Onkyo Vs. Yamaha

[frdranger]

Made an error in the title - it's more Onkyo vs. Yamaha vs. Denon vs. H/K

Wow - long time no post here. Anyway guys and gals, I have a question.

My wife gave me the green light to get a new receiver, price limit is $700 - $750. I have a few choices in mind (bear in mind, like my last post's, I again have a few CC gift cards that I've been saving / found laying around, so I'm kinda restricted to Circuit City.):

H/K AVR340
Onkyo TX-SR803S
Denon AVR887

Now, I currently own a Yammie HTR-5830. Which of the above three listed, would you think I could gain the most performance and best darn bang for my buck? My current setup is in my sig. Thanks a bunch guys, I appreciate it!! =D

[ben62670]

I personally like the HK because of the PreAmp outputs. The crossover for each speaker is manually adjustable very easily with the OSD (on screen display). With the preamp outs you can upgrade to separate amps in the future. I'd skip the yami and the onk. Denon sounds fuller. I have the HK AVR-235 and the sound is nice and clean, and tight. I use it to drive my adcom amps which require 2volts of signal to operate at full potential. I purchased mine refurbished off of Ebay directly from HK. There are a lot of good deals there. Mine was $211 shipped.
Here is the link.

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio

Right below is the link for the specs on the different receivers.

http://www.harmankardon.com/product_...ry=US&sJump=om

With the money save you can by a nice used 5 channel Adcom and be much better off than using a receiver. I got a GFA-7500 5 channel amp for $500 which would put you under $750. Now I have 150 watts at 8ohms, or 225 at 4ohms, and five channels. below is a link for Adcom specs.

http://www.adcom.com/manuals.aspx

I did a lot of looking, and asking around before I made these purchases. I used to drive my adcom with an Adcom GFP-500 tuner/preamp, and the sound from the HK is very close in performance especially when using the 6/8 channel direct input from your DVD. If you are using your monitor 50's an external amp will give you incredible impact with your home theater, and your music will be nice and dynamic. I had the Yamaha HTR-5860 before and there is no comparison between the 2 systems. Feel free to email me, and I can give you my number if you want to call.

Ben

[frdranger]

Hey Ben - check your private messages inbox! Thanks!

[MSALLA]

From what I have seen at C.C. I would not buy a denon from them. Looks like they carry a line made for chain stores. Consumer reports just gave the Onkyo SR803 a good review, but I have never herd it to know if it sounds good or not. Tweeter has the Yamaha RX-V2500 on sale right now for under $800.00.

[ben62670]

That sure is a nice receiver if you don't want the added components of separate amps. I found a link for the specs on that amp. link below

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...UTE&RLTID=1504

That too has pre outs for future upgrade possibilities, and if it is under 8 bills that is good price for that receiver.
I'm still a big fan of separates. Even at lower volumes the bass is much tighter, and the rest is more detailed with my adcom vs my HTR-5860 which is 110watts as opposed to the RX-V2500's 140 watts.

[jakelm]

I bought this model H/K 635. I couldnt be happier.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-AV...QQcmdZViewItem

Jake

[shack]

From what I have seen at C.C. I would not buy a denon from them. Looks like they carry a line made for chain stores.

Not the case. Denon simply rebadges (renumbers) their gear for the "big box" retailers. It is almost identical to the gear they sell int the audio/video only stores. The AVR-887 is the same as the AVR-2307. They lower the MSRP and make minor (if any) cosmetic changes so that the big retailers can sell at a lower price due to volume purchases. This way their lower prices do not appear to be in direct competition to the A/V stores.

I prefer Denon to the others. I'm not a fan of H/K and Onkyo because of build quality (IMO) and I don't like the design and sound of the Yamahas. Just my 2¢.

[jakelm]

Marantz, wouldnt be a bad choice either.

