Help choose a/v receiver

[tuan nguyen]

<font color='#000000'>Hi everybody;
I'm just an amateur of home audio-video. But get addicted rather heavily.
I'm asking to you all for the decision of upgrading a/v receiver.
I'm using Denon AVR 3802.
Speaker:7.1
Front: Infinity Alpha40
Center: Infinity Interlude 37
Surround; Mission m51
Surroundback: Infinity interlude IL10
Sub-Woofer: Infinity Interlude100
I'm rather pleased with my present set-up but now wanna upgrade. My choices of brands are: Denon 3805-Pioneer elite 55txi, Yamaha ( don't like much because its bundle of DSP ), Marantz, Onkyo...) and THX is preferrable ( though the Denon avr 3802 works rather well w/ the 7.1 EX but i think for movie THX - at present is an absolute format.Am i wrong?). Anyone here who have experienced in these model at the mid-price level, please have me make the decision.
As for music, to my experiences, the Denon beats away Yamaha  previous model at its price level ( except the VX-2400 which i haven't tried yet.) I tend to lean on marant 7400 or Denon 3805 ( higher price ).
As for movie, again, i don't like the DSP at all-tasteless.
The receiver should support Playstation2
Last but not least, the receiver should be featured IE 1394.
Should i upgrade now or wait for some time this year when there may come out new models at this price level?
Please help me make the decision.
Your help, advice  are highly appreciated.

</font>

 

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>Well, you are asking. So, I am telling! I LOVE my Yamaha. It would be my top pick at this level! Personally, I like the DSP option. I have been using this in movie playback, and I find that it works very well. And if you find that you don't like it, then just don't use it. &nbsp;

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[Shinerman]

<font color='#000000'>From your comments it sounds like your choices should be the Yamaha RX-V2400 or the upcoming Denon 3805. &nbsp; Don't dismiss Yamaha because of it's DSP modes. &nbsp;Like ZUmbo said, if you don't like them, don't use them. &nbsp;It's just a feature. &nbsp;Although I bet you may find you like some of them. &nbsp;Yamaha does DSPs better than anyone. &nbsp;If your going by what's on your 3802 then you will be suprised by the Yamaha's.

As far as THX goes. &nbsp;It's not that big of deal. &nbsp;I never use it. &nbsp;I think you will find that alot of people don't care for it compared to DTS, DPLII, EX, etc. &nbsp; It's more of a marketing feature. &nbsp;I have the RX-V1400 and I thought THX was going to be great. &nbsp;I tried it once or twice and have not used it since. &nbsp;DTS is far far better in my opinion.

As far as music, &nbsp;Yamaha's newer receivers have really improve in regard to music. &nbsp; Although I have always liked them. &nbsp; Try the new ones out and I think you might be impressed.

Shinerman</font>

 

[zumbo]

<font color='#000000'>Ditto on the THX. I did not comment on that due to the fact I am only 5.1. It might make a difference on 7.1. &nbsp;

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[Shinerman]

<font color='#000000'>I'm 5.1 as well but I have heard it's still pretty much a non-factor on 6.1 and 7.1 compared to DTS and DPLII. &nbsp;

Shinerman</font>

 

[jeffsg4mac]

<font color='#000000'>I am a Denon fan, I have a 2803 and it replaced seperates, and I am happy. I would go for the 3805, it looks like a monster. The Denon's fidelity is hard to beat.</font>

 

[aarond]

<font color='#000000'>I also own the 3802 and I would not consider any of these models an upgrade. You are getting almost exactly what you have with a couple of new features ( video up conversion and an auto set mode that no one likes and sets up manually anyways) and unless you have just purchased a new dvd player and new tv the hdmi/dvi doesn't matter. i would wait and see , but , thats just me.

aarond</font>

 

[tuan nguyen]

