Yamaha RX-V3900 or Onkyo TX-NR906?

[the_r]

Hi guys, was wondering if I could get some quick feedback as to users/owners experience with these receivers.

This isn't my purchase actually, as I'm doing research for my brother.

He's narrowed it down to these two, and was wondering if users/owners could weigh in with any existing quirks/problems they have with their receivers.

I've heard that the 906 has scaler issues with it?

I'm not sure what he's hooking up to it speaker wise but I do know that he needs the receiver to have very good video processing abilities, so that might rule out the 906.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

- Rick

[Lucy Diamond]

Yamaha is completely bulletproof.
The sound quality is amazing for the money and they are so easy to setup and maintain.

Have your brother check out tvcity.tv. I bought my 1800 for around 840.00 when it was still 12oo everywhere else.

Have him look at the new RX-v1900 because the differences between that series and the 39 series is usually networking capabilites that you may not need and a global (7.1) 100watts which you won't hear anyway.

Good luck and take care,

[the_r]

Originally Posted by Lucy Diamond

Yamaha is completely bulletproof.
The sound quality is amazing for the money and they are so easy to setup and maintain.

Have your brother check out tvcity.tv. I bought my 1800 for around 840.00 when it was still 12oo everywhere else.

Have him look at the new RX-v1900 because the differences between that series and the 39 series is usually networking capabilites that you may not need and a global (7.1) 100watts which you won't hear anyway.

Good luck and take care,

Hey thanks for the input! Appreciate it.

I should really make my brother post his own questions, but he's not the forum type.

I'd suggest he take a look at the 1900 as well, but I just noticed it doesn't have the Anchor Bay video processors that the 3900 has, and I think he places a high priority on video upscaling ability.

And I agree with you about the networking features. I don't think he'd use it much b/c he already has a PS3 to stream all his PC media. I'm sure it's a lot easier on the PS3 too.

So he's basically paying more for just the additional video processing features on the 3900 it looks like.

Any word from the Onkyo camp?

[petenad]

Originally Posted by the_r

Hey thanks for the input! Appreciate it.

I should really make my brother post his own questions, but he's not the forum type.

I'd suggest he take a look at the 1900 as well, but I just noticed it doesn't have the Anchor Bay video processors that the 3900 has, and I think he places a high priority on video upscaling ability.

And I agree with you about the networking features. I don't think he'd use it much b/c he already has a PS3 to stream all his PC media. I'm sure it's a lot easier on the PS3 too.

So he's basically paying more for just the additional video processing features on the 3900 it looks like.

Any word from the Onkyo camp?

Well you were asking about the 3900 and the 906 so I didn't answer but the Tx-Nr905 is what I have. I preferred the sound over the Yamaha just me though. Both are network capable, the power supply in the Onkyo I believe is superior. But if he's gonna spend the money push him out the door to find out where to listen to them .........that's the fun part. Can't comment on these news series I don't think they have been out long enough for people to have purchased them. Let him buy it and let us know.

[ozzman]

Don't worry they will be here soon,They always show up

By the way two good company's but i have a funny feel you already know what i would recommend

Goodluck,Brother

[CasualKiller]

The way I see it is that Yamaha and Onkyo both have a competition for best "budget" receivers.

So as far as 5-800.00 receivers go in my opinion, Yamaha has a better musical sound and less of a home theater sound, Onkyo the opposite, more for home theater, less for music.

Now when you start looking at the price range of the 906 and that 3900, I would personally avoid both and go with a Denon or a Marantz, both being strong in both the music and home theater departments.

So if I had the same amount of cash to spend I would look at either of these 2, neither one would be a regretted purchase and in my opinion would be an improvement over either of the ones you listed:

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3510.asp

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2205.asp

[petenad]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

The way I see it is that Yamaha and Onkyo both have a competition for best "budget" receivers.

