denon avr-591 vs pioneer vsx-820

[perry]

I can not decide between these 2 receivers. Can someone please let me know which one is better? I am leaning more towards the Denon i believe it is more powerful but I am new to the audio stuff.

 

[sholling]

I'm not a fan of non-Elite Pioneers. Either the Denon or an Onkyo.

 

[perry]

thanks for the suggestions. If anyone else has any I would be glad to know and if it helps the receiver will be powering the JBL Venue series speakers including the 12'' sub nothing fancy. Also upgrading from an onkyo ht-r550 7.1 receiver not really looking to get another 7.1 receiver I only use 5 speakers. Main reason I want a new receiver is HD audio and hdmi ARC. I noticed that my ht-r550 is 110w at 8 omhs and the denon avr-591 is only 75w at 8 omhs. So how much of a difference will that wattage loss be? Will the avr-591 still sound better/stronger because ill be using hdmi for sound? Sorry for all the questions don't really know much about audio in detail.

 

[Hasselhof]

I would look into the Harman Kardon line of recievers. Harman Kardon is in the same company of brands as JBL and they say they test the jbl consumer speakers to sound good with the Harman Kardon recievers. Also the HK receivers typically have larger heatsinks than pioneer or denon and therefore dosent need noisy fans.

 

[Gustavo]

I'm not a fan of non-Elite Pioneers. Either the Denon or an Onkyo.

Your dislike of non-Elite Pioneer receivers is well-noted in this forum. But in this particular case of compared receivers from Denon and Pioneer, may I know what is it in the Denon that you prefer over the Pioneer?

If I'm not mistaken, they have very similar power ratings.

Like the OP, I'd like to be guided and I want it to be unbiased and not too generalized based on past experience.

 

[sholling]

Your dislike of non-Elite Pioneer receivers is well-noted in this forum. But in this particular case of compared receivers from Denon and Pioneer, may I know what is it in the Denon that you prefer over the Pioneer?

If I'm not mistaken, they have very similar power ratings.

Historically non-Elite Pioneer have had somewhat "optimistic" power ratings. I also prefer Audyssey over MCACC. Other than those two issues they're fine.

Like the OP, I'd like to be guided and I want it to be unbiased and not too generalized based on past experience.

I can either read the spec sheet to you or I can share my experiences.

 

[Seth=L]

Historically non-Elite Pioneer have had somewhat "optimistic" power ratings. I also prefer Audyssey over MCACC. Other than those two issues they're fine.


I can either read the spec sheet to you or I can share my experiences.

The entry level Pioneers and Denons are both in part made by Sherwood. The Denon's have larger power supplies leading me to believe they will probably have an edge in dynamic power. I'd go for the Denon IMO.

 

[gentlejax]

The entry level Pioneers and Denons are both in part made by Sherwood. The Denon's have larger power supplies leading me to believe they will probably have an edge in dynamic power. I'd go for the Denon IMO.

wow really? I always wanted to try a Sherwood Newcastle but sorry....

I was suprised to hear this

 

[Gustavo]

Historically non-Elite Pioneer have had somewhat "optimistic" power ratings.

That, I know. The Pioneer claims to be 110 wpc, more or less. In reality. they are likely 80 wpc which is still similar to the Denon.

However, if Seth is correct that the entry-level Denons could have more dynamic power, then even for that alone the Denon is a bit better.

 

[rnatalli]

Historically non-Elite Pioneer have had somewhat "optimistic" power ratings. I also prefer Audyssey over MCACC. Other than those two issues they're fine.

I feel the same way. Also, as Seth pointed out, the Denon likely has a edge in power too.

 

[HughScot]

I am a huge fan of Denon equipment in general. I've had a 4000 series receiver for ten years with zero problems. Make sure the AVR-591 has HDMI including audio.

 

[tcarcio]

I think it's a wash between either reciever. I would go with the one you like best as far as things like how it looks with your HT. The power part is not an issue because the difference between 80w and 100w will not make a difference. You have to double power for you to notice a difference.

