Need advice on new AVR (approx $800)

[joegator81]

My Onkyo AVR's HDMI board recently took a dive. Its worked well for me for the last 4 years and i hadnt been looking at a receiver upgrade at all so i'm a little behind the curve when it comes to what i should or should not be looking for.

My system consists of the Onkyo AVR for movies only. 2 channel music is performed by a Belles 22A preamp and an Emerald Physics SE power amp. The Emerald Physics power amp also supplies power for the front LR channels for movies as well. Speakers are all Salk songseries. I am only running 5.1 at this time, but have considered expanding to 7.2. Subwoofer is an Epik Legend with replaced BASH power amp.

My must haves include preamp outputs so that i can continue to use the external amp and keep my 2 channel integrated and good sound quality is a must. The new AVR will see most of its use with movies and some blu ray concerts. I would like to add another sub in the future. I have been looking primarily at Crutchfield.com and have been focusing on older AVR's that have been discounted.

1) Denon X4000 $799 (has XT32 calibration)
2) Marantz 7007 $799 (has XT calibration)
3) Marantz 7008 $999 (more than i'd prefer to spend but would consider it)

There are some other AVR's there as well like the Marantz 6008 and 5009 that i would consider. Also the Onkyo 838 but i've been hearing a lot of negative things about their recent quality control issues.

So, let me know your thoughts and recommendations.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[joegator81]

Also, let me add that i am interested in your thoughts as to which of these would be best in the video quality department as well.

Thanks.

 

[rojo]

Since your plans for the future include a second sub, knock the Marantz 7007 off your list unless you have a MiniDSP or some other form of multiple sub bass management. SubEQ HT in the 7008 and the X4000 will be a big advantage.

Since there's not much difference between the X4000 and the 7008 functionally and your external amplification renders any suspicion of one having better sound quality than the other a moot point, I say go with the cheaper X4000.

There will be no difference whatsoever in video quality.

Sent from my LG-VS980 using Forum Fiend v1.3.1.

 

[joegator81]

Thanks, i was leaning away from the 7007 because it didnt have XT32 or subEQ. Are there any other AVR's i should consider?

Would i be better off going with a 6008 or 5009?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've always voted for the Denon X4000 because of the XT32, pre-amp outputs, and price.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

you could afford X4100W - http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00MK3BZAE/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
refub (1year warranty) or openbox (3 years warranty)
Thou the differences from x4000 are minor. Atmos I don't care about

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Denon will probably be releasing new models by July. So the X4000 (if still available) and X4100 may be even less expensive then.

 

[Cos]

Nothing wrong with Denon, I just don't like the looks but you can't argue with features. It's one of the lowest price points for Audssey 32

Quick FYI, you may want to check as Onkyo extended the Warranty of a lot of their AVRs due to the HDMI issue, you may want to check their website.

 

[herbu]

Another vote for X4000 simply because I love mine.

 

[joegator81]

Thanks for all of the reco's. I decided to go with the marantz 7008 refurbished. I purchased the extended warranty to be safe.

I got it up and running with little effort. This is the most intuitive receiver I've ever used. I didn't use the directions at all and had zero problems getting it setup. It did initially put my front speakers as LARGE but they only play down in to the 40HZ cycle range in room. This is not an uncommon problem that i've had with Audessey in the past and is nothing a few adjustments can't fix. I set the sub crossover to 80 hz and set all of my salk speakers to 60 hz allowing a slight overlap. I used rear surrounds for the first time (more on that later), the 35$ dayton audio monitors and allowed them to play down to 80 hz.

At first there was a terrible ground loop hum. I tried unplugging different gear to figure it out. Then I remebered I unplugged the preout to afix the surround cables. Problem solved.

I went with marantz because of the xt32 and the reviews claiming better sound quality over the denons (lets not turn this thread into a battleground, i have no idea if an x4000 or 4520ci would actually sound). I expect any differences would small but the little extra warmth sounds enticing to me, especially for use with SACD's and blu ray concerts.

As of right now i am mightily impressed. I should have added the rear surrounds for 7.1 a long time a go. What an improvement they make. The sound is very robust (keep in mind the front two channels are powered by the EP100.2SE), rich and detailed. The blend from the sub to the speakers is very subtle (after some additional leveling). I can imagine how two subs would be even better in my large open room.

The few blu ray and sacds i've tried have been a little light in the bass attack in terms of depth and punch but i think its a matter of the mix, these results were similar with my previous onkyo as well.

So my dilemma is this. I am convinced that i should add either height or width speakers and with the dayton's costing such little coin i'd be out so little if it didnt work out. So, which should i try?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Imo you should change your speakers setting to small to actually engage the crossover

 

[joegator81]

Imo you should change your speakers setting to small to actually engage the crossover

I did. I think I implied that I had but didn't explicitly say so. I've got all speakers set to small. Sub crossed over at 80hz. All of my salks play down to 60hz so there is a little overlap. Daytons play down to 80hz.

 

[tcarcio]

Onkyo is fixing hdmi problems with their receivers out of warranty for free. Check it out because if they will fix it you could sell it. Check here...http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/1652514-onkyo-acknowledges-failed-units-extending-warrranties-until-2018-a.html