Receiver Recommendation

[Celiac]

Goodmorning
i am looking at a couple Receivers the Denon AVR-4308CI or yamaha rx v3800 which of the two would y'all recommend?
I am new to the HT market and would like something future proof. The speakers i look to purchase are the Paradigm Studio 100s, Also what are some of your setup's with the studio 100s?

Thanks.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It's probably a toss-up.

People who own Yamaha will prefer Yamaha and those who own Denon will prefer Denon.

I'll cast a vote for the Denon.

 

[Midcow2]

An people that own Marantz prefer Marantz

It's probably a toss-up.

People who own Yamaha will prefer Yamaha and those who own Denon will prefer Denon.

I'll cast a vote for the Denon.

I agree with AcuDefTechGuy both are very good choices.

In the same relative preice/feature range : Marantz SR8002 or SR7002

On pricegrabber.com SR8002 as low as $1,349.99

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

Depending on your purchase timeline, I would recommend the Yamaha RX-V663 or Emotiva UMC-1 for the pre-pro with an Emotiva amp like the XPA-5. The 200 Watt x 5 channel amp is $800 and the Emotiva pre-pro will be out in a couple months for $700. This type of setup will provide much more power for your Paradigm studios then a Yamaha or Denon receiver.

 

[Midcow2]

Power is logrithmic

Depending on your purchase timeline, I would recommend the Yamaha RX-V663 or Emotiva UMC-1 for the pre-pro with an Emotiva amp like the XPA-5. The 200 Watt x 5 channel amp is $800 and the Emotiva pre-pro will be out in a couple months for $700. This type of setup will provide much more power for your Paradigm studios then a Yamaha or Denon receiver.

The Paradigm studio 100 speakers have average efficiency/sensitivity - Room / Anechoic 91 / 88 dB and as such any of the choice the OP listed will drive them louder than he wants or can stand. The Emotiva amp is nice but comparing 200watts to 140watts is only about a 10% increase because power is logrithmic.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The 4308 produces 155W/233W into 8/4 ohms (2 Ch). I say that should be more than enough to drive most speakers unless they are 2 ohms speakers, in which case he might get an amp that is tested to handle 2 ohms.

But for the Paradigms, the 4308 is more than enough power.

Of course, the Emotiva is fine too if he likes pre-pro + amp instead of AVR.

And yes, people who own Marantz will prefer Marantz. Same with Pioneer and HK, etc.

 

[GlocksRock]

I say unless you really need the features of the RX-V3800, save some money and get the RX-V1800, there really isn't that much of a difference between the two.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I say unless you really need the features of the RX-V3800, save some money and get the RX-V1800, there really isn't that much of a difference between the two.

Yeah, for one thing, we recently found out they both have the same DACs: Burr-Brown PCM1791.

So what's the difference? A little more power? A few more HDMIs? The weight?

 

[GlocksRock]

The 3800 has 10 more watts per channel, a GUI with support for multiple languages, a USB input, an ethernet jack for networking, and possibly a couple more very minor things. The extra power won't be noticable in real world applications, and the networking may still be a bit buggy, as I know many people have had issues getting it to work well on last years models, and not really sure what the USB input will do for you, besides making it easier to upgrade firmware should you ever need to do so. But it has no extra HDMI inputs or outputs.

 

[tn001d]

The 3800 has 10 more watts per channel, a GUI with support for multiple languages, a USB input, an ethernet jack for networking, and possibly a couple more very minor things. The extra power won't be noticable in real world applications, and the networking may still be a bit buggy, as I know many people have had issues getting it to work well on last years models, and not really sure what the USB input will do for you, besides making it easier to upgrade firmware should you ever need to do so. But it has no extra HDMI inputs or outputs.

The Denon 4808 is network ready and includes built in wi-fi! Denon GUI is the best out there and even better than sony's GUI. The 4808 has gone on sale on a few sites as low as $1700 or $1800 i think. Supposedly Denon will be updating there receivers in the fall. I would hold out and wait to see if there is anthing significant with the new line (improved 3809 or 2809). If not then you can get the 4808 at significant discount.

Yahamaha is ok, but i rather drive a BMW than an acura

 

[PENG]

Goodmorning
i am looking at a couple Receivers the Denon AVR-4308CI or yamaha rx v3800 which of the two would y'all recommend?
I am new to the HT market and would like something future proof. The speakers i look to purchase are the Paradigm Studio 100s, Also what are some of your setup's with the studio 100s?

Thanks.

I just ordered the 4308 so you know which one I recommend. My 3805 has enough power for my Energy V2.3i (87dB sensitivity, 4 ohms minimum) that is comparable to the Studio 100 in terms of power requirements so I think the 4308 should be fine in an average size (say less than 2500 cu.ft.) room but of course more than enough power rarely hurts.

 

[Celiac]

Thanks all

Thank you all for the information . i think after reading everything here and on other sites i will get the Denon.

Thanks!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thank you all for the information . i think after reading everything here and on other sites i will get the Denon.

