Yamaha vs. Denon

[kevinm2]

My 20 year old Sony receiver passed away and I'm in the market to purchase a new system. Which is a better choice Denon AVR-3808CI or Yamaha RX-Z9?

Generally speaking how would you compare Yamaha to Denon receivers?

 

[Seth=L]

The RX-Z9 outclasses the Denon for sure. Can you get each for the same price?

Do you have an upconverting DVD player? Do you have an HDTV with HDMI? Do you have an HD DVD or Blu-ray player or plan on getting any of these anytime soon?

What speakers will you be powering with either receiver?

The only think the Denon has on the Yamaha is HDMI 1.3, which isn't worth cutting away the greatness the Z9 offers in power and connectivity/features if each can be had for the same price. Then again you may not need to spend as much as you think on a receiver.

 

[Haoleb]

Denon 08 series recievers look like poo. So that settles it then

 

[Seth=L]

Denon 08 series recievers look like poo. So that settles it then

LOL, you don't like receivers anyway.

 

[kevinm2]

- As for speakers, the only thing that I have are Bose 601s (about 20 years old).

- No flat screen yet. I'm still in the dark ages! I'm still debating between Plasma and LCD.

- I would appreciate a recommendation on DVD also.

I will be using the system for surround sound in the TV room. And would love to be able to run my Bose 601 plus another set of speakers (having 4 speakers) in the living room.

Denon AVR-3808CI is about $1,500. and Yamaha RX-Z9 is about $1,800.

What speakers do you recommend?

 

[Seth=L]

What is your total audio budget, receiver and speakers?

 

[kevinm2]

I guess... for now. Under $4,000.

 

[Seth=L]

I guess... for now. Under $4,000.

Alright, put 3/4 of the budget toward speakers and 1/4 to the receiver and cables. Go out and listen to some speakers and once you have decided what you want, then get the receiver to match. You should always choose the speakers before the receiver.

Just as a helpful hint, if you want to get the most performance from your dollar, Bose is sitting at the farthest end from bang for buck. I would start out with a 5.1 system (5 speakers and a subwoofer) and you could use the Bose for a second room or as for a 7.1 system).

 

[kevinm2]

That was a great advise.

I would have to purchase the speakers in the future.

For now, since my receiver is dead. So you would recommend the Yamaha RX-Z9?

 

[Seth=L]

No, I would not recommend either in this case.

I would recommend something much cheaper. The Onkyo TX-SR805 or possibly even lower TX-SR705. The TX-SR705 offers the preouts for additional amplification should it become necessary.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

No, I would not recommend either in this case.

I would recommend something much cheaper. The Onkyo TX-SR805 or possibly even lower TX-SR705. The TX-SR705 offers the preouts for additional amplification should it become necessary.

I agree with Seth=L. The Onkyo TX-SR805 will drive most speakers very well and has the HDMI features you will want for that new TV. Saves you a boat load of cash also! Just make sure you buy it from an authorized dealer so the warranty stays intact.http://www.onkyousa.com/locations_intdealer.cfm

Most people don't need all the features a flagship receiver will get you, and power can be added down the road if you buy a receiver that has preouts. You have to look at the feature set and decide if it's worth the price.

SBF1

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My 20 year old Sony receiver passed away and I'm in the market to purchase a new system. Which is a better choice Denon AVR-3808CI or Yamaha RX-Z9?

Generally speaking how would you compare Yamaha to Denon receivers?

If they were both the same MSRP, it would be a toss up because they would sound the same and have similar features & power. But in this case, I would pick the flagship model Z9 all the way. The Samsung BD-UP5000 can internally decode & send TrueHD, DTS-MA, & PCM to the Z9's analog inputs so you would not miss a beat.
If you ask if I would pick the Denon 5805 ($7K MSRP) or the Z9 ($4K MSRP), I would pick the Denon 5805.

You might want to check out the Onkyo SR875 too:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000OBLARW/interactiveda8704-20

 

[mike c]

i would recommend the denon (or other HDMI receiver) over the Z9 because it looks like kevin keeps his stuff for decades and the z9 (without HDMI) is obsolete even before he buys it.

 

[Seth=L]

If they were both the same MSRP, it would be a toss up because they would sound the same and have similar features & power. But in this case, I would pick the flagship model Z9 all the way. The Samsung BD-UP5000 can internally decode & send TrueHD, DTS-MA, & PCM to the Z9's analog inputs so you would not miss a beat.
If you ask if I would pick the Denon 5805 ($7K MSRP) or the Z9 ($4K MSRP), I would pick the Denon 5805.

You might want to check out the Onkyo SR875 too:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000OBLARW/interactiveda8704-20

You guys should probably read the whole thread before answering.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You guys should probably read the whole thread before answering.

OKay. I have. So...what did we miss?

 

[Seth=L]

OKay. I have. So...what did we miss?

Those receivers take up nearly half of the OP's audio budget, more should be directed to speakers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Those receivers take up nearly half of the OP's audio budget, more should be directed to speakers.

The Onkyo 875 is $1,295:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/484703-REG/Onkyo_TX_SR875B_TX_SR875_Home_Theater_Receiver.html

The Onkyo 875 is $1,295, and his budget is $4,000? So that's about 32% of his budget?

 

[Martymilton]

I have been a happy owner of Yamaha receivers for almost thirty years. I am on my third one, now. One of the reason that I have stayed with Yamaha is that I have liked the sound, and for subjective reasons, I have not purchased Denon because the dealer that used to sell Denon had an incompetent sales staff.

I am sure you are aware that you won't hear any significant difference from your old receiver until you upgrade your speakers. I suggest you look at the Paradigm Monitor or Studio series. I have been a happy owner of Paradigm Monitor 7's for eleven years.

 

[Seth=L]

The Onkyo 875 is $1,295:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/484703-REG/Onkyo_TX_SR875B_TX_SR875_Home_Theater_Receiver.html

The Onkyo 875 is $1,295, and his budget is $4,000? So that's about 32% of his budget?

The OP said less than $4000, which typically means the person would like to spend much less. $400 to add a nicer scaler seems like a waste when the person could possibly get better speakers and a Blu-ray player or a good upconverting DVD player.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

I agree with Seth=L EXCEPT you guys are all receiver happy. As already stated, the top end models have more bells and whistles than most will EVER use, and I think its dumb to pay for amps (in the receiver) if your going to buy an external amp anyways.

I paid $800.00 shipped for my prepro/amp combo. I paid $1000 for my Aperion Towers. I paid $1100 shipped for my Hsu.

Point is, Keninm2 in my opinion would be better served by looking into separates if he's willing to spend $1800 on a receiver. If he can hold out till January, Emotiva will have exciting offerings. For a terrific price on an receiver, if you must, (was $1999.00, now $999.00) look here:

http://www.emotiva.com/receivers.html