Affordable separate vs. high end receiver – which

I went through the same questions two or three years ago and did a lot of research, reading countless reviews (both online and in the press), a lot of listening at dealers, etc., etc. Finally decided to go with a receiver, mainly for convenience, but also because I kept reading from respected reviewers that receivers were finally coming closer and closer to the sound of separates, and in some cases even equal to or bettering separates.

First bought a Denon AVR-5700, then an AVR-5800, then an AVR-5803, the second two of them through Audiogon (relatively inexpensive upgrades if you can wait for the sweet deal).

The power and the flexibility of the 5803 cannot be beat. Sometimes it is almost too complicated. But the main thing is the quality of the sound. You have features like Pure Direct with no digital processing, perfect for SACD analog inputs and phono (turntable). Or you can digitize the incoming signal if you want more elaborate bass management.

Another awesome feature: Side surround speaker selection (A) for movies, rear surround speakers(B) for music. Power? 170W x 7.

I have now gone to biamping. B&W N802's for front L&R, HTM-1 center, N804's for rear music surrounds. Bass portion of speakers powered by 5803 receiver (170W), mid/treble run by B&K 200.7 amp (200W). Recently returned from the HE 2003 in SanFran after listening to $85K-$100K rigs and will put my system up against the big guys any time. Maybe a .5-1% difference, if at all.

Cheap seperates, i.e. Adcom, Rotel, Parasound, etc., sound quite similar, IMO, to high-end receivers like the Denon 5803. I bought a 5800 a couple of years ago, thinking I'd simplify my life, but ultimately wasn't satisfied with it's sound with music. However, I didn't find cheap seperates to sound any better. I finally found what I was looking for in Rowland seperates. I still use the 5800 for HT, though, driving only the surrounds. If I had to do it over again, I would probably buy a receiver around the $1000 mark, like the 3803, for HT duty and temporary pre-amp, and buy a good power amp (at least $2K used) to drive the fronts. Then add a good pre-amp as funds permit.

bryston is good stuff...20 year transferrable warranty...just my 2c

Look at ATI amps....as far as highend receivers and can't believe nobody has mentioned the Marantz SR9300 or the Mcintosh MHT200 (granted the Mcintosh is $6,100).