Oh MY! lol nobody mention anything about this!

[yellowblanket]

might be out of line here but i think 90% of people audition for speakers, not receivers.
i love the 805

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

Are you implying that people buy Onkyo recievers because of the listed features a power output when the recievers themselves actually sound like crap? I have the 805 and love it. To me, it sounded better than the Yamaha V1800 and I really could not tell a difference between it and the Denon.

I wasn't saying it sounded like crap, but If they put out a new model with new features, it doesn't mean it sounds better than the previous models.

Mainly, what I'm suggesting, is the fact that people are passing up on some receivers that have great sound properties, in lieu of receivers that have extra features. The onkyo offers HDMI at a very nice entry price range with the 605, but for the sound quality, I find the Pioneer Elite, Denon, Marantz, and others have better sound (my opinion of course) when you start looking at the $1,000 + range compared to the Onkyo 905 etc.

Also, I thought the older Onkyo 803 had better sound than the current 805 with digital for 2 channel (the only comparison I've heard) but obviously the 805 now offers HDMI which offers the better audio from source, but component for component, the 803 I think was just made better/higher quality.


I also know that Speakers make the largest difference in immediate "output" for you $$$ so I have a modest Reciever, and the best speakers I was allowed (key word!!) to buy! I don't think you get good ROI by getting an $800 receiver for $1,000 speakers I think you'd be better served upgrading speakers, but I see people drawn to higher end receivers expecting it to make their speakers into something they aren't, and there will be improvement in sound, but only marginally.



I didn't want to suggest that Onkyo sounded "bad" I'm just saying that without auditioning, you'll never know what it's gonna sound like to 'YOU' until after you hook it up.

[MacDaddyOJack]

I see your stance, good point indeed. I did listen to Denon and Yamaha when I got the Onkyo and the Onkyo was it for me. The Denon sounded very much the same but had a larger price tag. I have never heard the 803, too bad that's not an option since Bluray hasthese new audio codecs! I agree with you when you say that people need to audition recievers although I think that most will notice more variation when auditioning speakers rather than recievers.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

I see your stance, good point indeed. I did listen to Denon and Yamaha when I got the Onkyo and the Onkyo was it for me. The Denon sounded very much the same but had a larger price tag. I have never heard the 803, too bad that's not an option since Bluray hasthese new audio codecs! I agree with you when you say that people need to audition recievers although I think that most will notice more variation when auditioning speakers rather than recievers.

I agree! and as long as what you have sounds good to you, you're all set! I think the Onkyos sound fine by the way, and I'm putting off an upgrade because I'm waiting for prices to drop a little more, and my current receiver is doing just fine (and I got it fairly recently so I can't justify the cost of replacement right now)

I'd also like a new T.V. but that ain't happening either!

[jomari]

good initial posting from beta man, and brought out some very valid responses. its like buying speakers. the consumer sometimes is so brand meticulous they dont know what brings them to em at all. read:blind buy.

on the onkyo and denon side, i guess its a matter of preference. some people consider denon a little bit warm, and well, somehow it doesnt 'match' some speakers. but my ears did the judging. so again, a matter of preference.

as much as auditioning recievers, it also plays in important factor here. remember: these are investments, not just 'parts' of a HT system, or even an audio system. even before the whole 5.1 'audiophiles' came out, there were the 2 channel listeners. whom, would by chance always consider to audition them by agreeing with the good ol mom and pop store, to bring home, test, and see if it works for em. if not, they buy something else, giving them good business in the long run. a good example is the onset of tube amplifiers, this alone can bring out a lot of questions, and well, perceptions about them as well. you can also consider how people buy their pre/pro's and amps to see how good they 'match', let alone how it goes with their current speaker setup too..

in summary, some people do get 'fooled' by what the 'tale of the tape' is distributed by the manufacturers, and dont consider to audition them before making the big plunge. perception plays a big part as well, may it be brand recognition and or commitment, vs what is out there in the same bracket.

[guitarist155]

i agree also as far as if it sounds good it does not matter, but there are some features that are important to how it sounds like dsd direct to analog as opposed to dsd to pcm to analog for sacd. and while i know people prefer dennon i could not find a dennon receiver that could do this. so while that is a feature, it is a matter of sound quality just my 2cents

[jomari]

i cant find dennon recievers either. :P