I'm getting ready to buy a pair of M80's and need help choosing a receiver. I've allocated $700 (US) budget for it and narrowed down my choice to either Denon AVR 2803 or Marantz SR6400. Can anyone recommend one over another or anything else in this price range?
Having said that, I want to mention that after reading numerous articles about the A/V equipment, I start leaning towards the idea of going with separate components rather than a single receiver. Many people claim that going this route will yield a considerable improvement in sound quality. If that is indeed the case, I'm willing to stretch my budget a little since I'm not going to upgrade my system for a long time. So far, I read very good reviews about the Outlaw 950 preamp and was contemplating an idea of coupling it with a pair of Outlaw 200 M-Block amps to drive the M80's. This setup would cost me $1400, which is $700 over my budget. Can anyone tell if the difference in sound quality achieved with this setup vs. a single A/V receiver is worth $700? I'm torn... Please advise.

Gene, welcome. I'd suggest that you lean back away from the idea of going with separates because there's no "considerable improvement in sound quality"(or any at all)and a receiver will be more cost effective. Both of the receivers that you mention would be excellent for the M80s and I'd also suggest that you consider the Yamaha 1400 with YPAO automatic calibration and equalization.

I'll second what JohnK said. While in the past it might have been the case that separates sounded better than the average integrated receiver, that's not the case any more. Most receiver brands are built quality products and are quite transparent -- adding nothing to the sound and subtracting nothing from the sound (other than amplitude/volume). Separates do the same thing, but most often you have to pay more for them.

Thanks for the advice guys. I guess deep down inside I always felt that a receiver would be the right choice, but I really needed to hear it from someone else. Thanks again.

Gene, I went through the same "would an amp help" and got to the same place the guys mentioned above. Not enough of a gain to make it worthwhile for me. On the other hand - if you ever get a wild hair to add an amp, the 2803 also functions as a pre/pro.

If you wait a month or so, the Denon 2805 will come out, meaning you can get that, or else the 2803 will likely go down in price.

good point snippy..

once the 2805 comes out, the price of the 2803's should greatly diminish.. and those are still REALLY good receivers. if anyone is having a case of 'upgradeitis', be on the lookout here in the next few months!!

bigjohn

I guess I could wait for the 2805 to come out, but it has to come out really soon!!! I've already ordered the M80's and once they arrive, I doubt I'll be able to wait another minute (not to mention the whole month).

The 1604 is $379 at Costco. I'd be willing to bet that blind listening tests would reveal no audible differences between the 2803 and 1604.

http://www.costco.com/frameset.asp?trg=subcat%2Easp&catid=79&subid=80&hierid=3840&log=&NavTop=