Out of those 3 options, I'd go with the SR5011 solely because it has pre-outs. Never know when you may need pre-outs, but when you want/need it and the receiver doesn't offer any - you'd be pressing your own balls on why didn't you get one with it.

Also, it's April now. That means the yearly announcement of receivers are just around the corner (Yamaha and Onkyo has started), you may want to wait out on that instead.

Thanks for the suggestion, I was thinking it would be good to have the pre-outs as well although I may never use it, but you never know. As for the sound, would there be a huge difference between Denon & Marantz or would it just be subtle? While I am keeping expectations low, it would be nice to get better audio. Since I got the Tannoys early last year I have been listening to music a lot more than I used to coz it sounds really good compared with what I was using previously. Hope I get a decent upgrade.

Good point on the timing, might scope it out for another couple of months before pulling the trigger.

IINM, the x2300w and SR5011 share very similar major components - the DAC(s), the transformer, the op-amps, the caps... But well, honestly the biggest difference in "sound" between them is down to how Audyssey could potentially screw up the EQ in relation to one another since it's impossible that they'll return the same EQ results every single time.

To be very honest and frank with you, changing receivers and not employing any sort of its auto-EQ system would generally result in; mostly subtle perceivable difference.
Better or not is subjective. If you ask me, I can't tell the difference between a Bur-Brown DAC vs a Sabre DAC. But there are people who would swear that they can and when asked to explain the science behind it, they cannot and start talking in gibberish "audiophile lingo" for whatever reasons.

So yeah, whatever sounds better to you is at the end of the day, is all that matters. Impossible for me to tell you if you'll get better audio quality with either x2300w or SR5011 over your current Yamaha v371.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Apr 3 2017, 06:46 PM

I do know there's a huge difference between Denon & Marantz pricing in Malaysia

Hmm.. thanks for sharing your insight. I have heard a few different AVRs previously and I always had the suspicion that the AVRs didn't really make that much of a difference compared to the speakers which I think is very obvious. Well, at least I can't really tell the difference myself although the salesmen were trying to convince/con me that there was a big difference. Making me think that I could probably get away with just getting the X1300w and save the 1k to get speakers for my PC.

Prices have come down somewhat recently maybe because they are trying to get rid of 2016 models before the 2017 models are launched. At the moment, Denon & Marantz pricing are better compared to Yamaha & Onkyo which are still asking for the same price as when they launched.

The auto-EQ makes the biggest difference to my ears.

In their "pure direct" mode which employs no PEQ, no bass management, no levels/delay set, then it would come down to power handling at different impedance. Some receivers will crap it self and sound bad just because the speaker dips into 4ohms while some others would still play along fine. Then some receivers would start sending distortion waves because they ran out of juice when the listener is playing his speakers at reference volume.

If that's the difference in "sound quality" that the so called audiophiles talk about... then, I guess they didn't learn what the hell ohms law is in school.

i got marantz sr5006 and denon x2000. denon is 1gen newer which support 4k pass thru.

both are same grade 7.1 amplifier with lan network only (i bought them used unit at same price too).
so from my memory of changing marantz -> denon able to produce the same sound in audyssey mode becos i use the exact same method during room calibration. playing movie volume unit same loud. chassis temperature same hot.

slight different in pure direct mode + loud volume. i cannot explain why i prefered the marantz.
both avr provide live feel soundstage, maybe marantz has the edge while denon a bit not natural.

function wise, my denon got video processor (i leave it off anyway). no 7.1 input rca
my marantz no video processor. got 7.1 input rca (only use hdmi anyway)

2sen

why i sell marantz is request from good friend, let go lo.
after up pioneer lx, cannot suit the mcacc, sold it. buy denon and keep using until now.

This post has been edited by ktek: Apr 3 2017, 07:51 PM

given me pick 3. i take sr5011 for below reason.
bigger power supply at 650w vs denon 500w
hdam module
pre in & out rca

but marantz cannot show current sound format (pcm, dolby, dts...) in screen pernamently, also quite small info. where denon can.
x1300 never heard dunno how good or bad.

This post has been edited by ktek: Apr 3 2017, 08:05 PM

I've never tried the ypao on the yamaha, have just been using it as it is. From reading so much good things audyssey and room correction in general, I am going to try it out coz it seems to have a big impact.

Have not had any distortion on my modest yamaha so far so I am thinking that modest power is enough for my needs.

Thanks for sharing your experience with both brands. Good info yo help me choose.

Thanks again. I think the marantz is shaping up to be the better option. Good info on the tiny display, but seems like a small price to pay for the better choice.

X1300 seems to be not as popular as the x2300 but its 33% cheaper so I am considering that as well. Based on the power rating, the marantz can probably play louder and cleaner. Its good to have the headroom.

price factor. yeah x1300 worth. i read thru specs. 430w power supply. same audyssey xt.
good thing about audyssey xt is 8 position calibration. i require it becos of mixed brand spk + funny room.

it lack video processor. able to overlay menu in full hd. but not 4k. so rely on avr screen to adjust volume.

This post has been edited by ktek: Apr 4 2017, 04:06 AM

X1300W is awesome to me. Sound is good. Im using 5.1 on it only. Came from yamaha v375 i can tell this denon sound a little better.

I don't think I need video processing since the TV will upconvert everything to 4k native resolution. Is the x2300/5011 able to overlay menu in 4k? Not sure how important this is as I see most AVR menus don't look nice due to low resolution.
Even without video processing can see the volume on the TV right? I am able to see it now with my 371 when I change the volume using the TV remote (with ARC).

Thanks for chipping in, its good to hear your experience coz your v375 is probably very close sounding to my 371. Did you try YPAO previously & Audyssey now, how much difference does it make? Can you elaborate on how its better? Does it sound fuller, more detailed, can play louder, etc? Want to have an idea of what I can expect. Thanks.

eh. denon gui quite nice yo.
much win the pioneer one. yamaha words very small rite

That is good to know. My Yamaha doesn't have any GUI that displays on TV, have to rely on the dot matrix display screen. I've seen some Aventages and some other brands I don't remember which a few years ago that have really ugly (grainy text heavy) GUI but I guess as long as it works its good enough but sure would be nice to have a pretty gui.

i got short exp on yamaha 477. that generation already employ hd overlay with acceptable gui instead of big ugly text base ui like my yamaha 463.

pioneer onkyo gui cannot fully overlay in setup menu. only for quick shortcut.

marantz can do all the while. denon is mid-high models only.

from my exp of yamaha-> marantz/denon(same) is going loud. very stim yo.
low to medium has more bass coverage. center voice is forward out.

This post has been edited by ktek: Apr 4 2017, 01:25 PM

I see, I must've seen an older one then.
Does that mean Yamaha can go louder but not as nice as Marantz/Denon?