Currently, I'm looking for receiver & speaker to setup my first home theater (budget of cause). I come across the following AVR:

Denon AVR-1908 (RM 1620)
Year: 2007
Power: 90w/ch
HDMI: 1.3a with deep color
HDMI Audio: LPCM 7.1 max 96KHz
Video Processing: Can convert composite/s-video to component, but NOT HDMI output
Multi zone: Yes
Direct mode: Yes
Auto calibration: Audyssey MultEQ

Denon AVR-1909 (RM 1899)
Year: 2008
Power: 90w/ch
Decoder: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital+, DTS-HD Master Audio
HDMI: 1.3a with deep color
HDMI Audio: LPCM 7.1 max 96KHz
Video Processing: Can convert composite/s-video/component to HDMI output (with Faroudja DCDi video processing for analog video)
Multi zone: Yes
Direct mode: Yes
Auto calibration: Audyssey MultEQ
Extra EQ: Audyssey Dynamic EQ & Audyssey Dynamic Volume

Denon AVR-2307 (RM 1890)
Year: 2006
Power: 100w/ch
HDMI: 1.1
HDMI Audio: LPCM 7.1 max 96KHz
Video Processing: Can convert composite/s-video/component to HDMI output
Multi zone: Yes
Direct mode: Yes
Auto calibration: Yes

Yamaha V563 (RM 1399)
Year: ?
Power: 90w/ch
HDMI: ? version
HDMI Audio: LPCM 7.1 max 96KHz
Video Processing: Can convert composite/s-video to component, but NOT HDMI output
Multi zone: Yes
Direct mode: No
Auto calibration: YPAO
Extra EQ: Cinema DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, Night mode

Yamaha V663 (RM 1800)
Year: ?
Power: 95w/ch
Decoder: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital+, DTS-HD Master Audio
HDMI: 1.3 with deep color
HDMI Audio: LPCM 7.1 max 192KHz
Video Processing: Can convert composite/s-video/component to HDMI output
Multi zone: Yes
Direct mode: Yes
Auto calibration: YPAO
Extra EQ: Cinema DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, DRC mode (heard that it doesn't remove bass like Night mode in 563 does)

At a glance, Denon AVR-2307 is a bit too obsolete, but still expensive. So no go.

Denon AVR-1908 is very near 1909, but don't have Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital+, DTS-HD Master Audio, Faroudja DCDi, Audyssey Dynamic EQ & Dynamic Volume. Price difference is only 279, not really worth it, especially it don't have Audyssey Dynamic Volume. I hate switching volume level frequently.

Based on the feedback from AVS forum, Yamaha AVR seems to clip HDMI video, while Denon is OK. Sound quality wise, seems like it's Denon also. Not sure how true is this.

From the spec above, I'm leaning towards Denon AVR-1909 because it got most of the features I want:
- HDMI 1.3a with deep color
- HDMI LPCM 7.1 24/96
- Analog to digital video conversion, meaning that I only need 1 HDMI out to TV for all different video input, but Faroudja DCDi processing only apply to analog video
- Direct mode
- Audyssey MultEQ calibration
- Audyssey Dynamic EQ & Dynamic Volume (Only 1909 have this among all models listed above)
- Cinema EQ

Get Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital+, DTS-HD Master Audio decoding as bonus, since I don't really watch any Blu Ray for now.

Another candidate is Onkyo 606, but I can only find it at RM 2400, too expensive. So, is this a good decision? I would like to know:
- Got other model price at around 1899 to recommend?
- Any special issue/problem to take note for Denon AVR-1909?
- My budget for 5.1 speaker is now reduced to 1000-1100, can't afford Jamo S606. Any recommendation to pair with Denon AVR-1909?

Thanks.

This post has been edited by OrangeStreet: May 29 2009, 04:18 PM

malaz 6003 seems good, but it doesn't have Audyssey Dynamic EQ & Audyssey Dynamic Volume, plus I think the price can go up to RM2000++. Denon 2809 must be expensive as well... So, 1909 still within my reach

Saw Jamo S606 HCS3 (without sub) priced at RM 1899
Denon AVR-1909 only have 90w per channel, I think the front speaker is 6 ohm and more than 100w, will it be enough to drive the speaker?

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Added on May 30, 2009, 7:04 pmDesa HT sell it at RM1899

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Added on May 30, 2009, 7:10 pm
There is this "Package" at Desa HT Kepong:
Wharfedale Vardus 400 (front)
Wharfedale WH-2 Center
Wharfedale WH-2 Surround
Wharfedale PowerCube 12+ subwoofer

Sell for RM 3050 including delivery and installation.

I know that WH-2 is discontinued, but Vardus 400 & PowerCube 12+ can still be found on Wharfedale website.

I've try out the Vardus 400. Sound warm and natural, no intrusive high pitch sound. But is this too expensive or reasonable?

This post has been edited by OrangeStreet: May 30 2009, 08:07 PM

Thanks for your reply. I was trying out the Wharfedale at Desa HT, sounds good compare to Jamo S606 (very hard sound) and also some other ayam brands. I just wonder why is the award winning Q Acoustic 1010i also sounded bad when I try it out over there, not sure if got anything to do with setting or not. But I have pulled the trigger on Wharfedale.

Thanks, I'll get the new toys soon. Will post to the respective thread after that