Denon 2309ci or Marantz sr5003?

[blarneyrubble]

I have decided to return my Denon avr1910; I don't like it for a number of reasons.

I have narrowed my new receiver down to the 2309ci/889 or the sr5003. I like the Marantz for the true to rated power, quality, design, and especially the 7.1 pre outs. I like the Denon for it's four HDMI inputs(one more then the 5003), the higher power rating, and I owned the 887 and loved the performance. I need help deciding.

Thanks.

[mjbethancourt]

I'd go with the Marantz. Better, truer sound, and if you're running video through it, the signal will pass through it without any so-called enhancement (...ahem! I mean interference).

[lucv13]

I vote for the Marantz - can't compare as I've never owned Denon, have friends with the system but with different speakers, I like the sound of my Marantz. Also as you indicated it has pre-outs, I have my mains bi-amped with a pair Rotel amps and using the receiver for the center and surrounds. Sounds great

[CasualKiller]

Marantz

[Big Daddy]

Denon and Marantz are sister companies and probably share some technologies. I vote for Denon 2309ci over the Marantz 5003.

[blarneyrubble]

I have read just about every forum where this question is asked. Right now I am leaning toward the Marantz.

[mjbethancourt]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Denon and Marantz are sister companies and probably share some technologies. I vote for Denon 2309ci over the Marantz 5003.

Really, Daddy, I'm surprised! I know they're owned by the same company, but look it up for yourself on their spec-sheets and in on-line reviews: the Denon is a fine unit, but it's guts are pretty generic industry-standard stuff; but the Marantz has some unique proprietary parts that set it apart from its cousin, the Denon.

[Dase]

If you don't like the 1910 then why would you like the 2309? I own the
2309ci and I absolutely love it. BUT. If I was going to do it over again I would have chose the 2809ci because it has preouts, as well as Audyssey MultiEQxt. I am actually looking at doing this later this year. Hmmm... wanna buy my 2309?

[Blu-Raider]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

I'd go with the Marantz. Better, truer sound, and if you're running video through it, the signal will pass through it without any so-called enhancement (...ahem! I mean interference).

Uhhhh....Really?

[mjbethancourt]

Originally Posted by Blu-Raider

Uhhhh....Really?

Yeah... really.

[literati819]

Marantz

[blarneyrubble]

Originally Posted by -dase-

If you don't like the 1910 then why would you like the 2309? I own the
2309ci and I absolutely love it. BUT. If I was going to do it over again I would have chose the 2809ci because it has preouts, as well as Audyssey MultiEQxt. I am actually looking at doing this later this year. Hmmm... wanna buy my 2309?

That is a good question. The reason I believe I would like the 2309 is that I had the 887, which is the older version of the 2309. I loved that receiver. I got rid of it because I bought the samsung 1500 blu ray player at Circuit City when they were giving the Matrix trilogy away with it; knowing that samsung had promised a firmware update to add DTS-HD decoding to that specific player. Well as anybody who has read anything about samsung and their promises know, they mean absolute S*@T!!! I wanted HD audio and down graded amplifier specs to get it. I was wrong. Also, the front display of the 1910 sucks. How does your 2309 sound during Pro Logic II?

[Blu-Raider]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

Yeah... really.

"Better, truer sound"? They're both entry to mid-line receivers. It's your opinion but mine is quite different.

[bigred7078]

I recently have had the Denon 2809, Yamaha 3900 and Marantz SR6003.

The Marantz sounded better than the Denon and it was a toss up between it and the Yammy, so for the money i paid ($750) the 6003 was clearly the better choice.


Also keep in mind you if ever plan on upgrading to an external amp, the 2309 does not have pre-outs...

[blarneyrubble]

Originally Posted by bigred7078

I recently have had the Denon 2809, Yamaha 3900 and Marantz SR6003.

The Marantz sounded better than the Denon and it was a toss up between it and the Yammy, so for the money i paid ($750) the 6003 was clearly the better choice.


Also keep in mind you if ever plan on upgrading to an external amp, the 2309 does not have pre-outs...

Did the 100 watt rated Marantz sound as powerful as the 115 watt rated Denon? I know Marantz is a bit more honest with their power ratings.

[mjbethancourt]

Originally Posted by Blu-Raider

"Better, truer sound"? They're both entry to mid-line receivers. It's your opinion but mine is quite different.

