I've tried tackling those 30+ page threads on AVforum and basically what I came up with there is nothing more then a hair between those 3 in terms of performance.

None subjective differences are:

-The Onkyo is supposed to have to have the best video scaler (Reon) out of the 3, but there are few users seeing undesired stretching of SD pics. Some viewed SD content side by side with a 3808 and noticed no significant difference. Also this unit seems to run much hotter then others. People also praised its massive weight over the competition as a sign of better internals.

-The Sony is supposed to have the best GUI and range of inputs. Some people are noticing "black crush" on their scaled images. And the Sony reputation doesn't seem to score too high with audiophiles.

-The Denon is supposed to have a rounded performance with no major flaws and the best reputation on sound. The most unique is auto ethernet firmware update, and music streaming. No major standout and no major complains.

Be great if guys can put in your 2cent on this. I've a feeling I should take what I read at AVForum with a grain of salt.

I'm leaning towards the Denon right now because assuming there is nothing between them now, then the easy firmware upgrade means the unit have the potential to get better and better (like the PS3). But I'm a super n00b on these things and I could be talking out of my ass. I'm looking at these pricer units because I don't expect myself to be replacing it because something newer and better came along, I intend to run it to the ground. However if you feel I could be just as well with a Denon 2808 which I'm also open to, please let me know.

The speaker set will be KEF 3005, paired with Sharp 46in LCD 1080p.

I could be wrong.

And if the sharp onboard does the best job out of all these then yeah.. I could just go with the one that fits my bill only on the sound.

the onkyo.
first, denons don't sound so great anymore, and they lack the video processing that the 875 has.
second, sonys have never sounded so great, are hard to set up, unreliable, and also lack the video processing.

i've put in a few systems with the denon/kef pairing. i find that the denon doesn't quite have the sonic sparkle needed to get much detail out of the kefs. for kefs, i would suggest an amp that was slightly on the bright side... like the onkyo or the... well, th eonkyo... please don't buy a sony.

the 'easy' firmware update on the denon can brick it if the connection is interrupted... at all. BTDT. A short trip back to the factory and all was well.

Connection drop actually CAN be a issue here in China. Is there a way to download it locally with a computer and then upload it?

The Sony was the last on my list since its leg up is just the many HDMI connection and the GUI. Its scaler is much more limited compare to both the Denon and Onkyo.

But I was more interested in the Denon then the Onkyo due to the internet connection.

The superior video processing (on paper) of the Onkyo I'm sure won't be something dramatic considering I'm scaling normal SD content. And I just don't see much review where people were able to notice the scaler difference over the Denon.

However if you have experience with the Denon and the Kef and prefer the Onkyo, then thats valuable input.

But is my assessment correct about one can't go wrong with either of the 3?

Otherwise, the onkyos (875 and 905) have better sound and better video processing (HQV Reon vs Faroudja DCDi). True, early Onkyo builds have been buggy but firmware updates are already available to correct most of them from Onkyo and the bugs aren't deal-breakers for most people as there are workarounds (read up on exhaustive threads on the AVS forums if you dare).

we had a connection drop on a 4308ci and after that it wouldn't even turn on.
it's not a huge deal, as denon will fix it for free, and it's only happened to us once. i still prefer the onkyo, but the denon is a good choice if you need a ton of bells and whistles.

this link doesn't scream for the pioneer. but it'll show you a few quick points about each. I just want you to at least consider a pioneer elite, b/c they are legit. good luck!<ul><li><a href="http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=972776">http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=972776</a</li></ul>

Just buy which ever Elite has the features you are after. Their website breaks it down nicely.
I know your speakers well and the Elite's character suits them really well. The Onkyo and Denon would be okay (kinda), but not the Sony by any means, not with KEF. Bid mis-match.<ul><li><a href="http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/EliteReceivers">Pioneer Elite receivers</a></li></ul>

And assuming if I ignore all subjective comments on how they sound.

I forgot to mention I live in Shanghai at the moment, so my choice are also limited by that.

The only brands that have equaled models they have around the world in China are Onkyo and Denon.

The 5300ES is actually gonna be the 1st stand alone AV receiver Sony's gonna bring into China. Before its always been all in one.


So I'm left with Denon and Onkyo.. I'll try to listen to them at Best Buy (yeah we have one.. only one..) soon!

Many people are quite happy leaving the unit to it's own devices with this feature, but that's only because they can't be bothered or they don't believe their ears can tell the difference. Which for most people is just not putting in the time to listen. Female customers are the most common offenders here in my experience. They have as good a hearing as anyone, many of them just don't care how things sound, they just want the speakers to disappear.

You can easily get better results if you indulge in some manual adjustments after it's done it's thing.

I'm guessing Onkyo &gt; Denon for you too?