Hey all, I don't have to buy anything for a few months but right now am agonizing over these three pieces. Am also considering a used lexicon MC-1 and used amplification.
I like the power of the outlaw system and the ability to card and software upgrade as well as the option of having separates to facilitate upgrading the pre/pro only and still having 7 channels of good amplification.
The denon has tones of features, the new cross over option is cool, but it is not very flexible. Allowing you only to set the global x-over point, not one for fronts, center and rears respectively like the outlaw or lexicon.
THe 49Tx has the nifty autocalibration feature which would be nice, but no firewire or other link for future DVD-A or SACD. AND they are waiting till the next generation of receivers to add it, thus showing that they are not really thinking about upgrading the unit.
I will be using the Denon DVD-2800, monitor audio PMC-703s, CC-750, and PMC-700s along with a velo FSR-18.
Any advice, thoughts, comments?
Mike

We about beat this topic to death but one of the guys made a great comparison chart. Most of us here would obviously go for the outlaw for the Price/Performance and separates. Everyone has to make up their own mind though
Check it out.

http://www.prillaman.net/950_chart.html

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Stott

For one the 5803 is a staggering $4500 bucks retail. Also unless you buy the new 9000 dvd player from denon you can not use the digital link. Loads of beautiful inputs and outputs, but as shown through the 5800, a future upgrade would cost you at least $800 bucks. Just about the cost of a 950. And your still not getting 200w per channel(denon is 165). Denon does have the new dolby surround headphone output, THX ultra 2 and some other niceties that are just seem to me to be to expensive. THe pioneer feature you mentioned is very cool. But a radio shack spl meter at $39.99 would yield the same results. Again I think they are both overpriced solid recievers. I dont think buying any of those would make you unhappy. But if you want the most bang for your buck, real world features you could use now and a company that actually talks to you and listens to your requests. And really wants to give you a product without bugs and problems and that is 100% right, you want to go with OUTLAW.

I think Jeffrey has a good point. As none of these are out yet, there's no way to compare audio performance. As far as features, the 950 gives up a few features (THX being a big one, and one that isn't really much of a loss in the greater scheme of things) but offers the benefit of separates that you pointed out. The upgrade to the Denon 5800 will be expensive and will not add full 5803 functionality, which doesn't make me real warm and fuzzy about future Denon upgrades (it's nice that they offered at least some upgrade to the 5800, but the price is steep -- almost what a 950 will cost). The Pioneer 49TX looks like a fairly impressive piece of gear, but I think the THX Ultra 2 is a major reason for the $4200 list price -- paying a lot extra for little more than a name and a fixed 80Hz crossover.

What about mixing things up a bit? You mentioned a used MC-1 and used amplification. The used MC-1 will cost you close to what a new Model 950 will -- why not consider used amps and a new 950? Just another idea...

Best of luck with your search!

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Gonk

Hey thanks for all the great replies.
Stott: thanks for the chart link, but it is not up to date in regards to the 49TX or the 5803s new specs.
Jeff: The denon will be $4300 retail, but as current prices for the AVR-5800 are discounted ~35% the 5803 probably will be able to be had for around $3000. The ELite is $4200, but is easily found for $2500 so rpice difference is not that great on the three I am considering.

Gonk: Everything you said makes sense, the most so far. Thanks. an MC-1 s like $2000 used at the best so it is more than double the 950. Getting used amps for the 950 sounds like a smart money saving idea, but if I am going to buy a new 950, for the great price and the minor discount for buying both, the 770 will probably be what I do since warrenty and support will be easy!
Thank you everyone, it is sometimes good to hear things from others even if you have already thought about because it lets you know your not a moron and you are not jaded by desire to have SOMETHING, especially the newest, fastest, loudest with the most bells and whistles!
Thanks, Mike