Denon AVR-5803 vs Yamaha RXV-1800

[Rutlanda]

Hi all...I am in a bit of a quandry. Several years ago I purchased Gene's Denon 5803 review model. The receiver is still performing as new. I am currently stationed in England and due to very close neighbors (base housing with a shared wall) and two young kids I am unable to really enjoy the system. I currently have the receiver paired with Meadowlark/HSU 5.1 speakers. The Meadowlarks are a 6 ohm load.
The base exchange is clearing out the Yamaha RXV-1700s for $590. I know receiver technology has grown considerably in the last few years, but I also know I will not be able to replace the 5803 with a current, commensurate model. I am considering selling the 5803 for around $700 and replacing it with the RXV-1700 or even the 1800 (less than $800). Any thoughts on this...am I crazy for even considering dumping the Denon? Have the newer receivers caught up to the 5803 yet other than the video? Thanks

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You're not insane. It's a legit question.

I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.

I would just let the DVD/BD player do all the decoding and send it to the 5803 via analog.

 

[Rutlanda]

Thanks ADTG...I was actually thinking exactly the same thing. I love the 5803 for its audio capability. I do not use it for video at all right now. My DVD runs directly to the plasma via component and the optical go to the Denon. We will PCS back to the States in a year and I will once again have my on house with a dedicated theater room. I will certainly be able to use the receiver more at that time and will probably be more interested in the video capabilities.

 

[jostenmeat]

While I am completely unfamiliar with those model #s, I think you should sit tight. Just wait till you get home. This stuff only gets better and cheaper. The SPDIF is just fine. Not until you get a BD player would I even consider changing out. M-ch analogs will work then, but you will have to research cuts to the LFE. Bumping up the sub gain will not work correctly, because all of the re-routed/summed-bass from other channels will be disproportionately raised.

So that means researching the players themselves. Also, some receivers have LFE boosters, or so I've read. You will also not be able to matrix 5.1 analogs into 7.1 to the best of my knowledge.

Lastly, one rarely ever sees someone downgrade from a Denon 5xxx series. Denon-philes seem, to me at least, to rather keep an older 5 than a new 4, or an old 4 over a new 3. I've never owned a Denon receiver.

Good luck.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks ADTG...I was actually thinking exactly the same thing. I love the 5803 for its audio capability. I do not use it for video at all right now. My DVD runs directly to the plasma via component and the optical go to the Denon. We will PCS back to the States in a year and I will once again have my on house with a dedicated theater room. I will certainly be able to use the receiver more at that time and will probably be more interested in the video capabilities.

The Denon 5803 is such a great amp/preamp/processor. Look at me. I don't even use a receiver or pre-pro. I just let my players do all the decoding and send the video directly to the TV. Audio quality is the most important factor to me. Keep.

 

[AVRat]

I'm still using my 5800 going on 7 years, granted I'm not running hi-def/res anything. I'll probably use it until Denon comes out with a more consumer friendly pre/pro. Then I'll give it to a friend.

 

[Rutlanda]

Thanks for the feedback Rat...I think I've decided to kep my dear old 5803 and "drive it till the wheels fall off". As always...the board knows all.