NAD T763 v Pioneer 74TXi v Denon 2807/3806 v Rotel RSX 1056
sloggy420 -- Mon, 07/10/2006 - 22:17
So if you look above thats the short list...see my delima?
All of these fall w/in my $1200 price point so price is not the issue. I have only recently begun my quest for a A/V reciever, I was going to do components but maybe later on in life, for now I have to settle w/ a good multi purpose unit and I then have to narrow it down to ONE! So please help because this is a big decision and I will never know as much as I want to.
Sound quality for music (1st) then movies (close 2nd) is my most important feature
I am also unsure about what exactly HDMI/DVI switching is. I think I want it but not at the cost of a dramatic drop in sound quality, I will be purchasing a HD TV after this whole HDMI 1.3 fiasco blows over
I know that specs mean almost nothing so I have chosen my list based on reviews from this website primarily as this was the first place I found and felt, "HEY! These guys know what they are talking about." So that leads me to the how I must obtain the items
I am leaning to the NAD 763 or Rotel 1056 b/c I can get those from a local Audio shop that is where I will buy my speakers from (Paradigms) and really they just make me feel good, not like a Best Buy or something where they know as much as me and act like experts. Should I rule out the Denon's and Pioneer? How does an Outlaw 1070 compare. Any other suggestions?
Please help and tell me as much as you feel like...I need all the help I can get
I do not care about ease of use really, isn't it part of the fun to only know yourself how to make your stuff work?
Hey Sloggy,
I would rate your three candidates this way: 1)NAD 2)Rotel 3)Denon. I have experience with all three. The NAD and Rotel are both very good-sounding, with the Rotel having a nicer visual design. Both are easy to use. The Denon is very reliable, with more sonic edginess, and is more complex to operate. It also has less "high-end" panache about it. It is widely available at good discounts.
Barry Willis
Thanks for your input, you are right about the discounts on Denon, that is why I am considering it. I can find both models on the wonderful Internet for around $1K. I am leaning toward the NAD b/c I have not heard ANYTHING bad aboud NAD ANYWHERE.
I have heard about some "humming" noise from the Rotel though, has anyone else?
What about the HDMI/DVI switching?
I am an advocate of analog component video until all the glitches are ironed out of the HDMI interface.
I don't know about any humming problem from Rotel gear.
Barry Willis
what is the besttype of analog video?
I'd second the notion of putting the Rotel and NAD receivers at the top of your list. Which goes at the very top? That's your call, though there are distinct differences between the two firms' "house sounds." See past TPV reviews of NAD and Rotel AVRs, as archived on avguide.com, for more insights.
Question: Which Paradigm speaker system are you considering?
Video: At its best, HDMI can be a good way to drive a display, but right now HDMI does not seem to be a surefire solution (I've observed just enough small HDMI incompatibility quirks to think that HDMI's technology "teething problems" haven't settled down just yet).
It isn't clear that routing HDMI signals through an AVR buys you much extra convenience, given that many displays have multiple HDMI inputs while many enthusiast own just one or two HDMI-equipped source components. In short, the simpler solution might be to run an HDMI cable straight from your player to your display--bypassing the receiver.
But another important point to consider is the fact that many of today's DVD players produce visibly better on-screen images when presenting signals via their component video outputs (as Barry Willis reported when doing the recent TPV survey of DVD players). The point: Don't think of component video as "old" technology; think of it as "proven, quirk-free" technology.
Bottom line: Unless you have a compelling need for HDMI-switching functions, I wouldn't let absense of that feature dictate your AVR decision.
Best,
Chris Martens
Audio Editor, The Perfect Vision
Senior Writer, The Absolute Sound
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I think I am sold on the analog video technology, what is the best?
I am most likely gong to have Paradigm Monitor 7 fronts, whatever the matching center spesker is, and then the "lesser" Atom's as my surrounds. My fronts are up in the air though but I like Paradigm a lot and for the money I have not found anything better.
I do want to know about quality speaker cables/interconnects and all that because right now I know nothing.
sloggy420,
If you're not going with HDMI connections, then the best logical alternative is to use component (not composite) video connections. Component video is a tried and true solution, so that the only downside is springing for one or more sets of component video cables (these are the three-cable sets you'll find in A/V stores, typically with RCA connectors color-coded in red, green, and blue).
The Paradigms are a good choice; historically, that company has worked very hard to build speakers that offer great value for money.
Chris Martens
TPV/TAS
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
If you're into SACD, I would recommend picking Denon over the other two.
The reason? Denon is one of the few manufacturers to have direct digital links that can carry a DSD signal, unmolested, between a transport and a receiver.
