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Denon 1612 best budget AVR?

post #1 of 10
7/28/12 at 8:48pm
Thread Starter 
I've done searches and had my own thread about budget AVRs, and again and again people seem to say the Denon AVR-1612 is the best sub $300 AVR. Now, is it ONLY because it can EQ the sub automagically? That seems to be the one thing said about it again and again. Is the power or sound quality that much better than a lower end Pioneer, like the VSX-522? I ask because I recently picked up that Pioneer from Best Buy over the Denon AVR-1612. Largely because the Denon was going for $320 vs the Pioneer at $250. Is the Denon $70 better? I still haven't even opened the Pioneer, so I could possibly go swap it out still.
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post #2 of 10
7/28/12 at 9:26pm
It's better than the Pioneer because of the discrete amp section and the Audyssey MultEQ. Plus you get a 2 year warranty vs 1 on the Pioneer. The VSX-522 also uses cheap spring clips on the center and surround speaker terminals vs binding post. The Denon also has a multibrand remote while the Pioneer does not.

If you buy the Denon AVR 1612 online you can get it for $199 shipped. I would never pay $320 for it. The Denon AVR 1913 was just $299 last week at Fry's Electronics but that's probably a rare sale.


AVR 1612 at Crutchfield.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_033AV1612/Denon-AVR-1612.html?search=denon_avr_1612&skipvs=T

$20 discount at checkout using 3A172 promo code
Edited by afrogt - 7/28/12 at 9:47pm
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post #3 of 10
7/29/12 at 6:12am
Thread Starter 
Well, this is going on the Best Buy credit card, so that's why I went with the Pioneer as it was one of the cheapest at Best Buy but looked to have the features I needed. I could head back over there and see what they have for slightly more. I did notice they had a Denon 1712 for $238. The problem is it had no remote, no mic, no nothing. I believe it was pulled out of the Magnolia room during a recent switch to newer AVRs.
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post #4 of 10
7/29/12 at 6:31am
A new mic can be purchased for $25 and if you use a Harmony remote to control all your devices, you can download the 1712 remote codes from the Logitech website to the Harmony remote. The owner's manual can be downloaded from Denon's website and the AM/FM antenna's can be easily replaced if you use those features.
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post #5 of 10
7/29/12 at 6:43am
Thread Starter 
More than the missing accessories, I was a little worried about it having been a display AVR that people messed with for the last year or so. Should I worry about that? Is the 1712 significantly better than the other 2 receivers I have mentioned?
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post #6 of 10
7/29/12 at 6:49am
The 1712 offers the better version of Audyssey MultEQ XT which would likely be more noticeable the better the quality of the speakers. It would still come with Denon's 2 year warranty. Why not just pick it up and compare both models side by side, returning the one you don't want?
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post #7 of 10
7/29/12 at 7:09am
Thread Starter 
I think perhaps I'm overthinking it a little. I'm coming from a Sound Bar to a full 5.1 surround set up with the budget Andrew Jones speakers. I'm thinking maybe the Pioneer receiver I got will be plenty for me.
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post #8 of 10
7/29/12 at 3:48pm
multeq xt seems like it would be best or more noticeable on small satelites with sub since it does more corrections and measurements at upper crossover points the speakers do have to be decent though

like my satelites have 31/2 inch driver so audyssey put crossover at 150hz it would help out at frequencies around there on subwoofer side
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post #9 of 10
7/29/12 at 3:54pm
I would get the 1712 for $238, and I would ask the manager for a bigger discount since no remote and mic.

And then call Denon about the missing remote and mic. Maybe they'll send you both parts.
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post #10 of 10
7/30/12 at 3:13pm
Thread Starter 
I went ahead and brought the VSX-522 back and picked up the Denon 1613 instead, they gave me a little break on that brand new, and all the reviews I have looked at for the 1612 have been glowing. I figure the 1613 is just the next-gen of that, so should be good. I was still reluctant on the 1712 due to the usage in the Magnolia room.
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