I am willing to bet that the store you went to most likely had something messed up. I have heard the Denon 3808ci and it sounds great. You could also try check out the Onkyo 805, 875 and 905 receiver. I have heard that the Yamaha's and Pioneer's do not actually put out what they are advertising. To my knowledge the Onkyo 805 puts out 60 amps and the 905 puts out 70 amps, I do not know what the Denon 3808ci puts out.
I know for what I am looking for the Pioneer Elite and Yamaha's do not fit what I am looking for. One thing I beleive in is if you want to know if something is built well, pick it up. While that is not the only way to tell if something has good build quality. I currently own a Yamaha RX-V995 and I want to have it upgraded by November.
Denon AVR-3808ci 7.1 Receiver MSRP$1,599
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 130 X 7
Weight: In Pounds 39.2 lbs
THX Ultra2
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+
dts-HD Master Audio
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable - *3 x 100MHz
HDMI 1.3 (4 Inputs/1 Out)
Audyssey MultEQ
Denon AVR-4308ci 7.1 Receiver MSRP$2,499
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 140 X 7
Weight: In Pounds 41.6 lbs
THX Ultra2
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+
dts-HD Master Audio
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable - *3 x 100MHz
HDMI 1.3 4 Inputs/2 Out
Audyssey MultEQ
(This model has more flexability and more features than the 3808ci)
Onkyo TX-SR805 7.1 Receiver MSRP$1,099
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 130 X 7
High Instantaneous Current Capability 60A
Weight: In Pounds 50.9 lbs
THX Ultra2
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+
dts-HD Master Audio
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable - *3 x 100MHz
HDMI 1.3 (3 Inputs/1 Out)
Audyssey MultEQ
(The Onkyo's put out what they advertise power wise but it does run hot)
Onkyo TX-NR905 7.1 Receiver MSRP$2,099
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 140 X 7
High Instantaneous Current Capability 70A
Toroidal Transformer
Independent Power Supply for audio and video sections
Weight: In Pounds 54 lbs
THX Ultra2
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+
dts-HD Master Audio
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable - *3 x 100MHz
HDMI 1.3 (4 Inputs/2 Out)
Audyssey MultEQ
(The Onkyo's put out what they advertise power wise but it does run hot)
Yamaha RX-V1800 7.1 Receiver MSRP$1,299.95
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 130 X 7
Weight: In Pounds 37.3 lbs
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+
dts-HD Master Audio
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable - *3 x 100MHz
HDMI 1.3 (4 Inputs/1 Out)
YPAO Automatic System Calibration
Yamaha RX-V3800 7.1 Receiver MSRP$1,699.95
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 140 X 7
Weight: In Pounds 38.4 lbs
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+
dts-HD Master Audio
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable - *3 x 100MHz
HDMI 1.3 (4 Inputs/1 Out)
YPAO Automatic System Calibration
I personally did not care for the lower end Yamaha's and they hardly weigh a thing.
Pioneer VSX-91TXH 7.1 Receiver MSRP$1,200
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 110 X 7
Weight: In Pounds 33lbs. 12oz
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+
dts-HD Master Audio
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable - *3 x 100MHz
HDMI 1.3 (2 Inputs/1 Out)
Advanced MCACC 9-band EQ
Pioneer VSX-92TXH 7.1 Receiver MSRP$1,500
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 130 X 7
Weight: In Pounds 37.5 lbs
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+
dts-HD Master Audio
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable - *3 x 100MHz
HDMI 1.3 (3 Inputs/1 Out)
Advanced MCACC 9-band EQ
Pioneer VSX-94TXH 7.1 Receiver MSRP$1,800
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 140 X 7
Weight: In Pounds 41.14 lbs
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+
dts-HD Master Audio
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable - *3 x 100MHz
HDMI 1.3 (4 Inputs/1 Out)
Advanced MCACC 9-band EQ
I beleive that the Pioneer uses class d amplifiers and you may or may not like how they sound?)
I would take a few of your favorite CD's and movies to help you compair each receiver. IMHO this is the best way to audition a receiver. Also when doing the demo of the receiver try to match speakers in the store as close to the ones you own. Another thing to consider is that I beleive that the Audyssey set up has been receiving better reviews vs what Pioneer, Yamaha or Sony uses.
Personally at this point in time I am currently looking at the following receivers:
Denon AVR-3808ci
Onkyo TX-SR805
Onkyo TX-NR905
I would research every brand you are considering, this may take up alot of time but you will be glad you did in the end. Hope this helps in some way?
This is my current system and the Yamaha RX-V995 in the picture is going to get hooked up to my PC.
