Receiver Upgrade Evaluation

Early B. · March 2004

I've got a few hundred extra bucks and I'm trying to determine whether or not I should upgrade my receiver. I currently have a Denon 1803 that I like a lot (80 wpc). I was looking at the Yamaha RX-V1400 or the new Denon 3805. I'd rather stay with Denon, but the 3805 is a couple hundred bucks more than the Yamaha. I don't want to spend any more than $650.

For those of you who have recently upgraded, is it worth upgrading??? (Please indicate what you upgraded from). I am mainly interested in acquiring better sound quality. Not concerned about auto calibration and other such gimmicks, but PLIIx sounds interesting.

I'm about 60/40 movies to music and never play either one loudly. My room is 13' by 20' with 8 ft. ceilings. I have a 6 channel setup (it's all my room will allow) and play music only in 2 channel mode. I rarely play the TV through the HT setup. Is pursuing PLIIx worth the upgrade in my case?

My setup:
Fronts: Rti70's
Rear: 38's
Surrounds: Fxi30's
Sub: Hsu VTF-2
DVD/CD player: Cambridge Audio 540D (awesome!!!)

Thanks for your input.

P.S. -- one more question: should I save more pennies and invest in an upgradable receiver? Are they worth the extra bucks just for that feature?

steveinaz · March 2004

I don't think you're going to notice much change until you make the break to a seperate power amp. If you like the features of a receiver, go the receiver w/preamp outs route.

I just don't think you'll be satisfied with the money spent if you continue to upgrade receivers. Time to move to the next level.

I-SIG · March 2004

Originally posted by steveinaz
I don't think you're going to notice much change until you make the break to a seperate power amp. If you like the features of a receiver, go the receiver w/preamp outs route.

I just don't think you'll be satisfied with the money spent if you continue to upgrade receivers. Time to move to the next level.

Here, here!

Wes

amulford · March 2004

I have to agree, unless you want to spend alot more than $ 650. You could get a decent set of amps for that and check it out. Steve is right, IMO.

fireshoes · March 2004

Try not to dismiss the room eq stuff as voodoo. It made a big difference on my system.

pjdami · March 2004

Both the Yamaha and the Denon are nice receivers. At that price point it comes down to personal preference / features.

The next level up, and this is just my personal opinion based on what I experienced, would be a NAD T752. It can be had for under $650 refurbished and has high current capability if you ever decide to get 4 ohm speakers like the LSi in the future.

http://www.yawaonline.com/yawaonline/nadt7re.html

mantis · March 2004

No it's a huge difference.The power supply in the 3805 is much greater then the 1800 series.It has alot more control over your bass.

The 3805 is so much better then the Yamaha.Spend the extra bucks dude you'll be happy you did.

Personally I think the Yamaha has a bright hissy terrible sound but everyone gets caught up in it's new features.Yamaha is new to the all out feature battle.Denon has been smoking them for years.No difference here other then Yamaha released there new products first.

Denon is a solid company and has my full support with the speakers you own.

I feel there is no better match for the rt series.

fireshoes · March 2004

Hey mantis, have you installed any 3805's yet? It seems like a few people have had problems with their remotes causing the receiver display to dim. Just curious if you had ran into that yet.

mantis · March 2004

We only got in a few and they where all sold prior.We are blowing out the avr3803's first.

The new remote I haven't run into that problem or heard of it untill now.I can ask the other installers and see if any of them had any problems.

I'll let you know,

Dan

Early B. · March 2004

OK, I'm willing to try a separate amp. Maybe get a used one on ebay or audiogon. Perhaps a Parasound or Acurus or Adcom. But first, I have three questions --

1. Should I start with a 2 channel amp to power the front speakers, a 3 channel amp to power the fronts and the center, or two 3 channel amps for my 6.1 setup?

2. Can I use my Denon 1803 as a preamp?

3. For my setup and listening preferences, should I try to get the most power for my budget or does it really matter?

Thanks.

pjdami · March 2004

Early, if you add an amp to your fronts more than likely you will have a mismatch of power due to different gains on the amp input vs. the receiver amps. This might cause problems with the HT experience. You would have to get an amp with a variable input gain and then the timbre might not match as well.

Since you say that you don't listen very loud, I question if an amp is going to do you any good. You can use the Denon 1803 as a preamp but if you are after a different sound quality much of the sonic signature that you have with that preamp will remain. You may notice very little difference at all (not listening loud).

To change the sonic signature significantly you have to change out the preamp. Since you like Denon, the 3805 is a solid choice. The NAD will sound different as well and so will the Yamaha. This is a very personal choice here and that is what is difficult; getting demos on all this gear and getting to know it in your home.

I think you have some good recommendations above; what you decide is really up to what you like and what you are after in terms of sound quality. Brighter ... darker... neutral ... etc.

dragon1952 · March 2004

I don't think the 1803 has pre-outs for an external amp.

amulford · March 2004

Your right it doesn't have pre outs. I have an 1802 that has pre outs for the mains and center, I was **** u Me ing the 1803 would also.

I think the direction Mantis stated would be the way to go.

If you are really set on ugrading, the 3805 is a nice piece of equipment. Save a few more shekels and treat yourself;)

Just my .02.

Receiver Upgrade Evaluation

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