Shopping for receiver to compliment spkrs

[Alerius]

Hi

I just took delivery of my Wharfedale Evos ( 8, 30, centre and 12" sub) and have been shopping for a suitable receiver for some time. For those not familiar with the evos, the evo 30's are rated 200W @ 6 Ohms.
My lounge is approx 6m x 5m (20' x 17'), but open on 1 and a half sides. I thought the 12" sub was overkill, but I couldnt get stock of the 10", in case anyone is wondering.
My usage is probably split fairly evenly between music and movies (60/40).
My options: I have (easy) access to Denon (1706, and 3805), yamaha (rxv657, 757) and Sony DA3000 ESG, plus a few others.
The only problem is, I cant hear all of them at the same dealer, on a uniform system, so I wont be comparing apples with apples. I heard the Sony at an audio/video expo in less-than-decent situation (spkrs 3' apart and lots of ambient noise), so cant count it.
I heard the 757 with the wharfedales and was impressed - the sound was 'bright' as many have commented. The Denons (at a different dealer) sounded much clearer/sharper, but possibly lacked some warmth, however both times I suspect the speakers used didnt help. Pricewise, the 657 and DA3000 are very similar (the equivalent of $1000 here!), while the 1706 is around $600 and the 3805 a whopping $1500! The Sony is rated at 150W x 6, and the 657 only 95W (x7). I have seen hugely mixed reaction to the Sony ES series though - some love them and others hate them. I also know the early models had some problems.
The 1706 is new, and spec'd at 110W x 7 (6 ohm).
The 3805 is discontinued, and rated 160W x 7 (6 ohm).
Features on all are similar (DTS, tuners), but the 3805 and 657/757 have auto-setup features/mics (I am a novice, so this would be useful).
I may decide to split (multi-zone) later, but thats not a huge deciding factor in my purchase.
btw, one of the dealers said I could purchase both the 3805 and the DA3000, and return whichever one I didnt want to keep. I know ideally I should hear them all with my speakers, in my lounge, but with my setup knowledge I may do more harm than good taking them up on their offer. Besides that means the yammie is out of the picture (depending on your view this could be a good thing!)

The main question is, given this info, am I in the right ballpark for matching a receiver to my speakers, or have I missed the mark totally (too high OR too low)? My budget could go to the 3805, if I can justify it to myself
I would appreciate any advice or pearls of wisdom, especially based on experience with these components/speakers.

Greg

 

[Xsound]

from my experience, the 3805 is far above the other receivers. Though you would have to shell out some extra bucks on the auto-setup mic for the 3805, it would be well worth the cash. the denon should do well with the Evos and make a pretty awesome system!

 

[jcPanny]

The Denon 3805 and Yamaha RX-V2500 are good options. If you have access to the internet, you should be able to buy one for $7-800 US and have it shipped to your location.

 

[dan711]

I own the same Wharfedale setup as you (Evo 30's,center and Evo 8's).
I powered them with a Pio Elite 56txi at first. The 56txi is similar in specs and power to the 3805. I have sinced upgraded to a Sherwood/Newcastle R-965.
The R-965 is a nice step up in power and sound quality over the 56txi in my opinion. It really brings out the best in the Wharfedale's.

 

[Alerius]

I appreciate the feedback guys. Just 2 points
a) I live in South Africa, so shipping an A/V receiver from the States is not a great option. The prices I am quoting are converted to USD. JCPanny, I could never get an RXV2500 for the equivalent of 800 USD. I could just get an RXV557 for that. (On the plus side, the full set of Evo's cost me under $2000 - great value IMO).
b) Dan711, you say the R-965 is a step up in power over the 3805, and yet both are rated 120W x 7 @ 8 Ohms. Is this another case of "75 W of this one is equivalent to 100 W of that one"?

 

[dan711]

b) Dan711, you say the R-965 is a step up in power over the 3805, and yet both are rated 120W x 7 @ 8 Ohms. Is this another case of "75 W of this one is equivalent to 100 W of that one"?

I said it was a step up in power and sound quality over the Pio 56txi. The 56txi is in the same league as the 3805. I have never tested the 3805 outside a store environment.
Most audiophiles that I have talked to or have read about their opinions will agree that the Denon's, Yamaha's and Pioneer's of the receiver world are slightly below in power and sound quality than that of the likes of
Rotel,NAD,Arcam and Sherwood/Newcastle. With the exception of maybe the flagship avr's i.e. 5805,rxz9 and 59txi.

 

[Alerius]

I take your point. I have a dealer locally whos stocks NAD - he will sell me an bottom-of-the-range NAD (I forget the model #) for the same price as I can get the 3805. It is in the region of 70W x 7, and I suspect lacked a lot of features found in the likes of the Pioneer, Yammie and Denons. That means I would need a seperate amp. Am I just paying for the name/brand, a bit like *hesitates to use the name in case 'they' come to get him* Bose?

 

[Alerius]

Thanks for the responses guys. I got the 3805 on Tuesday. Hugely impressed and pleased with the result. I have a problem though - I will post in a seperate topic.

I was (once again) amazed by people's bias while purchasing the Denon though. The sales person was almost openly derogatory when I said I had bought the Wharfedale Evos.

"You know they made in China." was his sneering comment.

I doubt he had seen them in person, nor inspected the workmanship, let alone heard them, but already they had been judged and sentenced to death in his mind.

Maybe its standard practise amongst sales people to run down the competition - its often easier than building up your own product. Its a pity though.
It does just lend credibility to something like these forums where people can share their experience and knowledge without there being a commission at stake.

 

[dan711]

Maybe its standard practise amongst sales people to run down the competition - its often easier than building up your own product. Its a pity though.
It does just lend credibility to something like these forums where people can share their experience and knowledge without there being a commission at stake.

Even in forums like this you will have people that will put down products they don't or havn't owned just because they want to justify the products they purchased or have owned. Its a shame.
I have dealt with a particular dealer close to me a few times because he will praise another product other than the ones he carries. I like that honesty so thats why I keep going back to him.