Denon AVR-5805 mk2 receiver

[vfarlowe]

I have a Denon AVR 5805 mk2 receiver that needs a new or used SPK-553 hdmi unit. I am having no luck finding anybody that sells Denon parted out components. The repair shop said it would cost around $3000.00 to repair. Any suggestions?

 

[Eppie]

I have a Denon AVR 5805 mk2 receiver that needs a new or used SPK-553 hdmi unit. I am having no luck finding anybody that sells Denon parted out components. The repair shop said it would cost around $3000.00 to repair. Any suggestions?

$3000 seems pretty steep but that is a monster AVR and difficult to service. Have you tried contacting Denon? They likely do not sell those parts to consumers and they may only be available to service shops.

I found this thread on AVS Forum.

Someone posted:
"[AVR-5805] (7/21/2006)

HDMI 1080p, Analog to HDMI up conversion, and Microsoft PlaysForSure Ethernet " MK2 " Upgrade

This upgrade installs Internet Radio by Ethernet port, 1080p scaling & conversion, & provides 1080p HDMI video switching capability. The SPK-553 upgrade is currently being done either by our own factory service in Mahwah, N.J. or by Gold Crown in Carson, CA. For upgrades done by Gold Crown please contact them directly at 310-538-8282. Please note, no remote change with this upgrade. Cost is $1000."

So depending on which coast you are on, try the Denon NJ factory service or call Gold Crown unless someone posts here with access to that part.

 

[vfarlowe]

Thanks for responding. I contacted the NJ. Denon repair center and they said that receivers 7 to 10 years old are basically obsolete. I guess I will keep watching Ebay for a parted-out receiver. Bummer!

 

[lovinthehd]

I have a modest 5.1 setup at the house and I was recently thinking of purchasing an old behemoth of the past. I am currently running an older Yamaha RXV-863 to drive my speakers that are doing the job just fine (* Onix Rocket AV123 5.1 set) but I've always wondered if there's any benefit of buying something like the old 97 lb Denon versus just going seperates or buying a modern day receiever?

Depends on what you want out of it. You don't want modern connectivity/codec options? What's wrong or lacking with the current receiver?

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for responding. I contacted the NJ. Denon repair center and they said that receivers 7 to 10 years old are basically obsolete. I guess I will keep watching Ebay for a parted-out receiver. Bummer!

Yes, the law only requires parts be available for 7 years. They still have a get out of jail card, because if the production run is all sold out, they do not have to supply the part.

The trouble with buying a parted out receiver is that HDMI board failure is one of the biggest problems. Even if you change the board and its good, more likely than not there will have to be service codes entered and may be reflashing the BIOS.

I had a heck of a time changing the disc drive of a BD player. A nice person in the service department broke the rules for me and sent me the required codes. Servicing units is nothing like what it used to be.

I would recycle that receiver, it is just not worth the trouble, headache and expense.

I see the unit is 2006, and so is way out of date. Denon are correct, that unit is not worth repairing. In terms of AV and HDMI that unit is from the dark ages. The technology is only just reaching maturity now. Where that unit does score is in its power amps. There is no current receiver with comparable power amps.

I can see you dilema as you could only match that now with an AVP and separate power amps.

 

[Eppie]

I have a modest 5.1 setup at the house and I was recently thinking of purchasing an old behemoth of the past. I am currently running an older Yamaha RXV-863 to drive my speakers that are doing the job just fine (* Onix Rocket AV123 5.1 set) but I've always wondered if there's any benefit of buying something like the old 97 lb Denon versus just going seperates or buying a modern day receiever?

Old gear is best reserved for analogue only setups. They will always work and generally can be repaired. As soon as you add video to the mix, gear becomes obsolete over time. Early AVRs had no digital inputs, just composite, SVHS and component video. Those are only good for retro gaming and VHS collections now. Digital AVRs use HDMI, HDCP and CEC codecs, which are evolving standards. What happens when you try and connect a modern streamer or cable box to an AVR using an outdated HDMI or HDCP spec? Will the CEC control functions work? It will likely lead to a lot of unexpected issues.

You can isolate the video functions by going with separates. Passive speakers will always need amps and good quality amps should last many years. Unfortunately pre/pros command a premium price so moving to separates tends to cost more. You only have to upgrade the pre/pro later but supply and demand being what it is, you can purchase a good AVR with amplification for the same cost as just the pre/pro. The better AVRs have pre-outs for all channels, which also opens the possibility of using the AVR for surround channels and getting separate amps for the front 3 or bed layer. Depends on your goals and budget.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have a modest 5.1 setup at the house and I was recently thinking of purchasing an old behemoth of the past. I am currently running an older Yamaha RXV-863 to drive my speakers that are doing the job just fine (* Onix Rocket AV123 5.1 set) but I've always wondered if there's any benefit of buying something like the old 97 lb Denon versus just going seperates or buying a modern day receiever?

That is a really bad idea. If you are going to get into vintage then you need to go a lot older, preferable the good gear of the 1960s and 1970s.

