Denon, Sony, Poineer - Blu-ray Forum

Justyntym · 02-21-2009, 01:53 AM

Assuming I can't snag an ONKYO 606...

How do Denon stack up and which ones are recommended.
Really interested in those.
My source is a PS3...

also I wouldn't mind a Sony or a Pioneer but if someone would give
me a nudge which ones are worthy and which ones to steer clear of...

I've been reading a bit lately but honestly, I haven't looked at surround
sound or even high fidelity systems in quite a few years and all the ins and
outs and trying to catch up can get a tad confusing and overwhelming...

Love to snag a 606 for $299 but don't RRReally want to go as high as $500
but the key word for me is VALUE...if I can get a really kickin reciever for $500
that plays and has quality of a more expensive unit and is that much better
than a cheaper one...I'd do it. But bear in mind it's all comming from a ps3
so I don't want to waste money for features I can't even use.

Wish someone who really knew what they were doing just tell me...
buy this one this one or this one

(and a why would be neat to not required)

Thanks for any help I can get.

JasonR · 02-21-2009, 01:58 AM

The best Sony in that price range is the STR-DG920, but you would probably have a hard time finding it.

The Pioneer 1018 would be a very nice receiver, which also would give you preouts and bi-amping over the Sony.

Not to familiar with a lot of Denons...sorry.

Justyntym · 02-21-2009, 02:21 AM

Lemme throw another one out there to...what about Yamahas?

Not to menion I do a Sony 820 for $399

Course I can do the 606 for $439

Geezer00003 · 02-21-2009, 03:27 AM

Simple....want the best, go Denon!

Tsmith13 · 02-21-2009, 03:32 AM

Well this is my first time with surround sound.

I made a plan...i wanted polk speakers and a onkyo 606...was around my range and i see alot of talk here.

So i got the polk speakers at best buy on sale..
next week i will go to frys and pick up the 606 i think its 4something..but its the one i wanted...

i did see a denon av 789 at frys regular price 599..on sale for 3something.

But i didnt get it...sticking with my guns and getting the 606.

If i was you i would just buy it piece by piece if you have to but dont sell yourself short because it will haunt you in the long run....stay around your budget but get the names and stuff you want ya know...

tatertaut · 02-21-2009, 01:22 PM

If you can get the Denon 789 for less than the Onk 606, .. you'd be nuts not to grab it, .. hehe ... just MHO

callas01 · 02-21-2009, 02:52 PM

It is gonna be hard to find a Sony 920 or Pioneer 1018, the newer ones should be out in the spring then you could snatch one up... Otherwise check into this for less then $500 this Pioneer VSX 91 for under $500 its a steal. IMO

Justyntym · 02-21-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by callas01

It is gonna be hard to find a Sony 920 or Pioneer 1018, the newer ones should be out in the spring then you could snatch one up... Otherwise check into this for less then $500 this Pioneer VSX 91 for under $500 its a steal. IMO

that thing looks smoking...only 2 hdmi imputs though.
Regardless it's almost got me pulling the trigger on that one
That means someone doesn't get the hdmi, either the xbox 360 or
the direct tv

callas01 · 02-21-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justyntym

that thing looks smoking...only 2 hdmi imputs though.
Regardless it's almost got me pulling the trigger on that one
That means someone doesn't get the hdmi, either the xbox 360 or
the direct tv

Hook the 360 up via components and then upscale the picture through HDMI and you will still get a 1080p PQ, that is what I do right now with my 360. I do it only because I haven't bought another HDMI cable.

Justyntym · 02-21-2009, 03:37 PM

rats...I just called they are all gone

callas01 · 02-21-2009, 03:42 PM

Since you have a PS3 go with this Denon 2308CI Not sure the # of HDMI inputs but it does have upconversion as well.

EDIT: It has 2 inputs too.

Twitch9 · 02-21-2009, 03:55 PM

The Denon has 789 or 1909 has 3 HDMI and is very good at video upscaling. I have the 1909 but am upgrading to the 3808, i would recommend the Denon's to anybody looking for a well built receiver in your price range. The only downfall of the 789 and 1909 is no pre-outs.

