Need help buying my first receiver - several options

[callas01]

First off you cannot compare the Pioneer elite and that yamaha to any of the other receivers. A Sony you can compare them to is going to be like an es2400 or es3400. IMO, Yamahas are a warm sounding, Pioneer's are slightly warm but more neutral, and the Sony's tend to be very neutral.

Harman, is a personal choice for me... and I think they suck. I PERSONALLY cannot stand their sound.

Pioneer 1018 and Sony 920 are both mid level recevers, not low end as another person mentioned. I was between these two receivers when I bought mine, which was the sony 920. The sony is an awesome reciever, but I did like the pioneer slightly better. But now that I have the Sony in the house, it is awesome, and I have had no regrets buying that one over the pioneer.


HERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE, go listen to the receivers in person and buy what sounds best to you, or the sound you prefer the most.