Denon receivers

[jon1redleg]

I have a question. I am wanting to purchase a Denon Receiver to power my polk RTA15tl speakers, I have to models in mind . I need to know if they might be a good chioce, the first model is a AVR1612 120per channel and the second choice is a AVR791 125 watts per channel. I was told that the 120 or 125 watts is the correct output per channel , is this true or will it be like 60 watts per?

Can anyone help on this.

[PrazVT]

Usually the xx wpc is accurate for 2 channels. If you start powering 5 speakers with it, then power will drop down to 30 or 40wpc (or some fraction like that).

[jon1redleg]

so either or would be a good choice?

[TNHNDYMAN]

Jon-

Welcome to Club Polk! For starters I'd ask you provide a little more info. Is this for 2 ch music listening only, or are you using the AVR for Home Theater use as well. I'm currently using a Denon 890 for HT use and it was my 1st decent AVR. That said, I regret everyday that I didn't hold out for a 900 or 3000 series which would have had pre-outs so I could upgrade to an external amp later on. The Denon's have a nice feature set and I have been happy w/ mine but I would recommend doing alot of research before buying anything. Your speakers should sound nice on either of the choices you gave if you don't drive them to ear splitting levels all the time. If you're like me, $500 is a significant purchase but in the end I'd rather save up and spend a little more and be done than save now and have to rebuy later because of not having upgrade options to make the purchase somewhat future proof. Give us a little more info, and myself and others will be happy to help you spend your $.

[thsmith]

Excellent advise ^^^^^^^^

[Upstatemax]

The pre-out advice is very important.

It keeps your options open in the future.

With that said, I'm VERY happy with my Denon AVR 2808-Ci. It's 3 years old now and still running like a champ. It's rated at 105wpc and it runs my Rti A7's pretty well. IMO, very well in 2Ch mode where it can push all of it's power to the A7's.

[skrol]

For what it is worth, my AVR-888 was able to drive my RTA11TLs very easily. However, for 2ch listening I definitely prefer my DRA-835R.
Stan

[leftwinger57]

when I bought my Yamaha rx-v665 I knew nothing of pre-outs and how an external amp improves sound/pwr. Just by shear luck it did come w/ preouts which I used before I went w/ a dedicated 2-chl system. I had no forum like this to help me along the way and I must say the advice has been invaluable.

[byfthalone]

I have the AVR-791 and like TnHNDYMN said earlier, I love the unit but do really wish I had the pre-outs. Just an FYI, the 1612 is a step below the 791. I worked part time at Best Buy and the 791 is last years model and it's new counterpart is the 1912

[Marty913]

The last two Denon's I have test data for were the 2311 & the 991, both of which returned 78% of their 2-channel power into 5-channels. Usually the higher up you go in the price/model range, the more you get back (not always though). With the two you mentioned being around 120wpc, you should get somewhere between 84 & 93 watts per channel into 5 channels. A little less into 7 channels. As mentioned by others, pre-outs are a great way to remove any future issues but you should be just fine (power-wise) with either one. You will drop to a "fraction", but not 30-40 watts.

[rebuy]

Take some of the advice with a grain of salt. Some guys are talking out their ass. Not all receivers that are rated at 100 WPC drop to 30 or 40 WPC when driven with 5 channels.

[thesurfer]

Take some of the advice with a grain of salt. Some guys are talking out their ass. Not all receivers that are rated at 100 WPC drop to 30 or 40 WPC when driven with 5 channels.

Simply Stunning,

[rebuy]

Well, that is true. If you go out and buy a yammie or some other 2 or 300 dollar unit that has 100 WPC rated at 1Khz you probably will get 30 to 40 WPC in surround mode. I just see that some members on this forum take it to mean that most units have a power reduction of this magnitude on most receivers and that is not the case.
When running mine in 5.1 channel I get a power reduction of about 17% to all speakers. That is pretty far from the 50 to 70% claimed by some members. You just gotta do your homework.

[thesurfer]

Well, that is true. If you go out and buy a yammie or some other 2 or 300 dollar unit that has 100 WPC rated at 1Khz you probably will get 30 to 40 WPC in surround mode. I just see that some members on this forum take it to mean that most units have a power reduction of this magnitude on most receivers and that is not the case.
When running mine in 5.1 channel I get a power reduction of about 17% to all speakers. That is pretty far from the 50 to 70% claimed by some members. You just gotta do your homework.

