We need a Elite 94 , Yamaha 3800, Denon 3808, Onkyo 875 face off

[AD_LIB]

Does anyone else agree that this seems to be the biggest dilemma facing the consumer right now in the receiver market (I just bought a Elite 94-txh but am still considering going over to a Yamaha 3800)...these 4 receivers all have pros and cons but it would be nice to see audioholics run these though the paces. It would be nice to get some solid objective info to arm us with . Gene any hope of this? What do you guys think?

 

[Addy]

i agree these are the units Ive been considering for a long time now... i have my money on denon!

 

[bandphan]

They are great units, ive been a yama user for awhile, but after using the elite line latley ive become a fan. Yamaha to me sounds better for music while the elite seems to drive the rear surrounds better. As for denon ive installed a few over the years, lots of positives, however they use to be a long slow setup(not sure now).

 

[jliedeka]

I did a feature comparison of the Yamaha RX-V1800 with the Onkyo 875 and the Denon 3808. I think it was at Sound and Vision's site. The wattage levels were not identical but all overkill for me anyway. (My current receiver does 70 X 5 and it's overkill for my living room). I ended up picking the Yamaha as my favorite because it has more optical inputs.

I'm probably several months away from a receiver purchase but I'm leaning towards either the Yamaha 1800 or the Marantz SR7002. For me, Yamaha is a known quantity and I'd be comfortable buying another but Marantz has a reputation for better music reproduction and it lacks the video scaling features that I wouldn't use anyway.

At this point, I haven't ruled out NAD now that they've joined the HDMI 1.3 bandwagon. I'm also hoping that Emotiva or Outlaw will announce something with HDMI 1.3 before I make a purchase decision.

Jim

 

[fmw]

No need for connectivity here. I'm content with my VSX-92 after choosing it over both the Denon and Yamaha. I would have gone for one of the networkable models if they worked more like my Squeezebox. But they don't. They require you to the operate content streaming from the computer rather from the home theater. I think they still have some work to do in this area. I don't know how the $3000 and up units handle it. Maybe that's really the way to go.

 

[fmw]

At this point, I haven't ruled out NAD now that they've joined the HDMI 1.3 bandwagon. I'm also hoping that Emotiva or Outlaw will announce something with HDMI 1.3 before I make a purchase decision.

Jim

Wouldn't it make sense to wait for something that takes advantage of HDMI 1.3 to become available first?

 

[jliedeka]

Wouldn't it make sense to wait for something that takes advantage of HDMI 1.3 to become available first?

I'm thinking about a BD player for discs with DTS-HD or Dolby HD. True, I could probably get by with something that did component switching plus mutichannel analog but I plan to use the multichannel analog out from my Oppo for SACDs and DVD-As so I want whatever receiver or pre-amp to be able to decode everything from HDMI.

My current receiver doesn't decode any kind of DTS. DTS was new when I bought it and I have regretted not spending a little more for future proofing. I realize that one is always chasing the new standards but now seems to be a good time to catch up.

Jim

 

[GlocksRock]

Wouldn't it make sense to wait for something that takes advantage of HDMI 1.3 to become available first?

There are things available right now that can take advantage of HDMI 1.3. The PS3 has HDMI 1.3, as does my Mitsubish 1080p DLP tv, and so does my Yamaha RX-V1800. There are also some Sony camcorders that support deep color, but I think it will be a while before we see any deep color content on blu ray discs... but when it does happen, I'm ready for it.

 

[Seth=L]

To the OP, I would stick with the Pioneer if it has the features you need. I know the VSX-94TXH is a very robust receiver, and should be fine with most speakers.

If more power is what you need go with the TX-SR875 (but I don't think I would spend an extra $400-500 for just that scaler it has). All the receivers mentioned in the OP have network abilities aside from the TX-SR875 (but for cheaper I think you can get the Integra DTR-7.8 which does have Network capability). The TX-SR805 and DTR-7.8 are very similar, aside from the Network capability. The TX-SR805 has better power benchtests apparently than the TX-SR875.

I hope that wasn't confusing.

 

[Thaedium]

Have the VSX-94TXH myself. Very satisfied. Drives my Paradigm Studio 100's easily. Even at ridiculously loud levels it doesn't generate that much heat. Compared to my old Yamaha HTR-5650, which I could eggs on when I drove my old Monitor 9's loudly. Its not a fair comparison I know, the Studio 100's are more efficient then my old Monitor 9's and the Yamaha wan't a particularly good model as I recall. I've no doubt that any of the other recievers, yammy, denon, and onkyo would do well.