Forced into looking into replacing my receiver due to failure of my current one. I enjoyed the denon product I was using which lead me to looking into them again. Given the budget I am looking to spend I have been thinking about the avr-x3000 vs the avr-3313ci. From what I have found I could get the 3313ci for a better price and appears to be the better of the two. Just looking to see if anyone has any experience or opinions to offer and perhaps alternatives to the two in a similar price range.

I liked my Denon too! No direct experience with either model but I did read a recent good review of the X3000.

I'm pretty happy with my Onkyo TX-NR809, which I think is in the same ballpark. There's some quirks (no easy way to turn off a channel from the remote, a few other things), but other than that it's quite good.

Some find the Denons hard to understand, especially the manual. I have had good luck with my past 2 models...

Adam, my suggested alternative to either of the Denons would be the Onkyo 818, with slightly better specs and having the best Audyssey MultEQ XT32 auto-calibration and room EQ.

If you go with one of the Denons, the 3313 has slightly better numbers and if you can get it for less, there would appear to be no good reason to get the X3000.

Thanks for the input, I have put some time into looking at the onkyo tx-nr818. I am very close to making the move to it given the features at its price point MultEQ XT32 being a high point and a slight edge in power. To match with Denon would place me at the x4000 which is $300-$400 more than the onkyo. The only thing I have found in the con category for onkyo is the comments towards the decline in build quality the last couple of years, not sure if it is enough to deter purchase as I am sure each manufacturer has their issues.

Yeah, those comments are pretty old, I think.

I believe the multi zone capabilities of the 3000 is better but I don't think it has the hdmi matrix. I have been doing this comparison myself and to me the big difference is the multi zone function.

I have been doing this comparison myself. You can get a refurbished 3313 from an authorized retailer for a great price.

Speedie, did you mean to say that the multi-zone of the 3313 was better? When I checked before my previous reply, I noticed that the X3000 was a step down in several features, including only sub pre-outs in main zone and zone 2 compared with zone 2 and 3 pre-outs.

IMO, Denon's build quality has dropped off substantialy since 2008. The 33XX series was on par with the old 28XX series. I would get the Onkyo 818 and be very happy with it. I've heard the 818 with M80s and it sounds great, doesn't even get hot.

I was not satisfied with my Denon. I've had 2 Pioneers and have been more than pleased with them both. (Except for a hardware issue I had with the VSX-21THX).

Denon AVR-3312ci
Pioneer Elite VSX-21THX
Pioneer Elite SC-67

Well no wonder. Two against one is hardly a fair fight.

Take a look at the Anthem line. Not only would you be buying Canadian, you are also buying from the top drawer. Nobody disagrees about that Anthem does reproduces some of the best sound in the business. Their ARC Room Correction processing is also really top class. In short, it pretty much guarantees that there is not a bad seat in the house.

I love mine which is coupled with the Anthem Blu Ray DVD player, two M22s, one VP100, four QS4s and the EP350. Absolute heaven!

I agree with you on Anthem quality (but I still prefer Axiom speakers than Anthems! :)). But with Anthem you enter into another category of hi-fi which cost at least 60%-80% more than an equivalent Denon. Personnaly I would put Anthem in the middle drawer with Rotel and Arcam (with a preference for Anthem and Arcam). Krell, McIntosh, Linn, Mark Levison, Audio note, etc.. are some from the top drawer. But can range from 4k to 350k! (far from the 1.6-2k Anthem or Arcam receivers). Anyway if AdamM wants a superior upgrade, I agree that Anthem would be a very good choice if he can afford it. Maybe second hand from someone who wants to upgrade would be more economical......

Once you leave the big box store brands behind you wont look back. Head and shoulders above in my opinion.

I would agree with Charles65 in that Arcam, Rotel, Anthem etc are in the middle drawer. But to get to that top drawer you almost need to win the lottery

I've had an Anthem MRX-700 for 3 months and have just sent it in for servicing. Great sound, poor reliability. It replaced a Denon AVR-3808CI which is still going strong. I'm now going to return to the Denon fold and go big with an AVR-4520CI. When I get the Anthem back, I'll try and sell it. Too many bugs and frustrations.

No matter what you go with, buy it from a reputable dealer who's been in business for a long time. They'll treat you better than any big box store--extended warranty or not.