Need help deciding - Denon 2311CI or 3311CI

Both receivers are a great option, We offer and sell both models frequently. Based on your current speaker configuration I would say jump on the 2311ci. It doesn't have the power but it is my personal favorite for the price. However if your planning on upgrading speakers, you might go ahead and grab the 3311ci. Adding the additional power can be a positive influence when it comes to driving large tower speakers. For that reason the 4311ci might even be a better choice. Remember things can be bigger, faster and more power full in the world of AV

The extra 25 watts per channel the 3311 provides over the 2311 is miniscule and should not be the reason one chooses the 3311 over the 2311.

It takes roughly double the wattage to produce a 3dB increase in overall system volume.  There will be virtually no difference to the end user between 105Wpc and 125Wpc.

The 3311 offers a bit better support for "legacy" equipment: it has a phono input (!!!), and a few additional options for analog video outputs.  It also adds network connectivity options, but that seems to still be a bit of a niche market.

Difffrences here.

Unless those particular features are must-haves for you, the 2311 will suit you just fine - even if you do upgrade your speakers down the road.

I have the AVR-3311CI, and love it with my Klipsch RF-82II, RC-62 center, RS-52 Surrounds.  Electronics-expo had it for $793 with code = LSDA1229

that is what I paid

Go with the AVR-3311CI assuming you can get it for $800 or so and it will handle your vinyl turntable, but certainly the 2311CI will do the job also minus TT, and then add the Emotiva XPA-5.  With my 18' x 22' room size, with 9'+ ceilings, the amps in the Denon do produce sound, but read below for some real truth about how these AVR's are so over advertised in regards to output power -- great read -- and this is the TRUTH, believe me -- as my new Denon AVR-3311CI Powered DOWN at +13db (-80 to +18db).  I could tell right away that my Denon AVR-3311CI did not have enough Power within an hour of hookup/listening (and I like it Clear and LOUD) --  how could it I said it only weighs 27# and that is with all the pre/pro ccts. for audio/video, plus networking, vs. the EMOTIVA XPA-5 at 66#, do the math.  The Denon would have to weigh in at close to 60# if it could produce close to 875 Watts RMS Continously into 8 Ohms Impedance x 7 Channels!!

POWER IT IS -- AVR vs. AMP FOR CLEAN POWER...
 

Concerning your observation of required “power” I’m in total agreement that the most demanding portion of the audible spectrum for the amp is in the “bass” region…IMO, the range < 80 Hz, or probably extending downward from 60 Hz.  If you review the Efficiency thread from last year I even remarked on this when I stated: “Whatever your situation, my best advice is to find a high quality sub with built-in amplification: even a few hundred watts dedicated to a narrow band of response (< 100 Hz) will substantially reduce the power requirements of your AVR for the remainder of the spectrum (out to 20 kHz)…especially at elevated levels of SPL.”  Please notice the word “substantially."

Concerning your: “I have never felt a need for louder with my 805, which has plenty of power. I have never once said "gee, I would like a separate amp, I need it louder".  I cannot refute your observation because you’re obviously pleased with your choice of an AVR (remember my “kilowatt” statement from another thread?)…and you’re likely joined by many more who are satisfied with their selections.  If this is the case, then I couldn’t possibly be happier for all of you.  However, keep in mind that there are others out there whose preferences, demands and expectations might be more demanding than your own: Do they have a much larger room than you?  What are the sensitivities of their speakers? How do you define “LOUD” compared to them?  As I (and others) have mentioned before on this forum, ALL of us have different tastes.

“Clean power does not sound loud.”  Again, no argument from me: clean power sounds good…and sounds even better (to me) in a large room when playing LOUD.

“In Dan's example, the efficiency factor of netting 800 watts or so seems plenty to me?!?!”  Hell, Scott, I’ll go Dan one better than that: Paul Klipsch submitted a paper to the Audio Engineering Society more than 50 years ago extolling the virtues of “efficiency” in loudspeaker design, and the title of his paper was something along the lines of “10 watts is more than enough.”  That’s NOT an exact quote, but I read a reprint of his paper (a long time ago so forgive me if my memory ain’t what it used to be) and it was something very similar to what I’ve written.  But back to the subject: should “800 watts or so seem plenty”???  Good grief…I would HOPE so!  I mention this tongue-in-cheek and with a wink (!), but please note that one contributor to this forum has stated that he noticed a definite difference in sound when operating in a multi-channel mode, and he had the supposed high-power AVR.

HOWEVER – HOWEVER – HOWEVER – here come the caveats.

The focus of your post appears to center on “power” but, IMO, this ain’t the issue!  The point I’ve been trying to make is NOT about “power” per se (though that’s the most easily measurable factor in all of this, and the measurement for which I’ve copied and pasted from both the OEM’s ads and those of reviewers) but about TRUTH in advertizing.

Truth, you ask? Absolutely.

One manufacturer proclaims (on their website) they have an AVR that will deliver “7-channel 910W powerful surround sound (130W x 7).”  They measure 385 watts.

Another manufacturer says: “# channels - 7.1, Power (8 ohms 20 – 20kHS 0.08% / Ch…..100W”.  Reviewer measures (highlight is mine): 

·         5 channels driven (8 ohms): 75 W* (18.8 dBW)

*Approximate result; with 5 or more channels driven the receiver protected, effectively shutting down, after approximately a half-second of drive at full output

Last fall I purchased the predecessor of this AVR (both have the same power/channel, but different video features) and I’m now thinking: Hot damn…you mean the AVR I just purchased is going to shut down after a half-second of drive???????  For real????   You mean like…seriously????

Well, there it is, so just for grins I’m going to toss another variable into the equation: both mfgs make no mention of a sub, and both mention the capability of delivering their power over the entire portion of the audible spectrum: 20 – 20 kHz.   Since S&V’s measurements were all conducted with a 1 kHz signal (a less-demanding condition than a swept 20 – 20 KHz signal), I’m left wondering what my AVR will actually deliver in real-world applications.

Should it be this complicated?  Should we have to search incessantly to confirm/verify the accuracy of advertized specs for the mainstream mfgs?

Sadly, it appears that we must, so…caveat emptor.

IMHO (and comparatively speaking) the Emotiva is a locomotive.  If I were still addicted, I’d start with a mfg who isn’t afraid to publish the performance of its offering(s) in all possible (driven) configurations.

When it is ALL Said and DONE, you will need a good AMP for your Denon AVR -- maybe that is why the EMOTIVA's are Backordered !!!