AV receiver upgrade with $1500 budget
DMara
Posts: 1,434
My buddy is planning to upgrade his AV receiver during this year-end period. He currently owns a Denon AVR 3808ci. His budget is $1500 and is asking me for advice.
Now my thinking is maybe to go with a Denon AVR 4310ci, but is it really worth it to upgrade to that particular one from his current? Another question is: is there a better altenative brand and model that fits the above budget?
I'd like to ask fellow Club Polk member to help out by chiming in your 2 cents
Now my thinking is maybe to go with a Denon AVR 4310ci, but is it really worth it to upgrade to that particular one from his current? Another question is: is there a better altenative brand and model that fits the above budget?
I'd like to ask fellow Club Polk member to help out by chiming in your 2 cents
Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
Post edited by DMara on
Comments
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I'd like to up-grade to the receiver he's getting rid of.:DMost people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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Look into the new Pioneer Elite models. Many here can testify to that. That Denon he is looking into does look sweet as well. Peace.
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tony millard wrote: »I'd like to up-grade to the receiver he's getting rid of.:D
I'd like him to give his old receiver to me, too
Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000 -
Definately have your buddy look into the Pioneer Elite receivers. I went from the 3808ci to the Pioneer Elite SC-07 any haven't looked back since. My review/comparision between the two is on this Polk forum somewhere.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81483Money Talks, Mine says Goodbye Rob!!!! -
Grimster74 wrote: »Definately have your buddy look into the Pioneer Elite receivers. I went from the 3808ci to the Pioneer Elite SC-07 any haven't looked back since. My review/comparision between the two is on this Polk forum somewhere.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81483
Hahaha, I was just about to mention you Grim.Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!
Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580 -
What is your friend looking for, what is the goal? Or is this just a case of upgradeidus? I think with those level Denon the SQ would be pretty much a wash. If looking for more features and it has what is wanted and he likes the Denon he has then go for it. If looking to try a different sound then there are lots of options. For me, when I go shopping I have a few specifics for something in particular I am trying to improve, or certain "sound" I may want to try as something different than what I have.
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The 4310 would be an incremental upgrade with some extra features and connections. Does he already use separate amplification for his speakers? If so, a better upgrade may be to get an AV preamp instead. If he's just using the receiver to power his speakers, I don't think it's worth it to go to the 4310. The 4810 would be a real upgrade, but it sounds like that's out of his budget. His $1500 could likely be better spent on some other aspect of his system. For example, he could get a pretty nice separate amp for that money, upgrade his display, add a high quality CD player, etc.
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I think yamaha is worth a look
Media Room 7.1
Sharp lc37d64u | Sanus vmsab-03 | Sonax ZX8680 | Yamaha htr-6290b | Emotiva xpa1 x 2 & xpa5 | RTiA 9 & 7 | CSiA 6 | FXiA 6 | Sanus NF30B-03 | Velodyne dls-3750r | Dual 505-3 m97xe | Monster avs2000/hts5100
HTPC
Intel e5300 | Asus p5q DLX | LG ch08 BD | OCZ 4g reaper2 | WD 1TB | Sapphire 4890 VaporX 1g | Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 | OCZ modXtreme 700w | Antec Fusion remote MAX
A fool and his money are easily parted
I don't drink Koolaid
Need some cable's? Just ask
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Pioneer Elite SC25/27 should put him where he wants to me. Very dynamic, detailed and in your face kind of sound. Tons of reviews on here, suggest you search Icepower, or just Pioneer elite and read up. For awhile, near half the forum was buying these things, so they are very good.Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!
Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580 -
I have the SC-07 and a Emo XPA-5 power my setup, it sounds great. Now I don't have anything to compare that to but it sounds great in my house. I think I paid about 1500 total this past spring for both. Which is a pretty good deal. i bought the SC-07 from HiFi Heaven and the Amp directly from Emotiva's website. You could also just use the SC-07/27 without the Amp, but having an Amp is so much more fun. My 2 cents on my setup.LSi15s, LSiC, LSiFX, LC80F/X, microPro 4000, Pioneer Elite SC-07, XPA-2, XPA-5, PS3
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The 4310 would be an incremental upgrade with some extra features and connections. Does he already use separate amplification for his speakers? If so, a better upgrade may be to get an AV preamp instead. If he's just using the receiver to power his speakers, I don't think it's worth it to go to the 4310. The 4810 would be a real upgrade, but it sounds like that's out of his budget. His $1500 could likely be better spent on some other aspect of his system. For example, he could get a pretty nice separate amp for that money, upgrade his display, add a high quality CD player, etc.
I ABSOLUTELY agree with Emlyn...and was going to say this myself. The 3808 is good enough...you want more power get a power amp used....with 1500 dollars you could buy something REALLY nice on the used market.....or maybe a both an amp and a high quality CDP? How about a good universal player like the old Denon DVD 3910, or Sony ES Universal player, or...or..or..?? 1500 can buy A LOT on the used market!!
