[Jean Grey]

Ive been researching for quite some time already, and found some dated material, so i opted for posting something within the 2010 region.

Im trying to find a new AVR for the hubby, and well, budgets key here.


He has a "Big Boned"

PS3, and has been wondering about the HD audio formats. His AVR is an older version, no hdmi capability at all.


So, been researching for quite some time, and was hoping to find something for him.


Although not within my budget, the Pioneer VSX-919 was the dream model in mind.

As others have done, here is the criteria,

- at least 3 hdmi connections,

- cannot run too hot (his current AVR only has around 2 inches around to breath)

- 7.1 is preferred, but he only has 5.1 right now, i dont want more cables.

- amazon is preferred, but not essential.


So, ive broke it down to around 3 models that might fit the budget well,

- Pioneer VSX-919

(i cant afford it, but if i was to get it after his birthday

, i might be able to)

- Sony STR-DN1000

(i like it, sleek and all, but im worried he might want the 'mcacc' capabilities hes been braggin about in his older AVR, hes also mentioned before something about individual crossover settings)

- Sony STR-DH800

(no GUI, but he can fiddle with it all he wants when we watch movies. apparently you cant do that with the DN1000 model because of the fancy gui)


Can you tell ive been reading up on this stuff? (threw in some words i picked up from you guys - AVR, hdmi, crossover blah blahs...)

Thank you for the information folks, im getting sick of going to best buy.


*edited original posting. thanks afrogt.

 

[afrogt]

Why not get the Denon 1610? 3 HDMI inputs, Audyssey MultiEQ room calibration, decodes HD audio and will accept multichannel HDMI audio from your PS3.

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4865.asp


It's only a 5.1 receiver but you didn't say if he needed 7.1 or not.


You can get it out the door around $300 from Electronics-Expo and they do use Amazon.com when you go to checkout.


This sale ends on Sunday.
http://www.electronics-expo.com/make...AVR1610/1.html


Use AUDIOSALE in the coupon code space at checkout. It'll take you to amazon.com where you do the checkout. The discount will be applied on the final page before you confirm your payment. Should be around $300 shipped out the door.

 

[zervinb]

By Big-Boned PS3, if you mean the fatty PS3 (the non-Slim), then be aware that it will NOT bitstream HD codecs via HDMI, and the decoding of those HD codecs would have to be done by the PS3 anyways. Even so, you would still be able to enjoy HD sound over the receiver, its just that the LEDs will not light up on the receiver front, but it will show up as PCM.


From among your choices, definitely the 919. And you're in luck that amazon has it in stock currently. It was out of stock since a few weeks. Recently came back in stock.

 

[Jean Grey]

woah, i knew i could depend on you folks,


we've had a denon before, around 2000 i think. it sounded er... 'warm' as you folks call it. if i remember right, he felt it wasnt putting out a good amount of power, compared to his current pioneer.


Its difficult to say because it was his first receiver.


Im located in Sacramento, CA, so ive never heard of EExpo...

 

[Jean Grey]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zervinb /forum/post/18204244


By Big-Boned PS3, if you mean the fatty PS3 (the non-Slim), then be aware that it will NOT bitstream HD codecs via HDMI, and the decoding of those HD codecs would have to be done by the PS3 anyways. Even so, you would still be able to enjoy HD sound over the receiver, its just that the LEDs will not light up on the receiver front, but it will show up as PCM.


From among your choices, definitely the 919. And you're in luck that amazon has it in stock currently. It was out of stock since a few weeks. Recently came back in stock.

thanks zervinb, i got that covered.

ive been researching while im on my breaks at work.

anyways, id love to get it, but its almost a 100 dollars more than i can shell out without crying. (i need new shoes.

)


oh, theres a reason i called it 'big boned'...

 

[Jean Grey]



Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt /forum/post/18204220


Why not get the Denon 1610? 3 HDMI inputs, Audyssey MultiEQ room calibration, decodes HD audio and will accept multichannel HDMI audio from your PS3.

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4865.asp


It's only a 5.1 receiver but you didn't say if he needed 7.1 or not.


You can get it out the door around $300 from Electronics-Expo and they do use Amazon.com when you go to checkout.


This sale ends on Sunday.
http://www.electronics-expo.com/make...AVR1610/1.html


Use AUDIOSALE in the coupon code space at checkout. It'll take you to amazon.com where you do the checkout. The discount will be applied on the final page before you confirm your payment. Should be around $300 shipped out the door.

afrogt,


typed in the code, but it didnt bring the price down from 378.

from the west coast, im unfamiliar with this company, any comments on their services? where are they located?

 

[zervinb]

Vann's (an authorized Pioneer online reseller) has the 919 "In Stock" for its MSRP. But if you give them a call, and haggle with them a bit, I'm sure they'll get the price down. Plus, there's no sales tax and they give free shipping.


Tell them, its a special gift for your husband's birthday, they might get the price down for you.

 

[afrogt]

Electronics Expo is an online dealer which also has brick and mortar stores in New Jersey. They are an authorized Denon retailer. I'm in the Bay Area myself but I don't need to walk into a store to see they have good pricing online. You prefer Amazon which is basically an online warehouse, so I don't quite understand your statement about being in Sacramento. Within online pricing generally better than walking into a local store it really doesn't matter where you live nowadays.


Electronics Expo also carries Yamaha receivers as well as Harman Kardon and some Sony.


But if he is averse to Denon then he should definitely look elsewhere. I can't believe he's considering the Sony as their receivers consistently underperform.


