home theater reciever???

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

Help choosing a reciever...??

I've been looking to upgrade my home theater receiver. I will be using it for mostly DVDs and some music. The speakers I am using are all JBL studio series (S-center, 2-S312 front, 4-S36II back & rear, and 1-S 12 400 watt powered sub.) I am on a budget but i have two problems to overcome; I like to watch movies/concerts LOUD (enough power to push these speakers) & I wan't a receiver that wouldn't limit me for the future (eg. hooking up my pc to my home theater, future advancements in video, HDTV etc...) Right now I've got an old yamaha (85 watts/channel) and have been happy with it until now. That being said i am partial to the Yamaha rvx 2500. I've read a bunch of the threads on related topics and Ive decided on the Yam 2500 over the Den. But what about the Onkyo TXD 989/797, Marantz, Sony, or HK? Should i wait for more receivers with built in Firewire, HDMI or exchangable cards like the Onkyo TX-NR1000 (available but too $$$?) Do I need an IEEE port? Is that technology that is going to stay? I would appreciate any input on comparable products before I pull the trigger. I would like to stay below $800 but that could be go up for the right receiver.

 

[dillweed]

The Yamaha 2500 is a great unit. I imagine that you are going to notice a huge difference from the unit you are using now. I would also take it over the Denon because I am not a believer in Denon's customer service.

As for HDMI and exchangeable cards. They are out of the price range of $800 for now and the near future. As for the future, component video will run HDTV just fine. Most can't tell difference between HDMI and component anyway. Upscaling is over rated IMHO and would not pay extra for that.

I have not gotten into home cpu/ theater so I refrain from comment.

Marantz and HK are good receivers that I would recommend. I Highly recommend going to see a local dealer and listen to the Yamaha and others if you have not already as others interpretations of the sound of the amp might not be yours.

Good Luck

 

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

Thanks Dillweed-
do you think i should wait to see the street price of the new 4600 coming out? probable still be up there$$$$. still want that feature though! have you heard anything about the onkyo txds989??

 

[awesomebase]

Don't sweat it...

This is certainly a great time for buying receivers, but, at the same time there are new technologies that are coming out. The HDMI feature for receivers is definitely something to keep an eye out for. However, it is unlikely that we'll see sub $1K prices on those receivers until at least a year from now if not more. If you can wait that long then great. However, very few electronics actually use that interface and fewer still make use of the features provided by that connection. It is kind of a chicken-and-egg thing. Obviously it would be great to have one digital connection to your TV and then switch the inputs via the Receiver. However, while this is advantageous and while there are receivers that will upconvert your DVD player / DVR and other inputs, it is still a premature technology that has not really proven its worth. A well-tuned component connection will look as good. What I would consider to be more valuable at this time is the quality of sound that you would get from your receiver. Having said that, I would definitely recommend the Yamaha and HKs. I have not heard the quality of Onkyo yet, but I know people hold them in high-regard. While Denon typically has great quality, they do not usually offer the best bang for the buck and have difficult user-interfaces that make utilizing their technology frustrating and tiresome. Just my $0.02.

 

[bmac]

I know the feeling...

I've spent many a sleepless night with the same problem. I have looked at Denon avr-3805 and Rotel RSX-1067. The Denon could save me a lot of money, but from the reviews the Rotel rocks.When does price outweight performance?Is the quality there to justify the price?I live in a town without a Rotel dealer so listening is not that easy. I don't want to buy just a name.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

