Decision time: Denon X4000 - Onkyo TX-NR929 - Sony DA2800ES - Pioneer SC-1323K

[Seb]

Hi everyone,

I've been researching and researching and I'm truly stuck on what to do here. My options are the:
Denon X4000 - Onkyo TX-NR929 - Sony DA2800ES - Pioneer SC-1323K. I can get all of those receivers at the same price, so this is not my factor. However, what is the best all around receiver that would be as much future proof as possible. I've just built a surround sound room with in walls Boston Acoustics. The room is 680 sq ft and I've set up the room as a 7.1 system.

But, I need to put in the center piece with my AV receiver. In the past, I've only used Yamaha systems, but looking for something new.

Any assistance and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

 

[panteragstk]

Denon or Pioneer. I would choose Denon for Audyssey personally. My Onkyo is nice, but I'd rather have something else if I could get all the features for the same price. SubEQ in the Denon is supposed to be fantastic. Pioneer's MCACC isn't all that great from what I've read. YMMV.

 

[JonnyFive23517]

Denon for the Audyssey XT32 and dual sub management. I have a Marantz SR6006 with plain ol' Audyssey XT. The job it does on the bass frequencies is nothing short of amazing.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Denon X4000 unequivocally.

 

[Seb]

So far, it sounds like the Denon is the one most recommended. Thanks Panteragsgk and JonnyFive23517. Can the Denon have an external amp to it to drive the 2nd zone? Also, does THX certification really matters these days? Since the Denon doesn't have this cert. Finally, does anyone knows if it has a 4K pass thru or just an upscaling to 4K (trying to be future proof a bit...)

Thanks again

 

[PENG]

So far, it sounds like the Denon is the one most recommended. Thanks Panteragsgk and JonnyFive23517. Can the Denon have an external amp to it to drive the 2nd zone?

You can connect an amp to the zone2 pre out.

does anyone knows if it has a 4K pass thru or just an upscaling to 4K (trying to be future proof a bit...)

Thanks again

If the input is 4K it will pass the signal through unchanged.

 

[Lulimet]

Denon X4000, no question. Onkyo scares me with their HDMI board problems.

 

[herbu]

I can confirm the dual sub mgmt of the X4000. I just got one. My 2 subs couldn't be more different... Rythmik FV15HP (a monster), and a KEF 10". The X4000 Audyssey SubEq balanced them very nicely. Also, Denon support seems to be knowledgable and helpful. Called them once about a Zone 2 question. Quick, friendly answer. On-screen setup guide is nice. I hooked up all the cables first, then powered on. Didn't think I'd need the guide, but did learn a few things, and it saved having to hunt for the settings. Though I can't compare to your other choices, I can say I'm real happy with the X4000.

 

[panteragstk]

THX doesn't really get you much of anything. I only use it for the THX game mode. Even then, not getting much.

 

[mp3streetparty]

I'm No Guru.
So only biased on the power supply consumption at 120 V and product weight specs I found online.

If it was my money I would have the Onkyo TX-NR929 if it has all the features you are needing.

 

[surveyor]

Denon X4000 unequivocally.

I would also purchase the Denon X4000! It is awesome!

 

[PENG]

I would also purchase the Denon X4000! It is awesome!

Agree, Onkyo tpically are heavier but I think Denon is smart in their thermal design and that allows them to offer more watts/lbs. The Onkyo could still be a dB or so more powerful but won't make any difference in real world use.

 

[Cos]

I think the weight difference in this case Onkyo vs Denon can be attributed to the fact that the 929 offers 9 channels of amplification while the X4000 offers 7 with the ability to process 9.

As to the initial point:

Your current setup is 7.1 so either receiver will be able to do the job competently. As for the HDMI issues of past Onkyo's, I would not be concerned as I have year to read about issues with the HDMI boards on the '2' series (i.e. 909 / 818 etc)

As to what is best for you, really depends on how much you are going to grow into the features of the receiver. Having Sub EQ on the Denon is great, but if you are not going to be using 2 subs, no use for it. Having 9 channels of amplification might work great if you want to have a Zone 2 and don't want to take away channels from your zone 1. Then again, if you don't need it, its not going to be a huge selling point.


My additional ramblings;

I have Integra, which is basically an Onkyo. I have had the 80.3 Pre/Pro for about a year with 0 issues and have had the DTR 30.5 for about 6 months with zero issues. I will point out that the HDMI board on the 30.5 gets warm, but no so much that you cant touch the grill.

Denon is a great receiver which comes with a better warranty and some unique features. I just was never a huge fan of the looks of the unit, which is totally the wrong reason not to buy it

Hometheater.com gave the 828 Onkyo, not so great reviews on the audio, which I find funny because so many hear say that all amps sound the same, but this article goes on to point out the bightness of the Onkyo, where it is essentially the same amp that received all positive reviews in the past.

 

[sgtjim]

Bought it today. Dealer cut me a deal (not a huge savings but 1200 out the door), removed previous receiver, installed new one, ran setup and it seems like all is fine so far. Overall the sound is much improved over my old Denon 2807. Not using internal amps so not sure about how they sound. WWZ is on schedule to be watched tonight.

 

[PENG]

Hometheater.com gave the 828 Onkyo, not so great reviews on the audio, which I find funny because so many hear say that all amps sound the same, but this article goes on to point out the bightness of the Onkyo, where it is essentially the same amp that received all positive reviews in the past.

Cos, you should know by now, that most magazine reviewers will say a lower cost unit sound bright, just to different degrees. Conversely expensive units will sound warm, huge soundstage etc. They have to say that sort of things, just like high end dealer sales reps have to tell us their more expensive product lines sound hugely better than their less expensive product lines. The same applies to not just amps but any audio products including cables.

Other than that, amps don't sound the same, but most class AB amps beyond the entry level should sound almost the same to humans, but of course not to other creatures that can detect level of difference not detectable by most people.

 

[PENG]

Bought it today. Dealer cut me a deal (not a huge savings but 1200 out the door), removed previous receiver, installed new one, ran setup and it seems like all is fine so far. Overall the sound is much improved over my old Denon 2807. Not using internal amps so not sure about how they sound. WWZ is on schedule to be watched tonight.

Great choice! Hopefully the OP will do the same.

 

[sgtjim]

Just finished World War Z, great picture, sound effects and story line. Receiver performed flawlessly. Makes a great pre-pro for my Emo XPX-5 Now I need about 10 more speakers to finish all of the available channels, and some more amplification I assume.

 

[Cos]

Cos, you should know by now, that most magazine reviewers will say a lower cost unit sound bright, just to different degrees. Conversely expensive units will sound warm, huge soundstage etc. They have to say that sort of things, just like high end dealer sales reps have to tell us their more expensive product lines sound hugely better than their less expensive product lines. The same applies to not just amps but any audio products including cables.

Other than that, amps don't sound the same, but most class AB amps beyond the entry level should sound almost the same to humans, but of course not to other creatures that can detect level of difference not detectable by most people.

Agree & Disagree, because they reviewed the 828 which is just one model down, but the 818 received mainly very positive reviews on sound quality when the amps are basically the same.

 

[surveyor]

Great choice! Hopefully the OP will do the same.

-----Ditto!