Pioneer Or Denon A/V reciever

[lDlisturb3d]

Which has the better quality in your opinion?

[teach454]

For my money I prefer Pioneer Elite over Denon. That is my opinion but have only owned Pioneer Elite receivers. I just like the look of the Pioneer Elite line with the glossy black finish makes it look more high end.

But that is what I prefer and I have been very happy with my Pioneer Elite receivers. That said I just depends on what you like and what your ears tell you.

Good luck in your quest for HT perfection. We are all on the same journey and it's never ending.

[darkpoet25]

Originally Posted by deeman54

Which has the better quality in your opinion?

Well they both have their good and bad qualities just like any other piece of A/V gear. Can't really speak about either since I have an Onkyo TX-SR 805(which I love). Not sure what part of VA you live in, but I usually just recommend going to either a local Best Buy, Fry's, or any A/V store. Take a movie, cd or any piece of reference material you may have and ask the sales person to let you audition them on the equipment. Opinions are subjective as the only one that really matters is yours alone, as it is your ears that are auditioning the recievers. Don't know how much help I was, but good luck with finding one you will be happy with. Oh one more important thing to research more is what you are looking for features wise.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by darkpoet25

Well they both have their good and bad qualities just like any other piece of A/V gear. Can't really speak about either since I have an Onkyo TX-SR 805(which I love). Not sure what part of VA you live in, but I usually just recommend going to either a local Best Buy, Fry's, or any A/V store. Take a movie, cd or any piece of reference material you may have and ask the sales person to let you audition them on the equipment. Opinions are subjective as the only one that really matters is yours alone, as it is your ears that are auditioning the recievers. Don't know how much help I was, but good luck with finding one you will be happy with. Oh one more important thing to research more is what you are looking for features wise.

I totally agree with this statement. Its subjective to your listening sound taste. You need to decide what sounds best to yourself.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by deeman54

Which has the better quality in your opinion?

I don't think I've ever heard anyone express a single negative comment about the Pioneer Elite AVR's here on this site. They seem to be highly prized.

Onkyo is probably owned by more members here than any other brand. I suppose that is because it offers good value for what you're paying.

Having said that, the other choices like Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Harmon-Kardon and Sony have attributes in their own right.

I chose the Yamaha HTR-6190B model a few years back, and did so as it had the number of HDMI inputs I was looking for, a phono input (did not have a seperate phono pre-amp at the time), and enough power (130x7) to make sure there was headroom.

Some say they can hear differences in sound from equally matched AVR's, but I am not one of them. I think it's more important to properly pair your speakers to the receiver, as opposed to relying on comments that one AVR sounds better than the other. Once you move higher up the line and start seperating out components, then differences in sound will become quite apparent.

Aesthetics come into play as well and maybe more than any of us is willing to admit. Buying a unit that pleases the eye and blends well with your existing setup is also a factor and should not be overlooked, however shallow that may sound.

As to providing you with my opinion on the two choices you asked about, I can't do that. I do hope that my explanantion (thoughts) has given you some food for thought however.

John

[EvilGav]

I have a Denon, bought as it had the right number of HDMI connections at the time and used the Faroudja upscaler (Onkyo don't/weren't using it at the time).

I cant fault it (I forget the number, but it was one down from top of the range, as didn't include the network features of the top-end one).

As others have said, demo what you are looking for with a reference disc or two, download the manual from the manufacturers site and have a read of what else it can do and if it's appropriate for what you intend.

[blarneyrubble]

I have owned both and Pioneer Elites are better quality in my opinion.

[ldgibson76]

Hello Deeman.

Everything that has been said is of course subjective. And that's fine. But when trying measure AVRs, here are some things to consider.

First, determine what's most important to you. What has the priority, audio/sound quality or video processing/switching. Sound quality will have alot to do with the amps used, power rating and DAC's used and type of speakers used. Video processing-the upscaling ability of standard resolution sources, or switching process (time it takes to switch from one source to another and transition or HDMI handshake with other components),

Secondly, function and versatility. What are you connecting to the AVR. Believe it or not, it does make a difference. The number of components you would like the AVR to accomodate and connectivity (HDMI inputs; 7.1 inputs, etc,..), network capable, etc,...

