Denon 2808 CI, Denon 3808 CI. Good deal?

[gokou777]

Hello all,

I am a newbie, but I am always on the site to study. Now I finally have a chance to buy myself a Receiver and some speakers.

I saw a openbox deal in bb(bestbuy)
Denon 2808 CI - $500
Denon 3808 CI - $1000

and the sales suggested
Definitive Technology for my surround speakers. The ProMonitor 800.

only going to get two for the front of the room now. no space for 4 speakers...

and a center also Definitive.

Question is, is the receiver a great deal? is it a must buy? what about the speakers? Do I need a woofer? This will be my first system. Kinda excited and scared. Also the speaker wires as well as cables.

I know monoprice.com is a highly suggested place, do I want to get the thickest wire for the speakers?

thanks to all for the help

Currently I have
TV - SONY XBR 32"
BLUERAY - SONY PLAYSTATION3

gokou

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It looks like both AVRs are around 500 bucks off of the going price right now so if you feel comfortable with an open box item and it comes with the full warranty, then you should be good to go with either one of them.

Speakers are subjective, listen to all you can find and then pick out the ones you like the sound of. A true HT always needs a sub, music may or may not need one depending on how low the speakers go.

Yes, use Monoprice or Blue Jeans for all your cables and wires. 12 AWG speaker wire will cover about any length of run. 14 will work on shorter runs.

 

[Adam]

Ahhh, I remember my excitement when I got ready to get my first system. Congrats! You're in for a real treat.

My default site for reminding myself of which gauge speaker wire I need is the one at this link. I think that it's a great site, with both the recommended gauges and the explanation for why they are recommended.

Monoprice and Blue Jeans (as Greg suggested) are regular recommendations around here because people have been happy with them, but you can get wire and cable at a lot of places. You can certainly get it locally, with some examples being Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target, and Home Depot. The key is in knowing what you want and not paying too much. Best Buy and Circuit City tend to carry (or at least did when I was looking) Monster brand cables and wires. Not bad stuff, but not worth the extra money. If you can get Best Buy to cut you a deal on cables and wire if you buy a receiver and/or speakers, then it just might be worth it.

 

[gokou777]

Follow Up Q

Thank you all for your great input.

There is one "little tiny" concern I have. Marantz 4002. If I am comparing the avr4002 vs avr 2808. Am I comparing apple with apple?

or I have to look at the msrp difference.

$999 vs $549?

Is 2808 a much better unit? or I should get a brand new avr 4002?

gokou

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thank you all for your great input.

There is one "little tiny" concern I have. Marantz 4002. If I am comparing the avr4002 vs avr 2808. Am I comparing apple with apple?

or I have to look at the msrp difference.

$999 vs $549?

Is 2808 a much better unit? or I should get a brand new avr 4002?

gokou

Personally, I would get the 110wpc Denon over the 80 wpc Marantz.