Video Asylum

Posted by emfoods (A) on January 24, 2003 at 07:05:44

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

I've owned Marantz, JVC, Sony and many more. For audio Denon & Pioneer Elite win (denon for detail, pioneer is smooth). For all around use, my Marantz couldn't be beat-it did it all but the sound quality was not on par with any of the others except NAD.

Keep away from: JVC-impossible to use, Sony-too much crap included but sounds good, integra-not as good sound as the others but works well, Yamaha-garbage, Onkyo-not tested

If it were up to me, go for a few less features, go on a bargain hunt and find the Rotel. It has a few less features but is awesome sounding and built great. Your other option is to spend your money on an Outlaw pre-amp or rotel pre and rough it with power amps until your budget grows (that's what I did with the Anthem pre and AMC amps). I found an amazing increase in the quality level of pre-amps vs a receiver with the same features (they have to cut corners somewhere to get amps in that box for the price).

Finally, your carver won't sound nearly as good as most of these receivers. It may get you by for now but in reality, you want 5 matched channels.