AVR Receivers - 1.1K budget. Help.

EWizard

EWizard

Super Member
**I realize that I could post this in the Home Theater section but I think more people would see it here.**

To buy audio gear, I save up money that I have made via contract work outside of my day job.
So, I have been saving up for a new AVR lately.
My budget is about $1,100 for a new 7.2 receiver.

I have been looking hard at a Marantz SR6008.
I want all the Audyssey, multi-zone stuff, pre-outs that comes with most modern quality receivers.
I also listen to a lot of 2 channel music, so sound quality in stereo mode mode must be very good as well.

Today someone suggested that I go with an Integra receiver. I have no experience with Marantz or Integra units.

What say you Audiokarmites about sound quality for the different brands in this budget range?
I'm probably still a few weeks out from having to make a decision, FWIW.

Anybody care to sound off?
 
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Pioneer Elite SC-6X or SC-7X in your price range.

Integra is by Onkyo. They have also had a run of HDMI board issues. Personally, I would avoid them and let others be the guinea pig until it is sure they have their issue sorted.
 
My local dealer dropped Integra due to quality and repair center issues. Of course it's possible that it was something between him and the distributor. You never know.

Lots of great receivers in that category. I don't hear many actually saying that they want all those features, but many quote that this receiver or that one has all these bells and whistles. I am a firm believer in the 80/20 rule that 80% of the users use 20% of the features.

I am the opposite. I want a simple receiver that has x number of audio in pits and x number of HDMI and video inputs and a very simple patch menu to match up whatever you want. My Anthem does that brilliantly with no settings for Church or Hall or Sadium or any other silliness. Also has the best room correction going. Call me very satisfied. I might sell it, but it would only be to go full 2 channel only.
 
I'd probably go with the marantz as well. It looks like quite the bit of kit, though i havent heard that particular model myself.
As mentioned it seems that integra has been having some issues but I still seem to see positive reviews so I guess it's a case by case basis. Ive had really good luck with all of the onkyo/integra stuff I've had but I wouldn't take a chance on the current ones. The current denon offerings don't blow me away either. Also I'm pretty sure that the marantz has a phono input so that's always a plus.
 
Marantz and Denon are owned by the same company. When you compare feature sets between Denon and Marantz models, Marantz charges a premium over Denon.

For instance, the first Denon model to include Audyssey XT32, the top of the line Audyssey, is the X4000 for about 1300. The first Marantz model to include it is the SR7008, for 2000. You get more bang for buck with the Denon models in my opinion. The x3000 can be had for much less than the SR6008, and they are pretty comparable.
 
D and M Holdings.
I don't care as much about features as I do 2 channel sound.
I need to go out an audition soon.
 
I like the Marantzes better for 2 channel of the major A/V brands. They usually sound nice. And Marantz has better warranty than the Denon usually. Give one a listen!
 
++ 1 on the Pioneer Elite SC series.

I'd avoid the Denon.

I've sold both and the service problems and failure rates on the denons were certainly higher.
 
runnin' said:
Marantz and Denon are owned by the same company. When you compare feature sets between Denon and Marantz models, Marantz charges a premium over Denon.

For instance, the first Denon model to include Audyssey XT32, the top of the line Audyssey, is the X4000 for about 1300. The first Marantz model to include it is the SR7008, for 2000. You get more bang for buck with the Denon models in my opinion. The x3000 can be had for much less than the SR6008, and they are pretty comparable.
Click to expand...

Marantz has a premium warranty and having owned both I think a better sound quality.
 
Marantz has better sound, better warranty, better support. They have a far lower failure rate compared to their Denon brethren. My Marantz dealer dropped Denon due to too many with repair issues.
 
runnin' said:
Marantz and Denon are owned by the same company. When you compare feature sets between Denon and Marantz models, Marantz charges a premium over Denon.

For instance, the first Denon model to include Audyssey XT32, the top of the line Audyssey, is the X4000 for about 1300. The first Marantz model to include it is the SR7008, for 2000. You get more bang for buck with the Denon models in my opinion. The x3000 can be had for much less than the SR6008, and they are pretty comparable.
Click to expand...

Actually the first denon with xt32 is last years model 4311 .
 
You might want to throw Yamaha into the mix. They do not use Audyssey but use their own YPAO system which is very similar. I have been quite happy with mine and the setup was painless. You should be able to find the features you want in any of the product lines mentioned.
 
EWizard said:
**I realize that I could post this in the Home Theater section but I think more people would see it here.**

To buy audio gear, I save up money that I have made via contract work outside of my day job.
So, I have been saving up for a new AVR lately.
My budget is about $1,100 for a new 7.2 receiver.

I have been looking hard at a Marantz SR6008.
I want all the Audyssey, multi-zone stuff, pre-outs that comes with most modern quality receivers.
I also listen to a lot of 2 channel music, so sound quality in stereo mode mode must be very good as well.

Today someone suggested that I go with an Integra receiver. I have no experience with Marantz or Integra units.

What say you Audiokarmites about sound quality for the different brands in this budget range?
I'm probably still a few weeks out from having to make a decision, FWIW.

Anybody care to sound off?
Click to expand...

