Advice needed on AV receiver (Sony vs Denon vs Onkyo)

[admin_exported]

Hi everyone,

long time reader of the magazine, new member of the forums.

I'm looking into buying a new AV receiver and some new speakers. Most probably those two purchases will be some time apart, and the AV receiver will be replaced first. Close to a decade ago I set up a little home cinema with a Yamaha RX-V795aRDS and Bose Accoustimass 10 speakers (the model/styling from back then). While I'm not unhappy about this setup at all (although I wouldn't mind the dialogue being rendered a little more clearly on the Yamaha), now that I've switched to HD I want to start making the most of my Blurays.

Thanks to some research, as well as the Awards issue, I've narrowed it down to a few options on which I'd like to hear your feedback, opinions or good/bad experiences:

• Sony STR-DG820
• Sony STR-DA2400SE
• Denon AVR-1910
• Denon AVR-2310
• Onkyo TX-SR607

I realize these cover quite a spread, so allow me to explain: I'm eying up the B&W MT-25 speakerset (style is important to keep the Mrs happy), possibly adding 2 extra M-1 satellites for 7.1 so to balance the budget I wouldn't mind dropping some features (ie. upscaling) on the receiver as long as the sound quality is excellent.

Over here in Belgium the Sony STR-DA2400SE costs about double as in the UK, so I'm wondering if you'd still rate it as highly knowing the price here works out to roughly £820. Is it worth the extra cost over the 1910 or 607? How does the sound quality between the DG820 and the DA2400 compare? Same for the difference between the 1910 and 2310?
I've had a hard time finding the Denon for a demonstration here, but I've read some reviews stating the build quality is soso and for instance the volume control feels very light and plasticky instead of 'weighty'. Any owners want to pitch in?

If you feel like there's any receivers I'm overlooking, or if anyone has experience with one of these in combinations with the B&W MT-25 set, please feel free to chip in.

Thanks in advance!
Bjorn

 

[professorhat]

In terms of the two Denons and the Onkyo, this thread should help.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks professor! Looks like I will really need to find a local dealer to hear those Denons in a demo.

 

[Big Aura]

eurostar is £59 to Kings-Cross. Bus is £1 to Tottenham Court Road. You could be back in time for lunch!

EDIT: and I'm having a meeting with some Belgians in 6 minutes, I can send one back

 

[Anonymous]

hehe

I'd actually considered going to London to pick one up, but I'd like to have my new receiver under the Christmas tree. And London being as popular as it is during this time of year, Eurostar is fully booked at normal prices. Cheapest seats I could find are more in the 250? range.

Any advice on where to go shopping for this sort of equipment in London would still be appreciated though! (normally I just go for fun, food, movies and clothes so wouldn't have a clue where to start and doing this in a day timing will be essential)

 

[Anonymous]

I've heard the Denon 1910 and the Onkyo. The Denon is my favorite of those two. It's more detailed and has a realy nice bass. Take a look at the site of redcoon.be for the sony and for the denons at audiovision-shop.de. You have to mail the last site for the price. The Denon 1910cost about ?420,-. I got the Denon 1909 and the b&w mt20 and I am really happy with it.

 

[davejberry]

Bought the Sony 2400 from Amazon. 3 day delivery by courier. It is everything the review said it was and more. Great sound, great features. Paid 460 euros which included delivery to Spain.

 

[Big Aura]

ginuwineke:

hehe

I'd actually considered going to London to pick one up, but I'd like to have my new receiver under the Christmas tree. And London being as popular as it is during this time of year, Eurostar is fully booked at normal prices. Cheapest seats I could find are more in the 250? range.

Any advice on where to go shopping for this sort of equipment in London would still be appreciated though! (normally I just go for fun, food, movies and clothes so wouldn't have a clue where to start and doing this in a day timing will be essential)

I bought my amp from a small local retailer and my speakers from PNR Audio on Tottenham Court Road. (Tottenham Court Road intersects the grubby end of Oxford Street) and is packed with electronic retailers. They're also willing to haggle quite a bit, so feel free to play them off against each other! All within 20mins of St Pancras International!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all your input!

Managed to listen to the Sony STR-DA2400ES hooked up to B&W M-1 satellites yesterday at the Sony Centre. It was pretty much a lucky break, as we were going to a Christmas market in a city that I knew had an official Sony Centre, so I figured I'd drop by hoping they had the 2400 set up for a demo. Imagine my surprise when I noticed they did, and it was hooked up to the speakers I am considering!

I was really happy with what I heard. Casino Royale sounded great, with plenty of impact and punch, but also packed with detail. Listening to a regular CD was also a revelation compared to my current Yamaha.

I'll hold off for a bit to see if I can find a place to demo the Denon 1910 or 2310 before deciding, and will also see if it's worth the daytrip to London or not. I might just pay the premium and buy local (the guy at the Sony Centre was willing to knock 175 euros off the 2400) to have peace of mind when it comes to warranty or other possible issues.