I need a new home theater receiver. Denon or Arcam?

[willtel]

My old yard sale Sony is finally starting to die so I can replace it. I've wanted a new one for years but couldn't justify it while the old one was working.

I'll be driving a 5.1 system with the following speakers:

Front Speakers: M&K S125
Center: M&K S125C
Rears: M&K 550THX
Sub: Polk Audio 10"

Part of me wants a new Denon because of all bells and whistles like Airplay, on screen menus, and auto acoustic setup. On the other hand I have heard great things about Arcams and their audio quality but my budget will only allow an older model like an AVR-300 which is nearly featureless compared to a new Denon.

I'd like to spend no more than about $1200. What would you do?


IMG_2587 by willtel, on Flickr

[OffCamber00]

In your budget, I would also check out Marantz, Cambridge Audio, and NAD.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I just bought this and love it. All the bells and whistles including a full set of pre-outs for adding separate amps. Only con is the GUI which is a little dated looking.

Never had an issue with the Pioneer Elite line.

Purchased new in box on Ebay for $680 with Shipping.
Retails for $1,100.00.
I just noticed Amazon has them for $ 599.00 free shipping.


Pioneer Elite VSX-53 7.1 Ch 3D Airplay

[cashman]

I hate when people pose a question regarding two options and people throw out several other choices. But, I will do it anyway

I went through this a couple years ago and Dennon and Onkyo were my final choices. Went with Onkyo 7.1. I actually have 9.1 speakers set up and I can chose between
additional 2 high up front or 2 back. Happy with the choice. It sounds better than the movie theater.

[Chocaholic]

I suspect the name on the bezel is the sum total of the difference between brands. Like most consumer electronics today, many brands come out of the same factory. As such, I'd pick the feature-set you want without focusing too much on the brand. It's mature technology so you won't find dramatic differences in audio performance as long as price-point is similar.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

It's mature technology so you won't find dramatic differences in audio performance as long as price-point is similar.

I disagree. Between the primary Japanese manufacturers, you will find little difference. But there are 'boutique' manufacturers whose products consistently sound better than the run of the mill. NAD, Rotel, Arcam and Cambridge Audio all care what it sounds like. That is their raison d'être. Better chassis, better power supplies, better output devices etc etc. Rather than thin screechy sound (typically of most Asian receivers), they can actually sound very good. Whether it is worth the investment for sound versus the latest-greatest features, is a personal choice.

Bias Alert: I sell Cambridge Audio. I have been using our 551R receiver for the last year.

Ian

[OffCamber00]

Ian nailed it. Power supply is probably the single biggest factor in what distinguishes a good sounding receiver from everything else. Look for a torroidal transformer as that is always a good guide on the quality of the rest of the unit.

[Chocaholic]

Matt and Ian....every brand you mentioned is made in China (including Arcam, Denon, Rotel, Cambridge, etc). Do a quick google search, you'll see. Unless you step up to high-end (far more expensive), whatever brand you select probably comes out of the same factory. Torroidal transformers have been in Japanese gear for years as you go up in price point. They're not unique to the boutique companies (Krell, Mark Levinson, etc.).

[imcarthur]

Just because it is made in China, does not make it the same spec. I know the R & D people at Cambridge very well. They go to great pains & do a lot of actual listening comparisons to make sure that their gear sounds better than the similarly priced gear from Denon, Sony et al.

And that is how I sell it. I walk in with a sample & I hook it up against anything in its price class. I typically win.

Ian

[OffCamber00]

Mike - totally agree that they are not unique to boutique companies but when shopping for a receiver it is typically a good guide.

[Scott Douglas]

For what it's worth I'm using a Denon AVR-1910 powering my old Infinity Column II's, some Polk Audio T-15's and a Definitive center speaker.
I liked the way the audio was set up by the tuner as my listening spot isn't on center.
I'm also able to feel some bass notes before actually hearing them.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by willtel

What would you do?

I would use the $1,200 to buy lumber and drywall and vibration isolators to make that room a correct size and shape.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

I just bought this and love it. All the bells and whistles including a full set of pre-outs for adding separate amps. Only con is the GUI which is a little dated looking.

Never had an issue with the Pioneer Elite line.

Purchased new in box on Ebay for $680 with Shipping.
Retails for $1,100.00.
I just noticed Amazon has them for $ 599.00 free shipping.


Pioneer Elite VSX-53 7.1 Ch 3D Airplay

Another vote the Pioneer Elite... I'm very happy with mine...

[89911]

I've got two Onkyo's driving similar systems. Your system in not that elaborate, just your basic 5.1 which both of mine use. If you can snag one at Crutchfield, especially a scratch and dent, even better. This is most likely the closest to what I have that is selling now:

Onkyo TX-NR818 Home theater receiver with 3D-ready HDMI switching, Internet-ready at Crutchfield.com

I'm sure all that are suggested are great, but for most of what I am using it for (5.1 dolby surround from HD tv programming) anything more is overkill.

One added question: I don't know how anyone can stand watching a TV above a fireplace like yours. I realize its a compromise and you can double the use of the fireplace as the "focal" point of the room. But........there are rules for the most comfortable position of setting up a TV and I know having its lower edge sitting 2-3 feet above your head isn't one of them. Your not alone, I see this often and wonder how others feel.

[stealthn]

Love my Rotel, will be buying another one for the basement and to have HDMI

Sound is fantastic with B&W speakers

[ruf-porsche]

I would look at assembling a Home Theatre Computer (HTC) Since a lot of the media is digital these days and lot of things can be done over the internet I would look at a HTC and integrate that with an AMP(s) to power the surround system.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Most new receivers will integrate with your wireless home network via Windows Media Player or Apple Air Play without the need to set up a dedicated Media Server.

At least the Pioneer pictured above does.

[RWebb]

I'm serious about the room - from the pic that seems to be your real deficit.

[LWJ]

I bought a denon. Here is why. Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo came up top in all the reviews I read in my (lower) price range. It would be D vs Y or D vs O. But Denon was always at the top of the list. Does it sound killer? Yes. What would I do if I repeated? Probably by a lower price point unit. Costco had Yamaha's for much less. I think the difference would have been insignificant. We have a similar sized room and the Denon with a big sub absolutely crushes the sound. It is pretty cool. Would a lesser unit deliver? I expect so.

Larry

[yazhound]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I bought a denon. Here is why. Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo came up top in all the reviews I read in my (lower) price range. It would be D vs Y or D vs O. But Denon was always at the top of the list. Does it sound killer? Yes. What would I do if I repeated? Probably by a lower price point unit. Costco had Yamaha's for much less. I think the difference would have been insignificant. We have a similar sized room and the Denon with a big sub absolutely crushes the sound. It is pretty cool. Would a lesser unit deliver? I expect so.

Larry

may be on same hunt soon!