HELP me decide on which receiver to buy...

[CRAW]

So I'm going to pull the trigger and get a new receiver, but I don't know which one I should get. I'm hoping you guys, with your vast, and wonderful knowledge can help, or better yet, own one of these beauties.

My choices:

Denon AVR-2309CI (http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4527.asp)
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4774/denonavr2309cikr5.jpg

Onkyo TX-SR806 (http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR806&class=Receiver&p=i)
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6331/onkyotxsr806iq7.jpg

Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/EliteReceivers/ci.VSX-01TXH.Kuro)
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7238/pioneervsx01thxsj4.jpg

They are all basically the same from what I can see/read, and I love the way the Pioneer looks, but also like the Denon's Dynamic Volume option where it keeps the sound basically the same while watching TV (ever get blown out by a commercial?). The Onkyo is okay, and the price is much better than the Pio or Denon...

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[km630]

I have a predecessor model to this Denon. I love it. Everyone that has come into the TV room has commented on how good the sound is, and we are running 5.1 only. The second zone is used for sound in another room. The Dynamic Volume option is a neat feature. The only complaint we have is from my wife. She thinks the remote is confusing. But, from the looks of the new remote(s), Denon has done a lot to try to make the remote easier to understand.

am no audiophile, and I do not have any experience with any of the others, but I do not think you can go wrong with the Denon.

Kipper

[Quads]

I like the Denon in this line up.

[CRAW]

I went with the Pioneer Elite. I'm going to go throw up now. http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/9999/sick2mn2.gif

The reason I chose it was because again of the looks, and also I plan on getting a Pioneer plasma in a couple months. I couldn't get past them both matching and looking good on the TV stand. Weird, I know.

They're all great receivers, and I guess it came down to aesthetics over everything else for me. Thanks again though.

[Quads]

At times, yes, it comes down to that. Pioneer is good stuff. I'm sure you'll be plenty happy with it when all is said and done.

[Doctor_XXX]

I went with the Pioneer Elite. I'm going to go throw up now.
Talk about throwing up...I ending up pulling the trigger on the Onkyo TX-NR906 from this thread: http://www.perfectmancave.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9550 :eek: CRRF

Like you, at my price-point, I had a hard time deciding between Pioneer, Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo. For just one minor weakness (in my mind), the Onkyo stood out in all major categories, especially since it was a few bucks cheaper. I'm hooking it up this week, but I'm sure you'll be as happy with your Pioneer as I am with my new Onkyo.

Nice purchase!!! :cool:

[CRAW]

Talk about throwing up...I ending up pulling the trigger on the Onkyo TX-NR906 from this thread: http://www.perfectmancave.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9550 :eek: CRRF

Like you, at my price-point, I had a hard time deciding between Pioneer, Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo. For just one minor weakness (in my mind), the Onkyo stood out in all major categories, especially since it was a few bucks cheaper. I'm hooking it up this week, but I'm sure you'll be as happy with your Pioneer as I am with my new Onkyo.

Nice purchase!!! :cool:

Woah! That's a good looking beast!

Yeah, they're all good/quality names, but I think in the end it has to come down to what you're going to enjoy looking at for the next several years. The Onkyo's are certainly easy on the eyes, but I had to go w/ Pioneer since I'm 99% positive I'm going to be getting a plasma from the same mold. That, and plus the fact the looks melt my heart. :)

[CRAW]

I got the Pioneer delivered to work yesterday and set it up last night. Wow! Have I been missing out on digital audio or what?! I was blown away! My crappy old speakers have never sounded so rich, and crisp!

I highly recommend this AVR!!!

[dermaestro]

To threadjack a little, how much of an improvement is it for a dedicated receiver compared to a home theater in a box? I have an Onkyo 5.1 HTIB at home that has worked very well but am looking to revamp now that I have my new TV.

[Quads]

Much.
While the theater in a box systems are great, priced right, and good quality, there is a remarkable difference in a component system.

Much like there would be when you make the move from an all in one AVR / Receiver / Amp, to a preamp, and then again, individual components feeding each source.

I think it depends on how serious you want to get with it, and what kind of price point you want to stay in (or go out of respectively)

[dermaestro]

Well, that's the stage I'm in right now. Just dropped $1800 for an HDTV. We're most likely changing satellite service soon.

The Onkyo setup I have is a great bang for the buck, but now it's dated with no HDMI and only 5.1 audio.

We have a pretty large room where this TV is now sitting. I'm designing a built-in wall unit designed around the TV and want to be able to accommodate the future electronics it will house.

The investment in a new receiver would mean an investment in speakers. I don't think my Onkyo speakers will handle the power.