If SACD doesn't matter to you, then the NAD and Rotel are groovy.
Just a cautionary note that although the Denon does have a digitial link for SACD, because it is proprietary means that you'll also be forced into a "shotgun" wedding by keeping components within the Denon family. Not necessarily a bad thing but it does limit flexibility.
And more to the point-with the new BluRay standard unsupportive of SACD the whole issue has become moot.
Neil Gader/TAS-TPV
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Good point, but are there any direct digital SACD->decoder/receiver links that aren't proprietary?
I only know of Sony and Denon offering this feature at all, and I think they're both proprietary.
As far as Blu Ray is concerned, you might be right (or not, the jury still seems out on who will win the HD-DVD vs. Blu Ray battle), but the future of Blu Ray doesn't directly answer the question of what to do with the SACD disks already owned.
So I just purchased a sharp 1080p display- I also purchased a Pioneer 84txsi receiver because I believe it is one of the few receivers that will pass 1080p.
I have direct tv HD, oppo 971 DVD and a 5.1 sound system- am I wasting money with the Pioneer? Basically I'm using the receiver as an HDMI switch correct? but I could use my NAD receiver w/ component and everything would be the same? No issue passing 1080p? and if I add a BR or HD-DVD player later I won't need the HDMI capability? I know the Sharp and Pioneer are using HDMI 1.2, is 1.3 really necessary for audio?
Just trying to figure this out, I have not unboxed the pioneer yet so I can still return- my plan is to get something that will work for the next few years- I tend to use my equipment for as long as I can.
Thanks Kevin
Kevin I think you should wait and return the 84 simply because HDMI kinks are not all ironed out yet. I believe the 84 uses HSMI 1.2 and if you are happy with your NAD then stick it out for another year until you can purchase HDMI 1.3 items. They will be your best choice if longevity is your goal... just my opinion.
I am new, and don't mean to hijack this thread, but I too am about to spend serious money (for me) on a complete system, and store "A" is pushing me to buy a Pioneer Elite or Yamaha AVR to upconvert, or pass 1080P to my 46" Sony Bravia XBR3 LCD, saying if I buy anything else, I have just waisted my money. Store "B" is say the opposite, pushing me to buy a NAD T773, even though it doesn't support upconverting or HDMI or 1080P. I like the quality/ musicality of the NAD approach, but I am frozen in fear of purchasing instant obsolecence. By the way, store "B" suppports the argument that HDMI is too glitchy right now, and swears I will never see the difference using the Component video connections. I am cool with that argument, until I see every other manufacturer in the world integrating HDMI, upconversion, etc.. Marketing is so powerful these days, making us think we need something we may not really need. Also, Store "B" says the monitor will do all of the video upconversions I need, so no need for redundancy of the upconversion in the AVR. Speakers for this 7.1 system will be Polk RTS-100 THX in ceiling's for the front LCR and ceiling mounted Polk LC60i with polk enclosures for the remaining 4 surrounds. Sub will be Pinnacle D600.
And finally, how come NAD doesn't support HDMI in their T series of AVR's yet builds a T 534 dvd player that has HDMI output? See why I am so confused? Your help and comments will be greatly appreciated to help me avoid a potential train wreck.
The dilemma is worse that you think it is. The entertainment industry is pushing to limit the resolution of analog component video to 408p. It's conceivable that existing disc players that output 720p/1080i could become illegal or at least partially unusable. HDMI/HDCP is supported by the entertainment industry because of its robust resistance to hacking. Upconverted analog signals can be processed into pretty high-quality unauthorized copies. That's why intellectual property guardians are so enthused about HDMI/HDCP.
For now there's no limitation on component analog video bandwidth, and any limit is strictly a voluntary effort.
But even when/if HDMI becomes a universal standard, chances are you won't have more than two HDMI sources -- a disc player and a cable TV box or satellite box. Many projectors and flat-panels have at least two HDMI inputs, so there's no need to switch HDMI at your AV receiver. I'd vote for the best audio quality when considering an AVR, and the best user interface. The NAD T773 is a great choice from both perspectives.
Barry Willis
Integration Editor
The Perfect Vision
I'll second Barry Willis argument for going for sound quality first and not worrying about HDMI swtiching in an AVR. You can always add an outboard HDMI switcher down the line if necessary.
Robert Harley
I recently bought the Vizio 50' plasma to integrate into a two-channel audio system. I bought the Denon 2807 to use as a switcher between Cable HD and my DVD player. I use the 2807's pre-outs into my preamp, and all my audio sources go straight into my preamp without passing through the receiver.
I can't speak to the other receivers mentioned but, in Direct Mode, the 2807 works just fine for me. I am quite happy with it.
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