Yamaha 3800 vs Denon 3808

[crashguy]

First off, wow! Long time no talk. I "last visited" on Jan 21, 2007...

Anyway, my previous receiver was a Denon 3802, presently have a Yamaha RX-V2500. I like(d) both of them, don't have any issues with either. Sold the 3802 to my BIL, it's still running strong. But, the "upgrade bug" has caught up to me.

I've been "out of the loop" in the A/V world lately, just a stage in my life where other things have taken priority (like work and family). So I'd like to rely on you that are in the know to tell me what I should get. I've done some preliminary looking, the things look like coke vs pepsi to me, they're very similar.

So, if prices were equal (seems to be within $50 on ebay), which would you buy AND WHY?

Looking fwd to your replies.

Signed,
Bitten by the bug....CRASHGUY

 

[crashguy]

I guess I should add that I use it for everything from listening to music (ocassionally) to using it as a home theatre hub. I recently added a 100" power screen, and an LCD projector. TV is an older 56" rear projector. I plan on making the jump to blu-ray, and will need to convert to HDMI.

Right now, nothing I own has HDMI ins or outs....but I can still make standing waves in the toilet bowl one floor up with the custom sub..... If you dim the pot lights right down in the theatre, heavy bass or a dynamic movie scene will almost put them right out.....damn this electronics stuff is fun!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I don't think one is better than the other. The Denon has a better auto-cal system and they both have a good pre-amp section. Looks like you use an external amp so the power isn't even a factor.

I just picked up a 3800 yesterday for 1200 bucks but I have not hooked it up yet.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Because they are both great receivers in terms of performance and features, I think it really comes down to aesthetics. Which one do you think looks the best?

Others can confirm this, but I also think the Yamaha is made in China, while the Denon is made in Japan - if this matters at all to you like it does to some. It is usually not an issue.

Video:
V3800 did a better job scaling Analog Sources than the 3808CI, but the 3808CI did an excellent job scaling Digital Sources while the V3800 does NOT scale Digital Sources at all.


Audio:
Denon: FR 20Hz-20kHz +/-0.0dB, 211wpc x 2 @ 8 ohms, 239wpc x 2 @ 4ohms, THD 0.004%, Crosstalk -88dB, SNR -107 dBrA. These actual measured specs from HTMag look great.

I don't know the measured specs on the V3800.

 

[Hi Ho]

I would pick the Yamaha 3800 simply because I prefer Yamahas' user interface and the way they work overall. I have installed both models in several situations and the Yamaha is simply more intuitive. The Denon remote poorly laid out and confusing.

 

[AMPocketRadio]

Forget 3800 and get 3900

Take this with a grain of salt since I'm biased and pretty hard core Yamaha fan. Denon is not bad at all. In fact it's a great receiver that's very well built, but I've always prefered th SQ of Yamaha, just a bit warmer and fuller. Also, installing them frequently I find the setup much easier on the Yamaha.

The 3900 now has better scaling and can overlay on 1080p unlike the 3800. Lots of new features over the 3800 like Sirius, HD Radio, Rhapsody, grahical web control and some new multi-room features. It also has multi-point calibration, although some may argue not to use that. In either case it's def worth considering.

My only gripe is that they are starting to inch up the price point at bit for this category.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

What does this mean?

The 3900 now has better scaling and can overlay on 1080p unlike the 3800. .

 

[Hi Ho]

The 3900 now has better scaling and can overlay on 1080p unlike the 3800

What does this mean?

It means that the 3900 can overlay the GUI when 1080p signals are passed. This means you can pull up the menu without disrupting the video and you also get the volume level on the screen when you turn it up and down. Your 3800 should do all of that for everything but 1080p. My 2700 does it for everything but HD signals. It's not exactly a critical feature.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Doesn't that address my volume display issue?

It means that the 3900 can overlay the GUI when 1080p signals are passed. This means you can pull up the menu without disrupting the video and you also get the volume level on the screen when you turn it up and down. Your 3800 should do all of that for everything but 1080p. My 2700 does it for everything but HD signals. It's not exactly a critical feature.

 

[Hi Ho]

I wasn't aware of your volume display issue but yes, it might.

 

[kriktsemaj99]

Doesn't that address my volume display issue?

If you want to see the volume on screen, the 3900 will do it for HDMI input of any resolution, but still not for component input that's 720p or above (according to the manual). That's certainly an improvement over the 3800 that won't overlay the volume on any HDMI input.

But while it's a nice option to have on-screen volume, I think I would probably turn it off because I don't want to be distracting everyone else with my constant volume tweaking. I still want the option of a large, readable volume display in dB on the front panel only.

 

[AMPocketRadio]

For some like me having the display on screen is a pretty big deal since the I'm going to be moving my rack into a closet which won't allow me to see what's going on. Was not aware about component input though, that doensn't make sense.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yes, I would like that option too.

For some like me having the display on screen is a pretty big deal since the I'm going to be moving my rack into a closet which won't allow me to see what's going on. Was not aware about component input though, that doensn't make sense.

 

[crashguy]

Greaaaaaaat....now you guys make me want to buy the 3900......

Does the Denon 3808 do the volume display on screen? This may be an important feature for me as when my screen is powered down out of the ceiling, it partially blocks my view of the front of the receiver...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am unceratin if the 3808 does this or not. I hope to have time later today to go check one out.

 

[mike c]

Greaaaaaaat....now you guys make me want to buy the 3900......

Does the Denon 3808 do the volume display on screen? This may be an important feature for me as when my screen is powered down out of the ceiling, it partially blocks my view of the front of the receiver...

I am unceratin if the 3808 does this or not. I hope to have time later today to go check one out.

yes it does. my receiver is behind me and it's mighty useful

 

[ParadigmDawg]

As a guy who has owned both of these AVRs, I would pick the 3808 hands-down.

 

[MtVernon]

Denon 3808 vs Yamaha 3900

In comparing these two receivers, at what points in the specifications do these differ?

I've combed their respective websites and the Internet, but cannot really find this information. I think the only way to do so is to play them side-by-side for a few weeks to learn what each can do or not do.

Best Buy was sold out on Denon 2308ci and while I was waiting, I learned that I could do firmware upgrades with the 3808ci. In short, when I went back to BB they recommended for a few more dollars getting the Yamaha 3900. (In all cases they were willing to just about match online prices).

Problem is, I am not familiar with the Yamaha's features. I am trying to not go back and do a ton of research as I've a ton of other work to do in my life. This isn't something to be found in Consumer Reports, so I am going to rely on you.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The 3808 is the best AVR I have ever had and you can get BB down to between $1100-$1200 on it.

Keep in mind that "best" for me just means it has the features I want/need as I don't use the video section or the amps in it.

 

[Tomorrow]

Greaaaaaaat....now you guys make me want to buy the 3900.........

Aw, he was just trying to be helpful, crash. (He could have done better and recommended the RX-Z7! Now there is a nice upgrade from your 2500.)
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=5016802