DENON AVR-4306 vs YAMAHA RX-V2600 (1 Viewer)

Try locally. Denon doesn't authorize online sales of their products unless you buy from an authorized dealer. Same goes for Yamaha RXV products. I would think there are a few dealers within reach of Longmont with the right pricing for you.

There is one in Boulder which seems close.

If it's not a dealbreaker, the Denon 3806 WILL take your 720p sources and upconvert them to HDMI and output via HDMi 720P. It also has the MultiEQxt and about $700 cheaper than the 4306.

Worth considering.

LOL, If you say it that way. Do it!

I've demoed the Yamaha and the Denon side by side- It comes down to personal taste. Some like the yamaha sound- others the Denon. I happen to be a Yamaha user (I own 4 yammies). I dont think you will be dissapointed in either- however...you can save some money now...get the Yamaha and always add amplification later if you dont think it has the Balls. Of course...you can do that with the Denon as well.

Actually..would not the new RX-V4600 be a closer match too the Denon...and still cost a tad less?

Have you looked into HK?

Skip,
The cheapest HK that has HDMI upconversion which Chris wants is the 740 which is due out later this year at $2999. That's $1,000 more.

The 635 doesn't have it and the rumored 640 isn't even out yet and won't be until mid next year(guessing) but it will debut at CES in January. Last years 635 came out in March/April so March/April for the 640 isn't out of the question.

Well, it looks like he should wait and evaluate the HK. Many kick their heat and build quality, but many can tell you once you own one, and appreciate the significant improvement in sound quality, you will never go back.

Marantz is similar. Good luck!!

You mean HK, right? They have less "advertised" power, or more "realistic" or less "inflated". HK's have been measured very close to it's claimed power in any channel configuration.As you already pointed it out some Yamahas, and models from Sony, Onkyo, and Pioneer measures far less [in multi channel configuration]then what they claim on paper.
Also keep in mind that in oreder to get a small 3db gain you have to double the power output.In other words a 100w amp[measured] will only have 3db gain over a 50w amp, in loudness.

Chris,

I can tell you that years ago, I was impressed with the tech info that HK put out that others did not (for obvious reasons) - slew rate, rise time, negative feedback, ultrawide bandwidth - all of these affect the overall SOUND of the receiver. I was pleased with HK, then got talked in to a Yamaha. It was an OK producer - though I always felt something was missing.

About 10 years ago, our house was hit by lightning - no major damage aside of the Yamaha, a couple of Sony TV's, our air conditioning unit, and a fax machine. So I went right out and purchased another HK unit. Just to satisfy my curiosity, I took the HK unit to 3 upper end shops and asked to A:B them on the same line. All shops were very accomodating and enjoyed the challenge. Here were the results:

Shop A - carried Denon and Rotel. Very surprisingly, the HK blew the Denon away. The Denon sounded very "tinny" and lacked the overall sound quality the HK had. The Rotel was a closer match - though the $1500 Rotel carried better in the higher DB than the $800 HK - regardless a much better comparison, and the closest out of the 3 shops. We used Thiel speakers.

Shop B - carrfied Onkyo, Marantz, and Sony. The closest the HK came was to the Marantz. In my opinion, the Onlyo was the overall worst, the Sony being second. We used B&W speakers.

Shop C - a high end shop and the only comparison was against Adcom and Arcam. Adcom was very harsh and lacked depth. The Arcam was a closer sound - though not as good on HT as music. Speakers used were Dynuadio.

As you can see, the choice of receiver does affect the quality of sound to some degree. True, a more significant element is the speakers themselves - but you should take some time to A:B receivers.

CC carries HK and Onkyo with a 30 day return policy. BB carries Yamaha and Sony with the same. And any decent shop should encourage an A:B comparison or at least allow you a loaner over the weekend of a demo. Best time is to offer to pick up Saturday afternoon and return Monday.

From a personal standpoint, I enjoy the relaxed sound of the HK on music, and their enveloping soundstage on HT. Yes - more $$ but comparitively - no contest. The previous poster is correct with regards to power - the HK is true power with a lot of current - and you will see it will override a Yamaha 120/channel any day with as little as 50-60RMS.

Good luck, and let us all know what you select!!

I'm not sure about HK's quality, I have a very old model that sounds great, but I just hate the new look they have taken. I'd have to hide the thing!

HK's 50/60W cannot beat a RX-V Yamaha's 120W, especially in 1,2 channel driven. In 5,7 channel driven, it may compare well with the 120W RX-V but not even close to a Denon. Search H.T.mag (they tested an AVR630 as well as a 3805) and/or S&V lab measurements to see it for yourself. HK advertised their output more honestly but it does not make their 50W amps more powerful than Denon's 120W. Their high current thing is an instantaneous (very short duration) rating only. The RX-V Yamaha and Denon can do that too.

Food for thought, if you can save $700 by settling on a 3806, you could end up with much more power by spending the $700 on a two channel amp and use it with the preouts to drive your front speakers. That way your system may sound better on 2 channel materials.