Thanks!

Good choice. I approve.

 

[PENG]

Good choice. I approve.

My final choice is the Denon too and I have my reasons. I can't understand why you seem to be so pro Denon receivers yet your previous comments seem to indicate that you think their use of the PM-1791 DAC instead of the more expensive 1796 and 1792, except for the top 5000 series; and the Faroudja chip vs Onkyo's Reon chip are pitfalls. Why didn't you recommend the Onkyo/Integra? Care to elaborate? I am just curious.

 

[TheFactor]

Nice choice, needless to say Theres another I like too though

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My final choice is the Denon too and I have my reasons. I can't understand why you seem to be so pro Denon receivers yet your previous comments seem to indicate that you think their use of the PM-1791 DAC instead of the more expensive 1796 and 1792, except for the top 5000 series; and the Faroudja chip vs Onkyo's Reon chip are pitfalls. Why didn't you recommend the Onkyo/Integra? Care to elaborate? I am just curious.

I can't say anything bad about either Denon or Onkyo. They are both excellent. Their A/V performances will be identical. Those DACs are only minor complaints.

I tend to favor Denon only because of personal factors. The #1 factor is the looks/aesthetics of the Denon.

1) I've heard from a couple of friends about the Onkyo reliablity issues, which was in the past, not present.

2) I've heard quite enough complaints that the Onkyos get really hot. I've heard one person say it doesn't get hot at all.

3) I prefer the looks of the Denon over the Onkyo, which again is pure personal preference.

4) I THINK the Denon badge spells more "high-end" than Onkyo, again it's pure opinion. Denon makes a stereo Integrated amp that costs $10,000 USD, etc. Their current AVP-A1HDCI + POA-A1HDCI cost $14,000 combined. And, of course, Audioholics and a lot of professional reviewers love Denon.

5) Onkyo actually picked HD DVD over Blu-ray! While Denon was blu-ray all the way.

 

[TheFactor]

Off topic a little but does anyone know how Denons blu-rays compare to there receivers as far as reliability and so fourth ?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Off topic a little but does anyone know how Denons blu-rays compare to there receivers as far as reliability and so fourth ?

Well, it's too NEW to tell.

I just bought the $2,000 DVD-3800BDCI, which is made in China.

Denon used to make the DVD players in Japan, but now they are making ALL the DVD players ad Blu-ray players in China.

They are still making the receivers in Japan.

Perhaps the new players from China will be just as reliable as the ones made from Japan, but only time will tell.

Denon is a great company with extensive tradition. They make an integrated amplifier that costs $10,000 USD. They make a 10Ch amp that costs $7,000. They make a Pre-pro that costs $7,000.

And a $2,000 blu-ray player is in fact the most expensive blu-ray player to date.

A lot of Reputation to uphold!

So I see no change at all in terms of reliability.

The 3800BD is 23 pounds heavy. It is built tough and solid. It has the flagship Realta chip and the high-end Burr-Brown PCM1796 DACs (2nd only to the PCM1792).

I expect it to be very reliable even if it is made in China.

So far it has played all the BDs I put in.

It will not play some burn-copies of DVD-R. I have not tried DVD+R, but I don't expect much compatibility either.

I think the Panasonic BD is the most compatible player when it comes to burn-copies.

 

[TheFactor]

Thanks for the in depth answers, I have my reasons for concern as you know. First off congrats on your new Denon blu ray. The Reason I asked is because my sony blu-ray which does have a excellent picture but its a little slow on commands and if you get impatient and hit something twice like open or close it'll give you every command just when it decided to lol. But anyway im leaning towards another one and put the sony blu ray in the bedroom and considering maybe a playstation or give Denon another chance but thats a lot of money to gamble from my Experiences . Anyway congrats again on your new Denon .

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks for the in depth answers, I have my reasons for concern as you know. First off congrats on your new Denon blu ray. The Reason I asked is because my sony blu-ray which does have a excellent picture but its a little slow on commands and if you get impatient and hit something twice like open or close it'll give you every command just when it decided to lol. But anyway im leaning towards another one and put the sony blu ray in the bedroom and considering maybe a playstation or give Denon another chance but thats a lot of money to gamble from my Experiences . Anyway congrats again on your new Denon .

Thanks.

Yeah, I've had issues with my PS3 (1st Generation) before too -- like it would not output any sound whatsoever or just froze up, just like any computer would I guess if and when it feels like it.

I don't think I had any issues with my Sony blu-ray (2nd Generation).

I never had any issues with my Panasonic DMP-BD10A (2nd Gen).

I would never try Samsung BDs.

But I think the upcoming Panasonic DMP-BD50 (4th Gen) might be excellent.

Perhaps the 4th Generation Sony BDs (350/550) will also be excellent.

It is kind of funny how my Denon 3800BD will not play a lot of DVD+R/DVD-R when my Panasonic DMP-BD10A, which is 1/4 of the price of the Denon, would play EVERYTHING!