Modified Denon 3806?

jayman_1975
jayman_1975 Posts: 672
edited August 2006 in Electronics
Anyone have any ideas on whether or not this is a farce?
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?miscrcvr&1160443686
Onkyo TX NR 5008 modified by The Upgrade Company
Oppo BDP 93 modified by The Upgrade Company
Arcam CD37
Monitor Audio Gold GS 60
Revolver Audio Music 5 towers.(surround)
Vandersteen V2W
Post edited by jayman_1975 on
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  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited August 2006
    Just a rough estimate, and it's been a while since I priced anything, but he must be charging over 100$ per hour for labor as the materials can't be more than 400 or so.
    -Ignorance is strength -
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2006
    I think Underwood offers some solid aftermarket upgrades, but the value is up to the individual. I think 4 out of the 9 hour upgrade process is simple assembly/disassembly but that's just me.

    That particular unit is just fine, as is.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • jayman_1975
    jayman_1975 Posts: 672
    edited August 2006
    do you think that the upgrades make it as good as he says it does..ie:comparable to seperates?
    Onkyo TX NR 5008 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Oppo BDP 93 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Arcam CD37
    Monitor Audio Gold GS 60
    Revolver Audio Music 5 towers.(surround)
    Vandersteen V2W
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited August 2006
    That would be completely subjective, noone can say that for sure.

    I think seperates are the most overrated suggestion in regards to HT.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited August 2006
    I'd always hesitate to pay double what something originally costs.
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited August 2006
    dorokusai wrote:
    I think seperates are the most overrated suggestion in regards to HT.

    I'm glad someone finally stated this, since we all jump on the "get a separate amp" bandwagon all too often without regards to format or room size.

    In my 2 channel rig, I can here a bigger level of difference in each upgrade, but in HT.................. not so much, explosions just sound like bigger explosions.;)
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited August 2006
    On the other hand, upgrading the inerds of a receiver seems like a waste. and i agree, id never spend twice as much for it.

    separetes are subjective in 2 channel or HT.. if you plan to use it for other stuff besides just movies.. It's a nice upgrade.
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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  • marker
    marker Posts: 1,084
    edited August 2006
    dorokusai wrote:
    I think seperates are the most overrated suggestion in regards to HT.

    I agree 100% with the above comment.

    For what he's asking, you could just go ahead and get a 4806 for what Tweeter currently has them on sale for and already have an upgraded analog pre-amp section, plus a toroidal transformer along with THX Ultra 2 certification, which means 4 Ohm loads should be no problem.

    Notice he doesn't state that the modded 3806 can now handle 4 Ohms, and if it could, I'm sure he wouldn't have failed to point it out.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited August 2006
    I would say that some of you push separate systems too much as well. Having 2 separate systems simply is NOT possible for me, so I have to find a way to maximize my equipment. I would guess a lot of people use one system for both HT/2chl.

    I will push for separate amplification because I KNOW/hear the difference it can make. I went from a 50wpc Rotel amplifier driving my Polk RTA-8T's which made them sound good. I didn't know how much better they could sound with 200wpc until I got my Parasound. It made a huge difference! I got another boost going to 405wpc with my Sunfire.

    It is not just about volume which did get a boost, it is all of the other benefits to the music that has made the biggest difference regardless of the room size.

    If a big 200 to whatever wpc amp gives me better clarity, musicality, bass, vocals etc, than yeah I'm going to recommend that anyone with decent speakers make sure that they buy a receiver with preamp outputs so that they can eventually get better amplification!:)

    I will only suggest people spend additional money if I KNOW for sure that it will make a huge difference.

    Dennis Gardner wrote:
    I'm glad someone finally stated this, since we all jump on the "get a separate amp" bandwagon all too often without regards to format or room size.

    In my 2 channel rig, I can here a bigger level of difference in each upgrade, but in HT.................. not so much, explosions just sound like bigger explosions.;)
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,536
    edited August 2006
    This type of Underwood modded gear may be a good idea for those who already have a 3806 receiver but aren't happy with its two channel analog performance as a preamp. The modifications aren't really designed to do much of anything in terms of improving the receiver for home theater because the amp section will still be mediocre. Instead, the modifications may be a good idea for those who love the functions of the receiver for use as a home theater control center and preamp but can't get into a separate two channel system for music listening because they lack the space for a separate system. The Underwood/PartsConnexion mods are usually excellent, but $1400 for this one would be too steep for me to even consider. One would still require a separate amp to get the most out of the receiver's preamp capabilities with the modifications. There are much better and cost effective ways to spend money to get above the modded 3806 performance level. For example, a Club Polk member could have picked up a Rotel 1068 preamp and a 1075 five channel amp today for not much more than the Denon modification cost. :)

    For an all-in-one music/home theater system, my advice is to ditch the receiver and get into separates eventually. For just home theater, a mid-level receiver these days is right in the price/performance sweet spot.
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  • jayman_1975
    jayman_1975 Posts: 672
    edited August 2006
    Thanx for the input fellas. I wasn't really considering buying this thing but was just curious as to what extent the upgrades would make this better. I already have a 3805 and a Rotel RB 1070 so i'm pretty sure i'm sitting better than the modded 3806 with no external amplification. I'm still pretty happy with my setup but i am already starting to feel that damn upgrade itch a little bit and am keeping my eye open for my next move, but i don't think that the moded 3806 would be it.
    Onkyo TX NR 5008 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Oppo BDP 93 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Arcam CD37
    Monitor Audio Gold GS 60
    Revolver Audio Music 5 towers.(surround)
    Vandersteen V2W
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited August 2006
    Curses on that blasted upgrade itch!!! It'll get you when you least expect it!:eek: ;):D
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited August 2006
    Sorry. . . can't help it.

    "Can't shine ****"

    If you hot-rod a Chevy Citation, you still end up with a Chey Citation.
    -Ignorance is strength -
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  • jayman_1975
    jayman_1975 Posts: 672
    edited August 2006
    you saying Denon is ****?
    Onkyo TX NR 5008 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Oppo BDP 93 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Arcam CD37
    Monitor Audio Gold GS 60
    Revolver Audio Music 5 towers.(surround)
    Vandersteen V2W
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  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited August 2006
    No. It is what it is - Decent performace for the money. Point being: why spend an inordinate amount of money to mod a mid-level piece of gear. You still end up with a mid-level topography/design/capabilities and the limitations that come with it. You can imporove it on a component level, but are still left with a Denon AVR. My analogy may not be entirely accurate, but at least you don't have to read between the lines.
    -Ignorance is strength -
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2006
    Dennis Gardner wrote:
    In my 2 channel rig, I can here a bigger level of difference in each upgrade, but in HT.................. not so much, explosions just sound like bigger explosions.;)

    Right on, when I first got my Onk pre/pro I was smiling all over when comparing it to the Technics Dolby pro-logic I had been using for HT. Great unit for HT.

    RT1
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