Jake

[MSALLA]

Not the case. Denon simply rebadges (renumbers) their gear for the "big box" retailers. It is almost identical to the gear they sell int the audio/video only stores. The AVR-887 is the same as the AVR-2307. They lower the MSRP and make minor (if any) cosmetic changes so that the big retailers can sell at a lower price due to volume purchases. This way their lower prices do not appear to be in direct competition to the A/V stores.

I prefer Denon to the others. I'm not a fan of H/K and Onkyo because of build quality (IMO) and I don't like the design and sound of the Yamahas. Just my 2¢.

I didn't pick that up, but I didn't really take that close a look once I saw the strange model numbers. I agree with the build quality on the H/K though. I only had one (an AVR330) but the RCA jack for the sub come off when I removed the cable and I was not impressed with the feel of the knob. It felt cheap. Alot of members really like them though so they must make a pretty good unit. I like my Yammi but could do without all the crazy sound options. I never really felt like listening to pink floyd in "NEWS" mode.

[avguytx]

I know that the Onkyo 803S is an older unit thus the $300 savings on it. The new 804S is the same normal retail price at $999 and the main thing is the HDMI/Component video upconversion. I use the Integra line of their equipment (have a DTR 7.4) and have for the last 6 years (but I get a new one every couple of years...lol). It's about time for a new one too! I have always had good luck out of their line and don't know much about the H/K or Denon stuff. I dealt in Denon back in the mid and late 80's when their CD players were the shiznit. They are all great receivers...that's no doubt. I don't see you going wrong no matter which one you go with. Opinions will vary from all of us...that's for sure. I guess I like Onkyo and Integra the most. But then again, I am a rep for the lines. Technology is going to always change and these models will be changed next year, and the year after, and the year after, etc. That's just how it works. Sometimes the changes are dramatic, usually they aren't. Just mu $.02.

Kind of funny. I rep many lines of new A/V products, but I collect the older stuff! Well, for my 2-channel listing anyway.

[shack]

I didn't pick that up, but I didn't really take that close a look once I saw the strange model numbers.

That is what they are counting on. They don't want the guy who goes to Joe's House of Audio/Video to see a receiver and realize he can go to CC and get the exact same one cheaper cause Joe will not want to be a Denon dealer if that is the case. They have been doing this for many years.

[maingey]

My vote is with Jakelm, does CC sell Marantz?

[Ern Dog]

I've had an Onkyo and currently have an HK, so I can compare these two. I found the HK to sound warmer than the Onk, which I really like. The Onk seemed easier to operate, including the remote, even the manual was very nicely laid out and easy to understand. The HK has a very solid amp and is "High Current." It seems like you get more features with the Onk. Also consider that HK is conservative with their watt ratings, where Onk seem inflated. Hope this helps. Ern Dog

[frdranger]

Wow guys, thank you for the reccomendations! It stinks, because CC does not carry the Onky 803's anymore :(. What you see on the website, is refurbished. I've atuned my interest towards the Denon 887. I was demoing Superman Returns with it in CC, and I was completely blown away. Thanks guys!!

[critical_gp]

Marantz, wouldnt be a bad choice either.

Jake

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR7500

+1

[MSALLA]

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR7500

+1

Thats a great price.

[frdranger]

Hey guys -

Just an update, I broke down and purchased the Denon AVR-887. They had no more H/K receivers in stock (the two stores I went too), and CC has this thing where you can actually pick a receiver and test it out using any of the speakers that are on display. Luckily, they had my monitor 50s' and CS1 on display, tried both the Onkyo 803 and Denon 887 - and the Denon just won me over.

Go home, spent a few hours hooking it up and re-collaborating it, and man - this thing is a Godsend. It's incredible. Ton's of power, incredible sharp highs, mid's and punchy lows. I honestly do not have any reason to upgrade my receiver for quite some time unless technology forces me to do so lol.

For those of you in a similar boat, and if you have between $500 - $700 to spend, check out the Denon AVR 887 - incredible receiver.

[MSALLA]

frdranger, what part of PA are you in?

[frdranger]

frdranger, what part of PA are you in?

I live in the Lehigh Valley area.

[MSALLA]

Ok. I'm in Delaware county.