Which receiver PLEASSSSEEEEEEE

[musta9]

Hi everyone, I have yet another question. My home theater system is coming together slowly but surely. I initially planned on getting a Denon 3808 and using that mainly for the living room then using the other zones to drive the patio, master bedroom, master bathroom, office. Now I have already bought a Denon 1709 to drive the master bedroom speakers(center + 2 sides).

Question #1:I am not sure if I should just use this receiver to drive the speaker in the bathroom (speakercraft stereo Aim7 DT three) and not having to run wires all the way from the living room.

As to the office I bought an Onkyo-A9555 integrated amplifier to drive a pair of magnepan MMG. The patio will still be driven by the living room receiver (most of my free time is spent in the living room between TV and PS3). I am also getting oppo-980H for SACD and DVD-Audio in the living room.

Question #2: should I stick with the Denon 3808 or should I get 3805 or pioneer 1019? my number one concern is picture quality then sound then games. I am a newbie at this so I am concerned about it being too complex. I don't need the endless number of extra features. All I care about is quality- HELP PLEASSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

and THANK YOU

 

[bandphan]

Question #2: should I stick with the Denon 3808 or should I get 3805 or pioneer 1019? my number one concern is picture quality then sound then games. I am a newbie at this so I am concerned about it being too complex. I don't need the endless number of extra features. All I care about is quality- HELP PLEASSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

and THANK YOU

If picture quality is number 1, then get a good display. The avr isnt going to be the reason for good pq. Source then display.

 

[AVRat]

Stick with the 3808 since it has HDMI which the 3805 doesn't and it's generally better than the 1019. As Bandphan mentioned, and since your looking at the Pioneer Kuro Elite display, a good display will have the best video processing so that's not an important feature of the receiver.

Yes, it would make sense to use the 1709 to power the master bathroom speakers.

 

[musta9]

Thanks guys, I already got the Kuro Elite so other than HDMI connectivity what does the Denon3808 offer over the 1019? Is audio far superior in the 3808? I am also concerned about the complexity of the 3808 based on the reviews I read here and on cnet - I have not owned a receiver in my life but now I really want some good quality audio and video. I will have def tech Mythos one / eight for the fronts/ center and an Outlaw lfm1 EX.

Thanks again for the help

 

[cwall99]

Is there any benefit to pairing up a Pioneer Elite receiver with a Pioneer Elite display? I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS, and its manual (don't have it handy) does make mention of some control capabilities you may take advantage of if you have all Pioneer Elite gear.

I dunno if this is true or not, but it may be worth investigating.

 

[musta9]

I am looking more into the pioneer elite models. I read the review here. How does the Pioneer Elite sc25 or the VSX-23TXH stack up compared to the Denon 3808? The 3805 is outr of the running because I really wanted HDMI connectivity.
On a separate question do I need a second Zone amp for any/all of these receivers?

 

[musta9]

Ok I know I've asked alot of questions trying to get my system together but this is the last question (really should be the most imprtant)

Is my choice of Denon 3808 the best I can do under $1000 as far as sound quality with the best bang for the buck or should I get something more affordable like the Pioneer VSX-1019AH.

I do like the Audyssey MultEQ XT speaker calibration function of the Denon 3808 - how does this compare to the Pioneer Elite SC-25 Advanced Auto MCACC sound tuning ?

 

[AVRat]

Audyssey is better and the 3808 has better bass management.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I find the 3808 to be the best AVR I have ever used. I love the GUI, the 2- 12v triggers, Audyssey and all the set up options that are available.

 

[musta9]

Denon 3808 it is. I looked through all the online authorised dealers - all said discontinued except one which had the price $800 more than other retailers. Is the warranty that valuable that I should pay the extra $800?

do you guys have any other suggestions as were to get a new model that has the warranty or should I just get a used one since I wouldn't get the warranty any way?

