I'm about ready to flip a coin.....

I have no experience with the Onkyo, but i do have a RXV2200. I've had it for about 2 or 3 months and i'm really happy with this receiver. It's amazing how clean it is even at high volumes.

You'd happy with this receiver if you use it for a mix of HT and music.

Bob

 

I have no experience with the Yamaha, but I do have a 797. I've had it for 8 months and am happy with the unit. If I had to do it over again with this unit I would get the Denon 3802.

Phil

PS Still happy with Onkyo though

 

i would also highly recommend the 2200. it is amazing for ht and music. very clean receiver. not at all bright like many of the earlier models. in fact i think it is a "warm" receiver. compared it to the denon 3802 (fantastic receiver) and i heard things with the yamaha that i never heard on the denon. it sounded warmer than the denon but still had very good highs and lows. onkyo makes a great receiver also but i think the yamaha edges it out in sound. i am also impressed by the yamaha remote. i just wish it was backlit. yamaha quality is secong to none as well. both would be great receivers. i am very yamaha biased though. you should try to demo these receivers side by side with your speakers if possible and let your ears choose. good luck

 

Eric,

What are the prices on the two?

The HK AVR-8000 can be had for ~$1500 (maybe less). It adds THX and, more importantly, Logic 7. It compares closer to the flagship receivers than the mid-level models.

 

Eric,
That is a tough choice. I have Klipsch reference speakers so i went with the 797(the 2200 was a little too bright for my speakers). If you have bright sounding speakers i would say go with the 797. If your speakers are not bright, then go with the coin toss

 

I did a comparison between the Denon 2802, 3801 and the Yamaha 1200 and 2200. Did a 2-channel music test. Here is what I found:

1200 better than 2802
1200 almost equal to 3802
2200 much better than 3802
2200 much better than 1200

2200 was richer, fuller, and made the speakers disappear into the room, with a huge soundstage that went out past the walls. Really impressive.

Then put in some 5.1 channel music, and heard the same things, no sense of speakers what so ever.

It was more than I could afford, so now I am saving up!

 

I don't see how we can help. You know all about the 2 candidates, and you have the additional advantage of knowing what various features are worth to you. If you can't make the decision, how on earth can we make it for you?