Sony DA5300ES Vs Denon 4308CI

[pats2306]

Hi People,

I am looking at buying one of these receivers.

Sony : 6 HDMI ins , CDn$1700 , 4Ohm settings for driving my Axiom M80's
Denon : 4 HDMI ins, CDN $2400,Wi Fi,nice remote,

Please help. very confused.

Thanks,

 

[josephga]

id go with the denon

 

[pats2306]

thanks,

any reason..please explain

 

[Seth=L]

In this price range I would take a very serious look at the Onkyo TX-NR905. It is superior in nearly every way (the only think I see it doesn't have that the Denon does is the wireless LAN.).

The Sony has more HDMI inputs than I have seen on a receiver, but it uses a Class D hybrid amplifier and I would not pair that with 4 ohm nominal speakers, regardless of the 4 ohm feature is activated (that 4 ohm feature only limits the output current from the power supply to reduce the risk of damage to the amplifier's components.

If I had to pick one of the two mentioned it would be the Denon, based on the fact I don't like Sony's audio products (mostly for a very good reason).

But I feel that the Onkyo TX-NR905 is a far more capable receiver for the money. It has a vastly superior video scaler to the Denon and Sony. It is a much beefier unit (about 54 pounds in comparison to the Denon at 41 and the Sony at 35). It features all the latest processing that the Sony and Denon also exhibit. It has a more efficient power supply (toroidal), so that extra weight certainly isn't going to waste. If you prefer Onkyo's Integra line they have basically the same models for some bucks more.

 

[pats2306]

Thanks Seth, now another receiver in the mix. I was speaking to axiom people & they suggested to shy away from Onkyo. So I am so confused I don't know what to do

 

[josephga]

for the same reason as Seth. I don't like Sony audio components. they make fantastic TV but not very good audio components

 

[rnatalli]

Between the Sony and Denon, I'd go with the Denon. As others have pointed out already, Sony isn't known for their HT audio stuff. In your price range, have you considered separates? M80's with an external amp, oh my.

 

[pats2306]

thanks rnatalli, can you please explain what do you mean by separates. I woul love to know how you would setup my HT. I have a Pioneer Plasma,PS3, WII , Bell,Pioneer HDMI DVD,Dish NEtwork (component) 5.1 Axiom M80's

Thanks,

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

Most mid-fi receivers will not have a problem driving your M80's, but if you want more power, get a receiver like the Yamaha RX-V1800, Onkyo 805, or Denon 3808 for about $1k US and add a stereo amp for your mains.

The more expensive Denon and Onkyo models mostely add better video processing and networking features. You would be better off with an HD source like Satellite, HD-DVD, or BluRay than an expensive receiver with a really good scaler and SD cable or DVD.

 

[rnatalli]

thanks rnatalli, can you please explain what do you mean by separates.

I mean having preamp and amp separately. Something like what's on this homepage:

http://www.emotiva.com/

Outlaw Audio, NAD, Rotel, and some others make separates in the price range you're looking at. I've always preferred separates to receivers, but others will have other opinions. It depends how the whole package looks really.

 

[Seth=L]

Most mid-fi receivers will not have a problem driving your M80's, but if you want more power, get a receiver like the Yamaha RX-V1800, Onkyo 805, or Denon 3808 for about $1k US and add a stereo amp for your mains.

The more expensive Denon and Onkyo models mostely add better video processing and networking features. You would be better off with an HD source like Satellite, HD-DVD, or BluRay than an expensive receiver with a really good scaler and SD cable or DVD.

Unfortunetely it appears that Denon is still using Farudja DCDi scalers, the REON HQV found on the Onkyo TX-SR875 and the Onkyo TX-NR905 are vastly superior to those found on any other brand at this point. Correct me if I am wrong and Farudja has updated or some other scaler is competitive with REON HQV.

The power amp idea is good as well, but I have no doubt that the Onkyo TX-NR905 would drive the Axiom M80s to very high levels past tolerance. The TX-SR805, SR875, and NR905 are much different than their predecessors, they way outclass and outgun the SR804 and others from that line.

For simplicity and space you could get just the receiver and if you really want plenty of headroom you can cut back the cost on the receiver and get an amp to go with a lower model receiver.

Also, how important is video scaling for your applications? Do you have an HD DVD or Blu-ray player. If you do have an HD DVD or Blu-ray player you might not need to get the fanciest receiver with a top of the line scaler seeing that many of the HD players available have excellent scalers in them already.