4308 vs 905

[PENG]

There seem to be a jump in prices for Denon receivers.
Example: AVR-4308CI - $2498, TX-NR905 - $1349 both are Amazon.com prices.

I finally made up my mind on the 4308 just last week, now I have to think again. Does anybody know why the sudden price jump?

 

[Seth=L]

There seem to be a jump in prices for Denon receivers.
Example: AVR-4308CI - $2498, TX-NR905 - $1349 both are Amazon.com prices.

I finally made up my mind on the 4308 just last week, now I have to think again. Does anybody know why the sudden price jump?

You mean the Denons where less, but their prices went up?

The Onkyo's got more balls, but the Denon is less likely to have dorky problems. It would be hard to pass up a near 60 pound receiver with a toroidal power supply though.

 

[PENG]

They had the Denon at $2,000 only last week. Now they are up to the full list price. I am still tempted by that huge toroid, and the Reon chip. And you are right, the main reason I am leaning towards the Denon is "reliability". After 4 years of heavy use, my 3805 is still in top shape. My 2 year old 1705 is always on, and it too, is in top condition. So it is not hard for me to believe Denon=Reliable.

The only other reason is the WIFI thing, the 905 is better in everything else. I may just wait for the 4310.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Denon AVR-4308 for $1,689:

http://www.dakmart.com/search.php?keyword=denon+AVR-4308

They are Denon Authorized B-Stock dealers and they do offer a one year warranty.

 

[croseiv]

I'd get the 905. The 4308 seems way overpriced for what you get.

 

[PENG]

I'd get the 905. The 4308 seems way overpriced for what you get.

One local Canadian dealer would order one for me for $2K. Pricing in Canada is quite different in many cases. For example, we have to pay a huge premium here for HK models. I have not checked out the Canadian prices for the 905 yet. It would be nice if more people post their experience with the 905 in terms of sound quality and reliability. I wonder if they too, suffer from the reportedly running hot issue with the 805/875. It really amaze me that these Onkyo models weigh 60 lbs. That kind of weight used to be in the top model HK's exclusive (in the price<5K range) domain.

It is also too bad the Onkyo models don't offer WIFI. It would have been a slightly easier choice otherwise. My wireless modem/router is just too far away from the H.T. room.

 

[BG3]

One local Canadian dealer would order one for me for $2K. Pricing in Canada is quite different in many cases. For example, we have to pay a huge premium here for HK models. I have not checked out the Canadian prices for the 905 yet. It would be nice if more people post their experience with the 905 in terms of sound quality and reliability. I wonder if they too, suffer from the reportedly running hot issue with the 805/875. It really amaze me that these Onkyo models weigh 60 lbs. That kind of weight used to be in the top model HK's exclusive (in the price<5K range) domain.

It is also too bad the Onkyo models don't offer WIFI. It would have been a slightly easier choice otherwise. My wireless modem/router is just too far away from the H.T. room.

I was in a similar boat shopping the Yamaha 3800, Onkyo 905, Denon 3808CI & 4308CI. I narrowed it down to the 4308 vs. 905 and couldn't find enough to justify the additional expense of the Denon. I've had my 905 for a little over a month now and I'm extremely happy with it. It does run hot but, I just finished venting my closet which has dropped temps 30 degrees (F). Of course, the PS3 doesn't help with regards to heat. However, the heat seems to have no effect, short term anyways. It's hit 66 deg. C/150.8 deg. F which activated the onboard fans before venting. Never once has it shut off. You can look as my previous posts if you want to see more about the 905's heat and my fix.

With regard to sound quality, I've never had anything that can play as loud and clean as my current setup. I continue to find new ways to push the 905. I'm pleased with the result every time. I've yet to find anything that it can't handle. I had my wireless router relocated to the new electronics closet to eliminate the need for wifi from the receiver.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

4308 vs 905:

Video:
Faroudja vs Reon HQV --> Advantage 905

DAC:
Burr-Brown 1791 vs 1796 --> Advantage 905

Power:
No Toroidal vs Toroidal Transformer --> Advantage 905

So at least on paper, the Onkyo 905 seems to have the advantage.

 

[PENG]

Thank you everyone for your help. I am going to start searching for the best Canadian price for the 905, and go from there.

 

[dorokusai]

The Onkyo power ratings appear to be reasonable and the WRAT reminds me of exactly what NAD does in regards to dynamic power. It could be a coincidence but it's eerily similar but that's fine by me. They've definitly turned up the heat in the AVR market(No pun intended).

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[Seth=L]

Onkyo doesn't pride themselves in ACD like NAD does, but chances are the TX-NR905 compares very favorably in terms of raw power and muscle to even the top of the line NAD receivers. The benchtests for the TX-SR875/805 are jaw dropping (especially the TX-SR805 for the price). If it's power, and lots of it, you want, the Onkyo has all the power you could need for all but the largest rooms with the hardest to drive speakers.

I would definitely take BG3's advice concerning custom cooling, 2 out of the three Onkyo receivers I have owned have benefited greatly from having additional forced air cooling.

 

[cdub]

It is also too bad the Onkyo models don't offer WIFI. It would have been a slightly easier choice otherwise. My wireless modem/router is just too far away from the H.T. room.

I know it's been while since your post, but in case your still interested, you can use a Wireless Ethernet Bridge to connect to your existing wireless network and provide RJ-45 ports to your non-wifi devices. I got a linksys 802.11G Enet Bridge Adptr Poe and put it on top of my av rack to connect my Z7. I liked the dlink one better as it doesn't have antenna's but it was out of stock everywhere when I needed it. I was able to turn down the linksys antenna's so they are out of sight.

http://www.amazon.com/802-11G-Enet-Bridge-Adptr-Poe/dp/B000UKOB14/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233177939&sr=8-14

http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DAP1522-GigaBit-802-11n-Wireless/dp/B001769K3O/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233178043&sr=8-1

Did you ever get a 905? I may be returning my Z7 and I'm leaning towards a 905 to replace it. Any comments on the 905 would be appreciated.

cw