Need help choosing a receiver (Sony vs. Denon)...

[augie428]

Good morning all,

I was wondering if someone could help me make up my mind regarding choosing a receiver between a Sony STR-DA5300ES and a Denon AVR-4306. I have read reviews on both and they seem to be decent models.

I am leaning towards the Sony but would like to hear what everyone thinks. The only thing I would have liked to have seen with the Sony unit is a USB port. My main reason for upgrading my current receiver is to get HDMI inputs and I see that the Sony has 6 inputs compared to the Denon 3 inputs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-Greg

 

[no. 5]

For what it's worth, all the Sony receiver bench test that I can remember have shown notably lower power output than comparable, or even cheaper models from other brands.

 

[solomr2]

I had a Denon 4306 for about 8 months. I was reasonably pleased with it, but I think the newer Denon 3808CI is a better buy at this time. The 4306 has a good sound, but it lacks the newer video processing capabilities.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Do not buy the Sony just because it has more HDMI inputs than the Denon. How many do you need anyways? You could always buy an Impact Acoustics HDMI switcher.

I'l bet that the Denon runs rings around that Sony in terms of build quality, and performance. Just my Huble Opinion, and Denon owner.

 

[augie428]

Thanks for everyone's help. I appreciate it. One question I have regarding the Denon 3808CI is that I have read in other posts that one downfall of it is that only a av expert would be able to utilize all the potential that it offers.

I consider myself intermediate (at best) regarding the AV world. I see that a microphone is included with this receiver that will automatically detect what ranges would work best in relation to the room setup.

Does anyone have any examples regarding the complexity of the unit. From my viewpoint everything I have read looks pretty straightforward.

Thanks again.

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks for everyone's help. I appreciate it. One question I have regarding the Denon 3808CI is that I have read in other posts that one downfall of it is that only a av expert would be able to utilize all the potential that it offers.

I think if you read the manual, or at least reference it, you should have no problem setting up. The Denon may not be as simple to setup as an Onkyo, but then again it is only a receiver, not rocket science.

 

[Warpdrv]

Receivers can seem to be somewhat complicated, but like anything else if you take your time with them they are pretty easy to get a grasp on...

Companies have squeezed alot of features into them and they are can perform many taskes, but they have also made such things much easier to do...

We are also here for you, in case you have any technical questions, this site also has a great search tool, and you will most likely be able to find what your looking for as the questions, more then likely have already been asked before..

That is what makes this site a great place/tool for knowledge and learning...

 

[solomr2]

Thanks for everyone's help. I appreciate it. One question I have regarding the Denon 3808CI is that I have read in other posts that one downfall of it is that only a av expert would be able to utilize all the potential that it offers.

I consider myself intermediate (at best) regarding the AV world. I see that a microphone is included with this receiver that will automatically detect what ranges would work best in relation to the room setup.

Does anyone have any examples regarding the complexity of the unit. From my viewpoint everything I have read looks pretty straightforward.

Thanks again.

I've had my 3808CI since October. While it is not a child's toy, it's not that complicated really. In fact, with the new GUI, it's actually pretty easy to navigate. The great thing about the 3808CI is the rich warm sounds it produces and the multitude of connectivity options it has. It has plenty of power and many cool features, but none of that stuff matters if the audio section is poor. The Denon definately has a solid audio section, so you won't be disappointed there.

The microphone included with the 3808 is for the Audissey automated room EQ. This EQ system is not exclusive to Denon, you will find the same system in other receivers. Simply put, it walks you through the process of finding the best speaker setup for your listening room. You go through a process of placing the microphone in up to 5 different seating positions in your room and the Denon automatically emits some test tones. The microphone picks-up the test tones and then the system calculates speaker distances and output efficiency. It works very well.

 

[augie428]

What would the main difference be between the 3808CI and 4308CI (besides the wi-fi)?

In regards to the internet radio you can access through your computer, is this HD or just standard digital?

I'm also looking to upgrade my current speakers. Any suggestions for those that go best with the 3808 or 4308?

Thanks again.

 

[gus6464]

What would the main difference be between the 3808CI and 4308CI (besides the wi-fi)?

In regards to the internet radio you can access through your computer, is this HD or just standard digital?

I'm also looking to upgrade my current speakers. Any suggestions for those that go best with the 3808 or 4308?

Thanks again.

Budget for speakers?

 

[augie428]

I'm trying to keep it around $1,000 for the speakers/sub but am open to spending a bit more depending on the suggestions.

I currently have an HTIB (Onkyo SKS-HT200 with HT-R510 receiver) purchased about 5 years ago and am ready to upgrade it.

 

[gus6464]

I'm trying to keep it around $1,000 for the speakers/sub but am open to spending a bit more depending on the suggestions.

