Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Onkyo or ?

I've heard that Sherwood has been building the new Denon's. This explains the ongoing delays with their own models.

Well that depends.

HDMI spec 1.2 allows for M-channel SACD, so you are covered, sorta. The sorta is whether the unit accepts PCM or DSD or both. DSD is not a widely supported format, but there are currently only two SACD players available that output DSD over HDMI. One is the Oppo 980, the other is a Pioneer unit that is not available in North America. All other SACD players decode DSD to M-channel PCM.

I'd be using my PS3 to playback everything. DVD, Blu-Ray, CD, MP3, and SACD.

How would that explain the delays? The Denon's are out on time and functioning great. They would put another brand ahead of their own?

I have heard rumors Sherwood apparently is struggling with chip acquisition and performance/mating issues of those chips. I think they looked at Onkyo and learned about some of their minor issues and are trying to rectify them before putting out anything.

Actually, I went through my paralysis via analysis about a month or so ago. I pulled the trigger on an 8002 (already have 8001) due to comfort factor with Marantz. Now I need another one and here I am again. The *only* thing that bothers me about the Marantz is the lack of an Ethernet port for FW upgrades. I heard they may allow end users to upgrade via the serial port, but I just got an email from Marantz stating otherwise.

I guess you are right about pulling the trigger. They are similar enough. I am curious about the professional version of Audyssey available on the Denon unit. Marantz only supports end user version.

Thanks everyone.

So Spiff, what did you end up choosing? Or still deciding? I'm curious since I'm scoping out the options now, and facing the same questions/choices.

Since the advantage most touted on the Onkyo is the video upscaling via Reon chip, has anyone actually seen it? Anyone able to provide a side by side comparison for a SD source?

I'm getting a projector, and most of the viewing will be HD, but there will be the occasional SD event (hard to find college lacrosse in HD until the championship weekend!).

Rich

Is the occasional viewing in SD worth losing the GUI, netowrk connectivity and being able to drive the M80s with out heat issues?

I don't know -- anyone seen them side-by-side?

I've never worked with the GUI, so don't know. Not using 80s, but do have other 4 ohm speakers that might be an issue if I weren't using an external amp for them. So it's really the network connectivity that feels like a big one to me right now.

Rich

Wow - it's going to take you three days to die a sudden death!

You've GOT to pick one soon -- Jack is really old and wants to see your choice.

Absolutely, that's how it works.

They have to satisfy their OEM agreements before getting our their next gen; that's why they are always behind in generations timewise, but put a little extra engineering into their name brand.