Best A/V Receiver up to $1200.00?


What's the best and most reliable and powerful A/V receiver available up to the $1200.00 price range? I'm looking at the Marantz sr-8000, Denon AVR-3300, and the Pioneer Elite VSX-26TX. I've heard alot of reliability issues with the Denon and sound quality with the Pioneer. I'm leaning toward the Marantz. My only reservation is the lack of "bell's and whistles" 7.1 and speaker switching. I've also heard the Marantz amp is far superior to the other's. Thank's Danny
betelgeusba17
I prefer Harmon Kardon for one reason, it will drive 4 ohm speakers. You will not be limited in your selection of speakers. Denon will not for sure and I suspect the Nakamici will not either.
I use a Nakamichi AV10 with NHT 2.5i speakers, Mirage OM3 center channel, M&K 70b subwoofer and NHT SuperOne rear speakers. Excellent sound, plenty of power for this set-up. It also sounds great for two channel stereo with the NHT 2.5i.
This wont qualify as high end but I really enjoy the system. I use a Kenwood 3080 receiver $450 refurbished as a pre/pro it does DD and DTS and because it didnt have quite enough power for my taste I got a used B&K AV5000 for $900 The B&K amp is only rated at 105w / ch which is 5 more than the Kenwood's internal amps but the difference is amazing! I also upgraded my tributaries cable to Kimber 4tc and now my B&W CDM 7's really sing. Good luck.
Stay away from the Denons. The Nak. is an excellent choice as well as the Yamaha line.
Hi If you are looking at reliability,I would have to say that Yamaha would be at the top.We carry severall lines and we seldom have one come back.Denons quality controll has sadly slipped a bit IE the 3300 Lots came backs for Buzzing transformers,circuitprotection shut down and digital lock on problems. Hope this helps RLA