Need advice from the experts regarding a Receiver!

[cobs00]

Hey everyone,

I have a 6 piece JBL speaker set that I got 10 years ago that sounds absolutely fantastic on my outdated Kenwood VR307 Pro logic receiver.

Times have changed and I have decided to upgrade to an HDMI 7.1 receiver. I'm eyeing the Yamaha HTR6250B 7.1 receiver. This choice is based on price and some vague reviews. Am I making the right choice? Is there better out there in the same price range ($500-$600)?

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Constantine

 

[AVRat]

That would be a good option.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hey cobs00,

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/2009-500-receiver-comparison-guide

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/2009-750-receiver-comparison-guide

I can guarantee you upgrading your receiver wont give any significant sound quality boosts, but vast array of new features...

Which ones you need more will decide which receiver works best for your budget.

I'd recommend to take closer look at video processing features on different models...

 

[cjsiv]

I have recently gone from a Yamaha 663 to a Denon 1910 and I cannot recommend denon enough. Check out my review in the equipment reviews section of the forum. I wouldn't even think of buying anything from yamaha's recent lineup. They really cheapened up the power this year.

 

[goldenwings]

I've just purchased my first 7.1 receiver, after a couple of weeks researching info about the features of several models (to meet wich meet my requirements), and after hearing Yamaha, Marantz and Denon (at 3 different stores), I decided without doubt for the Denon, the sound was better than in the others (of course that in different places, with different speakers, wich makes difficult to be absolutely sure about this topic), the features was closest to my needs, and, in my country Marantz is overpriced.

I was unsure about the Denon 2308 vs. Denon 1910, the first is older, but includs a Phono input (important for me), the second have the latest technologys like DTS HD, Dolby True HD, and Dolby Pro Logic IIz, and includes also four HDMI inputs instead of two.

My final decision was for the 2308, I bough it yesterday!

Of course, my advise is that you should try the Receivers by yourserf, and look for comprehensive info about wich features fullfill your expectations, if the one that have all the features you wants, also sounds good enough, this is for you!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I've just purchased my first 7.1 receiver, after a couple of weeks researching info about the features of several models (to meet wich meet my requirements), and after hearing Yamaha, Marantz and Denon (at 3 different stores), I decided without doubt for the Denon, the sound was better than in the others (of course that in different places, with different speakers, wich makes difficult to be absolutely sure about this topic)

Looks like someone missed Clint's article about how all decent amplifiers sound the same....

 

[rnatalli]

The Denon 1910/790 has my vote. Solid amp section, Audyssey MultiEQ, Anchor Bay video processing, and Denon reliability. I think 6th Avenue was doing a name your own price and they were letting Denon 2310's (one step up from 1910) go for $549.

 

[rnatalli]

Looks like someone missed Clint's article about how all decent amplifiers sound the same....

In direct mode that is true, but the Denon may have sounded better than the others with Audyssey engaged. Audyssey, MCACC, YPAO, etc... all tweak the sound in different ways.

 

[JerryLove]

In direct mode that is true, but the Denon may have sounded better than the others with Audyssey engaged. Audyssey, MCACC, YPAO, etc... all tweak the sound in different ways.

Translation: the equalizer may have been better calibrated on the Denon... which will mean nothing when you change listening environments.

Don't get me wrong: I love the auto-calibration tools; but Marantz and Yamaha have them as well (Marantz uses the same one).

So: they all sound the same when set the same.

 

[rnatalli]

Translation: the equalizer may have been better calibrated on the Denon... which will mean nothing when you change listening environments.

Don't get me wrong: I love the auto-calibration tools; but Marantz and Yamaha have them as well (Marantz uses the same one).

So: they all sound the same when set the same.

They do not. For example, Audyssey MultiEQ will tweak frequencies lower than 63Hz whereas MCACC will not.

 

[JerryLove]

They do not. For example, Audyssey MultiEQ will tweak frequencies lower than 63Hz whereas MCACC will not.

Marantz, owned by the same parent as Denon, uses Audessey for its calibration as well. Similarly Yamaha's auto-calibration (YPAO) most certainly does go lower than 63Hz (http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/rx-z7-7.1/rx-z7-configuration)

MCACC is Pioneer, which is not being discussed AFAIK. It's a 5-band with the lowest adjustment at 40 (not 63). http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/pioneer-vsx-815/receiver-setup-mcacc-room-eq

Audyssey is indeed a 9-band which makes it more capable than a 5 band but less than an 11 band. (I believe you'll get more control, but without the auto-feature, of a McIntosh MQ-1004)

 

[jostenmeat]

They do not. For example, Audyssey MultiEQ will tweak frequencies lower than 63Hz whereas MCACC will not.

Marantz uses Audyssey, although nothing they offer has the XT version (at least not the last time I looked). MCAAC is proprietary to Pioneer, and you are correct that it doesn't correct below 63 hz, but I think it's important to note that it doesn't do anything at all for the LFE.

Audyssey corrects for the LFE, and if you're lucky enough to have a Denon AVP, you can get individual dual sub correction (like with the SVS ASEQ1).

Audyssey is indeed a 9-band which makes it more capable than a 5 band but less than an 11 band. (I believe you'll get more control, but without the auto-feature, of a McIntosh MQ-1004)

Audyssey MultEQ XT applies hundreds of filters. As for MCAAC correcting down to 40hz, that's the first time I've read or heard that. Again, I'm betting that it's a whole lot more than just 5 band correction in any case.

 

[JerryLove]

Audyssey MultEQ XT applies hundreds of filters. As for MCAAC correcting down to 40hz, that's the first time I've read or heard that. Again, I'm betting that it's a whole lot more than just 5 band correction in any case.

Very true: x-band graphic equalizing is *one* feature of all of these systems. Some others include delay control, speaker volume, and phase-checking or correction. I believe some even have roll-off-rate control (the mentioned Mc does, I'm less sure on these automatic ones but would not be surprised)

Matalli's point is valid: there are differences in the level of adjustment available and in the sophistication of the automatic adjustment software; though I still believe in our OP's case, those differences are not a significant factor in what he's experienced.

 

[Phil Indeblanc]

They do not. For example, Audyssey MultiEQ will tweak frequencies lower than 63Hz whereas MCACC will not.

I keep hearing different sides on this, and I listened to a few receivers that are still at my disposal...and they sound DIFFERENT. Are my ears lying to me? when I set to direct stereo, is there something else being set different?
Why do they sound differnt? I have sampled the same track, same areas in the music, and I sense a difference. I am not a technician, but I have some experience, and I have years of sound listening experience between reel to reel and cd recordings and such.

I also see some long time vets making this claim. I would like to learn. I have 4 differnt makes of amps in the $800 range Elite, Yamaha, Denon, and Marantz. How would you like me to set these up so i can hear them at the same sound reproduction?


I have 2 bookshelf ADS speakers, I have 2 Infinity RSV3 speakers, I have Kef tower, and paradgm Studio 20's. I also have a Cambridge 10" sub. Cheap, but it actually does a decent job with full control and volume.

My test was simple. It was between the Paradigm20's or the ADS, and I picked the ADS, as that is what I will use in the room I need the receiver in(smaller). I have to admit, the space is not what you want to do testing in, but it is Apples to Apples as all the components are in the same testing room. The problem is that it is concrete floors and 10ft ceilings in a 30x18 space that opens to another room.

obviously my system setup is not complete, but for testing receiver to receiver, components are more than enough for stereo sound.