[rklein]

Advice Needed....

Had a Pioneer Elite SC-35 that I bought from COSTCO for $750 about a year and a half ago.  Unfortunately, some amp modules have gone bad and the damn thing only will play in stereo mode.  COSTCO is going to give me a full refund (even though they do not have to! )

Anyway, I am looking for a stopgap receiver that will do until my wife and I move in a couple of years.  This receiver is for our family room and we use it to watch TV and the occasional movie.  I have narrowed it down to two choices:

Marantz SR-5007 refurb from Accessories4less for $499 (1 year warranty)

Denon AVR-2313CI New Unit from an authorized dealer for $499 (3 year warranty)

These two units seem very similar and as much as I like Marantz I am heavily leaning towards the Denon for the warranty alone.

Advice is certainly welcome from any folks who are familiar with these two units or any other receivers in this price range that I might consider. 

Regards,

Randy

[geowak]

I have had a Denon AVR-4800, and a Marantz SR-7500. I liked the sound much more on the Marantz. I don't think you could go wrong with either one. I think D&M Holdings out of Japan owns both now. Maybe some one can chime in on if they both do separate design and manufacturing... nevertheless I think they make a great product.

[rklein]

Thanks for your reply.

I need to ad that I don't listen to that much music in our family room which opens to our kitchen.  Only Dish for TV and the occasional movie.  The music that I play is usually Pandora or from my itunes via my iphone.

Regards,

Randy

[jarcher]

Even though they are all part of D&M group, it's often been said that you get the Marantz for sound quality, the Denon's for features for price.  Denon has 4K upscaling, but the Marantz has something that for me is far more important : full 8 channel pre-out for use with an external amp.  The Denon only has for 2 channel zones + subwoofer.

I own an SR5005 + an AV7005 and have been very happy with both. You mentioned music quality may not be that important.  I will mention that the Marantz's M-DAX feature to me helps internet radio + compressed audio sound better (though the Denon may have a similar feature).

Bit disappointed w/ Accessories4less : when I got my refurbed SR5005 they added an extra year to the warranty for free. Maybe they were just really trying to move those out the door.  They do show on the product webpage the option of 1 - 4 extra years for $25 - $50 dollars. 

If it were me, I'd get the one you like better vs the warranty choice.  Adding 2 years to the Marantz to match the Denon will add only $35 to the price.  Usually if something's going to go wrong, it's in the first year (or first months) : though that was not your unfortunate experience w/ the Pioneer.  I've had no reliability issues w/ my Marantz stuff, though my friend did have to get his screen replaced on his SR5005 : but that one went bad almost right away.

[WC]

Go for the Marantz. I have a Marantz SR-6005 and a similar vintage Denon. The Marantz sounds better.

[mcgsxr]

As with the others, i would go with the Marantz. 

[Doublej]

Bit disappointed w/ Accessories4less : when I got my refurbed SR5005 they added an extra year to the warranty for free. Maybe they were just really trying to move those out the door.  They do show on the product webpage the option of 1 - 4 extra years for $25 - $50 dollars. 

You are disappointed that Accessories4less gave you an extra year of warranty for free? You would have felt better if you paid for it???

[jarcher]

Wow - unanimous agreement on Audio Circle : that must be a first!

Just to keep it interesting : if you really feel this will be a "temporary" purchase (a few years for me is a lifetime!), how about an even less expensive option?  There are @ accessories4less refurbed Denon 1613 @ $215 (5.1 channel), 1912 @ $269, and 1913 @ $299.  These are functionally very similar to the 2313.

For Marantz, to me the best / least expensive option is the refurbed slimline 1602:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARNR1602/Marantz-NR1602-SlimLine-AV-Receiver-7.1ch-with-Networking-and-AirPlay/1.html

Has 90% of what the SR5007 has (not 7.1 channel preouts : just sub) @ 30% less cost, takes up less space, less complicated, and with the $ you save on the refunded Pioneer, you can take the missus out for a weekend.  All of those things should make her happy. And if you do end up getting something more high end later, the small form factor is nice for a secondary system.

It is lower powered vs the 5007 (RMS 50WPC @ 7 vs 100WPC), but unless you've got very inefficient speakers or a really going to be playing loud, it shouldn't make a difference.  I recently recommended and installed one of these for a friend.  Seemed very similar sound quality wise to my SR5005. 