Ya, i get what you were saying, just a out of nowhere Balls of steel remark, LMAO,,

[jon1redleg]

WOW.. I love this club.. Makes me Laugh!

I will more than likely just listen to music with this sytsem. I have a 62" tv in the basement that when i get the time or the kids are not watching BARNEY, I CARLEY or SCOOBY freaking DOO I watch but as far as a movie forget about it.
I will just be using it as a 2 channel system and no I do not listen to music so load tha the snot runs out your sinus cavity into your lap, I enjoy music at good level. My budget is around $400-500 and want a good sounding system that yes in later times would like to upgrade so I uderstand the need for pre outs and how it will be more flexible of a system.


Thanks for all the input and I will continue to look and ask questions.

[thesurfer]

WOW.. I love this club.. Makes me Laugh!

I will more than likely just listen to music with this sytsem. I have a 62" tv in the basement that when i get the time or the kids are not watching BARNEY, I CARLEY or SCOOBY freaking DOO I watch but as far as a movie forget about it.
I will just be using it as a 2 channel system and no I do not listen to music so load tha the snot runs out your sinus cavity into your lap, I enjoy music at good level. My budget is around $400-500 and want a good sounding system that yes in later times would like to upgrade so I uderstand the need for pre outs and how it will be more flexible of a system.


Thanks for all the input and I will continue to look and ask questions.

Glad to have members with a sence of humor,, more to come, and good luck,

[jon1redleg]

How about a HK-3490 150 wpc , seen one for little under $500 after taxes.

[thesurfer]

How about a HK-3490 150 wpc , seen one for little under $500 after taxes.

That would be just fine, I grew up useing H/K gear, still do, though its an older unit,

[jon1redleg]

HK-3490 is an older unit or yours is? Anything has to be better than my old Kenwood KA-v6000!
I just found hk on their web sight , must be old.

[thesurfer]

HK-3490 is an older unit or yours is? Anything has to be better than my old Kenwood KA-v6000!
I just found hk on their web sight , must be old.

My 2 channel unit is old, its 75 watts per channel, 40 amps,, And kicks ass in 2 channel mode,,

[thesurfer]

HK-3490 is an older unit or yours is? Anything has to be better than my old Kenwood KA-v6000!
I just found hk on their web sight , must be old.

The H/K 3490, is i believe a 2008, model, 120, watts per channel, in 8 ohms, 150, in 4 ohms, Lots of guys on here use em for 2 channel, Very nice receiver,, jimmy.

[jon1redleg]

Carefull now.....I think I am sold! Now all I got to do is donate some bone marrow to purchase.

[larry777]

I thought the H/K 3490 was 120 watts per channel 8 ohms.

[Upstatemax]

Carefull now.....I think I am sold! Now all I got to do is donate some bone marrow to purchase.

The H/K 3490 is $380 shipped from Amazon right now. Keep your eye on it though, I got mine from them for $320 shipped last year.

For the money, it's very hard to beat.

[thesurfer]

I thought the H/K 3490 was 120 watts per channel 8 ohms.

Ahh, thats what i said,,

[jon1redleg]

I seen that last night on their page, I am waiting to see what price I can get from local shop. If they can not beat or match
I will go Amazon.

Thanks to all for the help.

[mlhm5]

Why buy new
http://southbend.craigslist.org/ele/2628120235.html

[BtrSound]

I wiill sell you a Denon 1911 for $250

[gudnoyez]

I own the Denon AVR 891 it puts out 135 WPC in 2 channel mode and drops to 105 WPC in 7 channel, the AVR 791 which you are considering Is 125 WPC in 2 channel, and drops to 90 WPC when using 7 channel, thats still pretty decent if you are going to buy the AVR 791 I think you would be more than happy with it.

[cnh]

How about a HK-3490 150 wpc , seen one for little under $500 after taxes.

You kind find these units a lot cheaper than that! At one point, they were selling for $279 new?

Like Max says above, look around and 'wait'.

On Denons, I used to own an AVR-887, it had pre-outs and weighed 5 pounds more than the AVR-891. Denon has most definitely been 'adding' features but also cheaping out the construction of their sub higher end units!


cnh