Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater @#&&^! Receiver

Audyssey and MCACC - I tried Yamaha's version but ultimately went with a Radio Shack meter and measuring tape. Are thes features worthwhile? It seems that the current genre of receivers is trying to be the brain of a network system - is that worthwhile? Any other whistles or buzzers worth looking for? I listed what I thought I needed - or what I use on the Yamaha in my response to Ken........Rob

Nope, I've been trying to decide on a receiver in the same price range. I've discounted the Denons, because of their comparative lack of inputs/features, so I'm pretty much between the Onk 709, 809, and the Pio 1121. Leaning towards the 809 because of Audyssey MultiEQ, which is supposed to be quite good. I also want Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ, which adjust the comparative volume (explosions vs voices, for example) and EQ for different volume levels on the receiver. Pioneer may or may not have anything like that. I think they do, but they're less vocal about it than Audyssey.

Your other qualifications are pretty much available on anything. They've been seriously bumping HDMI inputs lately--the Onks have 8!

A4L is quite reputable. They mostly sell refurbs. I've had good experience with them in the past for less expensive items, but I'm considering them if I go with an Onk.

Fred,
Good question. I don't know what the latest thought on Chinese electronics is? I have been on a Bird Forum to research a binocular purchase. There is a lot of discussion on Chin Bins and the fact that their manufacture is getting better.

Argon,

I'd always opt for Japanese-built electronics over Chinese-manufactured, unless you know for sure that the Chinese-built have Japanese quality-control guys on site all the time. I suspect that's impossible to find out. I'd be surprised if there are any AV receivers left that are actually Japanese-built, given the relatively high cost of labor in Japan vs China.

As to brand reliability, I'd put Denon up at the top and Sony near the bottom. Onkyos in recent years seem to be pretty good, as are Pioneers. Refurbished models tend to be very good buys, as any design glitches or unreliability tend to be corrected in the refurbishing procedure. I still believe the power-amp sections of Denons are better designed because even the entry-level Denons were always able to drive our 4-ohm M80 towers without shutting down, unlike some Onkyos and Pioneers of years past. Harman-Kardons are like the Denons in that even the least costly are able to drive 4-ohm loads; as to reliability, they're somewhere midway in the list I mentioned.

The presence of Audyssey or similar auto-setup schemes shouldn't influence your decision. They are all somewhat error-prone, especially in the area of subwoofer and surround calibration.

Regards,
Alan

Thanks, Alan. The audio set up feature will not influence my decision. As for refurbished goods - I had never considered them before - but recently one of my daughters decided she wanted a Digital SLR. Despite my Canon reco, she bought a refurbed Nikon from B&H. I was quite impressed with her choice and it seemed brand new.

As for the Chinese manufacture - If I bought from A4L would the fact that the product has been refurbed in the US account for any quality control issues related to the Chinese labor?

M80's are not an issue as I have M60's and am Very Happy with them.

I bought mt Onk 707 from A4L a couple years back. I've had zero problems with it.

For what it's worth, I read that Audyssey does sub EQ better than MCACC. Also, the word "audisy" sounds better than the word
"emkak."

I would select Denon or Onkyo in your price range. For the most part they will all have HDMI conversion and features/inputs for most users. Also, Audyssey over the other setup tools should be a consideration in my opinion. Contrary to what many say, it really makes a world of difference and even Axiom speakers sound better using it. It also does a wonderful job for subwoofer calibration, actually is strong in that area. In my opinion, Audyssey should not be placed in the same "stay away from auto calibration" mentality as years past.

Hmmm, seems like we have contrasting views here.

Hmm. OK, now that I've re-inspected the Denon line, it is a little down on features in comparison to the Onks at the same price point, but not as dramatically as I thought. Add in free shipping on the **12 Denons from AC4L, and the 3312 compares pretty well to the 809, although it's not as cool looking.