Video Asylum

Posted by bondmanp (A) on January 22, 2003 at 12:03:24

In Reply to: $1000 receiver dilemma: Marantz, NAD, Denon posted by pcalvin on January 21, 2003 at 21:25:19:

I am not very familiar with the NAD or the Marantz, but I do have experience with Denon. IMO, the build quality is very good at this price point, and if you buy from an authorized Denon dealer, you get a 2 year warranty. I feel that if a non-mechanical component like a receiver doesn't fail in the first year or two, you're probably OK for the long haul. The Denon AVR-3803 can be had for under $1K from authorized dealers, offers an impressive feature set and decent amplification for the money. It even includes a video format converter, which is hard to find at this price point.

I have personally had a very positive experience with a Pioneer Elite receiver. I have owned the VSX-24TX for over three years now, without a single hiccup of any kind. Although not a high-end receiver by any definition, I feel the performance/value ratio is outstanding, as is the build quality and reliability. The current models in your price range would be the VSX-43TX and the VSX-45TX.

As a general opinion, I find the Pioneer Elite receivers warmer, cleaner and smoother than the Denons, but the Denons have superior dynamics verses the Pioneers. Niether one excels in 2-channel soundstaging or imaging, but they're listenable.