Denon AVR-2807 or Yamaha RX-V1600?

[pwolfman]

I'm in the market for a new home theater system and am trying to keep it moderately priced (it's all relative, I guess). I think I've got it narrowed down, but wanted to get some advice since I don't know much about much.

Panasonic 50" Plasma (TH-50PX60U)
Paradigm Surround Package (Titans, PDR-10, CC-170, Cinema ADP)
Yamaha RX-V1600 or Denon AVR-2807
Undecided on DVD Player

- I've noticed that online sites aren't discounting the TV very much. Is that because it's such a new model? List price is $3,499, what would you consider a good price?
- What are your thoughts on the receivers? I wanted to get one that had HDMI and have always heard good things about both Denon and Yamaha. List price is about the same, but the online sites seem to discount the Yamaha far more than the Denon. Which would you pick?
- How do you determine if an online retailer is reliable? Should I stick to brick and mortar stores?

Thanks.

 

[Nick250]

I think you are under represented in the speaker department. At least get the mini monitors, but I suggest you take a listen to some of the higher offerings in the Paradigm line. If your budger is tight spend less on the receiver and more on speakers. You take $500 from the receiver budget and add it to the speaker budget you will reap hugh, I mean a really hugh improvement in sound. Either Yamaha or Denon is fine here.

I think a HSU STF 2 for $399 would be a much better sub than the PDR 10, again, a big improvement in sound.

http://www.hsustore.com/stf2.html

I buy local if I can. It gives me the warm fuzzy feeling and I will pay a bit for for this, though I certainly get decent discounts at the B&M I partronize. Others feel different and like to save some $ by going online. Personal choice.

Nick

 

[AAD]

I was looking at the Yamaha RX-V2500 & RX-V2600 when the salesman at my local AV store suggested the Denon AVR-2807 or Yamaha RX-V1600. Now I am even more confused.

Any thoughts or recommendations.

Thanks!

 

[AVRat]

AAD - Have you made a decision regarding your speaker/sub issue. Those receivers provide plenty of power for your space.

 

[AAD]

After much reading and conversation with a salesman at my local AV store, I have decided to purchase a new receiver before new speakers ( and spend a few extra bucks on the receiver if needed). My "research" indicates that a new receiver will make a bigger impact on my sound system than new speakers. Hence my current dilemma. I was pretty well set on the Yamaha RX-V2600 (A step up from the 2500 based on reviews and features) when the local sales guy suggested the Denon AVR-2807 and the Yamaha RX-V1600. Now I am trying to sort throught the new suggestions to see if yet another change is warranted. Once the receiver is taken care of I plan to replace the front speakers and move my Take 5's to the rear as an extra set of surrounds until I can save a few more pennies.

 

[gmichael]

After much reading and conversation with a salesman at my local AV store, I have decided to purchase a new receiver before new speakers ( and spend a few extra bucks on the receiver if needed). My "research" indicates that a new receiver will make a bigger impact on my sound system than new speakers. Hence my current dilemma. I was pretty well set on the Yamaha RX-V2600 (A step up from the 2500 based on reviews and features) when the local sales guy suggested the Denon AVR-2807 and the Yamaha RX-V1600. Now I am trying to sort throught the new suggestions to see if yet another change is warranted. Once the receiver is taken care of I plan to replace the front speakers and move my Take 5's to the rear as an extra set of surrounds until I can save a few more pennies.

I believe that your salesman may have turned you arround a bit. IMO your speakers will make the biggest impact on your sound. They should be picked out first. Then you can pick out the best amp/receiver to drive them with. What if you pick out a receiver that is not 4 ohm stable and then find out that the speakers you like most are 4 ohm planners that are tought to drive?

 

[Nick250]

AAD, listen to gmichael, the receiver has little to do with the sound. Cheap out on the receiver, but never cheap out on the speakers.

 

[Duffman-OOHYEAH]

Listen to the guys here on the forum, they're judgement is sound. The sales guy is just pushing product.

I personally have moved from onkyo htib to fluance to jbl now to Onix Rockets & Onix xls & ascend acoustics all the while the receiver stayed the same (until recently). The speakers recreate the sound from the source therefore they are priority #1, Night and day difference. I believe after that get a good cd/dvd/media server with good DACS or a receiver with the same.

JR

 

[Jack Hammer]

I believe that your salesman may have turned you arround a bit. IMO your speakers will make the biggest impact on your sound. They should be picked out first. Then you can pick out the best amp/receiver to drive them with. What if you pick out a receiver that is not 4 ohm stable and then find out that the speakers you like most are 4 ohm planners that are tought to drive?