I currently have an HTIB (Onkyo SKS-HT200 with HT-R510 receiver) purchased about 5 years ago and am ready to upgrade it.

So you want to spend $1000 on speakers and $2500 on receiver (4308). That makes no sense at all. You should spend $2500 on speakers and <=$1000 on receiver. Speakers are the most important part in a HT system, not the receiver. Read what people have posted in the speakers section where you asked the same thing.

 

[rnatalli]

Agreed. Speakers have the largest impact on sound. You should put 60-70% of your budget towards speakers. Also don't spend hundreds of dollars on wires either.

 

[solomr2]

What would the main difference be between the 3808CI and 4308CI (besides the wi-fi)?

In regards to the internet radio you can access through your computer, is this HD or just standard digital?

I'm also looking to upgrade my current speakers. Any suggestions for those that go best with the 3808 or 4308?

Thanks again.

140W vs. 130W
2 HDMI outs vs. just 1
HD Radio
WiFi networking built in

Internet radio is standard digital AFAIK. HD radio requires different circuitry, which is included in the 4308. I don't know what the differences in SQ are between HD radio and a good 160k Internet radio, I think HD radio is more hype than anything you can really hear.

Between the two receivers, I would recommend the 3808 for about $1000 less than the 4308, and then just buy the Denon ASD-3W iPod dock (with WiFi and Internet radio) and call it a day.

The ASD-3W dock is an amazing little device, and adds a whole new dimension to iPod docks. You can stream media from computers on you local network, you have access to hundreds of Internet radio stations grouped by Country, Genre, etc. and you can save your favorites. Plus it all integrates with the new GUI interface. Oh, and it is a very good iPod dock with full integration to the iPod. I highly recommend it.

 

[augie428]

Thanks for all the help. I've been doing a ton of research lately regarding the different options available on audio components and came across pretty good reviews of the Integra DTC-9.8 pre-pro.

How would you rate this against the 3808CI receiver?

 

[fmw]

In regards to the internet radio you can access through your computer, is this HD or just standard digital?

It is far worse. It is highly compressed. I don't enjoy listening to music on internet radio because of the poor sound quality. I normally just listen to other programming.

 

[fmw]

Thanks for all the help. I've been doing a ton of research lately regarding the different options available on audio components and came across pretty good reviews of the Integra DTC-9.8 pre-pro.

How would you rate this against the 3808CI receiver?

It doesn't have amplifiers so you would need to buy an outboard amp or amps to complete the system.

 

[Davemcc]

Thanks for all the help. I've been doing a ton of research lately regarding the different options available on audio components and came across pretty good reviews of the Integra DTC-9.8 pre-pro.

How would you rate this against the 3808CI receiver?

I would rate this as about $1,600 + another $1,000 for a decent 5 channel amp to drive a $1,000 speaker system, yet to be determined.

If you were asking which $1,000 receiver to drive (x) brand of $2,600 speakers, that would make a lot more sense to me.

 

[pmac]

Thanks for all the help. I've been doing a ton of research lately regarding the different options available on audio components and came across pretty good reviews of the Integra DTC-9.8 pre-pro.

How would you rate this against the 3808CI receiver?

Hello.

Coming from a guy in you same situation being an average guy that wants the features and HDMI.
-vs the Sony, Sony should take a back seat. The only thing I was interested in the 5300 was the 6 inputs, then as someone else mentioned, how many do you really need, especially if the HDDVD or Blu-Ray eventually is not needed. An industry pro mentioned that Sony was not known for their Audio quality like some out there.
-vs the 4308 it was a price issue for basically Wi-Fi improvement and minimal power increase, I wouldn’t use the HD radio thingy.
-vs the Onkyo 875 it was the heat factor was the major issue and no networking, because my place is HOT in the summer and that can make it even worse, and I wanted to be able to stream from PC.
-vs the Pioneer Elite 94TX...I don’t know, I am unsure if I made the right choice but it was a close call between the two with the same features for the most part.
__Denon is pretty easy to get used to for the GUI. It took a couple weeks of tinkering and whatnot to be very comfortable with all the options, but GUI was easy to nav through. But I am pleased, and just wish I had a better place to use it in.
-I ended up with a pair of B&W 603 S2 fronts, and they are very nice for the home theatre aspect and do electronic music extraordinarily well based on my limited experience. I think you will not be disappointed in the Denon. I will be taking the Denon pre outs in the future to a Pioneer elite 49TX and bi amp with that for the fronts (Experiment)

There is a great dealer on eBay that ships to your door within a week. The price was the best I could find, I hate eBay but this guy was GREAT just search or PM and I will tell you who it was. He only deals with the Pioneer and Denon as far as the models listed here.

Have fun with your research.

 

[kbauer247@aol.c]

Thanks for info comparison