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Thread: Choosing a receiver |
    
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 15
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 03:17 pm: |
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This are my candidates to replace my actual receiver Yamaha RXV-595.
I want a better performace with stereo music, but an accepptable performance with movies too. (Actually 60/40 music and movies, but may be 70/30 if the music sounds better). My speakers are a Tannoys M5, MC and M1.
The list was made according to my budget and the equipment’s availability. The list is sorted by price (low to high).
All opinions are welcome.
1)Marantz SR5400
2)DENON AVR-2803
3)Pioneer Elite Vsx-53TX
Harman Kardon AVR-430
Marantz SR7400
ONKYO TX-R601
4)Harman Kardon AVR-630
5)DENON AVR-3803
6)Pioneer Elite Vsx-55TXi
ONKYO TX-SR701
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| Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 04:16 pm: |
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NAD t743 or t753 or
Cambridge Azur 540R
Good luck |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 16
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 06:00 pm: |
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rmihai: Thanks for your opinions. I really want to get a NAD but I can't get these brands in my country. |
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 07:44 am: |
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Otherwise Marantz |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 17
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 09:28 am: |
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Ok, rmihai. I take your vote.
Which model from Marantz? 5400, 6400, 7400? |
Silver Member Username: Elitefan1
Post Number: 402
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 09:45 am: |
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I would choose between the Marantz7400 and the Elite55. The advantage of the Elite is the firewire connections and both have excellent power supplies and the type of sonics that go with what I know of Tannoy. The other possible choice would be the H/K 630 as it also has a very good power section and a warm sound, I just prefer the other two for a variety of reasons. These three are of course the most expensive on your list but for good reason. |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 18
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 10:52 am: |
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Thanks thereaelitefan.
I heard the Marantz and love his sound. I want this tyope of warm sound
How you define the Elite's and H/K's sound?
More warm than Marantz? |
Silver Member Username: Landroval
Post Number: 125
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 12:36 pm: |
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Elite and H/K are warm, but less detailed than Marantz. The Tannoys are neutral-warm so the laid-back and warm H/K could be a bad choice. |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 19
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 02:33 pm: |
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Ok, Landroval, thank for the input. You clarified the situation.
So, the Marantz would seem to be the winner...
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Silver Member Username: Landroval
Post Number: 128
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 03:24 pm: |
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Well, the situation is not that clear and the differences are not very big. The Elite is also very detailed and the new H/Ks are more detailed and less warm than older H/Ks.
The Onkyos seem to be little overpriced, because I could get a 701 around the same price than your price group 3 and the 601 for lower price than the 5400. So forget about them.
The best way to choose your receiver is to go to a store and listen to at least H/K, Elite and Marantz with Tannoys and make the decision with your own ears. |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 20
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 05:22 pm: |
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Landroval: I need help from the forum because it's hard for me find these models to try.
I tried Marantz and I really like it, but I'm still looking for the other models.
So, we can put the Marantz, Elite and H/K in the first line and the Onkyo in the last one.
Which is the problem with Denon? I've read great reviews about them...
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Silver Member Username: Landroval
Post Number: 133
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 05:36 pm: |
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The Denons have limited power supplies, so you wont have much continuous power with all five channels driven. They also sound a bit cold an thin, so if you're looking for better music reproduction I think you should forget them also.
Especially fo music I'd recommend either Marantz, but you wont go wrong with the P-Elites or H/Ks. |
Silver Member Username: Hawk
Highlands Ranch,
CO
USA
Post Number: 554
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 04:03 am: |
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Get the Marantz 5400. You can always tell which model in the Marantz line is going to be their market leader, because Marantz will make an "ose" version with upgraded everything (power supply, output transistors, etc.). This year, that is the 5400, which is just superb even without the modifications. It looks like Marantz realizes this receiver is a real winner and it will justify making a special version that will lure buyers who want to be able to say the bought the up-graded version. The reviews have been quite good for this receiver and I think it sounds great. From the list you have, it is easily the best of the bunch.
Good luck! |
Silver Member Username: Landroval
Post Number: 137
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 04:29 am: |
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Hawk: Have you compared the OSE and non-OSE? Because the OSE is so much better that I think it's existance is perfectly justified, it easily blows away the standard 7300/7400 and is just fantastic with music. |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 21
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 09:49 am: |
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Hawk, Landoval, thanks for your answers.
Hawk: one guy in a (serious) audio store makes me the same suggestion.
He recommended the 5400 because it's have a very good stereo section and up to the line, the 8400 because it's have several improvements in the build's quality (like toroidal power supply).
What do you think about it? Is it justify more $$$$$?
