Just picked up a Denon AVR-5800!

Serendipity

Yes, title says it all. Drove 4.5 hours (one way) to pick up a Denon AVR-5800 at a consignment/pawn shop but it was definitely worth it! I was looking for an AVR with good sound quality for music sources, but I found that the newer Onkyos were lacking. So I took the chance on a Denon AVR-5800, bought it sight unseen, and then drove there to test it out to make sure it was working.

After getting back with the AVR, I hooked it up and put on some Jazz. "New Year's Eve on the Waterfront" by the Stimulators was the first track I tried. Wow, the sound was unbelievable! Very warm sounding and not harsh like the Onkyo I returned.

Next was some DVD-A material and Concert DVD's. Again, the AVR-5800 sounded better than the Onkyo in all listening modes, whether it be DD, DTS, or 2ch Direct. Pure Audio was also better IMO. I also noticed that the FM tuner had better reception than the older Onkyo, there was less background noise, and that the sound quality overall was superb. Unbelievable difference between the Onkyo and this unit.

So the moral of the story is, yes there are feature-packed AVRs from the leading companies (Onkyo, Pioneer, Denon, etc.) which may sound okay for most listening, but IMO the quality of most receivers has declined (just look at Onkyo's after the 805, listen for yourself).

I call this "Separates in a Box!" This thing made it's rated power spec (170W*2Ch)!!

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-w56QIXI00UZ/p_033AVR5800/Denon-AVR-5800-A-V-Receiver.html

More review to come shortly

Serendipity

Keiko wrote: »

Cool, Alex! Congrats!!!

Thanks! This thing is un-believable. Sounds so good at lower listening volumes, where you can hear more detail in the recording. I mentioned at PolkFest that I'd rather have an amp that delivers great sound at lower levels, and this Denon really delivers!

Yes most modern receivers can get "loud" but they don't sound very good when listening at < 1 Watt. The Denon AVR-5800 proves that 2 channel "Pure Direct" listening can be of excellent quality when at low levels - something my old Onkyo could never do.

Oh yeah and from what I am reading, on the Test Bench the AVR-5800 met its claim of 170W * 2 when in Stereo mode. All channels driven power output is still over 60W/ch, something my old Onkyo could never do. I think the Onkyos make something like 34W/Ch when all channels are driven?

Either way, this beast at 60+lbs is an AMAZING sounding AVR. Can't believe how good it sounds!!

cfrizz

Congrats enjoy.

cnh

Congrats! I've always found those older Denons to be fairly musical compared to many AVRs! The down side is the processing and processors are dated and you have no HDMI access for High Resolution Blu-ray. But if you're happy with it, that's what counts. Hopefully you didn't drop too much coin on that because, though it is a nice unit, you probably could have gotten an AVR 3806 and a Parasound 5 channel amp that would sound pretty darn good!

Enjoy!

cnh

Serendipity

As for no HDMI or Blu-ray, I plan on using a DVDO iScan Duo with the Denon so that it takes care of all the video processing. Besides, the iScan Duo is a very good video processor and would most likely look better for critical viewing (kinda like how an external DAC can sound better than the DAC built into your CDP):

Link: http://www.dvdo.com/iScanDuo.aspx

Also, not having the latest processing (Dolby TrueHD or DTS HD Master) is not a problem because the AVR-5800 has two sets of Multichannel Analog IN connectors! So for those who think that you can't get the new codecs without having to upgrade your receiver, it's NOT a problem! Simply run 6 RCA cables from your blu-ray player to the AVR and voila - you have great sound for movies!

The same goes for HD-DVD players...just run the 6 RCA cables from the player (HD-XA1) to the AVR and you are golden.

I am really enjoying this Denon right now. Unbelievable sound!

Serendipity

cnh wrote: »

Congrats! I've always found those older Denons to be fairly musical compared to many AVRs! The down side is the processing and processors are dated and you have no HDMI access for High Resolution Blu-ray. But if you're happy with it, that's what counts. Hopefully you didn't drop too much coin on that because, though it is a nice unit, you probably could have gotten an AVR 3806 and a Parasound 5 channel amp that would sound pretty darn good!

Enjoy!

cnh

Thanks!

As much as I don't want to add an amp (12V triggers are a must, other complications follow), would the Parasound Halo A51 paired with this Denon provide even better sound quality?

I would not be able to drive the Zone 2 speakers as easily though.

cnh

You bet, that's a really nice multi-channel amp. Good power, smooth sound. I bet it would pair up well with that Denon and give you even more power reserves.

cnh

tonyb

In case anyone is interested, saw another 5803 on chicagos craigslist for 750.00

Serendipity

That is a really, really good price. I should have waited a day or two...

BeefJerky

Serendipity wrote: »

Thanks!

As much as I don't want to add an amp (12V triggers are a must, other complications follow), would the Parasound Halo A51 paired with this Denon provide even better sound quality?

I would not be able to drive the Zone 2 speakers as easily though.

