Yamaha vs. Denon

[Chitown2477]

I am debating between the Yamaha RX-V1600 and Denon AVR-2307. Both have nearly the same specs. However, the Yamaha has 120wpc (7.1) vs. 100 for the Denon at 100wpc (7.1). The THD on the Yamaha is 0.04% vs. 0.08% for the Denon. I have a Yamaha HTR-5730 and like Yamaha sound overall.

I am buying to upgrade the receiver overall and get HMDI inputs, more optical inputs, and better overall sound processing. I may look a HK but that will make the decision even more difficult.

While I know preferences are somewhat subjective, which would you go with? I will buy in the next day or so.

Thanks!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am debating between the Yamaha RX-V1600 and Denon AVR-2307. Both have nearly the same specs. However, the Yamaha has 120wpc (7.1) vs. 100 for the Denon at 100wpc (7.1). The THD on the Yamaha is 0.04% vs. 0.08% for the Denon. I have a Yamaha HTR-5730 and like Yamaha sound overall.
I am buying to upgrade the receiver overall and get HMDI inputs, more optical inputs, and better overall sound processing. I may look a HK but that will make the decision even more difficult.
While I know preferences are somewhat subjective, which would you go with? I will buy in the next day or so.
Thanks!

You have had Yamaha for some time now. You like the product. The specs on this is a tad better. So, if it meets your needs otherwise, the right digital ins and outs, HDMI, sound processing that you will need and use, go for it.
Worry about speakers and room acoustics.

 

[racquetman]

I am debating between the Yamaha RX-V1600 and Denon AVR-2307. Both have nearly the same specs. However, the Yamaha has 120wpc (7.1) vs. 100 for the Denon at 100wpc (7.1). The THD on the Yamaha is 0.04% vs. 0.08% for the Denon. I have a Yamaha HTR-5730 and like Yamaha sound overall.

I am buying to upgrade the receiver overall and get HMDI inputs, more optical inputs, and better overall sound processing. I may look a HK but that will make the decision even more difficult.

While I know preferences are somewhat subjective, which would you go with? I will buy in the next day or so.

Thanks!

Well, first you need to understand these specs. Watts per channel ratings should always be taken with a grain of salt. If you can verify that each manufacturer provided ratings using the same criteria, then maybe an apples to apples comparison could be made and you could make an informed decision. If you haven't done the research to determine how these numbers were arrived at, then the numbers may not be useful for direct comparison.

The biggest thing people don't understand about wpc ratings is that it takes a lot of power to increase the output level a little. What I am referring to is the fact that it takes twice the power to increase the sound by 3 decibels. If we compare the 2 receivers you are looking at, then the 20% difference in power will only gain you 20% of 3 decibels in SPL output - do the math and you get a whopping 0.6 decibels in potential "loudness" by going from 100 wpc to 120 wpc - and like I said, that's if the numbers were derived using the same measurement techniques.

Don't even get me started on THD!! That is the most useless number in the world as far as I'm concerned. There is absolutely no reason to compare these numbers and make a buying decision based on them.

Listen to them and buy the one that has what you need (as far as inputs/outputs) and the layout/options that you prefer.

 

[skizzerflake]

Buy the one that has the inputs and outputs that you need. Alandamp is right. Anything less that a doubling of power is pretty much insignificant. Most of the time, you will be idling along at a watt or two until something loud and bassy happens. When it does, you would have a hard time distinguishing between 100 and 120 WPC. Ditto the distortion figures.

 

[mike c]

even if the denon had more power ... I'd still choose yamaha.
yamaha is pretty much the king of features on receivers.
that's what I call BELLS and WHISTLES

 

[shokhead]

even if the denon had more power ... I'd still choose yamaha.
yamaha is pretty much the king of features on receivers.
that's what I call BELLS and WHISTLES

Maybe the king of useless features. Why have all that crap you wont use.

 

[gmichael]

You really can't go wrong with either. Way too close to call. Check them both out. Hold the remotes in your hands. Play with the buttons. Play a favorite CD and/or DVD through both. See if you like one more than the other. They are both good units. Most of all, have fun.

 

[agarwalro]

I had a Yamaha receiver that sounded great, did everything, no complaints. When it died, out of curiousity I got a Denon and I liked it better.

There is no subsitite for in home trial.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I've heard both recievers at different times and thought both sounded fine. I think you'll be happy with either, they are both quality units.

I'd probably go with whichever I got a better price on.

Good Luck

Jack

 

[mike c]

Maybe the king of useless features. Why have all that crap you wont use.

for the price i mean ... considering I paid more for my HK than for a comparable yammy. i'm wondering why i'm missing those features ... features I'd like to use. e.g. PEQ, video upconversion (this helps me a lot because I have lots of inputs), 12v trigger

denon's over here cost a lot more than yamaha, and even HK's ... for a unit with even less features

 

[mtrycrafts]

What I am referring to is the fact that it takes twice the power to increase the sound by 3 decibels. If we compare the 2 receivers you are looking at, then the 20% difference in power will only gain you 20% of 3 decibels in SPL output - do the math and you get a whopping 0.6 decibels in potential "loudness" by going from 100 wpc to 120 wpc - .
.

Not totally correct. That 20 watts will give you .79dB spl and a 1 dB spl only needs a 26% increase in power. Your calc would need a 33 1/3% increase. But, let's not split hairs