Convince Me

[Ralph]

Which would you get and why?
I am considering
Onkyo TX-NR 901
Denon AVR 3805
Onkyo TX-SR 803
Denon AVR 340

I've already figured out by reading sooooo many posts here that almost everyone is going to pick the Denons.
I want to know why you would pick one over the others. I'm not overly concerned with anything to do with HDTV since I dont have one and dont plan on getting one for a few years. I just want the best sound possible. I do have a 7.1 speaker package that I got as a gift and that is my excuse to the boss for the new receiver. (She put a candle on top of my old one and let it melt into the case,,thus ruining the rear channels.) It was a Sony so I needed a new one anyways.

 

[Bluesmoke]

Denon 3805 by a longshot.

 

[mlb11]

I just picked up the denon 3805 - it replaced a denon 2400. I primarily wanted it for the digital connections. When I got it hooked up - WOW! I couldn't believe the sound quality (both depth and clarity). I once again enjoy playing cds (especially hdcd ones) using the cd-direct mode. I also bi-amped the receiver to my infinity beta-40s.

I would also recommend it, especially at the prices out there now.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Did you mean to say "HK AVR 340" instead of "Denon AVR 340?"

The 901 and 3805 are comparable - and somewhat dated . You'd need to jump to the HK635 to come close to those. The 803 doesn't have the large power supply or caps as does the 901 and 3805. It does sport the newest gadgets in dealing with PC/Ipod/HD compatibility.

Other comparable AVR's (power/flexibility) would be the Yammie 2500, Pioneer 54TXi, Marantz 8400).

Check your impedance and spl ratings on your speakers. You may be fine with the newer Onkyo 803 or HK340. Most AVR's when set flat are pretty transparent. It's the internal PEQ/graphic eq, auto setup features, etc... that will make a difference when balancing out your room. Tweakability in an AVR is just as important as brute power.

 

[Ralph]

Yes, I did mean HK on the 340.
One thing that concerns me is the warranty.
The Onkyos are a one year through u-bid and the Denons are only 90 days.
The prices through u-bid are great but the warranty kinda scares me.
Ive owned Onkyos before and I never had a single thing go wrong with them but Ive never owned anything Denon.
Does the Denon sound - as good - better - much better? than an Onkyo?
I just wonder why it seems everyone says take the Denon. Has anyone ever done a side by side test of the two.I havent had a chance to listen to the Denon yet but I have listened to the Onkyo and it did sound good.
I was leaning towards the 901 , now Im leaning more towards the 3805 just on the recomendations from here.

 

[mlb11]

I had my denon 2400 for 8 years before I got the 3805 and had no problems with it whatsoever. I got it from ubid (new) back in 1998.

The 3805 I just got, I bought new from listenup.com who has a great price. I also wanted the 2-year warranty and not the 90 day one for refurb. I know many have bought the refurb however and have not had any problems. The unit is really built well and made in Japan.

Sound quality wise I only demoed the 3805 and a NAD 743 and I liked the 3805 better (much better for movies) and I still thought it sounded great for music.

I can't comment on the Onkyo, though.....

 

[PENG]

Definitely the Denon for the following reasons.

1) Price is great right now.
2) Neutral sound.
3) Highest 5,7 driven power among those on your list.
4) Classy look.
5) Robust built, lighter than a HKAVR635 but the chassis is more rigid (quality vs quantity?).