So as far as 5-800.00 receivers go in my opinion, Yamaha has a better musical sound and less of a home theater sound, Onkyo the opposite, more for home theater, less for music.

Now when you start looking at the price range of the 906 and that 3900, I would personally avoid both and go with a Denon or a Marantz, both being strong in both the music and home theater departments.

So if I had the same amount of cash to spend I would look at either of these 2, neither one would be a regretted purchase and in my opinion would be an improvement over either of the ones you listed:

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3510.asp

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2205.asp

If your gonna throw these into the mix then look at the Denon 4308 and the Marantz 8002 just to be sure your comparing apples to apples and you may as well and the Integra 8.8 Now watch your head spin

[CasualKiller]

Originally Posted by petenad

If your gonna throw these into the mix then look at the Denon 4308 and the Marantz 8002 just to be sure your comparing apples to apples and you may as well and the Integra 8.8 Now watch your head spin

I quoted receivers in the same price range as the Onkyo / Yamaha, the ones you listed are way above that range.

[ozzman]

I disagree with you CasualKiller.

My theater sounds Amazing with my Yamaha Receiver.If it didn't ,Trust me i would of took it back in a hurry.
Where's your Proof that ONKyo sound better,Theater Wise and Yamaha is less Better.Where does this come from?

You also got to remember too,It could also depend on what speakers you have.(That's a big deal)

I find a lot of Onkyo owners use Kilpsch speakers (for some reason)I bet if you took both recievers and used Paradigm speakers you might come to a different conclusion(Iam just saying)

Have you used my Receiver in your setup.Because if you haven't then you really can't say that now can you. Iam not trying to start a fight with you Brother i just want to know where your coming from.

Music and theater sounds amazing with Yamaha.
Trust me I know First hand .
I cant comment on Onkyo because Ive never had one But i can read reviews like everyone else .
But the proof for me is take something home and playing with it for a couple days ,Then i can comment.
It seem there's a lot of happy owners.
Just like there's a lot of happy Yamaha owners

PEACE

[twoboyz]

I have had the Denon 4308 with no issues what so ever. Great reciever. I sold it and bought the 906 and put some money in my pocket. The set up on the 906 is a piece of cake. The Denon I believe is a little light on the the bottom end, but has a great mid range sound to it. The Onkyo on the other hand has great bottom end but may lack some of the clarity in the highs. But after some tweaking the Onkyo is sounding great. I will say that the Denon does run much cooler that either the Yamaha or the Onkyo. I have heard the Yamaha @ Magnolia with the same speaker set up I have. With that said you could not go wrong with either. By the way, I did purchase a Rotel 1095 all I can say is unbelievable.

Onkyo Tx-Nr906 (pre/pro)
Rotel 1095
Def Tech BP 7002's, CLR 2500, UIW BPZ/A (2), UIW 94/A (2)
Monster 5100 MK2
Richard Grays s600 Power Conditioner
Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD (Blu-Ray)
Denon DVD 3930ci (DVD, SACD)
Samsung 5084 1080p

[ozzman]

Ive also had a Denon,Before my Yamaha(I love Denon,Great recievers.)
Really it was a toss up when upgrading.I've given my reciever a lot of space and never found it to run hot.

I also had a Marantz 7002 in my setup.It didn't make me go WOW.It's a good reciever but for me the sound i was too laid back.

Denon 4308 Great reciever

[the_r]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

The way I see it is that Yamaha and Onkyo both have a competition for best "budget" receivers.

So as far as 5-800.00 receivers go in my opinion, Yamaha has a better musical sound and less of a home theater sound, Onkyo the opposite, more for home theater, less for music.

Now when you start looking at the price range of the 906 and that 3900, I would personally avoid both and go with a Denon or a Marantz, both being strong in both the music and home theater departments.