If you want to be a pud about it, that's your choice; but it's a fact that the two receivers have different processing. My "opinion" is corroborated by others, including professionals. I don't remember anywhere saying that one was in a "higher" class of receiver... I get the impression that you're either vaguely boasting about your equipment by belittling the "inconsequential" differences between two "entry to mid-line" receivers, or you're taking what I said to mean something entirely different from what I intend. Notwithstanding, if you're coming from the position that there is no difference between any "entry to mid-line" receivers, then you have nothing to contribute to this conversation and you shouldn't be commenting on this thread either way.

[Blu-Raider]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

If you want to be a pud about it, that's your choice; but it's a fact that the two receivers have different processing. My "opinion" is corroborated by others, including professionals. I don't remember anywhere saying that one was in a "higher" class of receiver... I get the impression that you're either vaguely boasting about your equipment by belittling the "inconsequential" differences between two "entry to mid-line" receivers, or you're taking what I said to mean something entirely different from what I intend. Notwithstanding, if you're coming from the position that there is no difference between any "entry to mid-line" receivers, then you have nothing to contribute to this conversation and you shouldn't be commenting on this thread either way.

Holy cow! I was just attempting to state my opinion not start a pissing match. After auditioning both of these receivers I prefer the sound of the Denon. I have a friend who was looking for an "entry to mid-line" receiver and we listened to both of them matched with several different speakers. There was no veiled boasting or belittling. No hidden agenda, no "coming from a position".

Sheesh. Lighten up, Frances. I'm entitled my opinion and I have stated it. I'll let my "professionals" consult with your "professionals". Oh, and by the way -- I'll comment anywhere and any time I feel the need. Your permission isn't solicited nor required.

[mjbethancourt]

That's so rude, when someone starts crap and then acts flabberghasted at the results.

[Blu-Raider]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

That's so rude, when someone starts crap and then acts flabberghasted at the results.

I'll just let this one die. Peace be with you.

[Dase]

Originally Posted by blarneyrubble

That is a good question. The reason I believe I would like the 2309 is that I had the 887, which is the older version of the 2309. I loved that receiver. I got rid of it because I bought the samsung 1500 blu ray player at Circuit City when they were giving the Matrix trilogy away with it; knowing that samsung had promised a firmware update to add DTS-HD decoding to that specific player. Well as anybody who has read anything about samsung and their promises know, they mean absolute S*@T!!! I wanted HD audio and down graded amplifier specs to get it. I was wrong. Also, the front display of the 1910 sucks. How does your 2309 sound during Pro Logic II?

It sounds just fine during pro logic II, although I hardly use PLII for anything.

Originally Posted by bigred7078

I recently have had the Denon 2809, Yamaha 3900 and Marantz SR6003
.

The Marantz sounded better than the Denon and it was a toss up between it and the Yammy, so for the money i paid ($750) the 6003 was clearly the better choice.


Also keep in mind you if ever plan on upgrading to an external amp, the 2309 does not have pre-outs...

This is where it will get tricky, and where you will need to audition all of the AVR's you are looking at if possible. I know that I listened to the Yamaha 1800, the Marantz 5003, the Onkyo 705, and the Denon 2309 and I thought the Denon was the best hands down. My good friend thought that the Yamaha was the best and went with it. Bigred obviously likes the Marantz. Listen for yourself if possible.

IMO opinion the Denon or the Marantz are both very solid choices. If I was you, and didn't like the 1910, and the fact that the 2309 does not have preouts, I wouldn't go with the Denon unless you are going to step up to a Denon model that has them. I didn't think I would need preouts when I was picking receivers and wish now that I had them.

Originally Posted by blarneyrubble

Did the 100 watt rated Marantz sound as powerful as the 115 watt rated Denon? I know Marantz is a bit more honest with their power ratings.

Denon and Marantz are owned by the same company. If you look at any test bench results (soundandvision is a good source for this), Denon and Marantz are both very solid with their power ratings. The mid level Yamaha's drop off signifigantly during 5 or 7 channel playback. Even the mid level Onkyo's (607, 706) drop off pretty good at 5 or 7 channel. The mid level Denon's and Marantz's perform better in that regard according to their reviews.

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice, I would just get one that has preouts.