Looking for AVR Opinions

[Woofer]

I’m building piece-by-piece a basic ‘Home Entertainment’ system. First acquired was a 42” Pioneer Elite. Now, I’m looking at AVRs.

High on my list is the Onkyo TX-SR805, which I can purchase for $600 NIB. From what I’ve read it is in many ways desirable over the 806.

Today, however, I visited the local Big Box store and discovered they’d replaced some demo product with newer models and put the older gear on clearance. Specifically…

Denon AVR 2808CI for $600

Yamaha RX-V1800 for $545

No way to know exactly how long the gear was in use but I assume each was on every day for the duration and possibly only played hard for maybe half an hour/day. I don’t think I’ve reason for concern and each comes with a full warranty anyway.

I’m using the TV’s audio for now but have a small pair of Mission speakers I would first use with whatever AVR I end up with. I kinda' like that Definitive Technology ProMonitor 600 setup for a future purchase.

Otherwise, the rest of my hardware sums up like this…

Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD
Panasonic DMR-E80H DVR (480 or 720, not sure)
Original Xbox
Misc. audio components that any modern AVR would accommodate

I’d also like to add a Blu-ray player some day, so that and the cable box would seem to be the only two HDMI ports I’d need unless I’m being short-sighted.

I’m in the process of reviewing posts here and visiting each manufacturer’s site to print/compare specs. I'm really just anxious to hear what your thoughts are of each and why you would prefer one over the other since I don’t really know what questions to ask.

Thanks for your help.

 

[zumbo]

http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=DENAVR2808CI

 

[Woofer]

..whoa... Authorized and NIB. Impressive. Gives you an idea on the markup of gear these days. Had no idea it was so high. Are you certain they're not selling 'B' stock?...

 

[zumbo]

..whoa... Authorized and NIB. Impressive. Gives you an idea on the markup of gear these days. Had no idea it was so high. Are you certain they're not selling 'B' stock?...

6thave is top notch. The 08's are outgoing models. Most places are sold-out already.

 

[zumbo]

I don't see it listed as b-stock, or open box. You could call them to be sure. There may be someone there now.

1-877-684-2831

 

[Woofer]

Went back today and found the 2808ci marked down to $399, the 1800 to $349 ("Yoinks!"). Walked out with the 2808ci. Still was uncertain toward the end but the Sales Rep was a Denon fanboi and did impart one bit of knowledge I was thankful for - said the 1800 only upconverted to 1080i whereas the 2808ci does 1080p. In the words of the great Carl Spackler, "So I got that goin' for me, which is nice..."

 

[bandphan]

..whoa... Authorized and NIB. Impressive. Gives you an idea on the markup of gear these days. Had no idea it was so high. Are you certain they're not selling 'B' stock?...

Also the reason B&M stores are folding

 

[Woofer]

Also the reason B&M stores are folding

I'm genuinely conflicted on this topic. I don't begrudge someone making a living but there are limits to what I can bear when I've most of the facts in hand. When two similar T-shirts are both made overseas but one is 3x the cost of the other because a guy on a galloping horse is wielding a Polo stick on the breast I pause and ponder the value.

In my case, three days ago the price was $599 with "No chance" of going lower, "Below cost already." It was still high enough, however, for me to hold off and come type to you guys and to do some more research to see if it really was my best choice. I go back today and the price is $399. Did the guy lie to me or did the GM want the gear gone ASAP? I promise you I didn't stand there holding my breath with four crisp Bennies clutched in my hand. Had I waited another coupla' days who knows how low the $ would have gone, but then I might not have been the one carting it home. They finally set a price I couldn't refuse. And lest we forget, many manufacturers set the prices for their products and don't let any authorized reseller, iNet or not, undercut the next guy.

 

[bandphan]

It is what it is, profits not a dirty word. Can you imagine one gas station selling gas for 30% less than everyone else No employees, no store, just automated pumps. I have nothing against ID, but factories need to protect their branding in order not to profit loss themselves out of buissness.

 

[Woofer]

It is what it is, profits not a dirty word. Can you imagine one gas station selling gas for 30% less than everyone else No employees, no store, just automated pumps. I have nothing against ID, but factories need to protect their branding in order not to profit loss themselves out of buissness.

Iiiiiii dunno... w/o cigarettes, coffee and donuts to appease the rotund masses my guess is such a station would fail inside of a month.

I agree with the rest of your statement. Look at Apple. In my case, though, I'm pretty certain Denon got it's $, it was Best Buy that shot off their pinky toe to spite their wallet. But for the grace of the Consumer, there goes Circuit City.