Justyntym · 02-21-2009, 04:27 PM

allright newb alert:

If my PS3/xbox 360 is upscaling all regular DVDs and the Blu-rays are already
1080p...my hidef direct tv is sort of 1080i/720 (depending on the channel)

why do we need recievers that upscale to 1080p...I thought we were already
there?

newb question 2 (sorry guys) what do you do with a pre-outs

Twitch9 · 02-21-2009, 05:32 PM

The reason you want upscaling on the receiver is, all your inputs are running through it first then to you TV,this will also reduce the amount of cables going to the TV, this way everything you plug into the receiver will get upscaled to 1080p. Pre-outs are for hooking up an external amp, you need these if you ever plan on getting one.

Hope this helps

Sammy · 02-21-2009, 06:03 PM

http://www.6ave.com/shop/Product.aspx?sku=DENAVR1909

Use coupon code AFLAUD25 . (Courtesy crackinhezd, but found also at http://www.retailmenot.com/view/6ave.com and previously on www.fatwallet.com but they don't show it right now)

Or try a local Circuit City. They are 40% off MSRP right now. I picked up the Denon AVR-889 [roughly equivalent to 2309 (less Zone 2 remote and RS 232 input) on 6ave and one step up from 1909] at 30% off last week. If they have one it would by $480 at the current 40% off. If CC has the 789, it is basically the same as the 1909, retails for $600 and would go for $360.

One thing about Denon that I've found is that the manual is quite cryptic... Not for the feignt of heart as you basically have to figure things out yourself. Fortunatelly I'm pretty good at it, but it took a bit more time than I would have liked; but also because of that, I am quite knowledgable of the entire menu. Once you do though, the audio output of this unit is very good. Also the on-screen display is in 480i and pretty basic, but I'm watching blu rays not the OSD.

I am quite happy with this purchase and recommend it. Here's a comparison of these four Denon models. For some reason Dolby TrueHD is not checked on the chart, but I can confirm that it does in fact decode it. They don't have pre-outs except for the SW / LFE channel. Unless you are planning to build a high-end system with external amplifiers this is not really neccesary except for the SW / LFE channel.

If you go Onkyo, there's another one for 5% off ( AFL5 ) at 6ave.com too. Someone posted one for $25 off on Onkyo at 6ave earlier too, but I don't know what it is and cannot find it right now. Maybe it was this same code on a $500 Onkyo? Hope this helps.

Remember to always visit retailmenot and/or fatwallet before purchasing anything on line.

02-21-2009, 01:53 AM	#1
Justyntym Member Member since:Jan 2009	Denon, Sony, Poineer Assuming I can't snag an ONKYO 606... How do Denon stack up and which ones are recommended. Really interested in those. My source is a PS3... also I wouldn't mind a Sony or a Pioneer but if someone would give me a nudge which ones are worthy and which ones to steer clear of... I've been reading a bit lately but honestly, I haven't looked at surround sound or even high fidelity systems in quite a few years and all the ins and outs and trying to catch up can get a tad confusing and overwhelming... Love to snag a 606 for $299 but don't RRReally want to go as high as $500 but the key word for me is VALUE...if I can get a really kickin reciever for $500 that plays and has quality of a more expensive unit and is that much better than a cheaper one...I'd do it. But bear in mind it's all comming from a ps3 so I don't want to waste money for features I can't even use. Wish someone who really knew what they were doing just tell me... buy this one this one or this one (and a why would be neat to not required) Thanks for any help I can get.

02-21-2009, 02:21 AM	#3
Justyntym Member Member since:Jan 2009	Lemme throw another one out there to...what about Yamahas? Not to menion I do a Sony 820 for $399 Course I can do the 606 for $439 Last edited by Justyntym; 02-21-2009 at 02:47 AM.

02-21-2009, 03:42 PM	#11
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Since you have a PS3 go with this Denon 2308CI Not sure the # of HDMI inputs but it does have upconversion as well. EDIT: It has 2 inputs too. Last edited by callas01; 02-21-2009 at 03:49 PM.

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02-21-2009, 01:58 AM	#2
JasonR Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:12	The best Sony in that price range is the STR-DG920, but you would probably have a hard time finding it. The Pioneer 1018 would be a very nice receiver, which also would give you preouts and bi-amping over the Sony. Not to familiar with a lot of Denons...sorry.

02-21-2009, 03:27 AM	#4
Geezer00003 Senior Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2008 Location:GTA Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:12 4K collection:207 Blu-ray collection:669	Simple....want the best, go Denon!

