Denon 2808 or Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH or Emotiva DMR-1?

[roshi]

After not finding a good solution for a receiver thinner than 6", I decided to change my media center, to get more options.
Also, I'm not getting the Paradigm Cinema 110 Series, I listened to them and I didn't really like them. So I decided to get the following speakers. (Not all at once, for budget reasons, but eventually this will be my set-up)
Fronts: Paradigm Monitor 7
Center: Paradigm CC-290
Surroundsaradigm ADP-190 (or maybe the Atom Monitors, not sure yet, bu those will be the last to be bought)
Sub: Paradigm PS-1000 (maybe the 1200 depending on price)

Now I need a receiver to run all of this. I narrowed it down in pricerange to the following:

• Denon 2808
• Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH
• Emotiva DMR-1

I like that the Denon and Pioneer both have a lot functions with regards to EQs and they have HDMI integrated. The Emotiva has great reviews though, so I'm not sure.
What do you guys think?
Thanks for any help, you guys are awesome!

 

[roshi]

I just took a look at some of the onkyo's. The TX-SR805 and 705 would both be possible in my budget (especially the 705). It seems that they have more features than the other brands.
I just don't know if there are any major differences in quality or technology between the Denon, Pioneer and Onkyo (or what about Marantz?). Then there is Emotiva too.
I'd appreciate any input.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

First let me say that I am happy you didnt let space constraints dictate your AVR.

All of the major brands you have listed are fine and you would be hard pressed to find any difference in the sound between them. For a AVR at the level you are lookng; you just need to pick out the one that has all the features you want/need and has a look you can live with. The Onk 605 and 705 seem to be the "flavor of the month" and both are great recievers. Remember a AVR should only take up a small % (25% or so)of your HT budget as the speakers are what will make the sound. I used to use a 300 buck AVR on my 10K (or whatever I have into it; if I actually figured out the cost it would probably make me sick) system and it held it's weight just fine.

I would also look into a different sub it it were me; there are a lt of better bang for the buck subs then the paradigm you are looking at.

 

[roshi]

I would also look into a different sub it it were me; there are a lt of better bang for the buck subs then the paradigm you are looking at.

Shouldn't you stay within the family or at least brand of speakers?

Also if all of the brands above (except Emotiva) are about the same in quality and build, how come Onkyo is so much cheaper than the others?

Thanks!

 

[Thunder18]

For the left, front and center speakers you should definately stay in the same family. The surrounds and the sub, not necessarily. For the amount of information you get from the surrounds, you're not likely to notice if the timbre does not match exactly. Unless you like to listen to the multi-channel stereo modes frequently. The Sub is only supplying low frequency materiel. You won't hear voices through it. Most of the good speaker manufacturers don't really seem to make good subs anyway and vice versa.

As for the receivers. Onkyo seems to have pulled a huge gambit as far as features and price are concerned. They are quite possibly the best bang for the buck at the moment.

 

[Bluesmoke]

how come Onkyo is so much cheaper than the others?

Thanks!

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Onkyos have excellent features and specs this year. However, there have been a vast number of people complaining about speaker popping, overheating, to straight up fire and smoke from their units.

Unless you can try one out and can exchange/return an Onkyo, I wouldn't touch it.

 

[roshi]

Onkyo, i would probably get from Circuit City with a 3 year plan for 30$, so that shouldn't be a problem...

Thanks for all your responses, I appreaciate them greatly.

 

[WndrBr3d]

I was actually looking into the 2808CI myself, but actually decided to opt for the 2308CI. I was looking at the features between the two and other than the minimal power difference (10wpc) and a couple other features I wont be needing (Zone3, eight channel analog input, audio processing for SACD/DVDA), the 2308CI made more sense.

I actually was able to get it at Best Buy locally with a four year warranty (only $99) for $1,000 out the door.

The main reason for my upgrade though was video capability and HDMI up conversion. Since the 2808CI and the 2308CI have the same video logic, it only made sense to save the money

Just some food for thought

 

[mahdlokg]

805 vs 705

Onkyo, i would probably get from Circuit City with a 3 year plan for 30$, so that shouldn't be a problem...

Thanks for all your responses, I appreaciate them greatly.