So if I had the same amount of cash to spend I would look at either of these 2, neither one would be a regretted purchase and in my opinion would be an improvement over either of the ones you listed:

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3510.asp

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2205.asp

hey thanks for the response.

i also suggested both those brands, namely the Denon 3808 i believe it was, and something in Marantz lineup in the same price range.

i'm not sure if this analogy is accurate since i'm not familiar with the history of these receiver brands, but these higher-end Yamaha's and Onkyo's are like the top of the line Honda's or Toyota's, where as the Marantz to me seems like an Audi brand. Not sure about the Denon though

my bro said the 3808 is an old model, and both the Yamaha and Onkyo were brand new models.

obviously "newness" isn't on top of everyone's priority list, especially since it means it'll cost more.

but hey, he's got money to spend, and he's got his eye on these two.

i'm kinda leaning towards something from marantz too, just because of the good things i've heard, although i've never actually listened/used one of their receivers before.

[ozzman]

It's definitely personal preference.

Like i said i had the Marantz 7002 for 3 days and took it back,But there's a lot of people that love the sound of Marantz .
You might just be one of those people It's a great reciever(But not for me)

[the_r]

Originally Posted by twoboyz

I have had the Denon 4308 with no issues what so ever. Great reciever. I sold it and bought the 906 and put some money in my pocket. The set up on the 906 is a piece of cake. The Denon I believe is a little light on the the bottom end, but has a great mid range sound to it. The Onkyo on the other hand has great bottom end but may lack some of the clarity in the highs. But after some tweaking the Onkyo is sounding great. I will say that the Denon does run much cooler that either the Yamaha or the Onkyo. I have heard the Yamaha @ Magnolia with the same speaker set up I have. With that said you could not go wrong with either. By the way, I did purchase a Rotel 1095 all I can say is unbelievable.

Onkyo Tx-Nr906 (pre/pro)
Rotel 1095
Def Tech BP 7002's, CLR 2500, UIW BPZ/A (2), UIW 94/A (2)
Monster 5100 MK2
Richard Grays s600 Power Conditioner
Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD (Blu-Ray)
Denon DVD 3930ci (DVD, SACD)
Samsung 5084 1080p

the 906 seems feature packed, but how is the upscaler on it? i've read/heard briefly that the 905 had some issues with it, and not sure if the 906 has resolved it.

that's my only concern about the 906. i'd much rather suggest something more 'bulletproof' to my bro, than something that needs constant firmware upgrades and fixes. although it's nice that the manufacturer is doing this for us, it's still too unbearable given that we're in the consumer electronics arena, and not PC.

and yeah yeah, i know those two worlds are colliding, but i'd still rather not see the day where all our electronics need firmware fixes/upgrades!

i've had a samsung bdp1200 blu-ray player, and that was headache enough.

[Nooff]

Originally Posted by the_r

the 906 seems feature packed, but how is the upscaler on it? i've read/heard briefly that the 905 had some issues with it, and not sure if the 906 has resolved it.

that's my only concern about the 906. i'd much rather suggest something more 'bulletproof' to my bro, than something that needs constant firmware upgrades and fixes. although it's nice that the manufacturer is doing this for us, it's still too unbearable given that we're in the consumer electronics arena, and not PC.

and yeah yeah, i know those two worlds are colliding, but i'd still rather not see the day where all our electronics need firmware fixes/upgrades!

i've had a samsung bdp1200 blu-ray player, and that was headache enough.

The 905 scaler issues are solved. The 906 is an amazing piece of kit for the money. It's the first ISF licensed Amp and has stunning sound for music and home theater use. I preffered the Onkyo's sound over the Yamaha, because I think it offers more detail. To each his own, but I find Yamaha a bit too much bass oriented. I like clean and powerfull bass, but the Yamaha seems to be a bit less controled compared to the 906. Just my thoughts

[petenad]

Originally Posted by the_r

the 906 seems feature packed, but how is the upscaler on it? i've read/heard briefly that the 905 had some issues with it, and not sure if the 906 has resolved it.

that's my only concern about the 906. i'd much rather suggest something more 'bulletproof' to my bro, than something that needs constant firmware upgrades and fixes. although it's nice that the manufacturer is doing this for us, it's still too unbearable given that we're in the consumer electronics arena, and not PC.

and yeah yeah, i know those two worlds are colliding, but i'd still rather not see the day where all our electronics need firmware fixes/upgrades!

i've had a samsung bdp1200 blu-ray player, and that was headache enough.

