Denon 3400 vs 3500, 3600 vs current Sony STRDH590

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primalspy

Audioholic Intern
Hello guys. Newbie here needing to find out if upgrading my current Sony STR-DH590 5.2 to either a 7.2 channel Denon 3400, 3500 or 9.2 channel 3600 would be noticeable improvement?
I’m linking a comparison chart between all 4 here from sound inspiration.net
I’m only needing 5.2 for now but would like to add 2 front height channels. My concern is that I’m not sure if I’m getting the most out of my speakers which will soon be all RSL CG25’s for LCR with dual Speedwoofer 10s & Micca surrounds. Also, is having 4 ohm surrounds bad if my fronts are all 8 ohm speakers?
Thank you all in advance!
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
There has been a hundred threads in the past week or so about the Denon 3600 it is by far the best value possibly the best AVR on the market right now. Will you hear a difference probably not. Receivers don't make sound, receivers crate clean power, connectivity, and for room correction.

 
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primalspy

Audioholic Intern
There has been a hundred threads in the past week or so about the Denon 3600 it is by far the best value possibly the best AVR on the market right now. Will you hear a difference probably not. Receivers don't make sound, receivers crate clean power, connectivity, and for room correction.

Thanks for chiming in. I have no doubt that it’sa great receiver but because I am a noob, I want to make sure that I’m not throwing my money away.
According to the comparison rating chart that I attached, they’re supposed to blow my Sony away.
Would the most significant improvement be noticed if I increased the power from 105watts per channel to 125 like the Denon X4300H?
Also, if I have my subs in stereo directly opposing each other (I did the sub crawl and the sides were the best areas) would I need the ability to calibrate each one individually if they’re each the same distance from me?
I just don’t want to spend money in the wrong area.
Thanks
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
What size room are there any openings to other areas large openings?
You'd be surprised how little wattage your receiver uses to drive your speakers under normal listening conditions. The only time the wattage is used is under Dynamic scenes in movies/music and louder volumes.
What the Denon has over the Sony is most likely a stronger amp section. It would create better stable power to your speakers. And the Audyssey room correction is definitely going to be better

I think staying with the Denon 3600 is a great choice
 
V

VMPS-TIII

Audioholic General
The Denon 3600 will be so much better than your Sony that you will think you were living in the dark ages before getting it. :D


You don't need the power from the 4xxx version the 105 Watts will be just fine. In an AB test you won't notice a difference except you pocket will be full with the Denon 3600 instead of a lot lighter with the 4xxx.

I would highly recommend ordering the Denon 3600 NOW before they run out. Crutchfield has an amazing return policy BUT you are not going to need it.

 
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primalspy

Audioholic Intern
What size room are there any openings to other areas large openings?
You'd be surprised how little wattage your receiver uses to drive your speakers under normal listening conditions. The only time the wattage is used is under Dynamic scenes in movies/music and louder volumes.
What the Denon has over the Sony is most likely a stronger amp section. It would create better stable power to your speakers. And the Audyssey room correction is definitely going to be better

I think staying with the Denon 3600 is a great choice
Small 12x12 bedroom used as office/mini theatre. To the right side of the image that shows the couch is a small closet with the doors removed & the sub is in it. When I get the second sub in November it will be on the left side (to the right in the viewing position)
16E7BD33-B234-4AFD-8E24-FBE84AACD98D.jpeg
0C42ACDB-B0E2-47F7-8F19-19D8D5D5813A.jpeg
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
When you get the second sub you might want to pull that one sub out of the closet and try front loading them see how that works

Also spread your front left and right speaker out a little bit more
 
P

primalspy

Audioholic Intern
The Denon 3600 will be so much better than your Sony that you will think you were living in the dark ages before getting it. :D


You don't need the power from the 4xxx version the 105 Watts will be just fine. In an AB test you won't notice a difference except you pocket will be full with the Denon 3600 instead of a lot lighter with the 4xxx.

I would highly recommend ordering the Denon 3600 NOW before they run out. Crutchfield has an amazing return policy BUT you are not going to need it.

It looks like the one Accessories 4 Less sells is factory refurbished for the same price & the one from Crutchfield didn’t mention anything about whether it’s refurbished or not. Do you know anything about that?
Thanks
 
P

primalspy

Audioholic Intern
When you get the second sub you might want to pull that one sub out of the closet and try front loading them see how that works

Also spread your front left and right speaker out a little bit more
When you say “Front load” do you mean placing them in front? I used to have the sub to the right of the television and it was super boomy so I did the sub crawl & found out that it was one of the worst locations in the room.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
When you say “Front load” do you mean placing them in front? I used to have the sub to the right of the television and it was super boomy so I did the sub crawl & found out that it was one of the worst locations in the room.
I said when you get the second sub I would put them in the front of the room I didn't see what that does
 