Just my personal opinion, but If you are considering the 705, you really ought to consider the 805 for about 150 more. The weight differences alone are telling you something.(50 lbs compared to 28!) I've read several online reviews where people bought the 505, 605 and 705 and then turned them back in for either an 805 or an 875, and experienced a huge difference in overall quality. Personally, I'm opting for the 805 over the 875, because I don't need the Reon processor. There are online coupons for 10% off CC prices, which would get you an 805 for a little over $800.00. IF you go Onkyo, that would be the way to go IMHO. Good luck!

 

[Seth=L]

.....speaker popping, overheating, to straight up fire and smoke from their units.

Do you have a reference to this information?

 

[rnatalli]

All the receivers you've listed are fine. Find the one with the features you want and the best price. I'll throw a couple of alternatives out. The Emotiva LMC-1/LPA-1 combo and the Outlaw Audio 970/7075 combo. These have no or limited HDMI capability, but are great combo's.

 

[tn001d]

Yoshi,

I have been combing though different forums and threads about new receivers. Initially i was pro denon, since i own 2 of there receivers already. I think looked at the sony 4300/5300, then onkyo 875/805, then pioneer elite 92/94 models. I was set on the onkyo 875 for ther Reon processor, because it was the best out there. Long story short... i have decided on the Denon. As they say your, initial instict is usually the right one.

So for you i would say get the Denon 2808. And if you need extra HDMI connection downt the road, just get the oppo hdmi expander for $100.

 

[Seth=L]

Yoshi,

I was set on the onkyo 875 for ther Reon processor, because it was the best out there. Long story short... i have decided on the Denon. As they say your, initial instict is usually the right one.

What made you change your mind about the Onkyo?

 

[tn001d]

Reasons i decided against the onkyo are as follows.

1) Looks: I really dont like the face of the unit. Its not as pretty as the Denon. (Frankly, i liked previous Denon units better, i think they have gone down hill in that respect). Denon is the lesser of the two evils in terms of bad looks.

2) Remote: Denon has better remote control.

3) Graphical User Interface (GUI): Denon has best GUI out there that will overlay video in 1080p, not even the sony 5300es will do that. The onkyo has an outdated GUI.

4) Set-up: I like the fact that i can rename inputs with the denon, where as the onkyo has fixed label hard inputs buttons on front.

5) Coolness: The onkyo's run hot as hell from what i have heard. My current denon reciever gets mildly warm at best.

6) DCDi vs Reon: Not applicable. Most sources will upconvert themselves or just pass 1080p signal through the receiver. I have read several reviews that the Reon in the onkyo didnt perform as well as stand alone players with the same chip. Anyway, the only thing that i would need any video processing would be for 1080i cable box or standard vcr.. i think the Faroudja would do that just fine.

7) DAC's. The onkyo has better DAC's, not sure how much an impact that will have in the real world. I have to say at least these guys publish what they have under there hoods. Sony? Pioneer?

Dont get me wrong i think onkyo is a great company. I am happy at least they make components in silver still. Silver was such a fad for a few years, now everything is back to black. It hard to upgrade components when everything is silver in your rack, and you dont want a black sore thumb out.

Onkyo make a great audiophile stand alone CD player, and a i look forward to there HD-DVD player.

Hope i answered your question.

 

[Seth=L]

Most of it seems to be personal preferance outside of heating issues. A cooling system could be employed to render this problem moot.

The Onkyo is technically (spec wise) better than the Denon.

I personally like the look of the Onkyo more than the Denon. I think the Denons look cheasy for soem reason.

 

[tn001d]

Most of it seems to be personal preferance outside of heating issues. A cooling system could be employed to render this problem moot.

The Onkyo is technically (spec wise) better than the Denon.

I personally like the look of the Onkyo more than the Denon. I think the Denons look cheasy for soem reason.

I went back and looked at some of my notes on these receivers i forgot a few things.

8) I had read a review that the onkyo units altered Black level output over HDMI even if it was just as passthrough. The reviewer had to adjust his monitor to compensate. I cant remember where i read this, but i recall it was a professional review.

9) Several people reported audio delays with the onkyo receivers. This occured with fast forwarding and rewinding with DVR. This might have been an HDMI issue with the satellite box. But several people mentioned that they no longer had this problem after they returned the onkyo and purchased a Denon.

10) The 3808 has a USB port on the front for music and photos, very convenient and useful.

I know THX carries some wait, but most Denon recievers perform at or above THX specs , but just dont pay for extra liscencing to have the Logo on there.

So i am going to wait for the price to fall on the 3808, as they always do towards the end of the product year. I figure it should hit around $1000-1100.