Receiver Opinions Pioneer Elite SC-25\7 vs Yamaha 3900

[Mikef_Oh]

I would appreciate any opinions from owners on either the Pioneer Elite SC-25\27 vs Yamaha 3900. I currently have the Yamaha 4600 and had
the Pioneer Elite VS-09TX. My main focus is 5.1 Home Theatre, my speakers
are B&W and the sub is a Sunfire. The 3900 has been around for awhile, has anyone seen news on future Yamahas? Been reading threads and reviews but
still am un-decided. Network connectivity, HDMI 1.3(True-HD) are a few
reasons for upgrade. Budgets around 2k, any other brands opinions are also
appreciated.

Thanks in Advance
Mike

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi Mike, and Welcome to the club.

The Yammy 3900 is a pretty cool receiver, and the Pioneer Elite SC-27 would be more competitive with it than the SC-25.

With B&W speakers, I would mate them with a Marantz SR8002 receiver.
But that's just me.

By the way, which models are they?

Bob

 

[Mikef_Oh]

Thanks for the heads up on the Marantz looks pretty nice. Up here in N.Ohio
there's a problem finding an audio stores to go and demo gear. There's basically one place within an hours drive. I have never listened to any
Marantz gear, I will have to call around.

Thanks
Mike

B&W MAIN 603 S2
B&W CC6 CENTER
B&W SURROUNDS(ROCK SOLID SOUND Ltd) SOLID STUDIO MONITORS
SUNFIRE SUB
YAMAHA RX-V4600
SAMSUNG BP-1600
SAMSUNG LN-46A-850
DISH 722 HD-DVR

 

[bandphan]

Thanks for the heads up on the Marantz looks pretty nice. Up here in N.Ohio
there's a problem finding an audio stores to go and demo gear. There's basically one place within an hours drive. I have never listened to any
Marantz gear, I will have to call around.

Thanks
Mike

B&W MAIN 603 S2
B&W CC6 CENTER
B&W SURROUNDS(ROCK SOLID SOUND Ltd) SOLID STUDIO MONITORS
SUNFIRE SUB
YAMAHA RX-V4600
SAMSUNG BP-1600
SAMSUNG LN-46A-850
DISH 722 HD-DVR

Mike, most all midfi gear will have transparent sound without eq applied so get the one with the featues you need. You might want to consider purchasing a mid line AVR and a 5ch power amp like this.

 

[Mikef_Oh]

My main thought for upgrading was to get hdmi 1.3 and the newer Dolby
true-hd audio formats and some added networking. My current surround
sound currently is awful. I just cannot get a satisfactory setup, I'am not
getting the impact from the rear that I have had in previous setups. The
surrounds scream when I run the setup YPAO calibration but barely any
emphasis is heard playing DVD's OR Blue Ray. I've tried at least a dozen
BR disks. Yamaha confirmed my setup is correct after going menu to menu.
I have sampled other setups and just cannot get it to match BR playback.
I also would likie to find a receiver with Dolby's Audio Leveling to use with
my 722 DVR. The commericals on Dish go from Jet loud to whisper quite
on the HD channels.

 

[Lordoftherings]

My main thought for upgrading was to get hdmi 1.3 and the newer Dolby
true-hd audio formats and some added networking. My current surround
sound currently is awful. I just cannot get a satisfactory setup, I'am not
getting the impact from the rear that I have had in previous setups. The
surrounds scream when I run the setup YPAO calibration but barely any
emphasis is heard playing DVD's OR Blue Ray. I've tried at least a dozen
BR disks. Yamaha confirmed my setup is correct after going menu to menu.
I have sampled other setups and just cannot get it to match BR playback.
I also would likie to find a receiver with Dolby's Audio Leveling to use with
my 722 DVR. The commericals on Dish go from Jet loud to whisper quite
on the HD channels.

Hi again Mike,

Like I already said, you should make the extra effort to fill your gas tank and jump in your car to the next Marantz dealer for a test drive with the SR8002.
Marantz and B&W goes hand in hand. It's a very happy marriage.
The SR8002 also has Audyssey Dynamic Volume, for the constant volume leveling of all your TV channels. It has Audyssey MultEQ (6 microphone measurement positions).
It is THX Select2 Plus certified, plus it has the sweet and still finely texture and detailed subtility that is the Marantz sound trademark. Great match for your highly resolute and clear sound from your B&Ws.

[YPAO from Yamaha is in another bracket, not as sophisticated as Audyssey.]

* >------> Here's three excellent reviews of the Marantz SR8002:
1. @ http://www.ultimateavmag.com/avreceivers/208mar8002/
2. @ http://www.hometheatermag.com/receivers/508mar8002/
3. @ http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/receivers/297-a-secrets-receiver-review.html

Cheers,
Bob

 

[3db]

Hi again Mike,

Like I already said, you should make the extra effort to fill your gas tank and jump in your car to the next Marantz dealer for a test drive with the SR8002.
Marantz and B&W goes hand in hand. It's a very happy marriage.
The SR8002 also has Audyssey Dynamic Volume, for the constant volume leveling of all your TV channels. It has Audyssey MultEQ (6 microphone measurement positions).
It is THX Select2 Plus certified, plus it has the sweet and still finely texture and detailed subtility that is the Marantz sound trademark. Great match for your highly resolute and clear sound from your B&Ws.

[YPAO from Yamaha is in another bracket, not as sophisticated as Audyssey.]

* >------> Here's two excellent reviews of the Marantz SR8002:
1. @ http://www.ultimateavmag.com/avreceivers/208mar8002/
2. @ http://www.hometheatermag.com/receivers/508mar8002/

Cheers,
Bob

Maybe not as sophisticated as Audessy but it still does the job!!
Morning BTW

 

[Lordoftherings]

Maybe not as sophisticated as Audessy but it still does the job!!
Morning BTW

Good morning to you too 3db. Very happy to see you.

* You must have a Yammy receiver.
Me too. And a Denon one plus one, and a Pioneer one, and a Onkyo one plus one, and a Kenwood one, and a Marantz one too... And a few more...

You have a great day my friend,
Bob

 

[3db]

Good morning to you too 3db. Very happy to see you.

* You must have a Yammy receiver.
Me too. And a Denon one plus one, and a Pioneer one, and a Onkyo one plus one, and a Kenwood one, and a Marantz one too... And a few more...

You have a great day my friend,
Bob

SO you turn em onm all at once anmd watch the lights in your house dim? and teh hair on your arms rise from all that power?? MHUUUUAAAAA!!!

 

[Lordoftherings]

SO you turn em onm all at once anmd watch the lights in your house dim? and teh hair on your arms rise from all that power?? MHUUUUAAAAA!!!

Hallelujah! Raise Hell!

* The wife, the kids, the dogs, the cats, all hell brakes loose, everyone out of the house!
Only me, and my misik.

 

[Mikef_Oh]

SO you turn em onm all at once anmd watch the lights in your house dim? and teh hair on your arms rise from all that power?? MHUUUUAAAAA!!!

It's only really cool if the neighbors lights dim too!

Mike

 

[Lordoftherings]

It's only really cool if the neighbors lights dim too!

Mike

LOL. Christmas every day.