Good advice, generally speakers will make a bigger difference, but not always. When I upgraded my RCA "pro series" reciever to a Denon 2802 there was a much more noticeable difference in sound than when I put better speakers in. With a halfway decent reciever already in use there will more likely be a larger improvement upgrading the speakers. With a crappy reciever, upgrading the speakers may not make as big of a difference.

We don't know what Pwolfman is currently using. The salesman might be right, maybe he should ddecide on speakers but buy the reciever to drive them with first, then add the speakers when his budget allows.

 

[Nick250]

Jack, I am not questioning your personal experience with your speakers and reciever, but I dont it's the best advice for the OP. Think of it this way. In general take most $300 speakers and a $1200 receiver and one will get so-so sound. On the other hand take most $1200 speakers and a $300 receiver and the sound will be night and day better.

Regards,

Nick

 

[GlocksRock]

I say get the Yamaha RX-V1600 over the denon.

 

[AAD]

Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions.
The question from AVRat started back on a speaker thread and a bit more info on my setup may be needed on this thread. I am just putting the finishing touches on a dedicated theater with (2) rows of stepped seating. My current system stands as follows: A new Panny AE-900U projector, new Samsung up converting DVD player, a 10 year old Yamaha RX-V1070 pro-logic receiver, an Energy TAKE 5 speaker system and a Definitive Technology 12", 185 Watt powered sub.

Based on this info...should I be updating speakers or the receiver first? The local sales guy thought that I should at least move into a receiver that offers digital surround sound processing before moving on to new speakers (Given a limited budget). Based on the info above which receiver will provide the best bang for the buck? Should I be looking for up converting and HDMI switching to help future proof the receiver for at least a few months?

Please let me know. All of the feedback is very helpful!

Thanks!

 

[gmichael]

Jack, I am not questioning your personal experience with your speakers and reciever, but I dont it's the best advice for the OP. Think of it this way. In general take most $300 speakers and a $1200 receiver and one will get so-so sound. On the other hand take most $1200 speakers and a $300 receiver and the sound will be night and day better.

Regards,

Nick

I most cases you are right. But if you hook up a pair of Apogees to a $300 receiver you are likely to hear a gurgling noise just before the receiver melts.

 

[AVRat]

Sorry for the thread hijack pwolfman. BTW how big is your space? This will help with speaker/receiver reco's and advice. That plasma is a current model, so finding it at a discount may be difficult.

 

[stevem650]

I have the yamaha rxv 1600 running 4 Anthony Gallo Adiva Ti's and Due' for a center and a Carver Dominator D12 sub. The system sounds great. My only problem with the amp is that it produces lots of heat. The amps YPAO setup is great. Other than the heat, I would recommend it.

 

[Nick250]

I most cases you are right. But if you hook up a pair of Apogees to a $300 receiver you are likely to hear a gurgling noise just before the receiver melts.

Thats why I said "most $1200 speakers".

 

[AAD]

I have the yamaha rxv 1600 running 4 Anthony Gallo Adiva Ti's and Due' for a center and a Carver Dominator D12 sub. The system sounds great. My only problem with the amp is that it produces lots of heat. The amps YPAO setup is great. Other than the heat, I would recommend it.

Do you miss the upscaling and on screen display from the RX-V2600? What other receivers did you look at when purchasing the 1600?

Thanks!

 

[gmichael]

Thats why I said "most $1200 speakers".

My bad. Sorry

 

[stevem650]

[/Do you miss the upscaling and on screen display from the RX-V2600? What other receivers did you look at when purchasing the 1600?
QUOTE]

I also looked at the Onkyo I think it was the 803 that also had HDMI. As far as upscaling, I have a Panasonic S77 and sony SXRD. Can't beat the picture. The 1600 has on screen display.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Jack, I am not questioning your personal experience with your speakers and reciever, but I dont it's the best advice for the OP. Think of it this way. In general take most $300 speakers and a $1200 receiver and one will get so-so sound. On the other hand take most $1200 speakers and a $300 receiver and the sound will be night and day better.

Regards,

Nick

No offense taken, You are absolutely right, and I agree fully with what you are saying. 99.9% of the time speakers will make a much bigger difference. My point was that we don't know what equipment he currently has. Until Pwolfman tells us what he is currently using no one can definately tell him what the best course of action for him may be. (I was one of the 0.01% of people, my speaker upgrade made a minimal difference compared to my reciever upgrade).

Jack