[tallgntlmn]

I am back in the market this year and probably will do it. I was looking last year but missed the deal I wanted to hop on. I remember it being March last year that I was looking and there were tons on sale. In looking for a TV I did not notice many receivers on sale yet this year.


My current receiver is a 10 year old Sony and my new Sony TV remote will not even control it with the only Sony receiver code. That is a sign to me that it is time to upgrade. Well that and it has very few inputs/outputs that I need now and going forward.


Last year I was looking at Yamaha (663), Denon (1909), Marantz (5003), and Pioneer. I think I would look at the same this year. Is Sony a decent brand for receivers these days? Some things I would like to have: component to HDMI, phono input (not a deal killer), at least 4 HDMI inputs, at least one TOSLink input.


With all that said, is there anything coming out in 2010 that will be a lot better than the 2009's? IOW, is there a compelling feature in the 2010 models that would make it advisable to not go deal hunting on a 2009?

 

[jdsmoothie]

Unless you will require HDMI 1.4, probably not.

 

[tallgntlmn]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsmoothie /forum/post/18220791


Unless you will require HDMI 1.4, probably not.

I don't see a need for that after looking up the spec. I just got the HDTV and have no plans to replace it until I need bigger or it dies. Hopefully the former before the latter there. The only HDMI components I have now are the TV and the DirecTV receiver that is. The only additional components I can foresee are a PS3 or BD player.


Guess it's deal hunting time. When are the new ones due out so I can better prepare my hunting technique?

 

[tallgntlmn]

I just thought of another question and figured I'd put it in this thread.


One thing my current receiver does which I have not found a clear answer on for the new ones is this: I can leave it on "normal surround" and it will pick up DD 5.1 or dts or whatever and use that mode. But when a channel is DD 2.0 it will still put it in pro-logic if not fake pro-logic. I like this.


Do the newer ones, or the ones I am thinking about do this? Inevitably the stores where I would see them have them hooked up to BD which is always at least DD 5.1. I can't readily turn on the local news or some SD show on satellite and find this out. I don't want to be having to constantly switch sound fields. Possible?

 

[Slare]

Just about all modern AVR's have automatic mode switching and will do what you wish, as well as mixing into multichannel with a 2ch source. Generally the default behavior is to only give you 2ch if you force 2ch (stereo music, for example).


As JD said HDMI 1.4 is probably the main reason to watch 2011 models... otherwise many brands also seem to be adding network and video capabilities at the cost of the audio/amp side. You have about 50 options from say $300-800 that will knock your socks off coming from a unit that old.


I just bought this year and figure if HDMI 1.4 is ever an issue, I'll just (oh no!) run a cable direct from my source to the TV. Since model year changeover usually means you can get very hefty discounts (60% off is not uncommon)... it seems like a worthwhile trade off to me.


Since you have been out of the market for so long, consider these features which are the main ones that drive cost up and vary from brand to brand:


- Try to get a unit with Audyssey Multeq XT. It is generally agreed as the best auto setup / room calibration tool.

- Pre-amp outs offer flexibility to add more amp power if you should ever want it.

- Most all units use on-screen menus now for setup. Some also do nice graphics overlay allowing you to have a pop-up volume bar on the TV set, and do video adjustments for each source.


Sony's AVR's are generally quite feature-rich for their price point... but their amplifier sections are quite weak vs. the competition.


The current Marantz AVR's have very questionable reliability.


Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, and Yamaha have lots of happy owners these days.

 

[tallgntlmn]

Thanks for all the info Slare. Much appreciated. I am really leaning either Denon or Yamaha. Pioneer and Onkyo are in the running too. I remember a year ago, I did not particularly like the sound of the HK's. I'll definitely be deal hunting soon on these things. Maybe it won't take me as long to find and pull the trigger like it did with the TV.

 

[tallgntlmn]

Hey guys, I hate to drag up an old thread but didn't figure it would be right to ask an over-asked question in the owners thread.


Seems my local BB has a Denon 2809 NIB. Should I consider that over a 2310? If so, at what price point? Less than 2310 internet or what percentage below regular price. The BB guy told me regular price was the same as the price on the 2310, 8 Bennies. I see in the owners thread there are reasons to consider the 2809.


What would you do if the 2809 was around the same price as a 2310 on the internet? Or better yet, what ballpark should a 2809 be? I noticed in a Google shopping search they are still up there. I know we're not supposed to talk price so ballpark is cool, not asking for vendors or specifics.

 

[jdsmoothie]

Audio quality wise the 2809 would be a level above the 2310 as it not only has better components but also uses Audyssey MultEQ XT rather than the more basic MultEQ. If you can get them at the same price, the 2809 would be the way to go as it also has pre-outs for expansion if you ever wanted to add an external amp (the 2310 does not). Review the 1st post in each Owners thread to determine if there are any features that the 2310 offers that the 2809 does not that you might want (eg. GUI, sleep timer, better video chip, HDMI pass through of specific HDMI jack rather than only the LAST HDMI source selected, upscaling of HDMI input, etc.).

 

[tallgntlmn]

Thanks for the thought, jdsmoothie. I had seen the owners thread and the comparison. I think I will see what BB will do on that unit. Either I'll be a future 2809 owner or 2310 owner. Not sure which yet, just depends on price.