Yamaha, Onkyo or Denon? Value Receivers

[aphex]

Trying to decide between the following three 5.1 models. Going to be using it with my Athena Micra 6 in a relatively small living room.


Yamaha RX-V371 - $179
100w per channel

Denon 1312 - $229
75w per channel
On Screen Display

Onkyo TX-NR509 - $229
80w per channel
On Screen Display
Audyssey 2EQ w/ Dynamic EQ (Auto Calibration)
Network Streaming


The Onkyo has the best features by far, but will the Onkyo sound as good as the other two? Will it be as reliable?

 

[viivo]

Do you need the network capability of the Onkyo? You can find non-network Onkyo receivers with better features for the same price.

 

[Ketchup]

I have been extremely happy with my Onkyo unit. I have had it for about 8 years. I will probably need to repace it when I go HDMI, but the sound quality is very good. The only complaint I have is the speaker connectors are a pain, but it would most likely be a one-time deal anyway.

 

[aphex]

Do you need the network capability of the Onkyo? You can find non-network Onkyo receivers with better features for the same price.

Not particularly, no. Which ones do you recommend ?

 

[aphex]

Just came across the next step up for Yamaha, Yamaha RX-V471 for $232

 

[Aikouka]

If I recall, the Batpig recommends coughing up the extra money to go with the Denon 1612 over the 1312.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1334369

Official batpig advice: for any "serious" home theater setup, the AVR-1612 is the MINIMUM model you should consider! Although the 1612 has the same connectivity on the back panel, the AVR-1312's lack of Audyssey MultEQ is a crippling loss for any real enthusiast. The AVR-1312 also does not implement several of the HDMI 1.4 features such as standby-passthrough and ARC. The 1312 doesn't even let you rename inputs or delete unused sources!

 

[Anarchist420]

go with an HK 3490 but make sure you get it on sale ($~280 or less) rather than full price. They offer better sound quality and no one needs other than 2 channels.

 

[CallMeJoe]

go with an HK 3490 but make sure you get it on sale ($~280 or less) rather than full price. They offer better sound quality and no one needs other than 2 channels.

Home theater, DVD-A and SACD enthusiasts disagree.


edit: FWIW, I'm still very happy with my Denon AVR-1910.

 

[rkkaranrk]

I second that i aslo have denon 708 and i am pretty much happy with it.

 

[Aikouka]

I actually grow rather annoyed with my Denon 2112.

Yet again, the device has disappeared from my AirPlay devices, and the inability to access the menu without hitting Input Source first (and closing that menu) is just a huge annoyance. I'm really hoping that this latest firmware fixes these atrocious bugs.

 

[wirednuts]

sort of a weird question for this thread, but can anyone tell me if i buy a new $300 or so receiver will it be a big upgrade in sound quality over my old pioneer vsx501? i dont need features im just wondering if i could be getting better sound

 

[nsafreak]

That's a pretty old model receiver, not to say older equipment can't do some good sound because there are some older Marantz & Pioneer Elite units that I've heard that still sound great. Looking at its specifications though I'd have to say it depends on what you have hooked up to it. That model does not have any digital inputs on it at all and it's lacking in a few other areas as well. It seems like the amplification section is done well enough though. Unless you're dealing with equipment that has no digital output to hook into a digital input on a receiver then I'd say yes you'd notice a pretty big improvement in terms of sound quality on a newer model receiver. I suppose it's possible with the newer DSPs in a more modern receiver you may still get better sound out of analog only sources as well.

 

[wirednuts]

i do have digital output on my htpc... and i was thinking that in 5.1 mode i would get better surround as it wouldnt be analog dolby based (you can hear it, the surround kicks in and out a little weird... its just the way analog dolby is)

its hard for me to decide though because when i turn off the loudness enhancements on my computer and i run the receiver in straight 2ch mode, the sound is fantastic.

that all said, the right side has been cutting in and out at low levels. hasnt done it lately, but normally that means the amplifier is just wearing out. i have put 10 years on this thing, and i got it used. its on every single day, all the time im watching tv. i think its just time for a new one.

 

[Anteaus]

A surround reciever is an important purchase since it will stay with you for a long while. While its good to save a few dollars, I higher recommend you get something with enough tech that you can grow with. I didn't look at the models you posted, but I'd make sure not only to have the latest HDMI spec but also that you have enough ports to handle all the devices you might add. Optical is still fine today, but it doesn't have the bandwidth for uncompressed HD audio so unless you want your reciever holding you back a few years from now I'd look into that.

 

[queequeg99]

sort of a weird question for this thread, but can anyone tell me if i buy a new $300 or so receiver will it be a big upgrade in sound quality over my old pioneer vsx501? i dont need features im just wondering if i could be getting better sound

Depends on your setup. If you listen to 5.1 surround, the newer tech can have a tremendous impact. For instance, you should be able to get a Denon 1712 in your price range. That unit includes Audyssey Multi EQ XT, which is one of the best room correction systems available. I have the 2112 (which has the same system) and the effect is truly amazing. If you're just listening to 2.0 (or even 2.1) sound, the difference might not be as significant. But it really depends on how your room is set up.

