Upgrade receiver...Pioneer, Onk, or Denon - Blu-ray Forum

ls7z06 · 09-21-2009, 05:33 PM

Getting ready to upgrade receivers. Narrowed down to Pioneer Elite SC-25, Onkyo TX SR-876, and Denon 3310CI. Is there anything especially good or bad about any of the 3? Thanks.

Fors* · 09-21-2009, 05:41 PM

I can only speak for the Pioneer (I own last years SC-25 model, the SC-05), and I think it is extremely well made. It has an ICE amp, which is extremely efficient, and quite cool, not to mention that it provides a very clean sound. It has have one of the best calibration set-ups out there because of all the add'l tweaks the receiver will allow you to do. It has also been proven that Pioneer's power ratings have been very close to what the specs state in regards to all 7 speakers playing in a 7.1 set-up. Lastly, I love the smooth, classy look of the SC-25's front panel display and the shear size and weight( around 40 lbs) of this receiver. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the 3, but I'm impartial to the SC-25's performance and beauty.

kingofgrills · 09-21-2009, 06:26 PM

Any of those will serve you well. Just compare features and most importantly, listen to each extensively with both movies and music before purchasing.

Let your ears decide!

patelking · 09-21-2009, 08:55 PM

You can also look for the Denon 3808 or 4308 which you can probably find great prices on right now.

Vagrant_1 · 09-21-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ls7z06

Getting ready to upgrade receivers. Narrowed down to Pioneer Elite SC-25, Onkyo TX SR-876, and Denon 3310CI. Is there anything especially good or bad about any of the 3? Thanks.

I am in the process of the same thing. I found a SC-07 for $900 @ Best Buy. Also I believe tiger direct is selling the Onkyo 876 for under 1k right now. I am unfamiliar with Denon.

Irrob · 09-21-2009, 09:30 PM

Nice choices. I think it comes down to the audition, which I strongly encourage you to do before purchasing.

ls7z06 · 09-22-2009, 02:03 AM

Auditioning receivers is a difficult proposition. The room acoustics, the speaker type and placement, the input source, and the calibration can all serve to fool you. I have found it is best to buy from somebody that will be glad to do returns and exchanges if you don't like it after you get it home and audition it with your own set up.

Right now I am having a hard time talking myself out of the Onkyo 876. Lots of power, .05%THD, plenty of HDMI inputs, nice multi function remote, 6 ohm rated, good video performance, all of the newest decoding capability and the price is right. It looks like the Denons are really priced high for comparable performance. I like the Pioneers but the .09THD does not compare well with the Onkyo, and it is quite a bit more expensive as well.

Another plus for me on the ONK is that I currently have an 806 and I am guessing the set up would be much less of a learning curve than the Denon and Pioneer. I had a lower end Denon once and I thought it was a PITA to calibrate. By comparison, I thought the Onk was well designed and a modern menu and much easier to understand.

I will likely get the Onkyo. Thanks for your feedback.

Irrob · 09-22-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ls7z06

Auditioning receivers is a difficult proposition. The room acoustics, the speaker type and placement, the input source, and the calibration can all serve to fool you.

Yea, if you audition at Walmart.

ls7z06 · 09-24-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irrob

Yea, if you audition at Walmart.

I am not familiar with electronics shopping at Wal-Mart. Sounds like you might be though. Thanks for your helpful comment.

09-21-2009, 05:33 PM	#1
ls7z06 Active Member Member since:Aug 2009	Upgrade receiver...Pioneer, Onk, or Denon Getting ready to upgrade receivers. Narrowed down to Pioneer Elite SC-25, Onkyo TX SR-876, and Denon 3310CI. Is there anything especially good or bad about any of the 3? Thanks.

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09-21-2009, 05:41 PM	#2
Fors* Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Pottstown, PA Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:11	I can only speak for the Pioneer (I own last years SC-25 model, the SC-05), and I think it is extremely well made. It has an ICE amp, which is extremely efficient, and quite cool, not to mention that it provides a very clean sound. It has have one of the best calibration set-ups out there because of all the add'l tweaks the receiver will allow you to do. It has also been proven that Pioneer's power ratings have been very close to what the specs state in regards to all 7 speakers playing in a 7.1 set-up. Lastly, I love the smooth, classy look of the SC-25's front panel display and the shear size and weight( around 40 lbs) of this receiver. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the 3, but I'm impartial to the SC-25's performance and beauty.

09-21-2009, 06:26 PM	#3
kingofgrills Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2007 Location:PDX Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:81 Trading Score:31	Any of those will serve you well. Just compare features and most importantly, listen to each extensively with both movies and music before purchasing. Let your ears decide!

09-21-2009, 08:55 PM	#4
patelking Member Member since:Jul 2009	You can also look for the Denon 3808 or 4308 which you can probably find great prices on right now.

09-21-2009, 09:30 PM	#6
Irrob Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:USA Home Theater Gallery:49 4K collection:61 Blu-ray collection:880 DVD collection:16 Blu-ray reviews: 4 Trading Score:91	Nice choices. I think it comes down to the audition, which I strongly encourage you to do before purchasing.

09-22-2009, 02:03 AM	#7
ls7z06 Active Member Member since:Aug 2009	Auditioning receivers is a difficult proposition. The room acoustics, the speaker type and placement, the input source, and the calibration can all serve to fool you. I have found it is best to buy from somebody that will be glad to do returns and exchanges if you don't like it after you get it home and audition it with your own set up. Right now I am having a hard time talking myself out of the Onkyo 876. Lots of power, .05%THD, plenty of HDMI inputs, nice multi function remote, 6 ohm rated, good video performance, all of the newest decoding capability and the price is right. It looks like the Denons are really priced high for comparable performance. I like the Pioneers but the .09THD does not compare well with the Onkyo, and it is quite a bit more expensive as well. Another plus for me on the ONK is that I currently have an 806 and I am guessing the set up would be much less of a learning curve than the Denon and Pioneer. I had a lower end Denon once and I thought it was a PITA to calibrate. By comparison, I thought the Onk was well designed and a modern menu and much easier to understand. I will likely get the Onkyo. Thanks for your feedback.

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