Denon avr-3801 vs. Yamaha rx-v995

dthomps
dthomps Posts: 352
edited March 2003 in Electronics
I have the option of buying either one for a similar price. The denon is rated at 110 watts, and the Yamaha is rated at 100 watts. They both a few years old, but both are also highly rated and had a similar retail price when new. I figure that this isnt some off the wall comparison so if anyone has any input as to the pros and cons of either (if they even remember either :D ) it would help me out a bunch. thanks.
Post edited by dthomps on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited February 2003
    This is an easy one,
    well maybe not so easy depending what you what.
    I'd say go with the Denon avr3801,it has current features and is 7.1 discrete.Sound quality is much inproved from the older model in the avr3300,which was the Yamaha rxv995's direct competator.
    The Yamaha rxv995 is a fine receiver,on the bright side I will add,so what speakers your going to drive it with makes a difference.
    I assume you own Polk so I would go Denon.Denon and rt polks go together very well.
    If priced the same, the Denon is also a better value for the money.If your not using 7.1(6.1) in your theaterroom,then you can re assign the surroundback channels for multiroom duty......very cool.I used to own the Denon avr3801 and I also owned the Yamaha rxv992,which was 1 model behind the rxv995.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dthomps
    dthomps Posts: 352
    edited February 2003
    Thanks a lot Mantis, this is what I was thinking too. I just wanted some opinions of those who may have actually had either one and to hear a bit about them. thanks again.
    I am using a cs400i, two rt2000i's and two rt800i's for surrounds. This is a melding of my and my fathers systems. He put them together when I went away to college last autmn but I have decided to take classes at the local Junior College and transfer somewhere from there maybe after this semester. Too much money for an audio dog, you know? so I bet I will hear a lot of "either one will be underpowered" but alas its all I can afford. I am planning on adding some external amps in the future anyhow. take it easy. Mike
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited February 2003
    mike,
    underpowered???not for that system.Polk speakers are ver efficient.Unless you have an extremely large room,no need for more power.
    The Denon avr3801 will serve you well,it served me well and is now serving my Uncle well.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dthomps
    dthomps Posts: 352
    edited February 2003
    Yeah my room is kinda large. I will be getting the Denon for a little bit more than the Yamaha, but from what I gather it would be worth it. Not only that but the Denon has all of the current fromats to boot, so I will be happy for a while. If anyone has any other opinions I would like them to chime in and tell me what you think. Mike
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited February 2003
    Looks like your stuck with my opnion on this.......no one else with an opnion between these 2 fine receivers????going once?
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dthomps
    dthomps Posts: 352
    edited February 2003
    You guys really gonna do that to me? stick me with Mantis' opinions and thats it? ;)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2003
    Denon and the Polk RTxxi go very well together. I like the Denons a lot (I have an 1802). I have good friends that love Yamaha. I don't care for them. I have not heard the 3801 but have heard the 3802 and think it is a find piece of audio gear. Get the Denon...I think you will be pleased.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jcaut
    jcaut Posts: 1,849
    edited February 2003
    I have the 3801 running my HT rig (RT800i/CS400i/RT3)-- though I end up using it a lot more for two channel listening in 'Direct' mode than HT-- and I'm generally very pleased with it. Before I bought, I compared it to the similarly-priced Yamaha and Pioneer Elite. I can't remember the exact model numbers but seems like it was something less than 995--- it's been a couple of years.

    I've never really liked the sound of Yamaha. The one I auditioned seemed rather bright. The Pioneer Elite sounded real nice, but the Denon appeared to have the edge in build quality.

    My 3801 does run rather hot. I'm not sure its heat-sinking design is all that great, as it runs down the middle of the unit--- supposedly there's a fan in there, but I've never noticed the one on mine running--- But it's never given me any trouble. Just give it lots of breathing room.

    Jason
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • setzer808
    setzer808 Posts: 173
    edited February 2003
    I gotta step in for ol' Yamaha here. My RX-V496 never gives me a "brightness" problem with my RTxxi series. Could be my adjustments/room, but never any trouble. I had the same kinda choice you had to make...same (or almost same) price between a Yammy and a Denon (2 $400 recievers for openbox prices of $250ish) and I chose the Yamaha based on many things....though the sound of each reciever was great. Not to mention that Denon's remote was NASTY....big rectangle covered in the same size buttons. My Yamaha "power-wand" works just fine in my hand. :)

    Just my .02 again. Get what sounds right to you.
    Polk CS245i Center
    Polk RT55i Mains
    Polk RT25i Rears
    Polk PSW-350 Sub -in storage.
    Yamaha RX-V681 A/V Reciever
    Sony SCD-CE595 SACD Player
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dthomps
    dthomps Posts: 352
    edited February 2003
    Hey Setzer-
    Thanks a lot for the reply. It was a tough choice, but I decided to pay a bit more for the Denon. I am sure I will be happy, it is highly reviewed and has most of the current features I am looking for. The choice came down to the Denon or the Yamaha and then get a pronto, but I figured the cool remote can wait. After that I also read the Denon has macro functions too, which is very cool. Not as cool as the pronto looks, but it will satisfy me for a while. It will be here next Thursday, I hope! Enjoy eating guys, cause me and my new buddy Denon will have to go without for a few weeks :lol: but thats cool cause Top Ramen is one of the food industries best kept secrets at $.15 a meal!! Take it easy guys. Mike
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • setzer808
    setzer808 Posts: 173
    edited February 2003
    All hail Ramen, friend to all who have better things to spend their money on that food. :D
    Polk CS245i Center
    Polk RT55i Mains
    Polk RT25i Rears
    Polk PSW-350 Sub -in storage.
    Yamaha RX-V681 A/V Reciever
    Sony SCD-CE595 SACD Player
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dthomps
    dthomps Posts: 352
    edited March 2003
    Got the receiver last Thursday, just as expected. It is a beast and the UPS guy had trouble carrying the box to my door. It looks very solid and well built. It comes with a cool looking remote, with a nice backlight. I played Dave Matthews 'Crash', but havent had much time to play with it or enjoy it, one of my best friends passed away at 19 from cancer, so I have been in shock ever since. I have spent the weekend thus far at her house with her mom, little brother and boyfriend. She was a great girl, and will be missed. Bad times. I do look forward to writing a quick review of the receiver once I get the time and motivation. Take it easy guys. Mike
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • setzer808
    setzer808 Posts: 173
    edited March 2003
    My sympathy for the loss of your friend. It is a hard thing to go through that will get better in time. I'm sure you will enjoy your reciever though.
    Polk CS245i Center
    Polk RT55i Mains
    Polk RT25i Rears
    Polk PSW-350 Sub -in storage.
    Yamaha RX-V681 A/V Reciever
    Sony SCD-CE595 SACD Player
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter