Denon AVR-791 vs. Pioneer VSX-1120-K

[Baasha]

I am hunting for a new A/V Receiver to replace my old Denon AVR-2805 which is still working perfectly however it doesn't have HDMI inputs/outputs; obviously, since I got it in 2004.

Many of my peripheral devices are HDMI and that is quite honestly why I need a new receiver. The sound on my current Denon is wonderful and everything is perfect except for the lack of HDMI input/output.

First question, is there a component-to-HDMI switch? I doubt it since component is just video and HDMI has an audio signal as well (right?).

If I have to buy a new receiver, which one (of the two mentioned) would you recommend and why?

I love Denon but the 791 has only 4 HDMI inputs, no PC input, and only one component input (I could use a switch for that however).

The Pioneer 1120-K has 6 HDMI inputs and 2 component inputs and 1 component output.

However, which A/V Receiver is better? I have a 5.1 Bose Surround Sound System.

 

[bigsnyder]

I can't speak for the Denon, but the Pioneer 1120 has a huge following of fans, especially for its video processor. I would have went that route, but Pioneer has moved away from analog multi-channel inputs, so that was a deal breaker for me.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

If you don't require HDMI 1.4, Amazon was having incredible sales on some of last year's nicer Denon receivers. I bought the AVR-2310CI (the $850 model last year) for $499 and I think it was brainhulk who pulled down the AVR-3310CI for $530 just a few weeks later. Had I known the 3310 would've dipped that low, I would've waited a few weeks and bought it.

 

[novasatori]

if you look around you can get the AVR3311 for $779 too

I got mine from electronic expo but there are a couple other sites offering similar deals.

 

[s44]

Honestly?

Both are good AVRs, but the Blows system will drag either down.

 

[Baasha]

So it is clear that the Denon is better?

I've seen the AVR-3310 for around $750 but the Pioneer VSX-1120-K is around $550.

Is the Denon worth the $200 difference?

The AVR-791 is around $450. How does that compare to the Pioneer?

 

[MaxDepth]

The Pioneer is now $100 cheaper with free 3-day shipping. Check with Newegg and daily email coupons.

So it is clear that the Denon is better?
I've seen the AVR-3310 for around $750 but the Pioneer VSX-1120-K is around $550.
Is the Denon worth the $200 difference?
The AVR-791 is around $450. How does that compare to the Pioneer?

 

[Don66]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882117343

$429.99 free shipping. Add a 3 year Squaretrade warranty ftw.

VSX-1120-K stomps on the AVR-791 in the feature department.

 

[Baasha]

Thanks for the link to the deal!

Pioneer VSX-1120-K it is!

 

[brxndxn]

I just did a lot of research and was sure I was going to buy the Pioneer VSX-1120-K or the Pioneer Elite VSX-32 (same as VSX-1120-K but 2year warranty, 12v outputs).. But I ended up going with the Harmon Kardon AVR 2600 - since it was on newegg.com for $479. From what I read, the 'dolby volume' on the HK receiver is amazing. It takes loud commercials and makes them STFU. The video processor might not be as good.. but I will be playing blurays with pass-through enabled anyway. Even though the HK advertises 65W x 7 and the Pioneer is 110W x 7, the HK power draw is 540W while the Pioneer is 400W.

Also, it seems the 'bugs' in the HK line were only in the last set of models not their current lineup.

Every other brand I considered - Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, Sony (ok.. so I didn't consider this one) - seemed to have too many people criticizing things about them that I knew would piss me off.