Review based on the Onkyo 989 (same basics as the Integra).
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1) No distracting fan noise for early Onkyo users (though a hardware/software fix has been made available for units purchased from authorized dealers, with persistence, from authorized service centers).
2) Weight. Denon is heavy, but in comparison, Onkyo is still pretty back breaking. Understand transformer weight, but I don't know why this is a big differentiator for folks.
3) Size. Denon is "deeper" about an inch, and higher, less than a couple inches. Both are big units.
4) Ergonomics. Onkyo is more straightforward in the front panel & in the menuing system. Part of this is the crazy Denon remote.
5) Remotes. As a confirmed Pronto user (com'on ProntoPro), I prefer the Onkyo remote with more directly accessible user keys to ... program the pronto. It took me a while just to figure out how to get the RC-8000 lit well enough and contrast to be useful. It's bigger than the Pronto with less customizability. I'm sure I could get used to it, but would have preffered a lower Denon price with a more straughtforward key based remote.
One thing I dislike is that I cannot use the Dish 6000 remote as an auxillary remote. (I could with the Onkyo). There appears to be no code, including the Denon code to change the volume on the receiver).
I am not getting used to the RC-8000. I would not even attempt to customize it w/o PC based software.
6) Congurability of sources. Onkyo clearly bests the Denon here. The assignment & labeling of component video sources to up to video sources which are not "hard coded" as on the Denon. The assignment of any of the video sources to audio paths is also useful.
7) Configurability of speakers. Denon gives the option of 2 vs. 1 rear surrond. Onkyo does not. Denon setup here is good and I seem to get better back surround calibration on the Denon despite the comments on ergonomics. I played with the sub & shut off the "protection" feature. It appears to "blend" better, regardless of content. I guess I'm just used to it being more noticeable (a bad quality in a sub).
8) Volume. The Onkyo wins here, having better (IMHO) controlability, and ability to drive lower volumes).
9) Speaker seperation. Even though I have dipoles in the back surround, I generally prefer direct speakers (which I use on the side surrounds). With the A, B, or A+B I may pick up a second set of side surrounds (maybe bipoles). Know the feature is provided to "swap" directs & dipoles for music vs. cinema, but like I said I like the directs for both.
10) Video switching. The component switching for HD (1080i) is fantastic, better than the Onkyo which was very good. The S-video switching is unquestionable the best I have seen. Noticeable on LDs.
I did try to hook my Toshiba 5109 Progressive DVD (480p) through the unit, along with the other component sources, but found performance was better on the second set of inputs on the Toshiba set (actually HD1, set to DVD vs. DTV. My understanding is the only difference on these settings is black levels). The Progressive DVD looked much better not going through the Denon, which is interesting in that the 1080i sources look great.
Also see http://pub7.ezboard.com/faussiedvdan...formationforum
for more
1) No distracting fan noise for early Onkyo users (though a hardware/software fix has been made available for units purchased from authorized dealers, with persistence, from authorized service centers).
2) Weight. Denon is heavy, but in comparison, Onkyo is still pretty back breaking. Understand transformer weight, but I don't know why this is a big differentiator for folks.
3) Size. Denon is "deeper" about an inch, and higher, less than a couple inches. Both are big units.
4) Ergonomics. Onkyo is more straightforward in the front panel & in the menuing system. Part of this is the crazy Denon remote.
5) Remotes. As a confirmed Pronto user (com'on ProntoPro), I prefer the Onkyo remote with more directly accessible user keys to ... program the pronto. It took me a while just to figure out how to get the RC-8000 lit well enough and contrast to be useful. It's bigger than the Pronto with less customizability. I'm sure I could get used to it, but would have preffered a lower Denon price with a more straughtforward key based remote.
One thing I dislike is that I cannot use the Dish 6000 remote as an auxillary remote. (I could with the Onkyo). There appears to be no code, including the Denon code to change the volume on the receiver).
I am not getting used to the RC-8000. I would not even attempt to customize it w/o PC based software.
6) Congurability of sources. Onkyo clearly bests the Denon here. The assignment & labeling of component video sources to up to video sources which are not "hard coded" as on the Denon. The assignment of any of the video sources to audio paths is also useful.
7) Configurability of speakers. Denon gives the option of 2 vs. 1 rear surrond. Onkyo does not. Denon setup here is good and I seem to get better back surround calibration on the Denon despite the comments on ergonomics. I played with the sub & shut off the "protection" feature. It appears to "blend" better, regardless of content. I guess I'm just used to it being more noticeable (a bad quality in a sub).
8) Volume. The Onkyo wins here, having better (IMHO) controlability, and ability to drive lower volumes).
9) Speaker seperation. Even though I have dipoles in the back surround, I generally prefer direct speakers (which I use on the side surrounds). With the A, B, or A+B I may pick up a second set of side surrounds (maybe bipoles). Know the feature is provided to "swap" directs & dipoles for music vs. cinema, but like I said I like the directs for both.
10) Video switching. The component switching for HD (1080i) is fantastic, better than the Onkyo which was very good. The S-video switching is unquestionable the best I have seen. Noticeable on LDs.
I did try to hook my Toshiba 5109 Progressive DVD (480p) through the unit, along with the other component sources, but found performance was better on the second set of inputs on the Toshiba set (actually HD1, set to DVD vs. DTV. My understanding is the only difference on these settings is black levels). The Progressive DVD looked much better not going through the Denon, which is interesting in that the 1080i sources look great.
