Receiver Sound Quality

[MGailing]

For $1000 and under, which receiver provides the most clarity and sonic detail (regardless of speakers, etc..)?

Brands: Marantz, Yamaha, Denon, Harman Kardon, Rotel, TEAC, Pioneer, Sony, JVC, Onkyo

I need to find a receiver, but I need to narrow my choices down to the top 3 - sound quality matters most since I listen to mostly music.

 

[sokrman14]

In my opinion, you need to figure that out for yourself. You are going to get so many different responses on this one. I can tell you my personal preference though. Marantz, Onkyo, and HK.

 

[nm2285]

You should find the differences between recievers slight if they exist at all. The only time I think you hear a legit difference is when one receiver offers much more (needed) power than another. I'd add NAD to your list if sound quality is the primary concern. Most speakers don't need any more power than any of these can provide.

 

[zumbo]

Yamaha, Marantz, & Denon.(IMO)

 

[MGailing]

Ya, I have listened to those in my area (which are limited) and I can say I am partial to Yamaha as of now, but the higher end brands (for the price bracket) are hard to find - so NAD, Harman Kardon are hard to listen to.

I guess I should be asking are there any real differences when it comes down to it other than straight up power?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

clarity and sonic detail

Go listen to Rotel next to a similarly priced Marantz and see what you think.

 

[Nick250]

I guess I should be asking are there any real differences when it comes down to it other than straight up power?

Nope, and even the difference in power will be inaudible. Check that the receiver has the inputs and outputs that you need and you are good to go. Personally I have had good luck with Denon and Yamaha while my 5 year old Onkyo just died so Onkyo si on my sh*t list.

 

[mtrycrafts]

For $1000 and under, which receiver provides the most clarity and sonic detail (regardless of speakers, etc..)?

Brands: Marantz, Yamaha, Denon, Harman Kardon, Rotel, TEAC, Pioneer, Sony, JVC, Onkyo

I need to find a receiver, but I need to narrow my choices down to the top 3 - sound quality matters most since I listen to mostly music.

I agree with nm and Nick and go for flexibility, what you need today and down the road a while.
Speakers will make a bigger difference, of course, most of it but the receiver choice is also dependent on the speaker's impedance and sensitivity. You should pick the speakers first.

 

[Hi Ho]

From your list, I would cross off Sony and JVC first thing. I'd say Marantz, Denon, Yamaha, Rotel, and NAD all offer models with superb sound quality. The Yamaha RX-V 2600 can be had for under $1,000.

 

[Fastnbulbous]

Everyone tells me NAD, NAD, NAD. Well I compared the NAD T763 with Denon AVR-3806 with Harman Kardon AVR 635 on the same speakers, and while they may not have sounded identical, the difference was so subtle I couldn't say any particular one sounded the best.

Other than that the HK is $500 cheaper than the other two. Now that's music to my ears.

I think it's more about the speakers. When you're looking at receivers of such comparable quality, I think the differences are mostly imaginary.

 

[tbewick]

I'd go on reviews of the equipment rather than making generalised recommendations.

I'd say that you will certainly get differences in the capability of the power amp to drive difficult speakers, and the quality of the processor and pre-amp. If you're driving low impedance speakers (e.g. M&K, KEF), or speakers with large variations/dips in inpedance (e.g. B&W, Quad), then a cheaper integrated amp may have difficulty at very high volumes. The weight of the receiver can give you an indication of the capability of the power amp, e.g. my 90 watt Denon is ~10 kg, while a 140 watt THX Ultra Denon I was looking at a few days ago weighed ~20 kg.

The digital processors will be of higher quality in more expensive receivers, the result being better signal-to-noise, dynamic range, and digital filter/DSP quality.

Specifications are often very vague in all but high-end gear. For example, you may get specs on for DIRECT/ PURE DIRECT modes - this doesn't tell you the performance in 5.1/7.1 modes. I get the feeling that the engineers at Denon/Marantz/Sony etc. send their test data to the marketing people first, who then delete all the bad sounding specs.

One thing that may be worth noting is that HK and Marantz have, at least in the past, downrated their power amps compared to other manufacturers, to allow more for headroom. Therefore the best thing to do is to go on power amp test data provided by an independent review.

 

[agular]

Check the Outlaw Audio Web site they have great products, and offer a lot more for the money the Model AV1070 receiver would be an excellent alternative to the Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, NAD products.

 

[AudioArcher]

Reciever

The choice definitely has too many variables. Personally I prefer HK, Denon, Adcom and Yamaha.