My .02 cents says the Denon is very easy to use, as all the controls are available from the front panel as well as on screen. Denon has an 800# that is answered immediately if you have any questions, and they are located right here in the good 'ol USA in Illinios. I asked them to update my remote - I had the older black foil and they sent me a new one right away. I challenge Yamaha to do the same if you have to deal with the mfg. directly. Marantz is owned by the same company Denon is, so their customer service will be just as good. I've been recommending a Marantz 8400 receiver through www.ubid.com that is going for almost half msrp and IMO is much better than the Yammy 2500 and comprable to the Denon 3805. I have a DVR, and component ins and outs won't work unless you have a video stabilizer b/c of the delay in the constant hard drive running. HDMI outs are fantastic if you have a plasma or LCD on the wall and only want one cord to the set. You'll need an HD signal though to take advantage of it. The 3805 is pricey at $1199, but you can find them for under $850 now if you search the net. The Marantz can be had for under $600. HK's only receiver I considered was the 7300, and at $1400, was way more than I wanted to spend. It all boils down to your budget. If you can swing $1500 or more, you'll get all the new bells and whistels needed for HD and PC hookup. Otherwise, get something for $600 - $800 and you'll be very happy with your purchase.

 

[bmac]

Rotel Or Not Rotel

I don't have a problem with the price,my problem is the law of diminishing returns.If I spent twice the money will I get twice the product?I hope someone who has spent the money could tell if Rotel's RSX-1067 is worth the price.I've read the reviews(done mostly by people who don't spend their money),I just wanted some real world experience. Could anyone help?

 

[Joshr]

Rotel

I hope someone will answer Bmac's question (and BMAC, if you get some info from other sources, please post!) cause I am in exactly the same position....thinking about the Rotel 1067 versus saving some $ and going with either Denon 3805 or an Integra. I'm surprised not to hear more about Integra on this site as I hear very good things from people I trust, and there seems to be A LOT for the $ there.

--Josh

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I hope someone will answer Bmac's question (and BMAC, if you get some info from other sources, please post!) cause I am in exactly the same position....thinking about the Rotel 1067 versus saving some $ and going with either Denon 3805 or an Integra. I'm surprised not to hear more about Integra on this site as I hear very good things from people I trust, and there seems to be A LOT for the $ there.

--Josh

Integra has been discussed in the past on this forum. They are Onkyo's high end. They have had some quality issues. You are right, though, not many on this forum own them. I don't think Onkyo does a good job marketing their high end products. A dealer down the street sells Integra and talks them up quite a bit, but told me the Denon 3805 was the way to go. Nothing on the market for the price can even compare to the 3805 and this guy sells some high end equipment. Here is his site - call him, he'll tell you all about Integra and Denon receivers. He also carries Rotel so he may be the guy to talk to!

www.genesisaudio.com/html/frameset-products.htm

 

[Johnny Canuck]

The Denon 3805 allows you to use your subwoofer in Pure Direct mode. The Yamaha does not. That is reason enough to buy the Denon IMO.

 

[mazersteven]

BMAC,

I think it comes down to the question what speakers are you trying to push, and how much power you need to make them work without mudding up. I am putting together a new Home Theater System. I was going with the Denon AVR-3805. A great receiver. But after selecting my speakers I needed more power to push them. So I too am going with the Rotel RSX-1067. I've read the reviews, and watched the video on the Rotel web-site how they use nothing but the best equipment to go into there units. I've also been told to go with separate amps for the speakers if you need the power. I guess it's a individual decision of when is enough, enough. You can keep spending and spending. Do I think the Rotel is worth it. Yes Every Penny. The question is, do you need it? Tell me what your system consists of.

 

[zumbo]

How is it that the Rotel has more power than the Denon? They will both do about the same job. The Rotel claims 100x7. The Denon claims 120x7. The Rotel probably has a more accurate claim, but it would boil down to features and price.
Mazersteven, you have to understand that manufacturers adds are designed to sell the product. Most, not all, reviews are also designed to sell the product. If you find a pair of speakers that cost 30k, then I am certain you will find reviews that say they are what dreams are made of. I am also certain that there would be a video to watch. Hell, who knows, they may fly someone to your town to give an in house demo.
I am not out to attack your post, I am trying to help you and others. I would be proud to have that Rotel. It is a fine piece.

 

[PENG]

I've spent many a sleepless night with the same problem. I have looked at Denon avr-3805 and Rotel RSX-1067. The Denon could save me a lot of money, but from the reviews the Rotel rocks.When does price outweight performance?Is the quality there to justify the price?I live in a town without a Rotel dealer so listening is not that easy. I don't want to buy just a name.

