Yamaha RX-A3000/3010 vs Denon AVR-4311CI

Originally Posted by dschiller

I'm going to update my TV and Onkyo receiver at the end of this year. I have a 7.2 speaker system with reference Boston series speakers, a Hsu VTF-2 sub, and a Velodyne Minivee-10 sub. I'm going to get a Samsung 8000 series TV for my 50th b-day, and I'm hoping to get some guidance on the key differences and recommendations between the Yamaha and Denon receivers in the $1000-2000 range. The key things I'm looking for in features are min 7.2, at least 125W/ch, iPod connectivity, a good remote and perhaps a good GUI, and it would be nice to have some network capability (including ability to add Sirius radio down the road). But if there are some other things that should be considered a "must have," please let me know. I'm not going to upgrade my receiver again this decade, so when in doubt I'd rather pay a bit more now to not regret TOO much not having a different receiver 2 yrs from now.

From what I've read in this forum, Yamaha didn't do much in their upgrade from the RX-A3000 to the RX-A3010. It appears the 3010 might have a better GUI and maybe a better iPod connection (?), but I wonder if there is some other feature differences I'm missing other than an extra 10W/ch (big whoop). Again, I don't mind spending a few hundred extra bucks which I'll forget all about a year from now if the 3010 at least added a couple good new features.

My dilemna with Denon is that I'm getting my TV at the end of the year, and I don't want to wait until Spring 2012 (min) for the AVR-4313. So if I went with Denon, my choice would be between the AVR-4311CI and the AVR-3312CI. It would go against my grain to buy the AVR-4311CI which came out about a year ago instead of the Yamaha RX-A3010 for about the same price since the spec/features of these two look really similar. Is there a big difference in quality or features between these two that I'm missing?

Thanks in advance for pointing out some of the key differences and any other recommendations (including other brands to consider?).

Originally Posted by dschiller

... The key things I'm looking for in features are min 7.2, at least 125W/ch.

Originally Posted by baforer

I would take Yamaha's power ratings with a grain of salt. I have the A2000 which is rated at 130W but Home Theater Magazine posted test results that says at .1% THD it is only outputting 71W with 5 channels driven and I think it was 63W with 7 channels driven.

Originally Posted by JimP

Without getting too sidetracked, do you recall why some prefer ypao over audyssey?

Originally Posted by eecubed

you can make adjustments to ypao's output and tune the result to your taste. You can't with audyssey so you either like the audyssey output or your turn it off. If you turn it off, then you lose access to other audyssey's feature like dyn volume and possibly dsx.

Audyssey is technically more sophisticated than ypao though.

Originally Posted by dschiller

I'm going to update my TV and Onkyo receiver at the end of this year. I have a 7.2 speaker system with reference Boston series speakers, a Hsu VTF-2 sub, and a Velodyne Minivee-10 sub. I'm going to get a Samsung 8000 series TV for my 50th b-day, and I'm hoping to get some guidance on the key differences and recommendations between the Yamaha and Denon receivers in the $1000-2000 range. The key things I'm looking for in features are min 7.2, at least 125W/ch, iPod connectivity, a good remote and perhaps a good GUI, and it would be nice to have some network capability (including ability to add Sirius radio down the road). But if there are some other things that should be considered a "must have," please let me know. I'm not going to upgrade my receiver again this decade, so when in doubt I'd rather pay a bit more now to not regret TOO much not having a different receiver 2 yrs from now.

From what I've read in this forum, Yamaha didn't do much in their upgrade from the RX-A3000 to the RX-A3010. It appears the 3010 might have a better GUI and maybe a better iPod connection (?), but I wonder if there is some other feature differences I'm missing other than an extra 10W/ch (big whoop). Again, I don't mind spending a few hundred extra bucks which I'll forget all about a year from now if the 3010 at least added a couple good new features.

My dilemna with Denon is that I'm getting my TV at the end of the year, and I don't want to wait until Spring 2012 (min) for the AVR-4313. So if I went with Denon, my choice would be between the AVR-4311CI and the AVR-3312CI. It would go against my grain to buy the AVR-4311CI which came out about a year ago instead of the Yamaha RX-A3010 for about the same price since the spec/features of these two look really similar. Is there a big difference in quality or features between these two that I'm missing?

Thanks in advance for pointing out some of the key differences and any other recommendations (including other brands to consider?).

Originally Posted by LBAM

My DSP-A3090 just went belly up after 14 years of service and now I am looking at the Denon Avr-4810Ci or the Yamaha 3010. I must admit that I have have always loved the Yamaha quality with the natural sounds. Moreover, when married with their natural sound CD changer, nothing compares. Though I am not totally sold on the Yamaha, I want the best bang for my bucks. I was in BB store listening and making comparison, the mid to lower end Denon had higher sound levels than the Yamaha, but when the Yamaha cranks up, they sould really good.
I have been told that Denon tend to have some quality and maintainance issues. I have been to five different audio stores that sells both and three sales person said they would stick with Yamaha and for various reasons. Though I would get a bigger bang for my money on the Denon, I feel as if I am leaning towards Yahama. Is anyone familiar with the AVR4810Ci, and if so, what's your experience? When will the 3010 made available?

Originally Posted by Tom899

One feature the Yamaha RX-Axxxx series has is Switching of Inputs while in Standby. If you have multiple HDMI inputs and at times like to just watch the TV without turning the AVR on and have the ability to switch those inputs without turning the AVR on, Yamaha is the only one that will do this. Most all of the other company AVR's have pass-through but not switching while in standby. I called Denon Friday and they do not currently make any receivers that support this feature. This feature may not be important to you but thought I would let you know.