Thirdly, aesthetics. Everything from the color of the display to the look of the fascia and profile (height, weight, depth).

Next, user friendliness meaning the GUI menu, calibration system (Audyssey/MCACC), remote functionality, firmware upgradable.

Lastly, price point. As you go higher up the model line, the AVR's really start to differ in functionality. So know your budget. Once that's established, that will ultimately dictate the choices above.

Personally, at the lower price offerings, I do believe that Pioneer offers better value than the Denons. When you get up into the higher end, Pioneer Elites vs. the Denon 3310CI models and above, it's really comes down to preference.

Regardless, it can be very confusing. On this site, a lot of posters favor the Pioneer. Go to another site, and Denon is the preferred manufacturer. Do your research and go to as many AV stores as you can. You will get different opinions from various sales people. But in the end, it's all about you. Determine what you want in an AVR, the rest is gravy.

[gtmorgan23]

I would like to put in my vote for pioneer elite

[Steve]

I have a Pioneer Elite so I'm somewhat biased. However, I'm sure I would be quite pleased with a comparable Denon. I also wouldn't rule out Marantz. They have an awesome sound.

[Fors*]

Pioneer owner here as well. I think with so many great AVR's out there, the best way to decide is to find a way to give them a listen with the same speakers. This is often hard to do, so I understand, but if it could be done, I think your ears would easily make the decision for you. I would try to listen to Denon, Marantz, Pioneer and Onkyo. Just make sure if you do that they are considered the same caliber of receiver for each brand. It wouldn't be fair for example, to compare an Onkyo 605 to the Pioneer Elite SC-25.....

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Fors*

Pioneer owner here as well. I think with so many great AVR's out there, the best way to decide is to find a way to give them a listen with the same speakers. This is often hard to do, so I understand, but if it could be done, I think your ears would easily make the decision for you. I would try to listen to Denon, Marantz, Pioneer and Onkyo. Just make sure if you do that they are considered the same caliber of receiver for each brand. It wouldn't be fair for example, to compare an Onkyo 605 to the Pioneer Elite SC-25.....

No it certainly wouldn't.

[lokir1]

Thumbs up at the elites!

[Kryptonic]

I love my Denon. Pioneer makes great products as well, so you can't really go wrong either way.

[dobyblue]

If analog connections are a priority for you, I'd go with the Denon. They always get amazing marks on the test bench for their analog connections.

If you're going HDMI and/or digital for most things, I'd go with whatever one fits your budget as they're very similar.

[PlacervilleGuy]

While I own Pioneer Elite, I can say I have set up a couple systems for friends, both Denon, and had issues with them. Things didn't work as advertised, and the remote control had buttons that failed to work. Had to send them back. The replacements had the same issues. So in my experience, Denon has quality issues. And their manuals suck. But then, so do MOST manuals. (When are these guys going to hire someone who knows how to write a manual that is actually usefull?)

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by deeman54

Which has the better quality in your opinion?

You'll ultimately need to let your own ears decide, but I prefer the sound from Denon's mid to higher end receivers than I do from Pioneer Elites. I think the Denon's sound warmer, and offer more detail, which lends itself to music. I would also highly recommend you audition mid to higher end receivers from Marantz and Yamaha, both of which sound great and are highly musical.

Like I said though, you'll ultimately need to let your ears decide. Try to listen to comparable receivers from each line with the speakers you have or will ultimately use.

[Blove23]

It all depends on what like and what type of television that you have. If you get a Pioneer and have a Pioneer tv the AVR controls all the video so, your only flexibility is audio controls, but if you purchased a Denon you have a full range of audio and video settings.

[BLUTRIG]

Originally Posted by deeman54

Which has the better quality in your opinion?

both sound great but difference ,it best you go to a audio store to hear both on the same speakers,I like Pioneer Elite A/V

[Dase]

Both are great choices! Just depends on which feature set you need and the sound you prefer. Hear them both if possible. I am on my second denon and love it. I have had no issues with either of them.