Receivers: They come in all flavors and prices...

[NorthStar]

I'm the kind of person who believe (and know) that each receiver or/and amplifier sounds different to the next manufacturer's one. And that with receivers, as well with separate amplifiers & preamplifiers, speakers matching is the key to "your sound".

Now, sound quality is totally irrespective of "most" measurements, but nonetheless most common mortal humans put a big emphasis on measurements; except the very well "dressed". ...People who only want the very best without asking for measurements and where money is totally irrelative into their equation.

_____________________

Just some observations on some flagship A/V Receivers' measurements:

1. Denon AVR-5805CI => $7,200 MSRP
2. Pioneer Elite SC-09 => $7,000 MSRP
3. Lexicon RV-8 => $6,995 MSRP
4. Denon AVR-5308CI (with the latest Audyssey XT32 upgrade) => $6,700 MSRP
5. Yamaha RX-Z11 => $5,500 MSRP
6. Arcam AVR600 => $4,999 MSRP
7. Sunfire TGR-3 => $4,999 MSRP
8. Yamaha RX-Z9 => $4,500 MSRP
9. Marantz SR9600XM => $4,200 MSRP
10. NAD T785 => $3,799 MSRP
11. Arcam AVR500 => $3,499 MSRP
12. B&K AVR507 S2 => $3,498 MSRP

--> And I could have added another dozen or so more ranging from $3,399 down to $2,999 (Denon AVR-4810CI).

But let me add the last one here; the Onkyo TX-SR805 => $1,099 MSRP (just for fun).

Now, from the same instruments and in the same circumstances and from the same set of measurements; guess which one of those receivers above measure best for overall power output with 5 channels driven continuously into 8 Ohm loads, at 1 kHz and with 0.1% THD?
...The Pioneer Elite SC-09 with ICE (class D) amplification.

With 7 channels driven into 8 Ohm (same specs)? ...Pioneer Elite SC09 again.
With 2 channels driven into 8 Ohm (same specs)? ...Yamaha RX-Z11.
With 2 channels driven into 4 Ohm (same specs)? ...Pioneer Elite SC-09 again.

Best THD+N? ...Denon AVR-4810CI
Best S/N Ratio? ...Denon AVR-4810CI
Best Crosstalk (L to R & R to L)? ...Pioneer Elite SC-09

But those are all irrelevant because they are very close among other models, and they only tell part of the full picture. But I just mentioned them just for the fun of it. ...And without exact figures because the parameters can vary from unit to unit plus the variables done by the technician...

They are only an indicator, an approximation...

Between these receivers:

1. Denon AVR-5805CI (97 pounds)
2. Yamaha RX-Z9 (66 pounds)
3. Lexicon RV-8 (65 pounds)
4. NAD T785 (56 pounds)
5. Arcam AVR600 (55 pounds)
6. Onkyo TX-SR805 (51 pounds)
7. Arcam AVR500 (49 pounds)

...The Onkyo TX-SR805 has the best "overall" set of measurements! Power into 8 & 4 Ohm loads,
with 2, 5, and 7 channels driven continuously (at 0.1% & 1% THD), THD+N, S/N Ratio, Crosstalk (Channel Separation between L & R, and R & L), Frequency Response from the Multichannel Analog outputs.
I said "overall" here. And it comes close to the other top guns not mentioned but from the first list (dozen) above.
{I won't mention street prices here, as you guys & gals are pretty knowledgeable on this.}

* I have a special notebook at home where I keep all the measurements for easy comparison between most receivers of importance in the last 15 years or so, and up to now. A reference notebook if you will... And with all the best deals (prices). And of course all the specs (parts, weight, DACs, DSP chips, Video chips, analog stage implementation, differential mode if applicable, certifications' grades, true power delivery, transformers, transistors, op-amps, heatsinks, reliability, and a bunch more coordinates from pro reviews, owners, and all that Jazz)...

One thing I do not know though: how they performn (sound) in people's own homes with their own speakers and setups.
But I do know how they compare on average at my audio dealer rooms (but without perfection because the speakers do change as other variables, of course).

This thread is about receivers, and can even include stereo receivers. And some of the multichannel integrated amps, from like Yamaha as an example, can also be part of this as there aren't that many anyway.
So, please, understand here that there are limits as to their power delivery and their build quality plus thgeir total weight. They are not for dedicated systems of higher envergure, where some Boulder or Classe or other high-end power houses an separate pre/pros are used with "dynamite" loudspeakers.

No sir, receivers are for much more modest systems.
But they can also be used as pre/pros with additional separate amplification.

In most people homes, A/V Receivers are all you truly need, and they come at all levels;
from $100 to roughly $7,000.

Same as with separates; from $1,000 to $700,000+.

That's all for today folks.

P.S. If I make (made) any typos, I luv (love) to be corrected. TY

[NorthStar]

[NorthStar]

Did any of you saw the Denon AVR-4311CI A/V Receiver for only $799 brand new at Vanns before?

Comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT32, is Audyssey MultEQ Pro Ready (with Audyssey Pro kit)!
Has nine (9) integrated power amplifiers!
Has a preamp only mode!
Has a great GUI.
Has tons of features plus lots of streaming.
And all that Jazz ...
MSRP: $1,999

* Whoever paid only $799 got a great deal on that unit! ...60% off (brand new); not bad at all!

[NorthStar]

* New Onkyo TX-NR818 & TX-NR717 A/V Receivers - Press Release

** Onkyo TX-NR818 A/V Receiver - Features / Specs / Pictures ...

Lowest price ever for a receiver with Audyssey MultEQ XT32.
-> Street price eventually should be around $799 (TX-NR818)!

[NorthStar]

---Joerod (End User Clinician), a great member over at AVS Forum;
will have a review of the Onkyo TX-NR818 A/V Receiver very soon, at that same Forum.
{I will give you the direct link when available: post only.}

The MSRP for the 818 is $1,199 USD.
...But the street price should eventually and realistically get closer to $799 (33% off).

And remember; it is loaded with Audyssey MultEQ XT32, and has top-notch dual video processors. ...Plus all the latest Streaming features, THX Select2 Plus certification, and all that Jazz.

* More info is avail from the post just above (see direct link**).

I know that the majority (99% or so) of the members here would never consider a Receiver,
but with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 Room Correction & Calibration, Audyssey DSX, etc.,
it could be used as an excellent budget pre/pro.

_______________________

As for me, I am still very patient. ...Onkyo PR-SC5509 PRO Surround Processor coming perhaps in about two/three months or so (this Summer). ...And it's gorgeous looking, I think, personally.

That's it folks. Till then ...

[NorthStar]

-----Here!

EDIT: Their site is having difficulties at this moment (not the first time),
so I'll update my post when they finally get their act together.

Sorry & thank you for your patience.

EDIT #2: Fixed! ...Their site finally got their act together!

[gtbdevs]

Currently have a Pioneer VSX-32, which I have no issues with.

Have the opportunity to get the Onkyo TX-NR709 for a really great price.

Which one would you go with?

I have a 5.1 system

Definitive Tech speakers. studio 350's R/L
DT. BP2X surrounds
Sub..PC12-Plus
CLR2002 center speaker


TIA

[amirm]

Are you asking if you should switch from the Pioneer to the Onkyo?

[gtbdevs]

Yes.

Thanks

[amirm]

I am not seeing the reason to do that. Is there something specific that caught your eye? If you had a few hundred dollars, I would put it toward a second sub than another AVR.