I can get the 2808 for $500 and the 707 for $800. Which one would you pick?

If it were me, I'd go with the Onkyo in this case, because it has 6 HDMI inputs, whereas the Denon only has 2. To me, all other things look to be mostly equal.

But for $800, I'd probably go with a Pioneer Elite VSX-21THX.

I didn’t look at the specs but if they are pretty much the same I wouldn’t pay $300 extra for 4 more HDMI inputs when Monoprice sells a great 4x1 HDMI switch for $30. Works with everything I’ve thrown at it. They also sell switches with more inputs but I haven’t tried those.

Can’t speak to the pioneer though.

This would work as long as you aren't programming a universal remote that has activities, like the Harmony 1100 that I use. The remote switches inputs for you that resides on the AVR.

I’m not sure what your talking about here. I have my switch programmed into my Harmony activities just fine. It’s own remote is a cheepo keychain size thing but Harmony has all the codes.

On my Denon 2807 I had two inputs one direct for the Oppo and the second with four (DVR, Xbox, HTPC, Gaming PC). All the activities worked just fine and the Denon still remembered the “last used settings” for each activity. Maybe they’ve changed things.

No. Sounds like it's ok. I didn't realize the switch was on a remote.

It probably would have helped if I’d have linked to it:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/produc...=1&format=2

I ended up ordering this when the other brand I bought locally wouldn't play nice with my Xbox 360. Bonus this was 1/3 the price.

I think the 2808 Japanese version is a little bit different from us one. For what I can see there are 4 HDMI inputs and 1 output.

Sorry I made a mistake is not 2808 is 2809.

Another pic of the Denon 2809

Although I was considering the 2808 too.

The us version looks like the 2808ci which has 2 hdmi inputs. The front panel looks the same except the 2808 has 1 less button on the left. I have a hard time understanding the differences here. Maybe someone else that knows the Denon line of AVRs better can explain.

For what I know Japanese companies usually makes their products a little different when is for exporting or being made outside Japan. Sometimes even products that look similar they use better components for the Japanese market. I can tell you that since I have worked for Sony, Sanyo and Epson.

Really?? That is surprising. Do they actually tell you this when you work for them or is it something you actually witnessed / participated in personally?

I've heard the same about Integra/Onkyo lines and the (Pioneer) Elite/non-Elite lines, but I haven't seen region specific differences in terms of quality of parts (features yes).

They don't tell anything. Sometimes they use just a few different components. Most of them are the same. Despite the better components, they charge us more though. LOL So whenever we buy something there are things for Japanese market and there are the things for export. I guess that they cannot overcharge people in certain countries so they just use some cheaper stuff.

Interesting the things that go on behind the scene!

Well getting back to the topic. What do you think of the 2809? Even though is a 2 years ago model, it seems nice to me. I was gonna get the 608, but then someone told me to get the 707 because of Audissey mult EQ feature, since I have already spent my whole budget on the speakers I was considering getting a little bit cheaper receiver. The 707 here is still expensive. My initial idea was to spend max of $1300 on speakers. After talking to people here I just ended up spending $700 more. LOL So I need to save somewhere since I am getting a little bigger TV also.

Glad to hear we can still spend other people's money with out really even trying

I think you have to decide which avr is right for you as they are both good products. I prefer Denon because I know many people with them and they run without problems. I can drive 4 ohm loads(and less in some instances) easily at least with the older lower end model 1804 I have and my 3808.

Go with the features you want. the 707 had Audissey mult EQ, dynamic volume and a few other things that the Denon does not.

I faced the same choice and opted for the 2808 because I just didn't need/want the extras the 707 offered.

Yes, Ichigo, as I suggested before, go with a unit that has Audyssey MultEQ. If the Onkyo 707 is too expensive there, consider one of the lower priced Denons which still has it, such as the 2310, or whichever one is priced there to fit your budget.