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
What is your friend looking for, what is the goal? Or is this just a case of upgradeidus? I think with those level Denon the SQ would be pretty much a wash. If looking for more features and it has what is wanted and he likes the Denon he has then go for it. If looking to try a different sound then there are lots of options. For me, when I go shopping I have a few specifics for something in particular I am trying to improve, or certain "sound" I may want to try as something different than what I have.The 4310 would be an incremental upgrade with some extra features and connections. Does he already use separate amplification for his speakers? If so, a better upgrade may be to get an AV preamp instead. If he's just using the receiver to power his speakers, I don't think it's worth it to go to the 4310. The 4810 would be a real upgrade, but it sounds like that's out of his budget. His $1500 could likely be better spent on some other aspect of his system. For example, he could get a pretty nice separate amp for that money, upgrade his display, add a high quality CD player, etc.
Good question, apphd! I finally took my year-end vacation and had a beer with my buddy yesterday while talking about this. To sum it up, this is his three goals:- The most important goal is to have better HDMI video processing. He still thinks the video processing chip of the Denon 3808 is not something to marvel about. With the current setup, he basically turned off i/p scaling to let the Tivo and the Bluray player deal with video processing.
- Secondly, he needs to have 2 HDMI output. The Denon 3808 only has one.
- Finally, and this is just an optional choice, he would like one which has a sub connection for Zone 2.
Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000 - The most important goal is to have better HDMI video processing. He still thinks the video processing chip of the Denon 3808 is not something to marvel about. With the current setup, he basically turned off i/p scaling to let the Tivo and the Bluray player deal with video processing.
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Not really anything special in his requests. Most newer model AVR's of Onkyo, Yammaha, Denon, Pioneer, and HK will accomplish all he is looking for, and for $1500 he can get a pretty darn good one at that. Look into the new NR models of Onkyo's or the TX-SR805/806/876, Pioneer Elites/SC's with the ICE amps and the HK 3600 and above. Good luck and keep us updated with any other questions you may have.
-JeffHT Rig
Receiver- Onkyo TX-SR806
Mains- Polk Audio Monitor 70
Center- Polk Audio CS2
Surrounds- Polk Audio TSi 500's
Sub- Polk Audio PSW125
Retired- Polk Audio Monitor 40's
T.V.- 60" Sony SXRD KDS-60A2000 LCoS
Blu-Ray- 80 GB PS3
2 CH rig (in progress)
Polk Audio Monitor 10A's :cool:
It's not that I'm insensitive, I just don't care.. -
Good question, apphd! I finally took my year-end vacation and had a beer with my buddy yesterday while talking about this. To sum it up, this is his three goals:
- The most important goal is to have better HDMI video processing. He still thinks the video processing chip of the Denon 3808 is not something to marvel about. With the current setup, he basically turned off i/p scaling to let the Tivo and the Bluray player deal with video processing.
- Secondly, he needs to have 2 HDMI output. The Denon 3808 only has one.
- Finally, and this is just an optional choice, he would like one which has a sub connection for Zone 2.
Well if that's his needs the 4310 uses the same Genesis/Faroudja FLI-2310 used in the 3808. Look for something using the Anchor Bay or Reon chips for video processing. IIR the upper Onks use the Reon - The most important goal is to have better HDMI video processing. He still thinks the video processing chip of the Denon 3808 is not something to marvel about. With the current setup, he basically turned off i/p scaling to let the Tivo and the Bluray player deal with video processing.
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Why not consider the NAD T7x5 series receivers. NAD featues replacable hardware modules so future upgrades only need new modules and not the whole receiver be changed.
http://nadelectronics.com/products/av-receivers/T785-A/V-Surround-Sound-Receiver/detailsDave
In love with SDA since 1984
2CH: SDA SRS (new caps) with NAD 541I, NAD 917 and modded Phase 400 (soon to be NAD 208)
HT: SDA 1C (new caps, SL2500s, bass mod) with NAD T763 and Monitor 4 as surround
Other vintage stuff, Sansui G9000, Pioneer 1980 -
sTiLlLeArNiNg wrote: »I think yamaha is worth a look
There is better out there for the price he is able to spend. You still have much to learnThe Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
nooshinjohn wrote: »There is better out there for the price he is able to spend.
You're absolutely right! He could skip the integrated completely and go with separate's
I still say Yamaha is worth a look, you get quite a bit of bang for your buck IMO. If ya don't like the Yammie's grab a Pioneer, simple Media Room 7.1
Sharp lc37d64u | Sanus vmsab-03 | Sonax ZX8680 | Yamaha htr-6290b | Emotiva xpa1 x 2 & xpa5 | RTiA 9 & 7 | CSiA 6 | FXiA 6 | Sanus NF30B-03 | Velodyne dls-3750r | Dual 505-3 m97xe | Monster avs2000/hts5100
HTPC
Intel e5300 | Asus p5q DLX | LG ch08 BD | OCZ 4g reaper2 | WD 1TB | Sapphire 4890 VaporX 1g | Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 | OCZ modXtreme 700w | Antec Fusion remote MAX
A fool and his money are easily parted
I don't drink Koolaid
Need some cable's? Just ask
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Is there any way you could tell us what other equipment your friend is using, or did you want us to guess?
With most current Polks he will probably want the Pioneer, unless he plans to upgrade to outboard amplification in the future then Yamaha is clearly the answer. -
Well if that's his needs the 4310 uses the same Genesis/Faroudja FLI-2310 used in the 3808. Look for something using the Anchor Bay or Reon chips for video processing. IIR the upper Onks use the Reon
Looking closer at the Denon 4310, and it does use the Anchor Bay ABT 2010 chips and has 2 HDMI out so it does belong on the list. Sorry for making it any more confusing.
