All you audio junkies, I have a question for you

[CAB]

Originally Posted by shockin330i

My father is looking into replacing his current reciever. He's a die hard yamaha fan.

Recently we went to an audio/video store and they were raving about the integra 7.8

So is the integra really that good or should he wait for the new yamaha 3800?

What does your father listen to? Two-channel CDs? DVD-A? SACD? Home Theater Surround? *cough*LP? Which is he trying to optimize?

My father was asking how he can set-up his quadraphonic reel-to-reel to the Denon we picked out for him. *sigh* I loved my Yamaha but chose to upgrade to something that had an i.link to enhance my SACD enjoyment.

-CB

[GTsmokeya]

Do me and your father a favor check out some independent reviews I once spoke with a onkyo rep mind you it might be one sided however in a blind test of all settings the same a 80.3% chose onkyo over the yamaha without knowing who they were comparring. So I think that he should go with what he likes yamaha is a nice reciever but a bit on the bright side where the onkyo/integra is on the clear side. Please note you will hear alot of mumbo jumbo over integra to onkyo but really its just saying that integra has a three year warranty over onkyo's two and their network capability.

GTsmokeya
Good luck shopping for audio equipment can be fun

[shockin330i]

Originally Posted by CAB

What does your father listen to? Two-channel CDs? DVD-A? SACD? Home Theater Surround? *cough*LP? Which is he trying to optimize?

My father was asking how he can set-up his quadraphonic reel-to-reel to the Denon we picked out for him. *sigh* I loved my Yamaha but chose to upgrade to something that had an i.link to enhance my SACD enjoyment.

-CB

My father's current yamaha has i.link :dunno:

Originally Posted by GTsmokeya

Do me and your father a favor check out some independent reviews I once spoke with a onkyo rep mind you it might be one sided however in a blind test of all settings the same a 80.3% chose onkyo over the yamaha without knowing who they were comparring. So I think that he should go with what he likes yamaha is a nice reciever but a bit on the bright side where the onkyo/integra is on the clear side. Please note you will hear alot of mumbo jumbo over integra to onkyo but really its just saying that integra has a three year warranty over onkyo's two and their network capability.

GTsmokeya
Good luck shopping for audio equipment can be fun

Oddly enough we bought the integra and returned it this weekend. something just wasn't right with the sound. The highs were great but it was just lacking cripness (is that a word?) in the mids. We had to crank it up real high to get ok sound. So my father put his yamaha back up and will wait for the 3800 when it comes out later this year.

[red_5ive]

I'm not trying to get in a war with the whole yamaha brightness thing, but this is only true of their lower models and older receivers. I own 2 prior flagships from Yamaha (RX-V1 and RX-Z1) and the next model down from the late 90's (RX-V2095), and I assure you the brightness is not present in these models, although the 2095 sounds a little thin compared to the flagship units. When I picked up the Z1, I demo'd it with the Denon AVR-5803, both hooked to the same energy speakers (don't recall the model). If anything the Z1 was a tad warmer than the 5803. I can't stand sharp/bright highs, and in the 4 years I've owned the Z1 it hasn't beat my ears or head down for a second.

The 3800 would be comparable in their line to the 2095 (i.e., next model down from the flagship - the Z11 is due out in November, btw), so I think the 3800 is a great choice. However, I would also suggest maybe giving the Denon AVR-4308ci a listen. It's more expensive than the the 3800, but if I were considering a 3800 I'd at least give the 4308 a test run first.

Just my 2 cents.

[shockin330i]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

I'm not trying to get in a war with the whole yamaha brightness thing, but this is only true of their lower models and older receivers. I own 2 prior flagships from Yamaha (RX-V1 and RX-Z1) and the next model down from the late 90's (RX-V2095), and I assure you the brightness is not present in these models, although the 2095 sounds a little thin compared to the flagship units. When I picked up the Z1, I demo'd it with the Denon AVR-5803, both hooked to the same energy speakers (don't recall the model). If anything the Z1 was a tad warmer than the 5803. I can't stand sharp/bright highs, and in the 4 years I've owned the Z1 it hasn't beat my ears or head down for a second.

The 3800 would be comparable in their line to the 2095 (i.e., next model down from the flagship - the Z11 is due out in November, btw), so I think the 3800 is a great choice. However, I would also suggest maybe giving the Denon AVR-4308ci a listen. It's more expensive than the the 3800, but if I were considering a 3800 I'd at least give the 4308 a test run first.

Just my 2 cents.

Right now my father has the RX-V4600. He bought it a few months ago and really the only reason he wants a new reciever is because he wants 1.3a. I'll let him know about the Denon reciver so that he can hear it.

This is his current set up (exuse the mess and wires hanging all over, I had my ipod and computer connected at the time)

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by shockin330i

Right now my father has the RX-V4600. He bought it a few months ago and really the only reason he wants a new reciever is because he wants 1.3a.

Yeah, that's the only reason why I have the upgrade itch myself, but I hate to part with the Z1 considering the price of the new Z11 flagship.

Anyway, If he's set on Yamaha then the 3800 might be the best route, especially if he likes the DSP for movies since it adds a distinct sound. Here's a good retailer website that offers a decent discount on HT equipment: Soundpros. I'm sure when the 3800 comes out they'll have it for cheaper than the $1699 MSRP. The Denon AVR-4308ci MSRP is $2499, but it's available here for $1935. I've picked up some gear from them and the owners are great to work with.