Denon AVR3312CI vs. Marantz SR6006 vs. Pionerr Elite VSX-53

[porchlife]

First off I am a noob on here so please forgive me if I am posting in the wrong place. I tried to find a thread that already had this topic but was unable to, so hopefully someone can help me out.

Ok, so my Pioneer VSX 1120K has to be replaced due to some issues internally. I am looking at these three as potential candidates: Denon AVR3312CI, Marantz SR6006, or Pioneer Elite VSX 53. I will be using this for 60% HT/40% Music listening. I like the Denon and Marantz because of the phono inputs as I would like to integrate my turntable to this sound system. I cannot tell however if these are just inputs or if they have a phono preamp built in, which is what I am hoping. I have absolutely no experience with the Denon/Marantz line but have heard great things. I was hoping that someone might know about these AV receivers and have some wisdom and insight as to which one would be best.

Currently I have a Polk speaker setup running 5.1 but will be soon upgrading to either Def Tech 8060's or B&W 864s to complement my Emotiva Ultra 12 sub. Not sure if that matters but thought I would let you know what the receiver would be powering.

Once again, I apologize if this is not the right place and appreciate any help.

 

[BESLC]

I have had the 3312 for a couple of weeks, replacing a 4 year old Pioneer. I personally have not looked back, and am very pleased with the performance.

I think between the receivers you have mentioned the 3312 offers the most in terms of overall value and performance. The 3312 is 125 watts per channel, on all channels. The Marantz and Pioneer are 110 watts per channel.

I personally found the sound quality on the 3312 superior to my Pioneer. I also think Audyssey is a better calibration tool than MCaCC on Pioneer. I would think sound quality on Marantz would be on par with Denon, since they are owned by the same company and share many traits on the various models. In terms of features, the Denon can't be beat.

The Denon and Marantz are both 7.2, the Pioneer is 7.1.

I think the new GUI on the Denon is far superior than what my old Pioneer had, I can't speak for any new Pioneer GUI.

Obviously I made my choice,if I were picking between the units you mentioned I would still chose the Denon 3312.

Since I can't speak about price in this forum, lets just say the 3312 can be had for a very appealing price.

 

[porchlife]

Thanks for the input. My previous receiver the Pioneer vsx 1120k was only 5 months old before it broke on me. I was hoping to hear from someone who had experience with both the MCACC and Audyssey, glad to hear your opinion on that. I was leaning more towards the 3312 in terms of value and price. One last question, the phono input does it have a built in phono preamp, or does it need an external one? I haven't been able to tell from the literature and manuals I have read online

 

[BESLC]

Thanks for the input. My previous receiver the Pioneer vsx 1120k was only 5 months old before it broke on me. I was hoping to hear from someone who had experience with both the MCACC and Audyssey, glad to hear your opinion on that. I was leaning more towards the 3312 in terms of value and price. One last question, the phono input does it have a built in phono preamp, or does it need an external one? I haven't been able to tell from the literature and manuals I have read online

The phono input is amplified on the 3312, so no external pre-amp needed.

 

[bandit788]

Can we please keep this thread going!

I would love to hear more input from the experts about these three receivers. Hello to all, love your forum it is full of great info. I am also doing research and just auditioned these same three receivers today on a pair of B&W 684's! Porchlife, the Denon had a better soundstage...I was able to use a switcher and go between all of the receivers while playing the same track...it was a noticeable difference. My other receiver consideration is the Rotel RSX-1550, which I know will have the sound...but not all the bell's and whistles:-( I am just torn because it seems the Pioneer is bigger, heavier and has all these gimmicky nice tricks that their website talks about...but I feel the Denon will probably do more then I will ever need.

My 7.1 setup consist of a Denon 2105 with Bowers & Wilkins DM603 S3 Fronts, LCR600 S3 Center, CCM65 surrounds...and cheap htd.com in wall rears. I really just want a new receiver for the HDMI inputs...plus my B&W's are underpowered with my old 2105. When I purchased them back in 2005 I auditioned them with a Rotel RSX-1056 (only 75w/ch, but A/B amplification), they have never sounded so good with the Denon rated at 90.

 

[bandit788]

Water is more muddy!

I just installed all of the iPhone control apps for these receivers, each one has a demo mode. The Pioneer app is amazing, it allows you to control and tweak multiple parameters, and even adjust the EQ in a sweet way. The Denon and Marantz app was obviously produced by the same company (looks identical) and has very minimal and basic controls...no real tuning, kind of disappointing. I know that once you get your setup perfect why would you mess with it, but the simple act of being able to sit on the sofa and tweak the sound with a freaking awesome iPad/iPhone interface is so very nice. Heading back to Magnolia to listen to them again today at 11:00 Trying to talk my self into the Pioneer VSX-53...I bet any one of them are going to be amazing compared to my current Denon 2105

 

[porchlife]

I just installed all of the iPhone control apps for these receivers, each one has a demo mode. The Pioneer app is amazing, it allows you to control and tweak multiple parameters, and even adjust the EQ in a sweet way. The Denon and Marantz app was obviously produced by the same company (looks identical) and has very minimal and basic controls...no real tuning, kind of disappointing. I know that once you get your setup perfect why would you mess with it, but the simple act of being able to sit on the sofa and tweak the sound with a freaking awesome iPad/iPhone interface is so very nice. Heading back to Magnolia to listen to them again today at 11:00 Trying to talk my self into the Pioneer VSX-53...I bet any one of them are going to be amazing compared to my current Denon 2105

Thanks so much for the info, let me know which one you end up going with.

 

[bandit788]

Can I curse on this form...f**k, f**k, f**k. I have good intel to report, or I have just been our of technology to long. If you have been following this post you know I was choosing between the big three recievers this year but could not get them to come down 10% on the VSX-53. I kept noticing the table with last years stuff on it and they had a Marantz 6005 open box display model marked down to $437!!!! I went home and researched it and it really is missing some of the bells and whistles that I wanted like ethernet and airplay (but I have a apple TV box that will do the same). I went back and with a $35 best buy certificate I walked out for $402 and change. THey had the remote, the cord, and the setup mic. So part two of the story...So I decided if this was not my dream receiver I would just put 5.1 in our master bedroom, and over the weekend I installed hometheather direct HD-R65 fronts in the ceiling, MP-R65 rears in the ceiling and a HD-W65 in the front wall as my center (turned it sideways). I used 16ga insulated OFC for all runs and even terminated everything behind the dresser with a nice plate. I plugged everything up, including the little Def Tech ProSub 800. I got a tripod and performed the Audyssey setup....and damn!!!!! I am not sure my living room has ever sounded so clean an crisp from so man directions. I put in Jeck Beck SACD in m y BluRay player not know if it would play it but it did, came up as being played in "DSD" which I am note sure what it is, but it sounded better then when I used to play that disk on my Denon 2900 SACD player. What gives, has technology passed me by! I am thinking about going to get another 6005 for my living room, to replace the old Denon2105! Pretty excited, the wife even realized how amazing the bedroom sounds now

 

[Irrivirsible]

I heard the Marantz and Pioneer and preferred the Marantz as heard. I like the new Marantz receivers but they are not discounted like Denon and Yamaha.