Thanks again guys

 

[gqmagic]

Marantz 8001 or 8002 over the Denon

IMO

 

[musta9]

Ok I am doing some more research on this. I've read really good things about the Marantz-8001 and it is in my price range. Just a couple of problems.

I've read that the sr-8001 does not upconvert - would that make a difference since I have a PS3 and an oppo-980h which should be the one that does the upconversion? second the SR-8001 has HDMI 1.2 not 1.3 will that make a difference?

I also read that the first batch of SR-8001 had firmware problems and that I should make sure I am not getting one of those - how would I do that? Can I get the serial number and call Marantz and ask them?

Part of the reason I am looking at the Marantz now is what I've read about the sound quality and that it too has the Audessy room calibration which is a must for my room because of things being really off center. The other part is that I am really put off by not being able to get warranty for the Denon 3808 because its been discontinued from the online sellers. I am gonna try calling some of the dealers in neighbouring cities and states to see if they have it.

Would really appreciate some input here

 

[AVRat]

If you can't find a Denon then this may be your next best bet. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR8002/Marantz/SR8002-receiver-THX-125w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html

 

[PENG]

Part of the reason I am looking at the Marantz now is what I've read about the sound quality and that it too has the Audessy room calibration which is a must for my room because of things being really off center. The other part is that I am really put off by not being able to get warranty for the Denon 3808 because its been discontinued from the online sellers. I am gonna try calling some of the dealers in neighbouring cities and states to see if they have it.

Would really appreciate some input here

I suggest you look harder to find a 3808 that offers a full warranty. IMHO it is hard to beat in terms of reliability, power output, features and price (now that it is discontinued). All these talks about Marantz being better sounding are subjective and hearsays. It might have been true years ago but technological advances have long since eliminated the gap. All current AVRs in this price group are capable of 20 to 20,000 Hz almost ruler flat wtih THD<0.1%. If you compare the lab measurements of the 3808 and the 8002 they are basically equal. The Denon is 5 lbs heavier and the Marantz features a toroidal p/s transformer (smaller and lighter). If you need the latest features you won't be happy with the 8001 so if you are going to give up on the 3808 you may as well bite the bullet and get the 8002.

 

[AVRat]

Refurbed 3808: http://www.dakmart.com/product_info.php?products_id=6516

 

[musta9]

would you go with a 3808 that has no warranty or a refurbished model over a new marantz 8002?

 

[njedpx3]

+1 for Marantz

Marantz 8001 or 8002 over the Denon

IMO

I have the 8002 and it is outstanding, I agree with gpmagic's recommendation over its sibling brother, Denon

However, you do realize that Marantz and Denon are both owned by the same parent company D&M Holdings, Inc. formed in 2002.

Forest Man

 

[gqmagic]

would you go with a 3808 that has no warranty or a refurbished model over a new marantz 8002?

Denon's 3*** series is closer to Marantz 7*** series

So in this example a Marantz 8*** model

 

[gqmagic]

I suggest you look harder to find a 3808 that offers a full warranty. IMHO it is hard to beat in terms of reliability, power output, features and price (now that it is discontinued). All these talks about Marantz being better sounding are subjective and hearsays. It might have been true years ago but technological advances have long since eliminated the gap. All current AVRs in this price group are capable of 20 to 20,000 Hz almost ruler flat wtih THD<0.1%. If you compare the lab measurements of the 3808 and the 8002 they are basically equal. The Denon is 5 lbs heavier and the Marantz features a toroidal p/s transformer (smaller and lighter). If you need the latest features you won't be happy with the 8001 so if you are going to give up on the 3808 you may as well bite the bullet and get the 8002.

There is no substitute for listening with ones own ears, I don't care how many spec sheets or lab data one reads.

 

[gqmagic]

I have the 8002 and it is outstanding, I agree with gpmagic's recommendation over its sibling brother, Denon

However, you do realize that Marantz and Denon are both owned by the same parent company D&M Holdings, Inc. formed in 2002.

Forest Man

True, but Marantz hasn't give Denon the secret DNA yet