Sony 3500ES receiver vs Denon? Recs for newbie

[goldenears12]

My local dealer recommended the Sony 3500ES receiver and a Sony Blu Ray. The reciever goes for about $800 to $999 range. Denon is coming out with a new receiver called the Denon 891 AVR very soon

You can find it on Denons website listed as **coming soon**


The Denon boasts 3D ability, but I don't need 3D stuff. I am , however, very interested in sound quality and build quality and reputation. I currently have NAD separate amp and preamp from the mid 1990's. One thing that crossed my mind was to buy the Sony receiver for ease of use and use the pre-outs for the mains and use my old NAD amp to run the main speakers - just to take advantage of the sound qulaity of the NAD amplifier when I listen to music. The NAD amp is old - from the mid 1990's but pretty deep and rich sounding compared to Sony stuff from back in the day.

The receiver would be used for 5.1 theater stuff

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would take a Denon anyday over a Sony. But that's just me.

It seems like the only receivers we ever talk about around here include Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer, HK, Integra, & Onkyo.

Not many people I know own a Sony receiver.

 

[GlocksRock]

I hear the ES line from Sony is ok, but I'd still never buy sony home theater stuff, with the exception of a PS3... definitely get the Denon.

 

[AVRat]

The Denon 891 doesn't offer pre-outs! For $840 or less - Denon 3310: http://www.electronics-expo.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR3310CI /Denon/AVR3310CI/1.html

 

[sholling]

I'd take a Denon, Onkyo, or Yamaha over a Sony any day.

 

[goldenears12]

I think pre outs are important - its funny that you mentioned the Denon 3310 receiver - because thats just what I was researching today and kind of getting excited about.

If I use the Sony 400 disc blu ray/DVD/CD player into the Denon 3310 into a Sony Bravia - will there be any compatibility issues? Sony likes to use the term "Bravia Sync" to try to scare the newb into buying all Sony stuff

Any truth to this?

 

[GlocksRock]

Keep an eye on the refurbished Denons at ecost.com you can get a great receiver and a very good price, and they are as good as new. I ordered a AVR-1910 from there and it arrived just like new, and I saved a lot of money.

 

[AVRat]

No, there shouldn't be any compatability issues.

 

[dkane360]

http://www.ecost.com/Detail/Receivers/Denon/AVR3310CI/53205659.aspx?navid=155441514

3310 for $630

 

[abhaskare]

I am also looking for a replacement to my Denon 1802 which has served for 8 years.
It does need to have pre-outs.
I was initially looking at Denon 3310 above and reveived a recommendation for Onkyo HT RC180 on this site which is retailing for $569 currently.
However - the Yamaha RX-V665BL is retailing for $349/- and has 6 pre outs + 2 s/w outs.

Any suggestions on the Yamaha 665? I recently connected my XPA-3 to the Denon and am amazingly pelased to the extra headrom and the nice sound. The XPA-3 has maintained the sound of Denon yet adding that clarity and fullness. If I shift to yamaha, will the sound be altered? In essence, does the pre-amp or amp dictate the type of "sound"?

 

[PENG]

In essence, does the pre-amp or amp dictate the type of "sound"?

There are people who believe it is more so the preamp, but I think that's myth, especially when you are dealing with "line level" sources. I would pay more attention the the power amp for sure.

To me, once you get to the mid range gear, the source (CD,DVD,vinyl record), the players, the room acoustic, and the speakers have more influence on the overall sound quality than the preamp and amp.