Below are the specs from their respective websites. I bought the Pioneer quite a few months ago but, currently there is a hot deal thread with the Denon available for $330, about $20 less than I paid for my Pioneer. I'm thinking about giving my Pioneer to my dad and picking up the Denon. They both seem similar in functionality and performance but. since I am no audiophile or HTPC guru yet, I would like a second or third opinion. Should I just keep mine or is the Denon that much better?
Denon AVR-1803
Dolby Digital including Surround Ex decoding
Dolby Pro Logic II decoding with Cinema and Music Modes
DTS ES Discrete 6.1
Matrix 6.1 decoding
DTS Neo:6 Cinema & Music Surround decoding
Analog Devices Melody 32-bit Fixed Point DSP processor
6 Channels equal power amplifier section
80 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, <.08%THD)
110watts per channel (6 ohms, 1 kHz, <.7%THD)
Banana Plug Speaker Connections all channels
Subwoofer Pre-out, with Variable Cross-over points(80/100/120Hz)
24 bit, 96 kHz high resolution DACs on all eight channels
Real 24 bit, 96 kHz Digital Interface Receiver
2 sets component video inputs(27MHz), compatible with progressive DVD, DTV
5 sets composite and "S" video inputs
5.1 external wide bandwidth (100 kHz) input for future multi-channel formats (such as DVD-Audio)
5/6 Channel Stereo
Personal Memory Plus
4 assignable digital inputs (3 Optical, 1 Coaxial)
Optical digital output
Front Panel A/V Inputs, with S-Video and Optical Digital
9 analog inputs including built-in AM/FM tuner
Multi-Zone stereo pre-amp level audio outputs, with Discrete Power on/off, Source selection and Remote Volume Control
Assignable 6th Channel Amplifier, for Second Zone with Discrete Remote Volume Control
Remote I/O Ports
Glow-Key pre-programmed remote features codes from other manufacturers; Glow in the dark main function keys
Pioneer VSX-811S
Surround: 100 Watts x 6
Crystal Digital Signal Processing
DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 Decoding
DTS NEO 6: Music & Cinema Surround Decoding
Dolby Digital EX 6.1 Surround Decoding
Pro-Logic II Music & Movie Surround Decoding
96kHz/24-Bit Digital to Analog Conversion
5 Advanced Surround Modes
Expanded 6.1
6-Channel Stereo
Music
Movie
Virtual Surround Back
Midnight Mode
DVD-Audio Ready
7.1 Channel Inputs
Pre-Amp Output ALL Channels
5 Digital Inputs (3 optical/2 coaxial back, 1 optical front) / 1 Digital Out (optical)
Inputs - 4 Audio/4 Audio/Video
CD
AUX
CDR/TAPE/MD
TUNER
DVD/LD
TV/SAT
VCR/DVR
VIDEO (Front Panel)
Outputs - 1 Audio/1 Audio Video/1 Video
CDR/TAPE Audio Output
VCR/DVR Audio/Video Output
Monitor Video Output
Component Video Switching (2 Inputs/1 Output)
TV/SAT Input
DVD/LD Input
Monitor Output
S-Video (4 Inputs/2 Outputs)
DVD/LD Input
TV/SAT Input
VCR/DVR Input
Video (Front Panel) Input
VCR/DVR Output
Monitor Output
Independent A/B Speaker Switching
Heavy Duty Banana Speaker Binding Posts
Dual Surround Back Speaker Terminals for 7.1 Speaker Set-up
Front Panel Quick Set-Up w/ Jog Control
Auto Signal Select
30 Preset AM/FM Digital Tuner
AM/FM Station Name Input
Semi-Dot Matrix Display
Front Panel Door
Preprogrammed and Smart Remote
TV
VCR
DVD
Cable Box
Digital Satellite Tuner
Multi-CD Control
Denon AVR-1803
Dolby Digital including Surround Ex decoding
Dolby Pro Logic II decoding with Cinema and Music Modes
DTS ES Discrete 6.1
Matrix 6.1 decoding
DTS Neo:6 Cinema & Music Surround decoding
Analog Devices Melody 32-bit Fixed Point DSP processor
6 Channels equal power amplifier section
80 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, <.08%THD)
110watts per channel (6 ohms, 1 kHz, <.7%THD)
Banana Plug Speaker Connections all channels
Subwoofer Pre-out, with Variable Cross-over points(80/100/120Hz)
24 bit, 96 kHz high resolution DACs on all eight channels
Real 24 bit, 96 kHz Digital Interface Receiver
2 sets component video inputs(27MHz), compatible with progressive DVD, DTV
5 sets composite and "S" video inputs
5.1 external wide bandwidth (100 kHz) input for future multi-channel formats (such as DVD-Audio)
5/6 Channel Stereo
Personal Memory Plus
4 assignable digital inputs (3 Optical, 1 Coaxial)
Optical digital output
Front Panel A/V Inputs, with S-Video and Optical Digital
9 analog inputs including built-in AM/FM tuner
Multi-Zone stereo pre-amp level audio outputs, with Discrete Power on/off, Source selection and Remote Volume Control
Assignable 6th Channel Amplifier, for Second Zone with Discrete Remote Volume Control
Remote I/O Ports
Glow-Key pre-programmed remote features codes from other manufacturers; Glow in the dark main function keys
Pioneer VSX-811S
Surround: 100 Watts x 6
Crystal Digital Signal Processing
DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 Decoding
DTS NEO 6: Music & Cinema Surround Decoding
Dolby Digital EX 6.1 Surround Decoding
Pro-Logic II Music & Movie Surround Decoding
96kHz/24-Bit Digital to Analog Conversion
5 Advanced Surround Modes
Expanded 6.1
6-Channel Stereo
Music
Movie
Virtual Surround Back
Midnight Mode
DVD-Audio Ready
7.1 Channel Inputs
Pre-Amp Output ALL Channels
5 Digital Inputs (3 optical/2 coaxial back, 1 optical front) / 1 Digital Out (optical)
Inputs - 4 Audio/4 Audio/Video
CD
AUX
CDR/TAPE/MD
TUNER
DVD/LD
TV/SAT
VCR/DVR
VIDEO (Front Panel)
Outputs - 1 Audio/1 Audio Video/1 Video
CDR/TAPE Audio Output
VCR/DVR Audio/Video Output
Monitor Video Output
Component Video Switching (2 Inputs/1 Output)
TV/SAT Input
DVD/LD Input
Monitor Output
S-Video (4 Inputs/2 Outputs)
DVD/LD Input
TV/SAT Input
VCR/DVR Input
Video (Front Panel) Input
VCR/DVR Output
Monitor Output
Independent A/B Speaker Switching
Heavy Duty Banana Speaker Binding Posts
Dual Surround Back Speaker Terminals for 7.1 Speaker Set-up
Front Panel Quick Set-Up w/ Jog Control
Auto Signal Select
30 Preset AM/FM Digital Tuner
AM/FM Station Name Input
Semi-Dot Matrix Display
Front Panel Door
Preprogrammed and Smart Remote
TV
VCR
DVD
Cable Box
Digital Satellite Tuner
Multi-CD Control