Thoughts on DENON AVR-S720W

[xSinisterDrakex]

I posted this in the beginners forum already and realized it was the wrong section. So I'll post it here. (sorry guys!)

I know I said that I was going with the Denon AVR-X1300 but after comparing it to the AVR-S720W there are only a few minor differences between the two receivers.
What is everyones thoughts on the AVR-S720W? Does anyone here own one? I'm looking to get it as it is $40 cheaper than the X1300 and it is sufficient enough for my needs. My Pioneer AVR just died tonight and I'm looking to replace it asap.

 

[lovinthehd]

Hard to know as to what features you want/care about, as to whether the 720 suffices or not....Audyssey MultEQ only in the 720, MultEQ XT in the 1300 is one difference and for $40 I'd go for the 1300....

 

[NINaudio]

I replied to your other thread, but I agree with lovin, I'd go for the x1300 for the better version of Audyssey.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hard to know as to what features you want/care about, as to whether the 720 suffices or not....Audyssey MultEQ only in the 720, MultEQ XT in the 1300 is one difference and for $40 I'd go for the 1300....

I would most definitely pay the extra $40 for Audyssey XT.

 

[xSinisterDrakex]

Does the XT really make a difference to an end user such as myself? I mean, I was pretty happy with my VSX-522k's sound. I was actually disappointed when it finally died. (it still works. but only on the pure direct setting. if I try any Dolby or surround settings it plays for ~5 seconds then stops and the receiver lags really bad to remote commands)

I'm hesitant to shell out money on a feature that I may not even use. Especially when the differences between 2 receivers is pretty much just the difference in MultEQ versions. I've been reading on other forums in my research and some are saying that they dont even use it because of personal tastes.

 

[lovinthehd]

Does the XT really make a difference to an end user such as myself? I mean, I was pretty happy with my VSX-522k's sound. I was actually disappointed when it finally died. (it still works. but only on the pure direct setting. if I try any Dolby or surround settings it plays for ~5 seconds then stops and the receiver lags really bad to remote commands)

I'm hesitant to shell out money on a feature that I may not even use. Especially when the differences between 2 receivers is pretty much just the difference in MultEQ versions. I've been reading on other forums in my research and some are saying that they dont even use it because of personal tastes.

Did you use MCACC in your Pioneer?

 

[xSinisterDrakex]

Did you use MCACC in your Pioneer?

Negative.

 

[everettT]

Negative.

A lot of people benefit from REQ, especially in the sub 200hz range. If it were me I would pay the extra 40 for the XT version, even if you ended up not using it. Your room plays a huge role in the sound you hear, and REQ "can" help tame some of the problems it can present, not all but some and that can make an audible difference.

 

[lovinthehd]

Negative.

Why not?

 

[KEW]

To save some money, you should consider buying a refurbished unit from Accessories4less!
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html?brand_f[]=DENON

A4L has a very good reputation among forum members here. I have bought over a dozen components from them over the last 2 years. I returned one because I thought it was defective (turned out to be user error ) and they handled the return in a professional manner without any BS. When I got the new one and experienced the same defect, I did a little more research and discovered I had misunderstood the function operation.

Basically A4L has been chosen by Marantz, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo, Cambridge Audio, Focal, KEF, etc to be the seller of their reconditioned equipment.
Probably most important is that the reconditioning is done by the product manufacturer and the warranty is supported by the manufacturer.

I am convinced "close-out" sellers like Damart and One Call will sell you a refurbished product and if you have a problem and return it, they will ship it out to me next in the hopes I might not use/notice the defective feature. That is why companies like Marantz & Denon, who value their reputation, now use A4L.
One of the members here (ADTG) experienced an inordinate amount of problems buying refurbs from these other companies.

 

[xSinisterDrakex]

Why not?

I tried it but it made my system sound out of balance and wasn't happy with the way it sounded.

 

[xSinisterDrakex]

To save some money, you should consider buying a refurbished unit from Accessories4less!
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html?brand_f[]=DENON

A4L has a very good reputation among forum members here. I have bought over a dozen components from them over the last 2 years. I returned one because I thought it was defective (turned out to be user error ) and they handled the return in a professional manner without any BS. When I got the new one and experienced the same defect, I did a little more research and discovered I had misunderstood the function operation.

Basically A4L has been chosen by Marantz, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo, Cambridge Audio, Focal, KEF, etc to be the seller of their reconditioned equipment.
Probably most important is that the reconditioning is done by the product manufacturer and the warranty is supported by the manufacturer.

I am convinced "close-out" sellers like Damart and One Call will sell you a refurbished product and if you have a problem and return it, they will ship it out to me next in the hopes I might not use/notice the defective feature. That is why companies like Marantz & Denon, who value their reputation, now use A4L.
One of the members here (ADTG) experienced an inordinate amount of problems buying refurbs from these other companies.

The 2 receivers I'm looking at are on A4L. Hence the $40 difference.

 

[KEW]

Ok, good!
I was hoping to make the $40 easier to swallow if the overall price was less, but moot point since you were already there.

I mean, I was pretty happy with my VSX-522k's sound. I was actually disappointed when it finally died. (it still works. but only on the pure direct setting.

If you haven't already, try this before you give up on the Pioneer!
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-reset-pioneer-receivers

 

[xSinisterDrakex]

Ok, good!
I was hoping to make the $40 easier to swallow if the overall price was less, but moot point since you were already there.



If you haven't already, try this before you give up on the Pioneer!
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-reset-pioneer-receivers

I tried doing that but it does nothing. I even watch a video on youtube where they did it on the same model receiver and it reset. but no matter how long I hold the buttons down it does nothing.

 

[KEW]

I tried doing that but it does nothing. I even watch a video on youtube where they did it on the same model receiver and it reset. but no matter how long I hold the buttons down it does nothing.

Strange!
I wouldn't hold my breath, but you might try leaving it unplugged for a couple of hours. Sometimes that will allow a partial reset which may help in your case.

 

[xSinisterDrakex]

Strange!
I wouldn't hold my breath, but you might try leaving it unplugged for a couple of hours. Sometimes that will allow a partial reset which may help in your case.

I unplugged it last night since I wasn't using it. I plugged it back in to try the reset.

 

[xSinisterDrakex]

I've given up the fight on the Pioneer. A Denon AVR-X1300W calls my name. Now to just get up the funds to purchase.

 

[KEW]

I've given up the fight on the Pioneer. A Denon AVR-X1300W calls my name. Now to just get up the funds to purchase.

Glad you've still got some sound while you wait!

 

[lovinthehd]

I tried it but it made my system sound out of balance and wasn't happy with the way it sounded.

It's possible setup technique/room interfered, altho when my Pioneer avr worked, I preferred the MCACC setup.