AV Receiver recommendations?

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cgrew

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Reply # 368121 16-Aug-2010 10:23

Just checked on the website now - interesting only the higher end models are made in Japan.

Former years it was their mid range models that were made in Japan but now as you mentioned before it is only on their higher end models.

Depsite this I'm not to worried, everything is made in China these days, still a great AV receiver. Lash out and get one Bazzer ;)

bazzer

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Reply # 368126 16-Aug-2010 10:42

I don't think it really does anything more that I need than my current receiver. I'd definitely stick with Denon next time even if it does have to be made in China.

GReX

88 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 369145 18-Aug-2010 10:13

it doesnt matter where it is made nowadays, what matter is their QC in the factory

ever since foreign 'high-end' companies 'invaded' chinese factories/labours, their QC has come through miles away now from the old days

even their own brands such as SHANLING has received numerous prestigious awards

you normally have 1 year warranty anyway, plus don't forget, even after 1yr you should still be protected by CGA to a certain 'reasonable' length of time

cgrew

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Reply # 369162 18-Aug-2010 10:27

I went all out when I got this receiver, so should last me about 10+ years without having the need to upgrade.

GReX

88 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 369170 18-Aug-2010 10:34

yep..

i have owned a couple of denons in the past, 3808 and 4308 before my onkyo and both has been very good

infact, the user GUI is one of the best one i have ever encountered. and i still miss it... just wish onkyo user GUI is as good as denon :(

the unit you got there is one of the best bang for your bucks from denon, WHATHIFI gives it 5 starts out of 5 and TRUSTED REVIEW gives it 4.5 out 5.

congrats ! :)

cgrew

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Reply # 369177 18-Aug-2010 10:48

Thanks :)

They are great receivers, I did really like my Yamaha RX-465, but the Denon is just on another level compared to the Yamaha. Great power!

Jaxson

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Reply # 369204 18-Aug-2010 11:51

cgrew: I went all out when I got this receiver, so should last me about 10+ years without having the need to upgrade.

Is this receiver hdmi 1.4a compatible, ie can it do 3D signals at 1080p?

GReX

88 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 369222 18-Aug-2010 12:15

Jaxson:
cgrew: I went all out when I got this receiver, so should last me about 10+ years without having the need to upgrade.

Is this receiver hdmi 1.4a compatible, ie can it do 3D signals at 1080p?

no, it is not

i havent seen any 3d receiver out in NZ yet, but rumour has it that onkyo will release their 3d receiver very soon

cgrew

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Reply # 369226 18-Aug-2010 12:30

That is correct as GReX said, although there are new 2011 Denon AV receivers coming out soon that will support HDMI 1.4a

I thought about waiting for one to come out that supports this feature, but 3D doesn't really interest me all that much, for home theatre that is.

As for 3D at the movie theatres on the other hand, that is where 3D belongs in my opinion.

GReX

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Master Geek

Reply # 369234 18-Aug-2010 12:40

my rule of thumb is always to try to avoid to be an early adopter of any product, so i would probably wait until at least the 2nd gen or 3rd gen of 3d receiver if i ever wanted to buy (probably not)

1st gen product normally hampers with all sort of bugs etc, which only gonna cause customer headaches. been there, done that, never do it again.

GReX

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Reply # 370365 20-Aug-2010 15:54

here we go.. news from onkyo for their hdmi 1.4 3D-compatible receivers..

http://www.avguide.com/article/onkyo-debuts-its-next-generation-ht-rc-receivers?src=Playback

ilovemusic

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Reply # 370873 22-Aug-2010 01:36

richms: I just find it so annoying that its really hard to find what amplifier technology is being used in receivers - so many still have old analog chip amps in them, whereas ideally I would expect them to have class T or class D digital amps these days.

There's nothing wrong with old analogue amps but plenty wrong with "digital" amps.

Most of them just don't sound any good.

To make a good sounding digital amp requires real expertise, it's not just a matter of buying in third party amplifier modules.

Even high end companies like Audio Research and Jeff Rowland took several attempts before they could make a decent sounding example.

Currently the only really good sounding digital amped AVR is the Arcam AVR600.

Denon have no digital amps in their AVRs.

GReX

88 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 370919 22-Aug-2010 10:15

the best digital ICE-powered AVR in the market will be Pioneer Susano LX-90, which is RRP$15,999. you get the most features, latest technology, power and musicality cramped into 1 box (well, it's actually 2 boxes joined together in 1 casing)

i do agree that class D amp does not sound so musical, hence you only see most of them adopted as a built-in power amp for a sub. this is one of the reason ppl re-invent the class D technology and they came out with ICE-powered technology. Bang & Olufsen reinvented this and many adopted and perfected the technology after that. on the paper, they sound like a normal class D amp but they are way different in terms of musicality

this is the exact technology being used by D-sonic amps, Jeff Rowlands, Rotels, Pioneer LX82 and LX90 (many more that i can't remember).

i personally never tried the ICE-powered amp, but given the opportunity i will grab it right away.

btw, the latest JB hifi brochure has some of the latest hdmi 1.4 and 3d capable receivers in it. check it out.

richms

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Reply # 370921 22-Aug-2010 10:18

The ones I have heard have all been fine, both car and domestic.

Whats wrong with old analog amps is efficiancy and the resulting massive heat output, and the lower outputs in devices that result from that. Never going to see more than about 500w total in a reciver in anycase so I might just stick with an external amp regardless.

I would like to be able to disable the poweramp in the reciver when using it in stereo mode since i have them externally amplified and even driving nothing they still get stinking hot, particually in that I normally have to have the gain up high because of the gutless low output level they have on the RCA's when driving a proper amplifier that wants proper levels.

Richard rich.ms

ilovemusic

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Reply # 371078 22-Aug-2010 16:56

Agree; re: efficiency.

Seems to be the only advantage to class D.

Can't even count size as an advantage, Jeff Rowland's 300 series are huge.

The latest ARC's aren't much smaller.

What really bugs is their limited bandwidth due to switching frequency filtering.

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