Pioneer VSX-94TXH or Denon AVR-4308CI Receiver?

[bijou]

About ready to plunk down some cash to upgrade my old receiver. Just purchased a set of Klipsch RF-63 Mains and a RC-64 Center. With my old receiver the center channel speech sounds murkey/muddled unless I set the receiver to Stereo 7.1 rater than Movie/Standard.

Must important is the Video and the Audio. Things like Internet radio etc. really do not matter to me. I know there is ~ $1000 difference in the two but I would bite the bullet if the Denon offers superior sound & video over the Pioneer.

Any suggestions on which way to go? All would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[captiankirk28]

About ready to plunk down some cash to upgrade my old receiver. Just purchased a set of Klipsch RF-63 Mains and a RC-64 Center. With my old receiver the center channel speech sounds murkey/muddled unless I set the receiver to Stereo 7.1 rater than Movie/Standard.

Must important is the Video and the Audio. Things like Internet radio etc. really do not matter to me. I know there is ~ $1000 difference in the two but I would bite the bullet if the Denon offers superior sound & video over the Pioneer.

Any suggestions on which way to go? All would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I listened to both and i could not tell the difference in the sound quality so i bought the Pioneer

 

[gene]

Based on my recent bench testing of the Pioneer and my past experience with Denon receivers, I'd recommend the Denon if your looking for a cleaner amp section. Our review of the Pioneer will come soon...

 

[Seth=L]

What about Yamaha?

 

[fredk]

... and when is your test of the 663 coming?

Fred

 

[enrique]

I plan on getting the marantz sr8002 would be interested in seeing this one as well.

 

[gene]

So far Yamaha and Denon receivers do the best on my test bench in terms of distortion, SNR, output impedance, etc. I tested 2 Pioneers so far (including the model# in this thread) and the results were less than stellar in comparison.

I have a Marantz SR7002 here which I will test this week. I have yet to bench one of the new Onkyos which I suspect will do incredibly well too.

 

[Dutchman01]

I also vote for the Denon AVR-4308.
The are very very good to run as a pre/pro

better than the others.

I did have the unit at home for 2 weeks to compare it with my Denon AVR-4306.

If i did not bougt the AVR-4306 last year i also bougt the AVR-4308.


Right now not that many sound improofment over my AVR-4306 at my home.

Yes it has al the new HD Decoders the 4306 not has but, for i don't have Blue-ray yet.
I wait for the second serie Denon Blue-ray player's and at that time maybee the AVR-4310 or other replacement name will be there to test.

 

[leo1058]

I also have a 4306 (firmware 00.99) and love it. Denon makes good AVR but i don't think the Denon sounds $1000 better then the Pioneer. My 2 cent's.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Based on Home Theater Magazine lab results of previous receivers, it seems like the Pioneer Elite receivers had very similar results as all the other receivers in terms of THD+N & Frequency Response Linear deviation. However, the Pioneer Elite had the worse crosstalk (channel separation) when compared to Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha. The Onkyos appeared to have the best specs out of all of the receivers. The Yamahas & Denons appeared to be tied for second.

I cannot wait to see Gene's review of the Denon separates!

I also hope Denon would come to their senses and ship Gene the Denon 4308 & 5308 as well!!!

 

[erdric]

So far Yamaha and Denon receivers do the best on my test bench in terms of distortion, SNR, output impedance, etc. I tested 2 Pioneers so far (including the model# in this thread) and the results were less than stellar in comparison.

Sorry for a newb question but will the issues you see with the Pio's bench test be resolved if you add an amp (assuming it's a good amp)? Also, bench tests are important but will your review address its test results versus real-world performance?

BTW, any chance the other Pioneer you tested was the VSX-92?

 

[gene]

Based on Home Theater Magazine lab results of previous receivers, it seems like the Pioneer Elite receivers had very similar results as all the other receivers in terms of THD+N & Frequency Response Linear deviation. However, the Pioneer Elite had the worse crosstalk (channel separation) when compared to Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha. The Onkyos appeared to have the best specs out of all of the receivers. The Yamahas & Denons appeared to be tied for second.

HT Mag doesn't look at things like: output impedance, FFT distortion analysis, SNR, etc. But its good to collect test data on products being reviewed from multiple sources to get a clearer picture of product performance.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

HT Mag doesn't look at things like: output impedance, FFT distortion analysis, SNR, etc. But its good to collect test data on products being reviewed from multiple sources to get a clearer picture of product performance.

Well, Gene, if you did the lab testing for every amp and preamp out there, we would NOT have to use any other sources!

Unfortunately, you don't get to review every product out there.

For example, Denon still has not sent you the Denon 5308.

And you did not review the Onkyo 805, Denon 4308, Yamaha 1800, etc. Thus, we are forced to look to other sources.

You know, back then Julian Hirsch seemed to be the only person doing lab testing and review for Stereo Review (Sound & Vision).

Why can't you be the only person doing all the lab testing and review?

 

[itschris]

Does anyone know if the Elite 94 can pass the onscreen display over HDMI or do you need to run a composite or svideo to a second input on the tv?

I know most of the older a/v pieces can't, but a lot of the new ones can and I can't find anywhere that lists that detail.

 

[captiankirk28]

Does anyone know if the Elite 94 can pass the onscreen display over HDMI or do you need to run a composite or svideo to a second input on the tv?

I know most of the older a/v pieces can't, but a lot of the new ones can and I can't find anywhere that lists that detail.

Yes it does pass the onscreen display through just the HDMI, i love the way mine sounds.

 

[PENG]

Well, Gene, if you did the lab testing for every amp and preamp out there, we would NOT have to use any other sources!

Unfortunately, you don't get to review every product out there.

For example, Denon still has not sent you the Denon 5308.

And you did not review the Onkyo 805, Denon 4308, Yamaha 1800, etc. Thus, we are forced to look to other sources.

Are we going to see a review on the 4308 before the 4310 is out? I am ready to pull the trigger but is resisting (with great pain) to do so without seeing the trusted Audioholics review that includes lab measurements, especially when it is within striking distance (just my assumption) of the upcoming 4310.

Does any know the timing of the 4310?

Thanks in advance for any response.