Purchasing new receiver: Denon 3805 vs. HK 635 vs. Yamaha 2500 vs. Pioneer Elite

[variable_x]

Ok, newbee here trying to purchase a receiver. I will be driving Energy C9s and C3s in the rear. Also, what Elite models will be comparable to these receivers? They seem to be priced quite a bit lower than the other brands. Also, what's the difference between the elite models: 52tx, 54tx and 56tx. So which receiver do you guys think will be good. They have a sale for 52tx right now for $700 cdn. I think the 54 is like 200 more, but 56 is up in the 1300 range, which is comparable to 3805 and yammy. HK is more at 1800. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Hometheaterdog]

you better get the RXV-2500 I HAD THAT SAME SETUP YOU HAVE AND TRYED EVERY RECIEVER I COULD AND IT WAS THE BEST ONE FOR SOUND AND POWER!!
The Energys C9's really need power!!!!
I ended up going to Sherbourn seperats and it was a whole new ball game!!
I hated the energy's sound it was horrible!!! then i got the Sherbourn amp and it was a night and day difference!!

 

[PENG]

I believe this sort of questions have been asked more than once before, and you are going to hear different things from owners of each. I bought the 3805 after auditioning the Yamaha RX-V2400, Denon AVR3805, 2805, NADT763, Arcam AVR300, HKAVR630, and an Anthem Separate system. I brought my own CD's in all but the session with the NAD. The Energy C-9 was used for the Denon, Yamah, and the Arcam.

The Denon 2805 and 3805 did a very good job with the C-9 but the Yamaha 2400 did not do as well. When I auditioned the Arcam 300, I was able to AB the C-9, the Veritas V2.2 and V2.3i because the dealers have them. Switching to the 2.3i, I had to crank the Arcam up for about 6 increments in order to get the same sound volume. I believe 6 increments in the Arcam represents about 3 to 4 dB. Anyway, I like the sound of the 2.3i better, it seemed a little more transparent but the C-9 had stronger bass. At the end I went with the 2.3i and the Denon 3805 because the Arcam cost much more and I couldn't really say it sounded better.

I have since tried listening to my system with and without the help of my 200 WPC Adcom. I can hear some difference with the amp but I would not call it "huge" or "day and night". Obviously I have others listened to my system too and they could not tell much difference either. Others, and yours experience will differ, but I think it is quite likely that any of the models you listed will work reasonably well with the C-9. You can always add an amp down the road.

By the way, if you do a search here you will find a lot of responses to questions similar to yours.

 

[T2T]

you better get the RXV-2500 I HAD THAT SAME SETUP YOU HAVE AND TRYED EVERY RECIEVER I COULD AND IT WAS THE BEST ONE FOR SOUND AND POWER!!

I hate to start a pissing contest, but out of the receivers listed, the Yamaha probably puts out the least amount of power.

They are all good receivers - and each has their own merits.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Ok, newbee here trying to purchase a receiver. I will be driving Energy C9s and C3s in the rear. Also, what Elite models will be comparable to these receivers? They seem to be priced quite a bit lower than the other brands. Also, what's the difference between the elite models: 52tx, 54tx and 56tx. So which receiver do you guys think will be good. They have a sale for 52tx right now for $700 cdn. I think the 54 is like 200 more, but 56 is up in the 1300 range, which is comparable to 3805 and yammy. HK is more at 1800. Thanks for the help guys.

Welcome to the forum!

IMO, the Pioneer's seem like the best bet dollar for dollar in your area.
All the Pioneers are rated at 110x7, but the weight of the units vary, most likely due to larger power supplies/better transformers and larger heat sinks. The better units will run longer with less distortion, being able to dissapate heat. The 52tx is 34lbs (same as the 2500), the 54tx is 39.7lbs (same as the 3805), and the 56txi is 44.8lbs (heavier even than the HK635 at 41lbs). I'd recommend the 54tx for the extra $200 - very comparable to the Denon 3805 (which I have), and for much less money. Plus it's been THX Select certified.

 

[WndrBr3d]

Personally, I'd probably go with the Denon 3805 given your choices.

Thats crazy that the HK is so expensive up there, I mean, you COULD score the H/K state site for like 850 CDN, but oh well!

My father in-law has a Yamaha RXV-1500 and I'm not too impressed with its feature set or power output compared to my H/K 7300 that has a "better power rating" (120w x7 on the Yam, 110w x7 on the HK).

I've never tried any Pioneer units, but this whole decision is REALLY based around personal listening experience and which one YOU like.

Best of Luck!

 

[mawst95]

I have a 54TX paired with the C9's (fronts) and C3's (Surrounds and Center). I really like it so far. I can crank it up to about 110db from my listening position (no sub; all full range) without distortion. Got the 54tx for $500 new and the C9's and C3's for half-price w/ free shipping!

 

[Spiffyfast]

I have a 54TX paired with the C9's (fronts) and C3's (Surrounds and Center). I really like it so far. I can crank it up to about 110db from my listening position (no sub; all full range) without distortion. Got the 54tx for $500 new and the C9's and C3's for half-price w/ free shipping!

Where did you get a deal like that, can you PM?