HK-1700 for $125 or Denon 1613 for $275?

So in Best Buy's Ad today it's featured that they are selling the HK-1700 for $199 (originally $499 apparently). I have $75 in gift cards which would bring it down to $125. The Denon is selling for $350 and I could bring that down to $275. If I wanted I could wait a while until the Denon 1613 also goes on clearance or sale, but I'm not sure if this is too good of a deal to pass up. The two things that are holding me back is the lack of HDMI standby pass through on the HK 1700 and the differences in audio calibration.

The Denon 1613 uses the Multi Audyssey and the HK-1700 uses the EZset. I always read that Multi Audyssey blows everything out of the park which is why I become hesitant. The HK is sold out online and there are only a few stores in my area that carry it. This will be my first receiver so I'm pretty new to all of this. My guess is they will sell pretty fast, so I need some quick thoughts/inputs from you guys.

So, what do you think???

Well, the system may be going into our basement so I guess the pass through isn't a deal breaker. Also, I just read that an easy fix is an HDMI splitter for 10 bucks or so which remedies the issue. My main concern is centered around the Audyssey vs Ezset. I know the 1612 has Mutli Audyssey and can be purchased from accessories4less for $240 including shipping. But that also has no internet connectivity, airplay, etc. I know Audyssey is probably the way to go, but is it worth an extra $150? I"ve been hearing some nice things about the HK, but again, it's the audio calibration that I keep reading about...

I currently will be connecting an Xbox 360 and a Wii, and then later down the road comcast cable, and a blu ray player/ps3 somewhere down the line.

I live in the St. Paul area and there are 3 stores in my radius that has the HK available. I tend to overanalyze these decisions a lot to begin with which causes me never to make a decision due to afraid of making the wrong one, lol. But, then I just never make a move. Thoughts?

Bump please!

Ah! Come on man....Stuff like that irks me to the grave, lol. But no I get that. I'm just trying to be rationale in my thinking that this is my first receiver or system, and I could maybe use the extra money for better speakers. But even then, would Audyssey still take the cake? Decisions decisions....

I have read the HK 1700 thread, but I didn't really come away with any conclusions. It seemed to more fairly positive for the most part. I don't remember coming across any glowing negative remarks. If I don't get it, I guess my options are wait until April/May when the new Denon line releases, and then get the 1613 at a lower price. Or, buy the 1612 or 1613 Refurbished now off accessories4less for $219 or $269, respectively. My only gripe is that I have $75 worth of gift cards at Best Buy, but I guess those can always be put to good use later down the road. It's tough when you are depending mostly on reading forums and people's experience with them. It's hard to imagine that most people have experience with all receivers, but more importantly audio quality and sound calibration. It's just getting the HK for $125 sounds so damn appealing.

I'd love to try it out and give you a review, but I don't even have speakers yet! This is my first system and I'm looking at speakers as well. The Denon 1613 seems like what I want to go with and right now it's on sale for $288 from Frys. Audyssey seems too good to pass up for me. I think the Onkyo 414 does have auto speaker setup, just not Multi Audyssey (it says Audyssey 2EQ when I look at the specs).

Nice reversal there! I'm still in the debating mode. I would jump on this deal in a heartbeat if it wasn't for this room correction (Audyssey) that I keep reading about. It doesn't help that I've read some people saying that Ezset is pretty pointless and awful.

Fry's has the Denon 1613 for $288, but it's no $125 for the HK after Best Buy gift cards. It's a tough call.

That's the mindset I was also having: I've never owned a system in my life; no receiver, no speakers, no nothing. The odds of me being able to tell a big difference is probably quite slim. But now, however, an open box Denon 1613 is going for $299, and with gift cards I can bring it down to $225. And with my over thinking and hesitation, the 1700 is now sold out in every store within a 20 mile radius of me. I guess it wasn't meant to be

Haha, i know! I'm actually thinking of waiting for that 1613 to drop a considerable amount as the new Denon lineup comes out this spring. In fact, the 1612 has dropped on accessories4less to $199 and the 1613 to $267 (only two dollars, but it's less ) It seems the only difference between the 1612 and 1613 is ethernet and airplay. The 1612 has one less HDMI, but more inputs overall.

Does anyone know when the new Denon's start arriving in stores? And from your buying experience, do receivers tend to come down in price more so than speakers?

Yeah, that's why I'm holding out for the 1613. I just check the online stores daily to find a price drop. But I know come March-May it will drop considerably when the new line arrives. Just gotta be patient.

With the Denon 1613 being cheaper on Amazon, while adding an extra HDMI and having Audyssey, I'm not sure why you would take the Yamaha. Yamaha is better for music, but for an overall package, the Denon seems like the better buy.

They are both similar in features, i.e. internet connectivity, streaming radio, airplay, but thethe Harmon offers AM and FM (Denon only FM), Harmon has 6 HDMI inputs to Denon's five. I think the biggest feature difference is Audyssey, which historically has proved itself to be the "go-to" for sound calibration. Some feel others do a great job, but I haven't heard much praise for Harmon's Ezset calibration.

Take a look at the specs on Amazon and compare.