[jarcher]

You are disappointed that Accessories4less gave you an extra year of warranty for free? You would have felt better if you paid for it???

I'm disapointed with them now : delighted when I bought mine! 

[poseidonsvoice]

Have the Marantz SR 5005 in the family room and it plays music just fine.... Has enough features to make my head spin...

But then again I'm really a 2 channel guy...

Best,
Anand.

[rklein]

Soooooooo, how do you guys really feel....? 

I have a Marantz SR-7002 receiver.  When I bought it, I listened to the Denon lineup and really did not care for the Denon "house" sound.  The Marantz was WAY more musical.  Back then Marantz and Denon did not share a parent company.  I really was not sure if the sound had become close between the two.
 
In further reading, I have discovered the differences in the builds that support all of your replies that Marantz is the better buy.  In addition to what has already been listed by all of you...
1.  Better binding posts
2.  Better preamp topology
3.  Larger values for the Capacitors

and lastly the Marantz just LOOKS better!

JARCHER - Thanks for mentioning the slimline series.  I will definitely look into them.  As for spending the difference on the missus...I'm thinking she would really love getting some very lovely bass traps from GIK  (Actually, we just celebrated our 34th anniversary on the 14th)

Regards,

Randy

[North Star]

Go Marantz.

[jarcher]

As for spending the difference on the missus...I'm thinking she would really love getting some very lovely bass traps from GIK 

Too funny.......

Is there a woman on the planet that would actually welcome bass traps as a present?

[rklein]

Is there a woman on the planet that would actually welcome bass traps as a present?

Once again, sage advice.  Maaybe a gold binding post as a pendant?

BTW, I am either looking at A4L for $499 + $13 shipping with a 1 year warranty(doubled by my CC) for a refurbed SR5007 or Crutchfield for $599 with free shipping and a three year warranty for a new SR5007.

Regards,

Randy

[coke]

I'm using an older version of the marantz, SR5004 or 3 i think, that I got from accessories4less.  I just use it as a processor and preamp to feed my AVA amps when watching movies, but I've been very happy with it.  Wish it had a better version of audessey, but I can't complain.

 

[Bob in St. Louis]

I bought a Denon 3313CI ($860) a couple months ago. For what you're using it for, I think it would be fine. My son also bought a Denon ($300) a few months before that that is serving him well (I can get the model number for you after he wakes up and exits his room). I've also recently had a "Onkyo TX-NR616 THX Select2" ($380) that would serve you well. There are a couple things I don't like about these units from a 2 channel aspect, but for almost everything else they're fine. The Android app for the Denon is pretty slick, the app for the Onkyo was horrible.

[rklein]

Thanks to everyone for their advice.  Mucho Appreciado!

I went ahead and ordered a Marantz SR5007 from Crutchfield.  Brand new unit with a 3 year warranty plus 60 days money back return policy plus free two day shipping.

When I figured in the the shipping costs and the additional warranty with A4L there was only a $50 difference between getting a refurb and a new unit.

I chose this over the Denon because of the 8 channel preouts.  Who knows, I may be able to use this as just my processor if and when I eventually do get my home theater.

Regards,

Randy

[Dan Driscoll]

Late to the party, but I agree with that the Marantz was the way to go. I've been lusting after the SR5007 myself, but I'm still unemployed and just can't justify spending the money right now. 

[jarcher]

Thanks to everyone for their advice.  Mucho Appreciado!

I went ahead and ordered a Marantz SR5007 from Crutchfield.  Brand new unit with a 3 year warranty plus 60 days money back return policy plus free two day shipping.

When I figured in the the shipping costs and the additional warranty with A4L there was only a $50 difference between getting a refurb and a new unit.

I chose this over the Denon because of the 8 channel preouts.  Who knows, I may be able to use this as just my processor if and when I eventually do get my home theater.

Regards,

Randy

Wise choice : for the small price difference, it makes sense.

The 8 channel pre-outs to me is a big deal.  It really gives the product a longer life too, helping re-sale. It's becoming rare on receivers though, particularly the more "mass market" brands.  Enjoy!