 

[bmurphy2121]

Im now curious about Pioneer. I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-81TXV and have recently upgraded my system and am having a problem with having to turn it up pretty loud to hear it where as before I didnt have to. Is it because of the new system, how its set up in surround sound mode, or because of more powerfull speakers. I really need some help on this one cause Ive been reading every post I could and this by for has been the closest one for my questinoning. Could someone please help. Thanks in advance

 

[Seth=L]

Im now curious about Pioneer. I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-81TXV and have recently upgraded my system and am having a problem with having to turn it up pretty loud to hear it where as before I didnt have to. Is it because of the new system, how its set up in surround sound mode, or because of more powerfull speakers. I really need some help on this one cause Ive been reading every post I could and this by for has been the closest one for my questinoning. Could someone please help. Thanks in advance

I'm not entirely sure the circumstances here. Are you comparing the Pioneer to an older receiver or did you have a previous sound system connected to this Pioneer and the new system sounds different?

I'm also not sure what you mean by you have to turn it up pretty loud to hear it. Is there distortion, or do you just feel you have to turn the numerical volume up higher than on a previous receiver?

 

[bmurphy2121]

Sorry Seth=L let me clarify it better. I have the Elite and had a 5.1 system that consisted of Mirage Nanosat speakes and a Supercube I and when I had them hooked up it seemed that numericaly and sound it didnt have to be turend up very loud to get great sound out of them. Now Ive upgreaded to all def tech speakers fronts 7002 center 2002 rears BPX and a Supercube I it seems like i hve to turn it up numeircaly more to get the same soud that my old speakers did. Ive been reading on here a lot lately and have mess around with my system so Im wondering if I got something out of wack or I just need to set up my new speakes in a different mannor to achieve a great surround sound experience.

 

[Seth=L]

Sorry Seth=L let me clarify it better. I have the Elite and had a 5.1 system that consisted of Mirage Nanosat speakes and a Supercube I and when I had them hooked up it seemed that numericaly and sound it didnt have to be turend up very loud to get great sound out of them. Now Ive upgreaded to all def tech speakers fronts 7002 center 2002 rears BPX and a Supercube I it seems like i hve to turn it up numeircaly more to get the same soud that my old speakers did. Ive been reading on here a lot lately and have mess around with my system so Im wondering if I got something out of wack or I just need to set up my new speakes in a different mannor to achieve a great surround sound experience.

Is the room larger or different? The specifications of the new Definitive Tech speakers would seem to indicate they are more sensitive than the Nanosats. The Nanosats claim 89dB in room output at 1 watt/ 1 meter. The Def Tech 7002 claims 92dB 1 watt/ 1 meter. Did you run the auto calibration again for the new speakers? How much more numerically do you feel you need to turn it up? What specifically seems off, Bass, highs, overall slam?

 

[bmurphy2121]

The room is the same. Yes Ive ran the auto calibration several time with the new speakers in all different types of ways with sound in backround and without still same results. Numerically the nanosats were at volume lever bout 30 and it was pretty loud and now new speakers are at bout 17 or so to have that loud teater sound as before. Over all the sound sounds great I just would have thought that the new ones would over all be louder without out having to turn it up more to get same sound as before thats all. Im tempted to call Pioneer to see if I need to put it in a different THX setting or how to set it up with proper EQ and settings for a movie atmosphere.

 

[Seth=L]

The room is the same. Yes Ive ran the auto calibration several time with the new speakers in all different types of ways with sound in backround and without still same results. Numerically the nanosats were at volume lever bout 30 and it was pretty loud and now new speakers are at bout 17 or so to have that loud teater sound as before. Over all the sound sounds great I just would have thought that the new ones would over all be louder without out having to turn it up more to get same sound as before thats all. Im tempted to call Pioneer to see if I need to put it in a different THX setting or how to set it up with proper EQ and settings for a movie atmosphere.

I'd say it was the auto calibration that made the change. I wouldn't be concerned about it. 0dB is reference, and you're still pretty far away from that, you're in the clear. You could check the level trims that the auto eq set and adjust them if you want, but careful not to lose the balance of output.

 

[bmurphy2121]

Is there a better way to calibrate my speakers manuley vs the auto way. Im pretty new to this calibrating thing Ive just always have used the auto way.

 

[Seth=L]

Is there a better way to calibrate my speakers manuley vs the auto way. Im pretty new to this calibrating thing Ive just always have used the auto way.

If you have an SPL meter you can do it that way, it takes much longer though.