If he prefers the Pioneer 919 you should jump on that while you can. Especially if he's already familiar with the MCACC calibration function.

 

[ikaden]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Jean Grey /forum/post/18204292


afrogt,


typed in the code, but it didnt bring the price down from 378.

from the west coast, im unfamiliar with this company, any comments on their services? where are they located?

The price doesn't drop until you check out through Amazon. For me, it was 307.44.

 

[Jean Grey]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ikaden /forum/post/18204412


The price doesn't drop until you check out through Amazon. For me, it was 307.44.

thanks!

 

[Jean Grey]



Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt /forum/post/18204389


Electronics Expo is an online dealer which also has brick and mortar stores in New Jersey. They are an authorized Denon retailer. I'm in the Bay Area myself but I don't need to walk into a store to see they have good pricing online. You prefer Amazon which is basically an online warehouse, so I don't quite understand your statement about being in Sacramento. Within online pricing generally better than walking into a local store it really doesn't matter where you live nowadays.


Electronics Expo also carries Yamaha receivers as well as Harman Kardon and some Sony.


But if he is averse to Denon then he should definitely look elsewhere. I can't believe he's considering the Sony as their receivers consistently underperform.


If he prefers the Pioneer 919 you should jump on that while you can. Especially if he's already familiar with the MCACC calibration function.

Its not that, i guess we dont have electronics expo here. so im not used to the name.


I am though looking at the denon, will download the manual too.

 

[zervinb]

 Electronic Express has a Closeout price on the 919 of $349. However, they only have the model in stores only. Check if they have a store near you, and if they have the 919 in stock.

 

[afrogt]



Quote:
Holy crap! i just downloaded the manual for the denon, and well, can you confirm this for me?


does it have both,

1. the MCACC equalizer (i think its the audyssey thing, if im correct)

AND

2. individual crossover settings? (i quickly searched, and it said front center etc) (this part being important as well, im sorry, i hate hearing him complain about this. like 'im sick of hearing' it kinda complain.)


The denon looks awefully nice considering IF it had all these features.


it would be perfect if he comes home, and i get everything hooked up, set to get dtsma and ready for him, but he also expects a hot 6'1 blonde as well. keep dreaming i say.

The Denon 1610 has Audyssey MultiEQ which is a room calibration program similar to Pioneers MCACC but they are not the exact same thing. I have Audyssey on my Denon and I think it works very well.


And yes, after you're done with the Audyssey you can manually go in and change any settings per speaker if necessary. Curious though, would he be changing the crossover on the left speaker but not the right one? Sounds like he's really stuck on this individual setting thing. I have a Denon receiver myself and yes you can change the settings.

 

[batpig]



Quote:
Afrogt!


Holy crap! i just downloaded the manual for the denon, and well, can you confirm this for me?


does it have both,

1. the MCACC equalizer (i think its the audyssey thing, if im correct)

AND

2. individual crossover settings?

The denon looks awefully nice considering IF it had all these features.

ALL Denon AVR's for 2 years have had Audyssey EQ auto setup and individual crossovers. So do all Onkyos. It's not really a "holy crap" feature

I think the Pios can do it too!

 

[rnatalli]

The Denon 1610/590 has my vote. Good amp section, Audyssey MultEQ, and Denon reliability.

 

[afrogt]

And 2 year warranty vs only 1 for the Pioneer!

 

[amicusterrae]

I bought a demo center channel speaker from them. Packaging was horrible: someone just put the speaker in a box--no padding at all. The box had split by the time it made it to my house. Anyway, the speaker was not critically damaged, and the company made it right with little hassle. I think this only happened because it was a demo unit w/o the original packaging. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new-in-box receiver from them.

 

[spikeitaudi]

I buy from Electronics Expo all the time as they are about 15 minutes from my house. Good prices and good ppl. You guys out of state are lucky you don't pay sales tax. For all you ppl looking at buying Pioneer online remember the Pioneer Elite warranty states if you buy your pioneer online and not in a store the warranty is technically null and void. Just a consideration if you are buying the pioneer.


Also the current Pioneer lineup is being discontinues as the new lineup is ramping up and will be annouced soon. The current lineup is getting harder to find.

 

[Jean Grey]

so, after a little drama here and there (thank you for the help by the way gentlemen)... here are my questions...

Quote:
Originally Posted by ikaden /forum/post/18204412


The price doesn't drop until you check out through Amazon. For me, it was 307.44.

does this include shipping cost? by chance, anyone from northern california can confirm the shipping duration?

Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt /forum/post/18204220


Why not get the Denon 1610? 3 HDMI inputs, Audyssey MultiEQ room calibration, decodes HD audio and will accept multichannel HDMI audio from your PS3.

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4865.asp


It's only a 5.1 receiver but you didn't say if he needed 7.1 or not.


You can get it out the door around $300 from Electronics-Expo and they do use Amazon.com when you go to checkout.


This sale ends on Sunday.
http://www.electronics-expo.com/make...AVR1610/1.html


Use AUDIOSALE in the coupon code space at checkout. It'll take you to amazon.com where you do the checkout. The discount will be applied on the final page before you confirm your payment. Should be around $300 shipped out the door.

the comparison between both the pio or the other avrs show them rated higher than the denon, does that mean anything i should be worried about? after reading a couple, ive seen a number of people 'guarantee' that denon is the most accurate specs.


the denon looks good, not as slick as sonys looks but good for him.

 

[afrogt]



Quote:
the comparison between both the pio or the other avrs show them rated higher than the denon, does that mean anything i should be worried about?

What ratings would those be, can you be more specific?