I am currently running a Sony STR-DE895 and want to take it to the next level. I have a pair of Yamaha NS-707 towers up front w/ a Klipsch RC3 Center and a pair of B&W's in the rear. I have read mixed reviews about both the Yamaha and Denon. Maybe there is another product that I should concider. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
"I have read mixed reviews about both the Yamaha and Denon. Maybe there is another product that I should concider." Stof, I don't think Denon qualifies as another product. Just a guess.
What kind of receiver budget? You might want to go to "The Good Guys" and audition these different brands. Even within a brand, say Yamaha, the products they make range from junk to great stuff, depending on the price. In order to go to the next level from your Sony...for Yamaha, you'd need to get something like a RX-V1500 or better. The RX-V1500 list price is around $800, the RX-V2500 is around $1000. You can get them for $500/$700 if you look hard enough.
I want to keep it around $700-$800. I'm leaning towards the Denon 3805. Just looking for some honest opions from people that own either the Denon 3805 or Yamaha RX-V2500. I don't like going to the stores until I have a good idea of what I want.I always feel like they will tell you anything to make the sale.
The reviews for the 3805 and 2500 are ALL good. Those were my finalists when I recently replaced my old receiver, and the 2500 won. Sound quality wise, I graded them as equals, but I liked everything else about the yammi better.
I've had problems with Yamaha (and Sony) shorting out. The Yamaha was an Natural Sound integrated amp back in the late 70's - early 80's. The Sony was just about the same unit you're replacing. The left channel shorts out almost instantly on on every input except the tuner. The right channel shorts out eventually. Very annoying when you're watching a movie and it goes from surround, to mono, and then eventually no sound. I'm looking at denon and harmon kardon
The only problem I've had w/ my sony is it would go into protect mode if I cranked it up too loud. It only happened 2 or 3 times in the 3yrs I have owned it.I had a Denon AVR-1700 and loved the it. It had such a clean sound. That's one reason I am leaning towards the Denon rather than the Yamaha. Even thought tha Yammi is THX, I think the Denon will produce a better sound. I still have some time to decide, I'm not planning on buing one for a month or so. The Denon price just dropped a little, maybe they are going to release a new model. Time will tell.
Tracy you will love the 3805 ,such clear sound and plenty of power,little tricky at first figuring it out ,has so many functions.the only thing is it does'nt come with a calibrating mic like the denon 2805 ,but the sound makes up for it...the mic cost 65 bucks and makes it simple to phase in your speakers.
I am running a set on Yamaha NS-777 up front w/ a Klipch RC-3 Center, and a pair of B&W's in the rear (to be replaced after the receiver upgrade) and a Velodyne DSL 4000 12" Sub (I think thats the model#). I just found out that a friend of mine gets Yamaha at cost so thats not helping me make a decision. I was almost 100% set on the Denon till I heard that.