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 Which sub Sg $2500 Amp to choose?, Pioneer vs Onkyo vs Denon

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TSDannyOP
post Dec 8 2010, 09:57 PM, updated 16y ago

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I'm now in Singapore on business so had some time to check out the latest prices. I'm setting up another av room to be connected to an Optima Projector. These are the prices quoted to me by the Av shops in Singapore :-

Denon 4311 - $2350 with HP Netbook
Denon 3311 - $1515 with HP Netbook
Pioneer LX53 - $1615 with Pioneer Bluray Player (worth S$399)
Pioneer LX73 (with Ice tech) - $3250 with LX53 Pioneer Bluray Player (worth $599)
Onkyo 1008 - $1970 (no free gift)
Onkyo 3008 - $ 2520 (no free gift)

Given they are all so competitive and some have free gifts, which one would you choose and why?


htkaki
post Dec 8 2010, 10:02 PM

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All with its own sonique characteristic or shall we call it the 'house sound'. What kind of sound that you like? Don't ask me as I prefer Denon tongue.gif You knew it.


mikapoh
post Dec 8 2010, 11:06 PM

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You knew me too. DENON for the win!


Added on December 8, 2010, 11:08 pmOn 2nd thought, 4311 price there looks very attractive indeed...









This post has been edited by mikapoh: Dec 8 2010, 11:08 PM
htkaki
post Dec 8 2010, 11:19 PM

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Mikapoh, buy! smile.gif
mikapoh
post Dec 8 2010, 11:54 PM

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You know to get this thing "hide up" from Katam to JB & try to sneak it from W'Msia to Kch isnt an easy task.









kit615
post Dec 9 2010, 11:24 AM

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I have been driving to SG a couple of times this year, while the SG ketam will almost 100% inspect your car's trunk; Malaysia ketam just wave their hands and ask you to move along ALL the time! just my experience....

There was once that i did not even see a custom officer at the usual inspect spot (2nd link).
TSDannyOP
post Dec 9 2010, 11:33 AM

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I prefer a more pleasing and natural sound. I took Onkyo out of the equation due to the high wattage consumption.. approx 1000w for the 3008, the Pioneer Lx series only between 300-400w, more efficient. Now torn between the Pioneer Lx53 and the Denon 3311/4311.
DarkNite
post Dec 9 2010, 11:44 AM

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QUOTE(kit615 @ Dec 9 2010, 11:24 AM)
There was once that i did not even see a custom officer at the usual inspect spot (2nd link).
*
Yup 2nd link & especially if it is late at night!
mpyw
post Dec 9 2010, 11:56 AM

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QUOTE(DannyOP @ Dec 9 2010, 11:33 AM)
I prefer a more pleasing and natural sound. I took Onkyo out of the equation due to the high wattage consumption.. approx 1000w for the 3008, the Pioneer Lx series only between 300-400w, more efficient. Now torn between the Pioneer Lx53  and the Denon 3311/4311.
*
LX53 is an entry-high level while Denon 4311 is a high-end model
I would go for the 4311
SUSchokia
post Dec 9 2010, 12:52 PM

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Denon 4311 - $2350 with HP Netbook (2350x2.4 =RM5640) wow you cant get this price on ebay also

Grab it quick. Toss the netbook to me smile.gif

This post has been edited by chokia: Dec 9 2010, 12:53 PM
TSDannyOP
post Dec 9 2010, 06:43 PM

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QUOTE(chokia @ Dec 9 2010, 12:52 PM)
Denon 4311 - $2350 with HP Netbook (2350x2.4 =RM5640) wow you cant get this price on ebay also

Grab it quick. Toss the netbook to me smile.gif
*
Tested the following which they had stock -

Denon 2311 - overall musical and pleasing to the ears
Denon 3311 - a step up from 2311 with more control over the bass and clarity
Shop ran out of 4311 so didn't have a chance to test ..
Onkyo 1008 - side by side it looked like a beast compared to denon. Much bigger and heavier. However it lost out
On clarity even compared to the 3311 and I would rate it around 2311 standard.

Outcome - was deciding between 3311 and 4311 and decided to spare some cash and gotten the
3311 with netbook. :ope it's worth it!

Note - customs stopped me at airport and after appeal he taxed me rm100! Will test out with my system tonight and compare with pioneer 920.



htkaki
post Dec 9 2010, 10:25 PM

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QUOTE(DannyOP @ Dec 9 2010, 06:43 PM)
Tested the following which they had stock -

Denon 2311 - overall musical and pleasing to the ears
Denon 3311 - a step up from 2311 with more control over the bass and clarity
Shop ran out of 4311 so didn't have a chance to test ..
Onkyo 1008 - side by side it looked like a beast compared to denon. Much bigger and heavier. However it lost out
On clarity even compared to the 3311 and I would rate it around 2311 standard.

Outcome - was deciding between 3311 and 4311 and decided to spare some cash and gotten the
3311 with netbook. :ope it's worth it!

Note - customs stopped me at airport and after appeal he taxed me rm100! Will test out with my system tonight and compare with pioneer 920.
*
The 3311 will smoke the 920 with ease since it is midrange level avr. The Audyssey MultEQ is another advantage. You shall hear better LFE effect.
TSDannyOP
post Dec 9 2010, 10:46 PM

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unwrapping it now smile.gif just setup the netbook and it'll be a handy travel companion! Will post an update once I've compared both the amps.