If there is no compatible trigger between your receiver and amp, you can try something like this:
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=p8gt

This is what I use, and it works with my Pioneer Elite receiver and Marantz monoblocks. The Elite has a standard 12v trigger, but the monoblocks have a special Marantz-only interface. Basically, you plug your receiver into the master outlet, and your amp into the switched outlets. The strip detects when your receiver is off, and turns off the switched outlets. When you turn your receiver back on, it will turn the switched outlets back on.

leroyjr1

Wow 9 hour drive? Hope you got it for a steal.

cnh

Guess it's that time of day...REPORTED!


cnh

jbooker82

Serendipity wrote: »

I think the Onkyos make something like 34W/Ch when all channels are driven?

Or 77
http://www.hometheater.com/content/onkyo-tx-nr609-av-receiver-ht-labs-measures

Serendipity

jbooker82 wrote: »

Or 77
http://www.hometheater.com/content/onkyo-tx-nr609-av-receiver-ht-labs-measures

What is the full-range wattage spec when all channels are driven continuously, and at what duty cycle? It could do 1,000 W at 1/3 duty cycle but for all we know, that's not that number I am looking for...

Serendipity

From a discussion on Polk regarding the 5800/5803:

TroyD wrote: »

Hell yeah, I'd snag that on principle alone. Even though it only really produces around 80wpc, 82 I think is what liv4fam bench tested it at, I think it's a great deal.

BDT

brettw22 wrote: »

I thought that someone had bench tested the 5800, not the 5803. How can a receiver that's rated for 170x5 actually only pump out 85?

I don't get that.........

mantis wrote: »

read the spec's again and see of anything makes any sence.

something about 1 channel driven in an 8 ohm load at a certian khz or something....you might want to lok into it..and yes it was the avr5800 not the new avr5803.......

All channels driven at full bandwith was????????

For the Denon 5800, HT Magazine said: "with six channels driven, the AVR-5800's power output at clipping (1% THD+noise) measured 143Wpc at 1kHz and 145Wpc at 20Hz, left channel measured to the nearest watt." But they don't tell you what the duty cycle was, and compared to the quote above, there is a 60+ watt difference! How else does a Polkie measure 82W/Ch for my Denon and HT Magazine come up with 140+?




Edit: Here is a review of the Onkyo NR807 from a while back:

"Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 29.9 watts
1% distortion at 33.0 watts"

Didn't I say the Onkyos make something like 34W/Ch, all channels driven?

cfrizz

That's what is so aggravating about these companies, they are obeying the letter of the law, but playing games with just running one speakers and just to a certain level, which is NOT how it is done in real life. I am delighted that the reviews in the magazines have started posting real life usage numbers so that people who do their research will have a better idea of what they will be getting.

It's also why I will NEVER let a receiver alone drive any of my speakers.

cnh

Everyone does realize that hardly any soundtrack ever runs all 7 channels or 5 anywhere near that kind of wattage, right? And you need lots of wattage for surrounds, why? Just saying. I can hardly run my Onkyo 805 with my M70/CS2/M30 set up at a volume of +71 without having my wife and daughter yell, "turn it down!". lol

cnh

lanchile

I had this receiver before, it is a wonderful receiver with a lot of power. congratulations!!!

Serendipity

cnh wrote: »

Everyone does realize that hardly any soundtrack ever runs all 7 channels or 5 anywhere near that kind of wattage, right? And you need lots of wattage for surrounds, why? Just saying. I can hardly run my Onkyo 805 with my M70/CS2/M30 set up at a volume of +71 without having my wife and daughter yell, "turn it down!". lol

cnh

I understand. But just pick up a copy of "Phantom of the Opera" and set all your channels to full range, when the organ hits a low note and your speakers crackle, well, then you'll know why I care about wattage.

BTW, wattage doesn't really tell you how good a receiver (or any audio component) will sound.

Joe08867

Serendipity wrote: »

I understand. But just pick up a copy of "Phantom of the Opera" and set all your channels to full range, when the organ hits a low note and your speakers crackle, well, then you'll know why I care about wattage.

BTW, wattage doesn't really tell you how good a receiver (or any audio component) will sound.

I agree with both of these statements.

pitdogg2

[QUOTE=Serendipity;1695353
For the Denon 5800, HT Magazine said: "with six channels driven, the AVR-5800's power output at clipping (1% THD+noise) measured 143Wpc at 1kHz and 145Wpc at 20Hz, left channel measured to the nearest watt." But they don't tell you what the duty cycle was, and compared to the quote above, there is a 60+ watt difference! How else does a Polkie measure 82W/Ch for my Denon and HT Magazine come up with 140+?[/QUOTE]

One of my A/V mags just explained their testing. the short story is that they use a generator that keeps the juice from sagging even 1volt from 120v and keeps the line at 60hz. They even remarked that in the real world that you'd never encounter 7ch needing all the current that their all channel test creates but they do it so we can have an idea of how robust the power supply in the unit is. I can't remember if it was Home Theater or Sound and Vision as i get both. this is just the short version but i did find the article interesting.

Serendipity

What about the cosine factor? That also comes into play in power ratings.