Did you read some of the reviews by British magazines such as What Hi*fi and Home Cinema Choice? You may be happy to see what they think of the 3805 and the Yamaha 2500.

 

[bmac]

The sum of the parts

Well this is the problem,I've really only purchased one piece of the puzzle.I read the reviews and bought the outlaw LFM-1 subwoofer.The next sure thing is the panasonic PTAE-700U.I'm looking at Jamo speakers or maybe Klipsch(satellites),not a lot of watts needed to play either loud.By the way, I really appreciate all the help you guys have already given.

 

[Leprkon]

Ok I first have to say that the Rotel looks much, much cooler than the Denon (or Yammy or any of the mid-majors). The back looks as clean as the front. Yamaha could take a BIG lesson in the lay-out of the speaker wire connectors. I looked at three or four reviews, and the performance appears to be awesome.

I did notice that, strangely for an audiophile piece of equipment, that it does not seem to have phono inputs. It also does not seem to be available for net purchase, so it's probably not going to be much off the list price. As a final issue, the spec sheet does not discuss anything other than 8 ohm speakers. Anyone know if they can do 6's and 4's ?

http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rsx1067.htm

 

[zumbo]

Although this is a receiver thread, I must reply to the Jamo & Klipsch choices mentioned. May I say no, and no. Before you move on to that decision, you may want to start a new thread in the other section. There are many, many other much better choices.

 

[PENG]

How is it that the Rotel has more power than the Denon? They will both do about the same job. The Rotel claims 100x7. The Denon claims 120x7. The Rotel probably has a more accurate claim, but it would boil down to features and price.

I just check http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/

Based on the lab report section (reviewed by the same reviewer), the Rotel has a few more watts in 2 & 5 channel, 1 Khz 8 ohms and 2 channel, 1 khz 4 ohms.

Where the Rotel has much more is in the 5 channel driven, 1 khz 4 ohms test. 5 channel driven: 195W (if you can believe it) into 4 ohms for the Rotel, versus 135WX5 for the Denon, both at 0.5% distortion. I wonder if the Rotel's 195W was a typo because 5X195=975W, when you factor in efficiency and power factor losses, the receiver would need to draw (2000VA) from a 20A circuit all for itself, unless the test lasts only for a very short duration.

Still, both reciever will have enough power for most 8 ohm speakers with average efficiency/sensitivity. So I agree, it boils down to ease of use, features, look etc. The Rotel is about 7 pounds heavier, without the package materials.

 

[PENG]

I just wanted some real world experience. Could anyone help?

I suspect many can give you real world experience with the 3805, but much fewer can do the same for the 1067. To me, real world experience are more valuable mostly in terms of products reliability issues and ease of use than in terms of sound quality that can be highly subjective.

I would generally read as many professional reviews (by those who don't have to spend their own money therefore they don't have to defend their decision) as I can find on the web and then take my chance.

Just food for thought, it may cost less to buy a 3805 and a 2 or 3 channel power amplifier, and you end up with much more power than the 1067, for less money. I did exactly that, but found that the 3805 is fine on its own without the help of the amp anyway. I have 87dB sensitivity speakers.

One last point, I agree with you about the law of diminishing return. It is unlikely that paying twice as much will get you twice the product, not in the case of the 1067 versus the 3805.

 

[bmac]

Thanks for the info

It's great talking to you guys about this,I need all the help I can get.Most people I know don't do the 'homework'.I'm not knocking HTIB but thats not for me.

I got what seems like a good quote on Rotel($400 above Denon list).I should say I'm very tempted to order. For some reason and it's not rational I like Rotel.Don't get me wrong, before I heard about Rotel my first choice was the Denon 3805,but a couple of reviews later and I was on the Rotel bandwagon.I guess I'm a sucker for good marketing.So,I came here to get voices of reason.

 

[zumbo]

If the funds are there, then go for it. I do the same kinda stuff. If you don't get the one your gut tells you too, for some reason you will regret your decission. And then the abuse starts.