Comparing Denon Tuners to new

Unibox AVRs are a distinct and significant down performance compromise from quality build 2-channel separates .

Your post had me a bit confused .,, the title refers to “Tuners” “ but the OP body is a complaint about an irritating wandering volume pot control issue. Are you asking about a dodgy build creating an irritating wandering volume control pot issue? 

if it’s a wandering volume control problem in your current unit, , then buying a bottom-level new unit from COSTCO at a stated $400 rock bottom level pricepoint strata Is a risky blind gamble for any improvement at best - these are all built to their pricepoint. 

I understand your questioning my reasoning.  I'm doing the same.  I guess to simplify my question, are the newer entry level AVRs as good or better than the older stock mid/higher end I'm currently running?  You hope every new model is an improvement over the previous units.  Trying to figure out if I've reached that point where my older quality units have been either met or passed up by these more entry level ones in quality and features to warrant replacing?

If you dislike old "complication" buckle up for new.

You just need better centers and a compander, even the old Terk would help. And stick to dramas or comedies.

@akg_ca

Not any risk. Costco gives 90 days return any reason.

OP: hopes aside the only thing that is absolute is that Joe 6 pack brands like Denon are built cheaper as time rolls on.

It seems the problem here is getting better movie dialog sound.  I have the same problem with My Anthem 5 channel based set up.

Figuring out how to set up the 2312 so that the volume would be more consistent would definitely go a long way to making me keep what I have for a while yet.

@mtstereo 

The problem with dialogue intelligibility is not entirely your system fault. The movie industry has not done a good job in their soundtracks. You need to get the best center channel you can afford, ideally matching your l+r speakers. Most modern AVRs will allow you to raise the level of just the center channel, you just might need to dig into the menu to find that setting. As far as comparing the new cheap Costco unit to your current one, only you can tell and as @fuzztone said, you can always return it. Good luck. 

IMHO they don't have to match. I've ESL mains and an Ascend ribbon center. Just make sure to set the proper level 

"By ear" worked out better than 'by mic."

I agree buy ear then by mic. In my case I found this out the hard way being that my Definitive Technology speakers fire front and rear. Throws things way off. Talk to Denon and when they found out what speakers I had they said don't even attempt it