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New member Username: Brazilian
Sao Paulo,
SP
Brasil
Post Number: 3
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 10:48 am: |
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Hey Alejandro, I`m also thinking in buying Marantz SR8400 to substitute my Sony 555ES. The only one I have some serious doubt regarding 8400 is NAD T-773. maybe Hawk and Landoval can help ? As I`m going to connect a Denon 2900 DVD I am not concerned about Fire Wire, Denon Link or so on. I`m just concerned about Bass/Delay management to SACD/DVD-A and sound. I use Boston VR Series speakers. Very easy 8 Ohms, 89/90 Db sensitivity. But Hi-Fi Choice has just published a review of marantz flagship 9300 and there are some problems to resolve complex sounds. What do you think ? |
Silver Member Username: Landroval
Post Number: 139
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 02:42 pm: |
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Sorry, cant help, I have no experience on the higher-end Marantz receivers. As always the best way to make your decision is to compare them yourself. |
Silver Member Username: Hawk
Highlands Ranch,
CO
USA
Post Number: 558
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 03:22 am: |
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landroval:
No, I have yet to see the 5400ose--only the base 5400 is available in my neck of the woods at this time. I am sure you are right that the ose version is worth the upgrade, but my point was simply that even the regular 5400 was a very good receiver in its own right.
Alejandro and Victor:
There is no question the new 8400 is a serious step up from the 5400, not only in power (110 x 7 vs. 90 x 6), but in things like the power supply and the shielding, not to mention the features. But the difference in price where I live is quite substantial (the 8400 is more than twice the cost of the 5400). Between those two models, I personally do not think that the 8400 is worth the extra $--the spread is simply too great. However, look into getting the 5400ose, which will have many of the extra features contained int he 8400, but with a price much closer to the 5400. I think there is usually a ~$200 premium for the ose models.
Good luck! |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 22
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 09:50 am: |
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Hawk, thank you very much for the data.
I'll try to find the 5400ose otherwise I'll take the 5400.
In one audio store, they sells the Marantz's line with a special power cable (bimetal 10 mm copper OFC-HCC), a power line filter (for less RF) and a special optical cable (with customized lens and 8mm diameter)
I've never been so perfectionist, but ...
Do you think these things makes a really difference in "audible" audio quality?
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Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 23
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 05:50 pm: |
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Is it possible that the 5400 was made in Korea and the 7400 in Japan? |
Silver Member Username: Landroval
Post Number: 140
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 05:56 pm: |
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Yes it is. The 5400 and 5400OSE are made in China and the 7400 in Japan. |
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| Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 10:10 pm: |
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My 7400 is made in China..... |
Silver Member Username: Landroval
Post Number: 141
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 05:15 am: |
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Strange. The European version (230V, 50Hz) seems to be made in Japan, but the US version has no markings, so maybe it's made in China like you say. I dont know if the country of manufacture has any real importance. |
New member Username: Brazilian
Sao Paulo,
SP
Brasil
Post Number: 5
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 08:22 am: |
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If you look in the back of the 8400, you will see "Made in China". I think everything is migrating to there. Maybe, only the 9300 is still produced in Japan. |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 24
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 02:46 pm: |
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There are a lot of brands that started to produce this models out of the original country....
If the quality is the same, OK, but, I don't know...
Why only the flagship receiver is produced in the original country? |
Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Friday, May 14, 2004 - 06:08 pm: |
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I would go with the DENON AVR Reveiver, It is an Amazing Quality system, i have Sold a few and have had the Privalige of useing one, and its amazing, Thats my suggestion |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 25
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 10:16 am: |
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Why is too hard to find editorial's reviews of Marantz's receivers?
There are a lot of Denon's receivers reviews...
Is there a marketing policy or something??!? |
New member Username: Brazilian
Sao Paulo,
SP
Brasil
Post Number: 7
Registered: May-04
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| Posted on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 10:53 am: |
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Comparing Denon x Marantz web sites you see that their latest releases tell the story: 3805 from Denon has everything you need to know. 8400 from Marantz keeps everything secret. |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 26
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 12:37 pm: |
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The same reviews problem apllies to H/K. |
Silver Member Username: Landroval
Post Number: 155
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 03:42 pm: |
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Did you already read these:
http://www.ecoustics.com/Editorial/Reviews/Surround_Receiver_or_Home_Receiver_or _AV_Receiver/Alpha_Name/All/ |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 27
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 11:04 am: |
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I obtain most of the revisions from Ecoustics. What pointed out is the difference of quantity among the revisions of the current models of Denon (2803-3803) and those of Marantz and H/K. |
Bronze Member Username: Argento
Post Number: 28
Registered: Apr-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 05:52 pm: |
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Making a selection on the initial list in function of the comments received up to now:
- I eliminate Onkyo for not being clearly superior to the other receivers in any item and to be expensive regarding the other ones
- I eliminate to the Elite 55 Txi because it is similar to the Elite 53 save for the firewire entrance that at the moment don't need it
- I eliminate the Denon 2803 because their construction quality and features doesn't seem to be at the level of the other receivers
- I eliminate the HK 630 because for what I could see in the specifications it is similar to the HK 430 save for a difference of 10 watts of power that I don't believe to need
The up-to-date list is then:
1)Marantz SR5400
2)Pioneer Elite Vsx-53TX
Harman Kardon AVR-430
Marantz SR7400
3)DENON AVR-3803
I continue waiting their comments on the selected receivers.
Thanks.
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