AV has been an evolving technology, which is now only just approaching maturity. Even then keeping gear from the IC era onwards is a real challenge, and the older gear is much easier to maintain. The reason is that from the IC era and on, only one production run of the parts was done, and when those parts are gone, they are gone for ever.

 

[vfarlowe]

Thanks for all of the feedback.

 

[dando]

I just bought a Denon avr-5805 mkii. It came with the remote, box, manual. The lady wanted 200.00 . She said the hdmi did not work. I offered 100 and she took it. I sold it 2 days later for 1500. 6 months later I bought it back for 900. Don't think I will sell it again. Now, many say it's old, it's not modern, the newer stuff is better. I don't see it that way at all. The 5805 is still considered the best reciever ever built. I can get XM THRU my dish, it plays my vinyl, cd, hd-dvd, blu ray. I'm using 9 speakers plus a sub and can hook up more subs. It puts out more power than today's stuff at 170 watts. The mkii retailed at 7200!!! So what it doesn't have hdmi 10.4? I don't use it and I don't care.. To the op, if it were I, I'd keep the mkii and buy a working unit.. Really, what will the newer stuff do that us so much better than the 5805. It sure won't sound better. So on the newer stuff, it's just non needed bells and whistles. As far as separates, non do what the 5805 can do.. I love the 5803 and the 5805...

 

[gene]

I just bought a Denon avr-5805 mkii. It came with the remote, box, manual. The lady wanted 200.00 . She said the hdmi did not work. I offered 100 and she took it. I sold it 2 days later for 1500. 6 months later I bought it back for 900. Don't think I will sell it again. Now, many say it's old, it's not modern, the newer stuff is better. I don't see it that way at all. The 5805 is still considered the best reciever ever built. I can get XM THRU my dish, it plays my vinyl, cd, hd-dvd, blu ray. I'm using 9 speakers plus a sub and can hook up more subs. It puts out more power than today's stuff at 170 watts. The mkii retailed at 7200!!! So what it doesn't have hdmi 10.4? I don't use it and I don't care.. To the op, if it were I, I'd keep the mkii and buy a working unit.. Really, what will the newer stuff do that us so much better than the 5805. It sure won't sound better. So on the newer stuff, it's just non needed bells and whistles. As far as separates, non do what the 5805 can do.. I love the 5803 and the 5805...

that's a pretty crazy story and you're correct. The 5805 is the best AVR ever built IMO in terms of sheer power and sound quality. The HDMI failure sucks but you can have workarounds with separate HDMI switchers. Only negative is not lossless audio or Atmos but you can convert to MPCM from a UDH blu-ray player if your HDMI audio is working.

 

[lovinthehd]

I just bought a Denon avr-5805 mkii. It came with the remote, box, manual. The lady wanted 200.00 . She said the hdmi did not work. I offered 100 and she took it. I sold it 2 days later for 1500. 6 months later I bought it back for 900. Don't think I will sell it again. Now, many say it's old, it's not modern, the newer stuff is better. I don't see it that way at all. The 5805 is still considered the best reciever ever built. I can get XM THRU my dish, it plays my vinyl, cd, hd-dvd, blu ray. I'm using 9 speakers plus a sub and can hook up more subs. It puts out more power than today's stuff at 170 watts. The mkii retailed at 7200!!! So what it doesn't have hdmi 10.4? I don't use it and I don't care.. To the op, if it were I, I'd keep the mkii and buy a working unit.. Really, what will the newer stuff do that us so much better than the 5805. It sure won't sound better. So on the newer stuff, it's just non needed bells and whistles. As far as separates, non do what the 5805 can do.. I love the 5803 and the 5805...

So your disc players have analog outputs or did hdmi end up being functional? Definitely a nice amp section on that one....

 

[PENG]

Just to remind some new comers to the AVP/AVR world, that by today's standard, any AVR/AVP @ >$4,500 would not make sense unless one doesn't mind replacing it within the warranty period or 5-7 years. They just have too many things to fail now, unlike the older models such as the Denon 3805 (some may even be using the 3803 still), up to may be the 4308, 4311, or the Yamaha RX-A up to the 3060/80, as those likely could last beyond 7 years, up to may be 20 years. My 3805 and 4308 are still running perfectly. The likes of the Onkyo RZ30/50/70 (70 only if/when onsale), MRX1140 (if/when on sale), Denon AVR-X3800/4800/6800 (4800/6800 when on sale only) or cinema 40/50/70) if in the EU.

Other than those, practically speaking one would be paying more only for ownership pride, but absolutely no sound quality advantage, unfortunately, he latter is embedded in so many AV devices users mind as the saying if you say it enough times people will believe it, so those will continue to pay more for no more or even for less in some cases, only to find out their >$5,000 investment might be ready to go to the dumps within less than 10 years. I don't agree (not often anyway, at least not fully) with @TLS Guy, but there is a fair chance that he might agree with me on this, going by the fact he clearly is someone who wouldn't mind paying for for the AV10, but he wisely (imo) settled for the AV7706, apparently was only, or helped by the offer of a very good discount lol..