Rotel RSP-1570 vs. Denon AVR-4310CI

[eboettn]

I need some help deciding between these two.

First off, here is my current setup:

B&W DM603 S3 Floor Standing (Mains)
B&W LCR600 S3 Center
B&W DM600 S3 Bookshelf (Rears)

Speakers powered by Rotel RMB-1075 multi-channel amp.
SVS PB12-Plus Subwoofer

Currently, I'm using a Yamaha HTR-5890 as my pre/pro and that is what I am wanting to replace. I will take any suggestions people give me, but I am partial to Denon and Rotel (and Yamaha to some degree). My main question is about the RSP-1570 vs. the AVR-4310CI.

My use is mainly HT (probably around 80/90%) but I do care about music as well.

Thanks everyone in advance for any and all help!!

[eboettn]

Let me ask another question. Maybe something easier.

In general, what are your thoughts on Rotel vs. Denon?

I really like the sound of Rotel products and since I have one of their amps, I would like to get a pre/pro to match. However, I also like some of the features that the Denon has, like iPod connectivity, XM/Sirius radio, and especially the Audyssey EQ.
But my main concern is performance / sound quality.

So here is my question: Rotel without room correction, or Denon with Audyssey EQ?

[GregBe]

I personally would go with the Denon. In my opinion, depending on how treated your room is, the room eq is a big deal. I have a Pioneer with MCACC, but same point. the newer room eq's are really nice. You already have a good amp, and the amp section is usually the most compromised part of a receiver. I am not that familiar with the Denon, but you may want to research some of the lower level Denons that have preouts. Unless the 4310 has some features that the 3xxx series does not have, why pay for the higher end amps in the 4310, when you already have the 1075 amp.

[Sonnie]

I agree... what is in the 4310 that the 3808 does not have? I do not know, just curious. Maybe it does not have quite as many features that you are looking for.

To me, Audyssey in the upper range has not been that great, but for the bass region it has worked really well. I have not seen a poll anywhere, but it does seem that I read about as many stating they do not use Audyssey as I read that are using it.

Sound quality wise... I cannot imagine there being any difference between these two units as far as preamp sections, unless one or the other is coloring the sound in some way, both should provide a neutral path, short of the obvious equalization features.

[Sycraft]

Well I personally decided to get a Denon receiver just recently, so that'd be what I recommend. I have a Rotel amp, which I still use, but I dislike their receivers/pres. The problem I have is they cost too much for what you get, and they are behind the times.

Room EQ is well worth the price of admission IMO, even if you have a fairly good room. Unless you have amazing speakers, your speakers can still stand for some correction. In the case of B&Ws one thing I know for sure (having some of my own) is their highs are a bit laid back. So even if you have a perfect room, and like most of us you probalby don't, it can help fix speaker imperfections.

I settled on a Denon 3808CI since it was the cheapest receiver with MultEQ XT in Denon's line. I highly recommend it. Problem is, you may not be able to get it anymore, which would leave the 4310CI as the cheapest MultEQ XT option.

Also the Denon receivers seem to have really good amps. Not that you really need it, as you'd keep using your Rotel since it is better, but if you decided to add more channels (the 4310 supports width and height channels, in addition to surround back).

So I'd get Denon, just off of the room EQ. I cannot say enough good things about MultEQ. Denon also has the best implementation IMO since you can change the target curve, where some like Onkyo don't give you a choice.

Sonnie: The features the 4310 has over the 3808:

1) Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume built in. The 3808 can have these, but it is a $100 upgrade, it comes with the 4310.
2) Audyssey DSX and Dolby ProLogic IIz. These allow for you to have height speakers, and front wide speakers in the case of DSX.
3) AL24+ Processing on all channels. Not sure how much this matters, but it has it.
4) 4th Edition Denon Link. I don't know what changes were made between the 3rd and 4th editions. Also, only high end Denon Blu-Ray and DVD-A players use Denon Link.
5) 2 HDMI outputs, as opposed to the 3808s 1. However it has only 1 component output, the 3808 has 2.
6) Sirius input. The 3808 can support Sirius with the $100 feature update, but has to use a couple of different inputs. The 4310 has a dedicated Sirius input.

Nothing major, but it does have some updates. The 3310, which is the new 3 series receiver, unfortunately doesn't have MultEQ XT, it has only the regular MultEQ, since it lacks a second DSP chip.

Personally I think the 3808 is great, however Denon seems to have decided it isn't needed anymore. Almost nobody has any left in stock.