Pioneer Elite receiver Vs. Denon receiver.

[Seth=L]

Ok, I have a 5.1 Pioneer Elite(VSX-05) that I could easily sell for $150. There is a pawn shop that has a Denon 6.1 receiver (Denon AVR-1803) for $129. I was wanting to know if I should sell the Pioneer and get the Denon. The Pioneer only decodes Dolby Digital and has a RF digital input for laser disc. It is rated at 100 watts X 5 but has input of 280 watts. I am not sure on the Denon's ratings but it is a heavier receiver than the the Pioneer. The Pioneer has preouts on all channels and the Denon doesn't.

What I want to know is which is better, and why. Which is more powerful, and which sounds sweeter. I need quick responces as not to miss out on a great buy if it is one.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Seth=L]

Common, some one has to have an opinion on this.

 

[nav]

Sounds like a decent receiver for the money as long as it's in good shape and has its remote control. It is ~4 years newer than yours and will have added features and maybe (I stress the maybe, I have no proven data on that) a touch more power.

For some quick checking for good-as-new receivers in that price range, you could get a Denon AVR-1506 for $150 or an Onkyo TX-SR503 for $170 (both are online deals, so add shipping). If neither of those has features you find worth saving up for, I say go for it. (And so I almost push someone down the path of "it's only a few more dollars...", heh).

 

[Seth=L]

Then that settles it, if it is still there I will likely get it. As it is I cannot adjust the surround parameters w/out the remote and the Pioneer doesn't have one. It appears that the Denon could be setup w/out a remote, so if it doesn't come with one, big deal aside from conveniance. Another thing the Pioneer does that I find annoying, it pops when changing surround formats, say dolby 2 channel being changed to 5.1 when you leave the DVD menu and start the movie, it makes the speakers pop. This seems like a defect. The surround parameters that have been set have the sub set to off, and the surrounds are set way to high. The Pioneer amp sounds very good, but all these factors weigh against it, I really can't justify keeping it, so come Monday I will probably swap it out with the Denon which does have many features the Pioneer doesn't aside from preouts on all channels. The Denon has 6.1 and analog multichannel inputs. The only thing it lacks are the preouts the Pioneer has.

 

[Seth=L]

I got the Denon, unfortunetly no remote, but I am going to try and get one for it.

 

[tlqualman]

Just something to think about. If your going to get a remote, instead of getting one that just controls the denon, why not get one of the harmony remotes and then you can control all your components with one remote. The harmony website has all the IR codes to control the Denon reciever in their data base. I have three of these remotes and they are great, anyone can control my hometheater and not screw it up.

 

[Seth=L]

I have a remote that has macrofuntions, instead of buying anything, I will go to a nearby store and program one of their similar denon remotes onto my remote.

 

[Rob Babcock]

The 1803 is a fine receiver and a steal at what you paid for it, assuming everything works properly. Years ago I had an 1800 (equivalent model but much older) and it was amazing for the price I paid, something like $450-$500 back then. One great feature of the Denon is the ability to adjust all the channel levels separately, not only for each input, but each mode for each input.

Congrats on a great purchase.

 

[Seth=L]

I did not realize it had that kind of versitility, thank you Rob.

 

[ruk]

I also bought the P elite 82... I like it alot!! For me it was a toss up between the P elite or Yammy 2700.. The only thing I liked on the Yammy That the Elite did not have is the Network port! For the money you wont go wrong with a P elite. Awesome high mid level Reiever!