Denon 3808CI or refurbed Onkyo PR-SC886 or something else?

Okay, I can't believe I'm still looking at the 18+ month old 3808CI as my next receiver (I mainly want to use it as a pre/pro due to having an amp that's 4-6 ohm friendly for my speakers), and I've been looking at the other offerings, but now that 3808CI can be had for $999.99 shipped, it's looking better than other choices that are in the $1500-$2000 range (Pioneer SC-05, Onkyo PR-SC886, and other). Though, on shoponkyo, a refurbed PR-SC886 can be had for $1200.

I've love to jump on a $500 receiver, but most in that price range doesn't offer audio pre-outs for my external amp.

I couldn't believe how hot the Onkyo receivers "ran" when I saw them at a local Fry's.

Pioneer just scares me as a consumer electronics manufacturer at the moment.

My particular lists of wants for a pre/pro section on a receiver:

(I may run into issues with the actual number of inputs as they are spread among different input types, even assignable, but I'm sure I can work around such limitations or retire some gear if need be).

3 component video inputs/1 output
3 or 4 HDMI inputs/1 HDMI output
4 composite video/S-video inputs/1 output
2/2 Toslink/Coax digital audio inputs

5.1 audio pre-outs to feed external amp (7.1 is also fine)
5.1 analog audio input (7.1 is also fine)

Current advanced audio codecs decoding on Blu-ray discs and HD DVDs. (But I think I can live without bitsteaming and just rely on the BD/HD DVD player to do the decoding for the dts-MA, and Dolby TrueHD, but I think those issues can be addressed through upgrading its firmware with its built-in ethernet port)

Video upconverting would be a plus, not a deal-breaker.
Built-in audio calibration would be a bonus as well.

So, should I wait for something else to show up on the horizon soon, like the new offerings from Denon, or give in to the 3808CI?

Re: Denon 3808CI or refurbed Onkyo PR-SC886 or something else?

Hey Patrick,
Have you considered the Emotiva UMC-1 AV Pre Amp?
Should be out in a month or so and a bit less money.
From what I have read it looks like a good fit.

DC

Re: Denon 3808CI or refurbed Onkyo PR-SC886 or something else?

I did respond in the Emotiva thread, and was wondering about the inputs (HDMI and Component video, and whether you could really connect 5 HDMI sources, and 3 component video sources) to the UMC-1 pre/pro. It does look like a winner if that were the case. Otherwise if connecting all 3 component video inputs means only being able to use HDMI input 4 and input 5, then, that's not such a good deal.

Re: Denon 3808CI or refurbed Onkyo PR-SC886 or something else?

I got an email reply from Emotiva, and they said all 5 HDMI and 3 Component Video inputs were selectable via OSD( on-screen display), so that's good news, and the UMC-1 has emerged as a contender for my next pre-pro choice.

Re: Denon 3808CI or refurbed Onkyo PR-SC886 or something else?

i would not buy any unit....prior to release...until released....then thoroughly tested (and firmware bug fixes are performed) I would consider the Emotive piece as "vapor ware".

Re: Denon 3808CI or refurbed Onkyo PR-SC886 or something else?

Oh, no doubt, having reading how long it's been taking for this model to materialize, as well as the Outlaw's 997 to show up, I will hold out as long as possible until it's time to move on to an alternative choice.

But at $699.99, it's at a nice price point. The Outlaw is probably out of my price range if it were even a viable, deliverable, option today.

Re: Denon 3808CI or refurbed Onkyo PR-SC886 or something else?

I'm hoping Emotiva learned their lesson with the LCM-1 and won't let sup-par equipment out the door ever again. There is too much at stake for a company like Emotiva to survive another hiccup. This probably explains why they have delayed release by almost a year.

If the UMC-1 performs as stated, at $700, it's a bloody bargain.