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I'm looking to upgrade my receiver to DD/DTS. The present system is a Sony KV35V65 TV and a Denon 2500 Prologic Receiver driving a set of the (discontinued) PSB Century Series Speakers (600i's in front). I've been content with the Denon, though it doesn't really give me very bright treble from the PSB's. Because of the TV being a Sony, I'm considering one of the Sony ES "V" series with a Sony DVD, hoping for brighter treble, but am concerned about how HOT those receivers get! Doesn't this limit the durablity of the electronics in these units? Or should I stick with a Denon (2801 or 3801?) and go with Denon DVD (1500?). I've also heard good things about Marantz (SR5000 or SR7000 with the 3100DVD?). Anyone out there with experience/knowledge about these options or this kind of dilema?
Thanks in advance for any input.
Rich H.
Follow Ups:
You should check out the reviews at Audioreview.com on the Dennon and the Onkyo in your price range. I would also avoid Sony (poor sound and way too many gimicks)but GREAT video products. HK has been really struggling with reliability problems the past couple of years.
Dennon is making more and more of its lower line models in Korea instead of Japan and shooting for lower price points (No more built like a tank). If you talk to dealers you will find that the 1600,1800,2800 (all built in Japan)etc sold for more than the 1601,1801,2801 etc that replaced them. Dennon has cut corners on their typical build quality to add more S-video inputs etc to target the HT market. You can't add features and sell for less without sacrificing something. I believe you have to step up to the 3600 series to get one built in Japan with the typical build quality Dennon is known for, and I would check on that. Still very competitive in this price range.Onkyo is very good but has their reliablity problems also and in that price range is not a stand out by any means either. Their upper line models are excellent but 2K+ price. Definitely up there with the newer Dennon receivers.
If you can stay in the same aproximate watt range you should check out the reviews on the Outlaw 1050 (outlawaudio.com). For $600 it can't be touched. Exceptional build with huge heat sinks for cooling etc. However it is a relatively new procuct with a young company that has carved out a real name for itself with their Outlaw 750 audiophile amplifier. Tons of great reviews on the 750 out there.
No problem partnering Sony video products with any of these.
Rob, and anyone else out there...
I'm definitely not into "bells & whistles", and you sound like a knowledgable guy. Any opinion on Marantz... in particular the RS7000 reciever and the 3100 model DVD player? A local dealer sayes he can't keep them in stock... ~$800 and $500 repectively. I'm hoping someone out there has some experience with these. However, I may need a strong sell for my chief financial officer (wife), as she wants a bathroom remodel job to come first. ;-(Thanks.
Rich H.
Rich,The Marantz RS-7000 is on its way to becoming reciever of the year. With that said I will give my opinion. To me the $800 (no deals) price range is a waste of money. For $400 to $600 you get the same features except on screen display of the remote and some additional power in competitor models. Or if you are just in "love" with the sound.
At $1000 you definetly get more usable features to move into the future with. The Dennon AVR-3801 has 7.1 inputs and outputs (105W each) DTS 6.1 decoding, ES and DDEX as well as compatible with 1080i, 2 componant video inputs etc. it is loaded with features the Marantz RS-7000 can't touch. I can talk my wife into paying more money for these if it is in the budget.
But saying it has better "warm" sound and plays louder for $200 to $400 is a losing battle against a new bathroom. If you can't afford something in the $1000 range I would go with one of the $400 to $600 models I mentioned and have a new toy for 12 or 18 months or so and let your wife know you are making a sacrifice for the bathroom. Then in 12 or 18 months when the technology has settled in on a very unstable AV market you can shop a better toy with more features for less money. If you are stuck with your decision for a long time and can't go $1000 go with the Marantz RS-7000.The Marantz RS-5000 isn't a bad trade off for $600 but I think the Outlaw 1050 is a much better receiver for that money. That is unless you are in "love" with the Marantz sound. Listen to some of these and judge for yourself if you don't care about features. Bring your speakers in to the dealer if they won't let you take the receivers home with a very liberal return policy.
In my opinion you buy a DVD for compatiblity with your TV not your receiver. The Marantz RS-7000 has no componant inputs so you are only going to run the audio through it. Any receiver will take audio input and put it to your speakers. The video is where you can have problems. Sony TV's and rear screen projections like Sony DVD's. Many other brands are less particular. Do a search on your TV here and see what the DVD challenges other owners are having with your model.
Just my 2 cents.
Rob (and others),
What you wrote really helps crystalize in my own mind just where I stand. Your insight is much appreciated!THANKS!
Rich H.
I an very happy with my Sony STR-DB 830--Distortion is at .05% level and sounds great with my setup. The lower cost Sony's are as high as 0.9% THD and I have compared them at home and sent back the lower cost ones. Always check the spec. on THD, both on Stereo and on Surround sound. Yes-I do believe in specs. Any ES sony or the lower cost derivatives are great--dollar value is especially good in the 830--930 series. Dick---W7VS Retired Engineer
I have recently read about people saying the Sony's running hot. Not a good thing. I have never had any experience with Sony equipment other than a cassette deck years ago, and it was just ok. Also a Trinitron that still works after 25+ years, but has a weird picture problem, it starts out all red, then clears up to a fine picture. I replaced it some time ago, but it's still in the attic and I know it still works, sort of!! I've been an Onkyo person for quite some time, and am very happy with the 2 amplifiers and cassette deck that I've got. A friend of mine just bought a Denon and I think it's a beautiful receiver. It sounds great, I can tell only because he has almost the same speaker setup as I do, it looks great and has many very nice features. The remote is a little awkward it seems, although I haven't really played around with it that much. But it sounds really nice. Very flat, smooth and natural. I don't know the model, it's not one of the expensive models I know that. I'd also check into Harmon Kardon and maybe Nakamichi, if they might fit your budget. I'm sure if I had to go anywhere other than Onkyo, I'd be checking into the above, but I "am" very happy with the Onkyo stuff, of course that would be my first recommendation, but a lot of people don't like Onkyo???????? Good luck in your quest, and most of all, have fun with it!!! After all, that's what it's all about, right!! Peace SteveF
Rich,Most every MOSFET solid state amp, or receiver will run hot. Especially under 8 ohms. I own the AVR-2500, and a 3600 DTS, and now that I went to 6 ohm speakers, it runs cooler. But it is still hot.
Secondly, you should go listen to what you are looking at. I do not like the Sony as much as the Denon. I believe the Denon is a better built, higher quality, better sounding receiver. My 3600DTS is built like a TANK! And it sounds so much cleaner, and dynamic than the 2500.
The 2500 was a great receiver for me, and I kept it in my main system for 5 yrs. So, I think you will be disappointed if you go to Sony. Just my opinion.
It would be like Owning a Sony Wega XBR2, and trading it in on a basic RCA. You would HATE looking at that picture after seeing the XBR2. Same goes with listening to the Sony after living with Denon.
HTH,
B
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