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  1. #1
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    denon/marantz/yamaha/integra ??

    Looking for a 2 channel stereo am/fm receiver with about 100 watts per channel (at
    8 ohms) to handle tape decks, CDs, DVDs, VCR, and a turntable and drive
    four AR-2ax speakers (2 as A and 2 as B in another room). Listen often to
    local FM jazz stations, vinyl jazz, and CDs, while using DVDs for videos.

    So far I'm considering:

    Denon DRA-685 (about $500) 100 watts
    Yamaha RX-777 (about $600) 100 watts
    Marantz 4320 (about $360) 80 watts
    Integra DTM 5.3 by Onkyo (about $360) 100 watts

    They all seem to sound pretty good, but I have not heard them with my ARs.

    Forgetting price, what can you tell me regarding build quality? I've pretty much
    melted down some old iron by JVC and Marantz back in the '70s and I want
    something that will last. I am concerned whether the Marantz is up to the ARs,
    and I've never heard of Onkyo's Integra brand before today. My old Denon 635
    has done really well for 10 years or do, but the noisy input switching of the
    685 bothers me a bit.

    Suggestions for receivers please (no more room to add a tuner separate).

    thanks

  2. #2
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cciaffone
    Looking for a 2 channel stereo am/fm receiver with about 100 watts per channel (at
    8 ohms) to handle tape decks, CDs, DVDs, VCR, and a turntable and drive
    four AR-2ax speakers (2 as A and 2 as B in another room). Listen often to
    local FM jazz stations, vinyl jazz, and CDs, while using DVDs for videos.

    So far I'm considering:

    Denon DRA-685 (about $500) 100 watts
    Yamaha RX-777 (about $600) 100 watts
    Marantz 4320 (about $360) 80 watts
    Integra DTM 5.3 by Onkyo (about $360) 100 watts

    They all seem to sound pretty good, but I have not heard them with my ARs.

    Forgetting price, what can you tell me regarding build quality? I've pretty much
    melted down some old iron by JVC and Marantz back in the '70s and I want
    something that will last. I am concerned whether the Marantz is up to the ARs,
    and I've never heard of Onkyo's Integra brand before today. My old Denon 635
    has done really well for 10 years or do, but the noisy input switching of the
    685 bothers me a bit.

    Suggestions for receivers please (no more room to add a tuner separate).

    thanks
    All good units. All built well. Return rates show the Yamaha on top with Denon a very close second. Onkyo's not far behind either. I don't think there's a looser in the bunch.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  3. #3
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    One more brand

    Quote Originally Posted by cciaffone
    Looking for a 2 channel stereo am/fm receiver with about 100 watts per channel (at
    8 ohms) to handle tape decks, CDs, DVDs, VCR, and a turntable and drive
    four AR-2ax speakers (2 as A and 2 as B in another room). Listen often to
    local FM jazz stations, vinyl jazz, and CDs, while using DVDs for videos.

    So far I'm considering:

    Denon DRA-685 (about $500) 100 watts
    Yamaha RX-777 (about $600) 100 watts
    Marantz 4320 (about $360) 80 watts
    Integra DTM 5.3 by Onkyo (about $360) 100 watts

    They all seem to sound pretty good, but I have not heard them with my ARs.
    ...
    Harman Kardon also makes a couple of stereo receivers in your price range:

    http://www.harmankardon.com/series.a...at=REC&sType=C

  4. #4
    Forum Regular
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    Oct 2005
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    Thanks for the quick response! I liked what I've read about the
    HK 3480, but can't find any locally to look at. I want to see and
    hear before I buy. CC supposedly carries them, but apparently
    not here.

    BTW - the prices I quoted are local prices. I can save some bucks
    buying online and may do that. Currently there are too many online
    sources for me to feel confident any more. Any suggestions for reliable
    dealers??

  5. #5
    Suspended topspeed's Avatar
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    Those are all excellent choices and as others have mentioned, you can't really go wrong with any of 'em. If you'd like to consider something a little off the beaten path, albeit it's a more expensive path , you might consider this Cambridge Audio 540R. It has received very positive reviews and I use a 540a to drive my 4 ohm speakers literally all day long and am very pleased with both the sound quality and apparent durability.

    Another good place to look is spearitsound.com. They have the NAD receiver which would do the trick quite nicely. Don't worry about the 50wpc rating as watts are more marketing that real world substance. At least with the NAD, these are actual measurements taken with all channels driven, something the Japanese brands rarely do.

    Hope this helps.
    Last edited by topspeed; 10-07-2005 at 12:42 PM.

  6. #6
    Forum Regular
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    Can't see/hear a NAD receiver locally, at least not yet. But the online
    specs do not mention a phono pre-amp section. Does it have such??

    Also, it's several pounds lighter than the others I've seen, possibly
    indicating weakness in the transformer??

    BTW - how do we rate having King Feanor on this forum? Thought he passed
    on after creating the Silmarils. Did they have 120VAC in Numenor??

  7. #7
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Wink And you get my personal attention too

    Quote Originally Posted by cciaffone
    ...
    BTW - how do we rate having King Feanor on this forum? Thought he passed
    on after creating the Silmarils. Did they have 120VAC in Numenor??
    Two well-know internet audio equipment sellers are ...

  8. #8
    golden ear
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    laguna, philippines
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    its just a question of what you are looking for? are you looking for durability? sound reproduction quality? all of your options are good brands. just listen to each of them and let your ears decide for you.
    well if youd ask me, ill go for the one with the best sound. i like the sound of marantz over all the other brands.

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