Denon AVR-3801 enough for 70s?

ABQNM

Hi All,

Been lurking awhile and have decided to purchase 70s with a CS2 from newegg based on numerous comments here. I just received a hardly used Denon AVR-3801 from a friend who was frustrated with the confusing nature of the remote and gave up. Is the 105 watts per channel sufficient to drive the 70s? Additionally, any recommendations for a pair of outdoor speakers to be powered by same AVR? Thanks for your suggestions in advance.

Bill

thuffman03

Welcome the the forum! I am sure someone can chime in and give you the answer on that AVR.

From what I have experanced I like to have a seperate amp to bring out the best out of speakers. Just my 2cents.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Are you kodding me?!

That receiver is more than enough power to drive those speakers. Don't let the age or rated watts fool you, that's a very capable receiver and when new was one of their top models.

Grimster74

That receiver will more than suffice, have his brother, the 3805 upstairs which drive my RTi70's before I went to separates.

ABQNM

Thanks for the input. I just bought the 70s and a CS2 at newegg for $429.97. They have a promo now for 20 off on the 70 and 10 off on the CS2. Thanks again for input, I'm sure I'll have questions as I know nothing about HT setup or audio gear in general.

dorokusai

Yes.

cnh

I also have a Denon about 110W/channel and it can run that same speaker set very well.

Enjoy...the 3800s were nice receivers--

cnh

ABQNM

Glad to here the Denon AVR will work with the 70s and CS2! Can you guys with Denons recommend a setting for just 3.0 HT as I will not have a sub or rears for awhile and listen to music 70% of time vs. HT use? As always thanks for advice - this has got to be one of the most knowledgeable sites on the net for HT/audio setup questions.

wutadumsn23

Congrats on the new purchase, I love my Monitors and you will too. Also, to beat a dead horse, your AVR will be fine, lol.

-Jeff

Kingface

I agree. that receiver will be plenty. 8 years ago that receiver was one of the best you could buy. I might get slammed for this but I would STILL put that receiver, the 3802, the Yamaha Rx-v2200 and 2300 against any current receiver when it comes to SOUND QUALITY. Obviously it lacks all of the modern crap, but for pure sound quality those 4 receivers were heads above anything else in their price range. How do I know this....because I owne/d all 4 and whenever I listen to current 'hi end' receivers now...I still go back to these oldies but goodies!!

Interpol

what about a AVR-1509 (75wpc) ..? If it IS enough for M70s - how about for RTi8s or RTi A5s?

tipoytm

The more power output the better, even if you have smaller towers/speakers. Personally, I wouldn't get anything below 120W/channel if you are driving floor speakers.

Interpol

well, it's what I have at the moment - if I get floor speakers , I just want to know it'll sound decent till I upgrade ... or should I spend the money on the new reciever first?

Kingface

If you are going to drive those speakers with them set to 'Large' than you might be asking a lot from that receiver. If you set it to small and send the low end to your sub you will be absolutely fine. Denon makes a fine receiver. I would set it to small....which you really should do anyway and upgrade your receiver later. Do not think that by setting your towers to small that you are somehow shortchanging what those speakers can do. People think that setting towers to small makes having a tower speaker pointless...not true.

Interpol

Thanks King,

I'm trying to decide what to do.
Current setup: Denon 1507 w/ mix-matched 5.0 setup.

Buy the Rti A3s and CSi3 from Crutchfield and get the PSW111 or PSW110 (free) or pay difference for a better one (DSW?)... and then let this 3.1 hold me over till I can get my hands on a pair of RTI A5s and move the A3's to the back?

Or go with Rti8s and Rti4s and get a sub and center shortly down the road..... what sounds better? I have no way of auditioning...

cnh

Any Denon can drive entry tower RTIs or TSIs (they're all high current amps)...but you must be more careful to not 'clip' your amp section by overdriving and trying to reach greater db levels that a 75 or 85 watt/channel amp is capable or you'll damage a few things.

You're OK for now. Buy you will want to experiment with more power in the future!

cnh

Interpol

Thanks, would damage be done to the speakers or more-so the amp? Reason I ask, I have an extended warranty on the receiver - I think of something happened - they'd replace it ?

Kingface

Interpol wrote: »

Thanks King,

I'm trying to decide what to do.
Current setup: Denon 1507 w/ mix-matched 5.0 setup.

Buy the Rti A3s and CSi3 from Crutchfield and get the PSW111 or PSW110 (free) or pay difference for a better one (DSW?)... and then let this 3.1 hold me over till I can get my hands on a pair of RTI A5s and move the A3's to the back?

Or go with Rti8s and Rti4s and get a sub and center shortly down the road..... what sounds better? I have no way of auditioning...

Well...that's a tough one. It is all a matter of preference. Some people will say go with the front 3 and a sub since that will give you immediate HT impact. Other will say to save your money for as good a mains you can get. I kind of fall in both camps. If it were me I would spend my money on the best front 3 I could get. I would get the RTI8's and the best center you can afford with the left over money. The front 3 is what about %90 of the movie will come from....so don't skimp...especially on the center. Then I would save my pennies for a very good sub. If you really want surrounds....get some cheep speakers off from Craigslist...any brand. They will suffice until you save up for new ones. If you're going to 'skimp' on anthing a first...I would skimp on the surrounds.

Another popular option would be to get the best mains and sub you can afford and then use a phantom center. That seems to work VERY well in some applications too. In other words...you have options.

As for what you would damage between the amp and speakers if set too loud.... It will be your speakers. Your amp won't really know the difference...your speakers will not be happy though if you blast it to the point of clipping. Blown speakers happens from too little juice most of the time....not too much juice.....

Interpol

"Blown speakers happens from too little juice most of the time....not too much juice....."

Never really thought or knew that but I makes sense !

So in your opinion the free sub PSW111 or PSW 110 ( or upgrading to the DSW 500 for 200 bucks) aren't very good subs/worth it?

As anyone, the hurdle is budget and I'm going to have to stick with my complements for a while. I'd like to stay within some limits, but I'm willing to spend 10-25% more for the long-run if it'll make a difference . Getting married soon, new car is on the way - don't see being able to "upgrade" soon.

I have been thinking/doing so much research over the last week that I'm having dreams about speakers! Is that bad?

I like your Mains+sub option- I can use my current center and surrounds, and replace the center first, surround last.

Kingface

I hear you about budget. That's another reason why I always buy used gear nowadays.....Craigslist has become my new best friend ;-). Speaking of which....if your willing to do a bit more research and searching around....GREAT deals for speakers can be had for used speakers. I bought one of my receivers, the Cs245i, Rti70's and Rt/fx surrounds for $300. Brand new everything would have cost close to $2,300.....

As for the DSW500....while I am not a fan of Polk subs.....for $200, that would be hard to beat. If I were in your shoes, I would get the Rti8s, the DSW sub and use your old gear to fill out the rest. If you see that your center can't keep up with the mains than turn your center off in the receiver menu. Many people go without a center and actualy prefer it. Those 8's will create a goos soundstage that will enable you to do that.....another bonus about spending a little extra on mains and skimping elsewhere.

Interpol

Yeah, I suppose if I can be paitent, I could find used gear but I've done searching on CL and found ~nothing~.

On a sad note - the RTi8s are back to 349.99 @ FRYs. FML

C'VILLE

I agree with KingFace. That receiver will more than suffice.