Hi,
I recently purchased an axiom Epic 80.500 5.1 speaker set. I was planning to buy a Denon 4306 receiver, but the new models with trueHD and HDMI 1.3 are out. My budget is $2000/- max new 4308 costs more. Which receiver will you sugget ? a 4306 or a 3808ci? Is there any other receiver within $2000/- which is better than denon 4306 or 3808?
Also I only have 5.1 speakers. What is the best option for me? Can I use the 5.1 speakers for the time being or get two qs8 or two W3 to complete the set?
If you can wait six months, there will be several receivers on the market with HDMI 1.3. You don’t really need it, but might as well have it – again, if you can wait. I would not buy anything without waiting for some user comments. Onkyo and Integra both have some feature rich receivers about to hit the shelves, and in about six months, there should be enough on the streets to ask users what they do well, and what they don’t do well. They are all under $2000.
If you have to have something right now, there are several that you can pick from for under $2000. You need to decide what features you want/need first.
Seeing how you have M80’s, and I don’t know how loud you like things…….I’ll assume you are like me and like it loud.
#1 I’d probably put the Denon 4806 (refurbished) at the number one spot. It does everything well.
#2 Even though I have a couple issues with my Marantz SR/8001, I’d put it at number two.
#3 Denon 4306 CI
#4 Marantz SR/7001
#5 Denon 3806
#6 Yamaha RX-661
The Yamaha is slightly under powered for M80’s, but you can crank the hell out of them before it will shut down. And for $500, it’s a no-brainer. It’s a great little AVR that will tide you over until the 08 models hit the shelves.
I like Denon and Marnatz because they all have great power supplies, they handle HDMI switching very well, they all have Audysey room correction and they all process HDMI Uncompressed Audio off BR/HD dvd’s very well. They do not have any of the odd bugs that plague the remainder of the HDMI receivers out. (low LFE, will not matrix 5.1 PCM, etc).
If you don’t care about HDMI, and do not ever think you’ll need it, then there are numerous others available.
If you want video processing, you definitely need to wait for the new models. The only thing out now that does video processing well is the Anthem D2, and it’s a $7000 pre/pro. Personally, I do not want an integrated VP in a receiver. Today’s display devices come with better VP’s than what’s in the AVRs.
Manoj, welcome. In addition to Mike's suggestions you should also consider the Onkyo 875 which should be out in about three weeks and which has the highly-regarded Reon video processor.
I'm on the hunt too.
mdrew,
Is the only difference between the Marantz SR/7001 and SR/8001 110 vs 125 WPC?
Also what are your issues with 8001?
Bray,
They are virtually identical to the point that they share the same owner’s manual. Wherever there is a difference in the manual, it is noted in parentheses.
The 8001 has a more robust power supply with the Troidal transformer, that’s why I think it is a better match with 4 ohm speakers, although the 7001 will definitely drive them.
After scanning the manual, I’ve found the following differences. The 8001 has this stuff over the 7001....
125 WPC verses 110 WPC
Troidal Core Transformer
Selectable Multi Room Component Output
IR Receiver Input
Emitter Output
Multi Room B output
2 HMDI outputs verses 1 HMDI output
The issues I have with this machine are around Marantz not admitting they have an issue and their VP’s giving me lip service. My 8001 was one of the first units to hit shelves. It will not recognize a discrete 6th or 7th channel from BR/HD uncompressed PCM. The new units do not apear to have this deficiency, (although I can not confirm this) but Marantz does not acknowledge this flaw and they continue to piss me off by giving me ridiculous stories.
My unit is currently at the main service center getting a check up. It would shut down for no reason. It took me three times, getting three different tech support guys to tell me I had an internal fault and to send it in. The first two kept telling me it was a bad speaker. Marantz would not exchange this unit, but told me to send it in for repair. Shipping it to them cost me $100. I wasn’t too happy about that. – It has been four weeks and I do not have it back yet.
Other than that, the machine does what I want it to do and it does it very well. I would like multiple X-over points, but sadly, it only has one for all channels.
But as I stated earlier, if you can wait a few months, that’s what I’d do. Onkyo, Integra, Denon, NAD, Rotel, Sherwood Newcastle and Meridian have all announced that their new lines will start shipping before the end of summer and they will all have HMDI 1.3 audio processing to keep up with HD and BR. All of them look very promising. For those looking for new electronics, I think this will be a pretty interesting year.
Thanks for the reply mdrew.
I'm probabaly a month or two from making a decision anyway.
I'm thinking of putting together a 5 channel "music only" room using my Denon 2805 and 5 M3s. (just purchased 2 M3s).
Looking for something to replace the Denon for the main room plus a BR player.
With everything coming out soon, I think i can wait.
I wonder if there's a decent BR player that will play SACD also?
I think you mean Paystation 3.