because a receiver doesn't have it doesn't mean the receiver couldn't have gotten it. MDS said it best here:

THX certification means many things. First and foremost it means that the amp section meets the THX guidelines for performance. It also means that the receiver includes TXH post-processing routines that can, in some cases, improve the audio experience.

THX certification is not the be-all, end-all, most important 'feature' of a receiver but you should not dismiss it out of hand. Many will say that THX is just a money grab (manufacturers must pay to obtain certifications) or that many recievers that are not certified meet the same basic criteria but that in itself is not sufficient. THX certification is valuable but does not necessarily mean that one receiver will be more suited to you requirements than another that lacks the certification.

Read the THX site to see full certification requirements.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't understand why they do not offer THX Ultra 2 Plus for their newest high-end products that will come out in 2008 (in Europe). I really want this "PLUS", because it is something new...

I believe "AUDYSSEY" is the competition of THX/Lucas Films. Tomlinson Holman is the man behind THX. He left THX and started this AUDYSSEY. I believe.

 

[darien87]

I've owned both Denon and Yamaha receivers, and I liked them both. It's just that this time around, Yamaha had the features I wanted at the price I was willing to pay.

 

[j_garcia]

Read the THX site to see full certification requirements.

I'm pretty certain the actual test requirements are not published and available to the public.

Okay, that requires explanation!
You mean if someone were to GIVE you one of those receivers for FREE, you would take the Onkyo 805?

If they were free, I wouldn't really care which one I got But I'd probably still go with the Onkyo. (make it a 4806 or 4808 and that might change...)

 

[avaserfi]

You are right J. I tried searching online and couldn't find it. Oddly, the best source I could find was right here! Doesn't answer all the questions, but it certainly helps out.

http://www.audioholics.com/education/audio-formats-technology/thx-select-and-thx-ultra2-certification-general-questions