Btw I asked about the Denon 100 Annivasary Amp availability.. the Sg dealer said the stocks are not in yet. Price wise very similar to 4311 according to Denon's Sg website.
htkaki
post Dec 9 2010, 11:00 PM

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Danny, if you put the SVS at the first location, I bet it would sound a whole lot better than previously. Mostly due to Audyssey esp Dyn EQ.
TSDannyOP
post Dec 9 2010, 11:11 PM

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Isit? So I don't need to put it so far away?
squall_12
post Dec 10 2010, 12:52 AM

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wow denon 4311 is cheap at sg might go there next year for purchased any recommend shop in sg that i can get for cheap price on denon amp?

Thanks
TSDannyOP
post Dec 10 2010, 01:38 AM

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I bought it at City Electronics from Melvin. Friendly guy and didn't really push to buy anything. Let me test everything that I wanted to test and gave good discounts. If u're there check out their speakers too. They have quite a decent range ie. Whafedale, Mission, Quad, earthquake etc. There's also another shop at Sin Lim which sells mostly Pioneer. If you want to get good prices for Pioneer they are probably the only shop that keeps Pioneer stock and you can test the whole range there. The top of the line Pioneer speakers also there.. around $30k!

If you are thinking about 4311 better wait for the 100 aniversary edition, it should cost the same as 4311 but supposedly better.

Update :-

Denon 3311 vs Pioneer 920

Software Calibration
Denon with the MultiEq HT has much more calibration compared to the simple Pioneer setup. Just finished setup and now testing out the sound. It allows you to setup 8 listening positions and calibrates the sound that best suits the environment. Pioneer meanwhile just allows you to setup 1 listening position. Nevertheless, if you are sitting around the sweet spot listening position the Pioneer still works well.

Remote control
The good thing about Denon 3310 Remote is that it can calibrate with different brands, compared with Pioneer which only works with its own brand. So far the Denon controller does a good job controlling my Pioneer BD player and LG Plasma. However it can't detect the latest Astro HD player.

Sound Quality
I'm still fiddling around with so many software controls and super thick manual. I set all the speakers to small and crossover to 80hz. I hope that this is the right adjustment. No time to watch a full movie yet but tested a few scenes of Clash of the Titans. Overall the sound is more detailed and sounds wider. However I've yet to match the Pioneer in terms of bass.. maybe I missed out some adjustments. Will find out later tonight.


Added on December 11, 2010, 3:13 amUpdate - one extra feature the 3311 has compared to Pioneer is the Media Streamer. It can detect my notebook and can configure to use media files from devices linked via ethernet or wifi.

It also has auto firmware update and will prompt you to update if there is a new firmware if you are connected to internet.

After using the 3311 for over a day I found that the sound has improved. Perhaps it will take some 'burn in' time. Overall it is a more accomplished Av amp compared to the entry level Pioneer 920k. Well it costs almost double of 920k so it should! My movie experience feels more immersive with the 3311 and small sound details are picked up which I didn't notice with the 920k. The Pioneer 920k still leaves some good impression for a RM2000 amp and though easy to setup the settings are simple and accurate.

My personal ranking ( sound quality) -

+/- RM2000 Av Amp ($700-$800)
1 (tie) - Denon 1911 & Pioneer 920k
3 - Onkyo 608

+/- RM4000 Av Amp (S$1500-$2000)
1 - Denon 3311 - S$1515 with Free HP Netbook
2 - Denon 2311 (S$1165 with JBL 5.1 speakers)
3 - Onkyo 1008 - S$1970
4 - Onkyo 808 $1490

I'm very happy with the 3311 considering my total cost of ownership is approx $3600 with the HP Netbook! Considering the Netbook already costs slightly over RM1000 the 3311 is a very good value for money Amp.


* The above all tested with Whafedale Onyx speakers.
* Didnt get to compare Pioneer LX53 which costs S$1600+ with free BD player with S$399
* Overall dissapointed with the Onkyo range.. was highly anticipating that the Onkyo 1008 may exceed the cheaper Denon 3311 but it stuggle to even match the 2311. It has a somewhat 'muffled' sound compared to Denon and Pioneer. Furthermore very power hungry (700-1000w compared to Pionner which only runs half its comsumption). Hope my personal review is useful to fellow forumers thinking to buy amps from $2000-$4000 range. It's only my personal view so take it with a pinch of salt. Happy listening!

This post has been edited by DannyOP: Dec 11 2010, 03:13 AM
sherwyn
post Dec 11 2010, 10:27 AM

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Bro, where is this City Electronics? smile.gif
TSDannyOP
post Dec 11 2010, 07:05 PM

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QUOTE(sherwyn @ Dec 11 2010, 10:27 AM)
Bro, where is this City Electronics? smile.gif
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Its in sin lim square. One of the authorised dealer listed on denon singapore website.
sherwyn
post Dec 12 2010, 02:13 AM

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QUOTE(DannyOP @ Dec 11 2010, 07:05 PM)
Its in sin lim square. One of the authorised dealer listed on denon singapore website.
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Got it. Thanks! smile.gif


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