<font color='#000000'>Thanks you all for nice comments.
In regard of movie play back, some consider THX just a kind of marketing. As what i know, most of top of the line of a/v receivers now aday from many manufacturers tagged THX labels &nbsp;ultra for top of the lines and select for lower price . I still remember once at certain famous a/v magazine reviewed the Yamahaz-1 (w/o THX) and noted that Yamaha insist its own quality-no need to have THX for its a/v lines-but this year what's happend with Yamaha new models? vx-2400 and Z9? Why Yamaha changed its mind- Is it changed for the trend of THX in the a/v market to meet consumer needs or THX quality? Let look all of the famous a/v brand top of the lines now to see how is price different from each level ( at a 1st glance ).
Only Sony still doesnot feature THX in its product line due to its (Cinema digital sound)-But i think the someday Sony either has to tag THX on its product line or loose the battle; like its digital camera-its previous model just feature Sony memory stick only-but now add more memory card format for its product lines.
As my own experience in home movie playback, I've tried the Starwar ( the Phantome Menance ) THX format. I must admit that THX movie is really cool-the sound effect is extremely expressive which brings us to life-like sound experience. ( Though Denon 3802 does'nt feature THX but Dolby EX works real good. I wonder what the sound effect like if I play this movie with an a/v with THX certified?.
I also like the DTS and tried the DTS 6.1 ES movie Rush hour 2. It's rather impressive but can't be compared to THX Star war- Please try this 02 movies to see if there is sth to say with these surround sound tech in movie. Beside Dolby EX is really cool. Anyway thanks all of the manufacturers that now we the users can enjoy HOME THEATER.
I encourage whose a/v features 7.1 but just employ 5.1 speaker only -Add 02 more speakers and you'll see the difference-not only 01 speaker ( like some mid-price a/v of Marantz features). When you engage the 7.1, and then swicth to 5.1, you'll definately find the acoustic gap between 5.1 and 7.1 and you'll see how is the sound lost in some where when the the sound of airplane /heli/cars... travel arround or from front to end and vice-versa. Don't assume that not many movie feature 6.1 in the market-Just support &nbsp;5.1 movie. Let say just tried with the 5.1 format and you'll find how cool the THX-EX, DTS-ES and Dolby EX.
That's why i say that i don't like the DSP at all-Just the three above surround sound is more than enough.
If i go for Yamaha, like you say, i'll certaintly tried the DSP.
Thank you.
Again, i'm just an amatuer in audio-video, but rahter addicted.
Each of us may hase different taste in sound-but all persuit the highest sound possible within our own budget, capability.
Probably, i'll try the Yamaha vx-2400 ( but if i can, i'll try the Denon 3805-but sorry the Denon 3sery does not have THX-but more important, this time I think Denon may be less competent when Denon does'nt use universal ilink-but use the Denon link only-No good Mr. Denon. I don't like this-I really like Denon but this time with the Denon link, i bet that Denon will loose big sale volume due to the Denonlink-You bad, Mr. Denon.</font>

 

[Shinerman]

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aarond : <font color='#000000'>You are getting almost exactly what you have with a couple of new features ( video up conversion and an auto set mode that no one likes and sets up manually anyways)

aarond</font>

<font color='#000000'>Huh? &nbsp;Nobody likes it? &nbsp;How did you get that idea? &nbsp;From what I have read and experienced with my RX-V1400, &nbsp;most people do like the YPAO. &nbsp;I ran it and made a couple of very minor tweaks. &nbsp;Very easy. &nbsp; Much easier than using my SPL meter. &nbsp; Might want to do a little more research. &nbsp;

And video up conversion is a big deal for some. &nbsp;

Shinerman</font>

 

[aarond]

<font color='#000000'>so are you &nbsp;saying that video up conversion and YPAO are worth a grand ? because there will be no sonic improvements over his current set up</font>

 

[Shinerman]

<font color='#000000'>Not saying they are worth a grand but they do set the Yamaha 1400/2400 apart from other receivers in the same price range. &nbsp;To say they are worthless is far from fact.

Your right in that sonic improvement will be zero or very small if any. &nbsp;Although, some people like the sound if Denon, some like the sound of Yamaha. &nbsp;One's not better than the other, just different.

I personally could not justify spending the money to go from a 3802 to a 3805 or the Yamaha 1400/2400. &nbsp;But, some might think the added new features are worth the upgrade and have money to spend. &nbsp;

When and if I upgrade from my Yamaha 1400, it will be to a Arcam, Rotel , or similiar A/V receiver or seperates. &nbsp; That's an upgrade. &nbsp;

Shinerman</font>

 

[Sounds Simple]

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aarond : <font color='#000000'>I also own the 3802 and I would not consider any of these models an upgrade. You are getting almost exactly what you have with a couple of new features ( video up conversion and an auto set mode that no one likes and sets up manually anyways) and unless you have just purchased a new dvd player and new tv the hdmi/dvi doesn't matter. i would wait and see , but , thats just me.

aarond</font>

<font color='#000000'>I'm not sure where you got the idea that the auto-setup/EQ features are not used or liked. Many people think they are quite good and it is important to remembet that these newer receivers do more than just set levels; their auto-EQ can help to tame room anomalies have neother the knowledge, time or patience to do on their own.

I leave the value judgement to each person but I wouldn't dismiss the features as being that trivial.

Bob</font>