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primalspy

Audioholic Intern
I said when you get the second sub I would put them in the front of the room I didn't see what that does
I would prefer to have them in the front. So are you saying there’s a possibility that the second could cancel out the boomy sound ?
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
The second sub is going to change everything that's why I said try it I have no idea what it's going to do it could make it worse I don't know that's my advice is to try different locations try them on the sides try them in the front just try them see what happens magic just might happen
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Basically a new avr is about a feature/connectivity set, somewhat about the amp (but amp sections tend to be within 1-2 dB of each other). If you can use additional channels beyond your 5.1 avr does now (it has two sub pre-outs but they're the same, you do not have stereo subs), that could be a good reason to change avr. The Audyssey software I think is far better than Sony's DCAC, and the Denons of 3xxx or higher models do have the ability to setup two subs separately for delay and level (but they're still not stereo). Worrying about unlocking potential and such is more a made up thing, altho some speakers have lower impedance demands that can be hard on an avr, particularly if high volume is wanted.....that's where a set of pre-outs for amplifier flexibility comes in.....
 
P

primalspy

Audioholic Intern
Basically a new avr is about a feature/connectivity set, somewhat about the amp (but amp sections tend to be within 1-2 dB of each other). If you can use additional channels beyond your 5.1 avr does now (it has two sub pre-outs but they're the same, you do not have stereo subs), that could be a good reason to change avr. The Audyssey software I think is far better than Sony's DCAC, and the Denons of 3xxx or higher models do have the ability to setup two subs separately for delay and level (but they're still not stereo). Worrying about unlocking potential and such is more a made up thing, altho some speakers have lower impedance demands that can be hard on an avr, particularly if high volume is wanted.....that's where a set of pre-outs for amplifier flexibility comes in.....
[/QUOTE
This totally makes sense. I think I’ll stay put for now until the Sony blows up. Then I’ll have a real reason to upgrade. Thanks
 
V

VMPS-TIII

Audioholic General
It looks like the one Accessories 4 Less sells is factory refurbished for the same price & the one from Crutchfield didn’t mention anything about whether it’s refurbished or not. Do you know anything about that?
Thanks
I would NOT buy from Accessories 4 Less! Those refurbs are too much trouble.
The Crutchfield Denon 3600 receivers are sealed and new in the box.

Just order from Crutchfield... don't hurt yourself by going somewhere else. :p

 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I would NOT buy from Accessories 4 Less! Those refurbs are too much trouble.
The Crutchfield Denon 3600 receivers are sealed and new in the box.

Just order from Crutchfield... don't hurt yourself by going somewhere else. :p

It isn't like A4L creates the refurbs, the brands do that separately, they just sell them and they do an honorable job of that.
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Hello guys. Newbie here needing to find out if upgrading my current Sony STR-DH590 5.2 to either a 7.2 channel Denon 3400, 3500 or 9.2 channel 3600 would be noticeable improvement?
I’m linking a comparison chart between all 4 here from sound inspiration.net
I’m only needing 5.2 for now but would like to add 2 front height channels. My concern is that I’m not sure if I’m getting the most out of my speakers which will soon be all RSL CG25’s for LCR with dual Speedwoofer 10s & Micca surrounds. Also, is having 4 ohm surrounds bad if my fronts are all 8 ohm speakers?
Thank you all in advance!
Agreed with comments made by others that any of those will do the job for those speakers in a small room so decision could be based on features, price and warranty consideration.

I just want to add that if you are serious and meticulous about specs, it is better to void those 3rd party comparison tables. There may be one of two of those that I would consider reliable and highly accurate, but if you are comparing Denon models, your best bet is the comparison table on the Denon website as that one should be most accurate, though I have found some minor errors there too, but very minor. For >99% accuracy, you can of course read the product information sheets and owner's manuals that are downloadable.
 
P

primalspy

Audioholic Intern
I would NOT buy from Accessories 4 Less! Those refurbs are too much trouble.
The Crutchfield Denon 3600 receivers are sealed and new in the box.

Just order from Crutchfield... don't hurt yourself by going somewhere else. :p

I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on the Denon 3600 and getting from Crutchfield. My question is, should I get the Square Trade extended warranty? I have purchased so so many warranties & in my experience, they expire before the product fails.
What does everyone else do? Warranty, to extend or not to extend & just go with their manufacture warranty?
Thanks guys!
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
I never purchased the warranty but that does not make me right
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on the Denon 3600 and getting from Crutchfield. My question is, should I get the Square Trade extended warranty? I have purchased so so many warranties & in my experience, they expire before the product fails.
What does everyone else do? Warranty, to extend or not to extend & just go with their manufacture warranty?
Thanks guys!
Generally I wouldn't buy an extended warranty as long as there's a manufacturer's warranty for a reasonable period (and some refurbs are sold with the same length warranty as a new unit). When buying a refurb my credit card automatically extends the warranty by a year as well. Usually a good profit center for the retailer, tho....and watch the terms of extended warranties, they may not be as good as you think.
 
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