I've had no issues with any upscaling however I bought mine later in the year maybe any of the issues you mention were fixed before it went out the doors.
And with Casuals comments I was looking at the options run down on the specifications of those receivers wasn't really looking at prices, and those higher end receivers the winner IMO was the Onkyo. Again it may be because my ears are not as sensitive as they used to be but I like things running around 100+db and with the power coming out of the 905 then there's no worries.

[ozzman]

I never had a problem with my bass at all.
But at the same token i run all my speakers small, and subs at 80HZ (so i control the bass).It's a beautiful thing.
The Clarity out of my speaker are amazing .I can't complain.But like you said each there own.

By the way Happy Halloween to everyone,I just bought Nightmare before Christmas and Rob Zombies Halloween(Blu) for me a my 4 boys to watch tonight.

I Love Halloween

[dobyblue]

Regarding the RX-V3900 and TX-SR906 - neither are budget receivers unless you're comparing them to the RX-Z11 and 5308CI.

Both are excellent and I don't think you'd be disappointed with either. I will note that they took out DSD>Analog from the Onkyo xx6 line, which the xx5 line did have (905, 975 and 905 only). I listen to a lot of SACD's and I'm using a Pioneer Elite DV-48 which supports DSD out through HDMI. For me it made the 805 the one I wanted over the 806 and I couldn't budget a newer Yammy at the same power level. The Ultra2 Onkyo's are incredible where power is concerned, they just don't care how loud you turn them.

The Onkyo also uses the premium DAC's from Burr Brown (PCM1796) versus the PCM1791A used in the Yamaha. Does that make a big difference? Most likely not at all. The Denon 4308CI uses the same PCM1791A as the Yammy 3800/3900, the $5,500 Denon 5308CI and $5000 Yamaha RX-Z11 use the same PCM1796 DAC's as the Onkyo 805-906 units. Must be some reason why they're used in the most expensive models.

Anyway I find the Onkyo is excellent for multi-channel DVD-A and SACD bitstream reproduction. For Analog multi-channel I'd probably look at the Denon 3808 or 4308.

Originally Posted by ozzman

I find a lot of Onkyo owners use Kilpsch speakers (for some reason)I bet if you took both recievers and used Paradigm speakers you might come to a different conclusion(Iam just saying)

I cant comment on Onkyo because Ive never had one

Well, I'm in St. Catharines too, right downtown a few minutes walk from Merchant Ale House.

I have the TX-SR805 hooked up with the following Paradigm speakers.

Fronts - Monitor 11v5
Centre - Monitor CC-370v4
Rears - Monitor 11v4
Sub - Servo 15v2

I'd be happy to let you hear some SACD's and DVD-A's on it sometime.

[CasualKiller]

I never said they where budget receivers I said Onkyo and Yamaha are in competition for budget receivers in the 5-800.00 dollar range.

The point of my post was merely to suggest that once you start going out of that price range there are MUCH better receivers from other companies also in that price range.

And yes I have an Onkyo in my sig, nothing wrong with it, it runs everything just fine. But after I save up enough to bring this bad boy home <releases Dec> I fully intend to use my Onkyo as target practice....

http://www.arcam.co.uk/downloads/AV600-brochure-web.pdf

[ozzman]

DobyBlue,Gibby's for speakers Iam i right.

Right on ,That's cool.It's nice to have someone else from St.Catharines on this forum.

I grabbed my reciever,TV, two subs and center at Gibby's.
They love me as a customer there .