1. You care about sound quality.
2. You're looking for an AVR (7.2-channel).
3. ...For less than $1,100
4. Stereo sound quality is as important as movie sound.
5. You want it all! ...All the features: Audyssey, zones, preouts, all that jazz.

*** This one here at one point was less than half your budget ($500 street), but at the price it is now (couple hundreds more: $699) it is the only game in town for that price with best quality sound (in your own room) for both music and movies (Audyssey MultEQ XT32).

The Denon 4311CI will cost you double and sound quality won't be different.
The new Marantz 7008 is $2,000 MSRP and you'll get similar sound quality (no better no worst).

And, if you aren't sure about what I'm going to suggest, just ask me and I'll blow your mind right off! ...With true data, with real comments from real owners, and with all the proof (links & all that jazz) required in the year 2013.

Just click there => Onkyo TX-NR818
 
Okay, so I went to a couple of stores today and listened to some different receivers.
I've sort of narrowed it down to either Marantz or Pioneer Elite.

I will say the Pioneer Elite that I heard, the SC75 sounded pretty good overall.
It is built like a tank and made all the other units feel flimsy in comparison.
I can get a really sweet deal on last years model, the SC65.

Now, the Marantz SR6008 sounded fabulous with music. The area it really shines in is the midrange. The midrange sounded so good, much better than the Pioneer unit.

So it looks like for my price point it's a duel between the Pioneer Elite SC65, and the Marantz SR6008.

The only thing that gives me a little bit of a pause on the Pioneer is the proprietary room correction software. It seems much more work and refinement has been done to the Audyssey XT32 system. I could be totally wrong though.

Anybody care to sound off anymore over the Marantz vs. the Pioneer Elite?

I get paid in a couple of weeks, and will be pulling the trigger then. Will be a good Halloween present to myself. :D
 
Both Marantz and Pioneer Elite receivers are great units.

The Pioneer Elite has advanced ASR MCACC Room Correction and EQ system with an adjustable Parametric EQ and a Phase control (adjustable too).
ICE amplification, nice looking piece of kit. ...And Air Studios from London approved sound.

The Marantz uses Audyssey MultEQ XT flavor I believe (just below XT32), which is automatic only (not manually adjustable), and with many many FIR filters (Finite Impulse Response) across the entire Frequency audio Range (from 10Hz to 24kHz), and in the Time domain (more sophisticated).
The Marantz is a good looker with his round FLD in the center, and curved edges.

Your room, your speakers, should be that last determining factor.
The Marantz I believe is a smoother operator (from the lows to the mids and highs).
The Pioneer Elite is ardent, firm, different, pleasant, and perhaps less resolute or confident in the highs. ...Good bass though.

Pick the one that sounds/matches best with your speakers, room, and visual taste.

* I can see that you go with what is available physically in your area and that you can touch, feel, try and listen too (including the remote and ergonomics); good.

=> Just don't dismiss that Onkyo TX-NR818 receiver for only $699 (newwegg.com on Saturdays only), which weights 40 pounds, has Audyssey MultEQ XT32, is THX Select2 Plus certified, and ISF Ready (Pro video calibration).

The Denon AVR-4311CI (last year model) is another good one; but harder to find now and roughly $1,200 (street). ...Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and nine channels of amplification.

The Marantz SR7008 (Audyssey MultEQ XT32) can be found for around $1,500 or less if you search real hard. ...Nine channels of amplification as well.

You have options if you want to, but it also depends of your shopping habit, and all that concrete jazz.
- Stuff today you can try at home with your own speakers and all the feel and experimentation, and if not fully satisfied simply return it. That, is another option.

Or like you're doing; going to the audio/video stores and look and listen at them.

*** What are your speakers, and your room's size? ...And briefly, the composition of your room; wall's material, floor, ceiling, furniture, ...
 
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Room is roughly 33' wide x 25' deep, vaulted ceiling.
Couple of room photos:
B1BEE7AA-2600-4EC1-BEDF-AE50C4CBD49B-14312-00000717180DBD3F_zpsd7a3eb00.jpg


ED2307E3-D74A-40C6-AE8E-CA4EBA4DD0AF-14312-000007170D09013E_zps3ff819ff.jpg


The guy at the first shop was very resolute in his opinions about the Pioneer being a much better brand than Marantz, for what I'm looking for.
These are my L/R Mains (16ohm Bozak 305's):
BF066CB9-26F0-4080-8461-ADFE5A4C3583-1407-000000A914DAE496_zpsa52837c8.jpg
 
I agree, the Pioneer Elite is the better AV receiver choice for your room.
- THX Select2 Plus certification, nine channels of ICE (Class D3) amplification, and 33+ pounds (the Marantz SR6008 weights 25 pounds, no THX certification, and seven channels of amplification).

The Pioneer Elite SC65 is definitely the better receiver for your particular room; no doubt about it!
- The Marantz SR6008 won't be as powerful, and certainly not for speakers of lower impedances (no problem with your Bozak speakers though; did you tell your dealer?).

Click:

* Pioneer Elite SC-65
* Denon AVR-4311CI
* Onkyo TX-NR818
* Marantz SR6008
 
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