02-21-2009, 03:32 AM	#5
Tsmith13 Active Member Member since:Jun 2008	Well this is my first time with surround sound. I made a plan...i wanted polk speakers and a onkyo 606...was around my range and i see alot of talk here. So i got the polk speakers at best buy on sale.. next week i will go to frys and pick up the 606 i think its 4something..but its the one i wanted... i did see a denon av 789 at frys regular price 599..on sale for 3something. But i didnt get it...sticking with my guns and getting the 606. If i was you i would just buy it piece by piece if you have to but dont sell yourself short because it will haunt you in the long run....stay around your budget but get the names and stuff you want ya know...

02-21-2009, 01:22 PM	#6
tatertaut Member Member since:Jan 2009 Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:20	If you can get the Denon 789 for less than the Onk 606, .. you'd be nuts not to grab it, .. hehe ... just MHO

02-21-2009, 02:52 PM	#7
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	It is gonna be hard to find a Sony 920 or Pioneer 1018, the newer ones should be out in the spring then you could snatch one up... Otherwise check into this for less then $500 this Pioneer VSX 91 for under $500 its a steal. IMO

02-21-2009, 03:37 PM	#10
Justyntym Member Member since:Jan 2009	rats...I just called they are all gone

02-21-2009, 03:55 PM	#12
Twitch9 Expert Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Canada Home Theater Gallery:83 Blu-ray collection:49 Blu-ray reviews:16 Trading Score:2	The Denon has 789 or 1909 has 3 HDMI and is very good at video upscaling. I have the 1909 but am upgrading to the 3808, i would recommend the Denon's to anybody looking for a well built receiver in your price range. The only downfall of the 789 and 1909 is no pre-outs.

02-21-2009, 04:27 PM	#13
Justyntym Member Member since:Jan 2009	allright newb alert: If my PS3/xbox 360 is upscaling all regular DVDs and the Blu-rays are already 1080p...my hidef direct tv is sort of 1080i/720 (depending on the channel) why do we need recievers that upscale to 1080p...I thought we were already there? newb question 2 (sorry guys) what do you do with a pre-outs

02-21-2009, 05:32 PM	#14
Twitch9 Expert Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Canada Home Theater Gallery:83 Blu-ray collection:49 Blu-ray reviews:16 Trading Score:2	The reason you want upscaling on the receiver is, all your inputs are running through it first then to you TV,this will also reduce the amount of cables going to the TV, this way everything you plug into the receiver will get upscaled to 1080p. Pre-outs are for hooking up an external amp, you need these if you ever plan on getting one. Hope this helps

02-21-2009, 06:03 PM	#15
Sammy Power Member Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Right next to Wineville, CA Home Theater Gallery:1 Blu-ray collection:199 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	http://www.6ave.com/shop/Product.aspx?sku=DENAVR1909 Use coupon code AFLAUD25 . (Courtesy crackinhezd, but found also at http://www.retailmenot.com/view/6ave.com and previously on www.fatwallet.com but they don't show it right now) Or try a local Circuit City. They are 40% off MSRP right now. I picked up the Denon AVR-889 [roughly equivalent to 2309 (less Zone 2 remote and RS 232 input) on 6ave and one step up from 1909] at 30% off last week. If they have one it would by $480 at the current 40% off. If CC has the 789, it is basically the same as the 1909, retails for $600 and would go for $360. One thing about Denon that I've found is that the manual is quite cryptic... Not for the feignt of heart as you basically have to figure things out yourself. Fortunatelly I'm pretty good at it, but it took a bit more time than I would have liked; but also because of that, I am quite knowledgable of the entire menu. Once you do though, the audio output of this unit is very good. Also the on-screen display is in 480i and pretty basic, but I'm watching blu rays not the OSD. I am quite happy with this purchase and recommend it. Here's a comparison of these four Denon models. For some reason Dolby TrueHD is not checked on the chart, but I can confirm that it does in fact decode it. They don't have pre-outs except for the SW / LFE channel. Unless you are planning to build a high-end system with external amplifiers this is not really neccesary except for the SW / LFE channel. If you go Onkyo, there's another one for 5% off ( AFL5 ) at 6ave.com too. Someone posted one for $25 off on Onkyo at 6ave earlier too, but I don't know what it is and cannot find it right now. Maybe it was this same code on a $500 Onkyo? Hope this helps. Remember to always visit retailmenot and/or fatwallet before purchasing anything on line.

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