Note that the 1712 isn't networked. So if new firmware comes out, it's a trip to the shop (or no upgrade).

 

[Aikouka]

sort of a weird question for this thread, but can anyone tell me if i buy a new $300 or so receiver will it be a big upgrade in sound quality over my old pioneer vsx501? i dont need features im just wondering if i could be getting better sound

I couldn't find a nice spec page with the little Googling that I did, but I would imagine the one feature that it might not have is good Audyssey support.

EDIT:

I have the 2112 (which has the same system) and the effect is truly amazing.

Are you having any of the same issues with your 2112 that I'm having with mine? Oddly enough, my menus used to work fine, but it was when I started trying to get it to go to an input that I deleted (forgot that I did that ), it just threw its proverbial hands up and stopped working right.

I also noticed some weird sound anomalies with my XBOX. I was playing Blue Dragon, and if I moved down the menu options, the sound effect played back normally. If I stopped for 1-2 seconds and moved it again, it played at about 5-10db lower and then picked back up again. That could have been the 360 not sending the proper output though as it worked fine earlier today.

 

[nsafreak]

I couldn't find a nice spec page with the little Googling that I did, but I would imagine the one feature that it might not have is good Audyssey support.

EDIT:



Are you having any of the same issues with your 2112 that I'm having with mine? Oddly enough, my menus used to work fine, but it was when I started trying to get it to go to an input that I deleted (forgot that I did that ), it just threw its proverbial hands up and stopped working right.

I also noticed some weird sound anomalies with my XBOX. I was playing Blue Dragon, and if I moved down the menu options, the sound effect played back normally. If I stopped for 1-2 seconds and moved it again, it played at about 5-10db lower and then picked back up again. That could have been the 360 not sending the proper output though as it worked fine earlier today.

So I'm guessing you've got the XBox 360 hooked up through HDMI? Haven't heard of that particular problem before but I suppose it could be an issue with the 360 itself and not the 2112. Curious question though, I thought that the 360 only sent Dolby Stereo through HDMI, is this only true on certain models?

 

[Aikouka]

So I'm guessing you've got the XBox 360 hooked up through HDMI? Haven't heard of that particular problem before but I suppose it could be an issue with the 360 itself and not the 2112. Curious question though, I thought that the 360 only sent Dolby Stereo through HDMI, is this only true on certain models?

Yeah, it's through HDMI, and it does register as Dolby Digital. Although, I could have sworn I saw it say "PCII Stereo" the other day. That 360 did freeze up on me once when I logged in, so who knows what's going bad at this point. All I know is that I got it through one of those nice Christmas deals, and I'm not going to be pleased if it fails in less time than my fat non-Jasper 360. That one is still running after the X-clamp mod!

 

[NutBucket]

go with an HK 3490 but make sure you get it on sale ($~280 or less) rather than full price. They offer better sound quality and no one needs other than 2 channels.

Home theater, DVD-A and SACD enthusiasts disagree.

True music enthusiasts go for stereo. The reason SACD failed is a combination of two factors IMHO: either people can't hear the difference and/or their gear can't reproduce the higher quality sound.

Anyway, on topic I would definitely look for something with Audyssey MultEQ or some form of Audyssey. Its quite impressive and saves A LOT of setup time. Personally I could care less about features like standby-passthrough and ARC.

 

[Lotheron]

I know are saying do not get the 1312 (get something better), but if that's the way yo uwant to go, it's on Woot today for 159 (new)

 

[vi edit]

I've never really associated Denon with value. Onkyo in my mind tends to offer the best compromise of features, performance and reliability.

 

[wirednuts]

I've never really associated Denon with value. Onkyo in my mind tends to offer the best compromise of features, performance and reliability.

totally agree. another brand that always outperforms their pricepoint is pioneer, both of which are companies who have been around since home audio equipment started

 

[aphex]

I think i'm actually going to go for a Denon 1612 Refurb for $219.

Has all the features I want plus Audyssey MultEQ

 

[CallMeJoe]

True music enthusiasts go for stereo. The reason SACD failed is a combination of two factors IMHO: either people can't hear the difference and/or their gear can't reproduce the higher quality sound...

Some music enthusiasts go for both.
I have a turntable and HDCD player feeding a Denon PRA-1100/POA-2200, driving a pair of modified Klipsch Forte.
My Denon AVR-1910 is fed by SACD, Blu-Ray and satellite, driving a Klipsch KG series surround set.
Pure stereo on the stereo system, SACD surround and home theater audio on the 7.1.
Best of both worlds.

Back OT, I switched from HK to Denon for my home theater/SACD system, and prefer the features and setup of the Denon. No experience with Onkyo or Yamaha electronics.

 

[viivo]

I've never really associated Denon with value. Onkyo in my mind tends to offer the best compromise of features, performance and reliability.

Same here. I think it's because their entry-level receivers are barely a step up from those that come with HTIBs (and in most cases they are the ones from Denon htib packages), whereas much of Onkyo's lower-end stuff is built with the same components of their more expensive models, just with some features and technologies stripped.

Besides, and this is just a personal preference, but I'd rather have a value Onkyo AVR that was made in Malaysia than a Denon made in China. No evidence of quality differences, just an opinion.

They do make nice headphones.