What to do with my Denon AVR 5800?

[JoeinLA]

Hello All,

Years ago, I bought a used Denon AVR 5800, and it has served me very well. But, with all the new technologies (new processing, HDMI, Room EQ'ing,etc.), I'm considering upgrading.

The question to me seems to be what to do with the AVR 5800. It's my understanding that the audio amplifiers on it are considered top notch even today, so I was thinking of buying an processor pre-amp and using the AVR 5800 as a sound amplifier? Can you do that? Otherwise, do I just relegate the AVR 5800 to some music only setup, storage, craigslist, gift, etc...?

It seems to be a big waste of such a fine unit, but perhaps what's what happens as these things get outdated?

Lastly, I'm currently using the unit is a medium sized room, driving B&W 805/HTM-2 in the front, and (cheap) B&W bookshelf speakers in the rear.

Your thoughts/comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[AVRat]

I gave mine to a friend last year because I was moving into the HD realm and have a 7.2 speaker setup. There really isn’t a good way to just use its amps since there are no true pre-inputs. You should still be able to get $500+ off of Ebay, Craigslist, etc.

Since you have a 5.1 setup, there’s no reason that you can’t let a BD player with MCH outs do the audio processing then send to the receiver’s Ext inputs. And connect HDMI for video direct to your HD display.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, like AVRat says, if all you have is one universal player, like that Oppo that plays everything, and one TV, you don't really need to upgrade the Denon 5800. All the processing will be done by that very fine Oppo player and the Denon 5800 will simply serve as a great analog integrated amp.

Otherwise, get yourself a brand new Denon 4311.

 

[JoeinLA]

Ha, yeah, the 4311CI is the one I'm almost certainly going to buy.

I REALLY like the idea of built-in room EQ. Setting up a room with a sound meter and all that other stuff is a really big pain to me.

Can you buy some sort of processor that will do room EQ with the 5800?

I can see why people like separates. Seems much smarter in the long run...

Thanks again!

 

[AVRat]

I have no regrets whatsoever going with the 4810 and would have waited for the 4311 had I known about its capabilities.

 

[Zega]

Hello All,

Years ago, I bought a used Denon AVR 5800, and it has served me very well. But, with all the new technologies (new processing, HDMI, Room EQ'ing,etc.), I'm considering upgrading.

The question to me seems to be what to do with the AVR 5800. It's my understanding that the audio amplifiers on it are considered top notch even today, so I was thinking of buying an processor pre-amp and using the AVR 5800 as a sound amplifier? Can you do that? Otherwise, do I just relegate the AVR 5800 to some music only setup, storage, craigslist, gift, etc...?

It seems to be a big waste of such a fine unit, but perhaps what's what happens as these things get outdated?

Lastly, I'm currently using the unit is a medium sized room, driving B&W 805/HTM-2 in the front, and (cheap) B&W bookshelf speakers in the rear.

Your thoughts/comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I am using my denon with the Yamaha CX-A5000 Pre-Amp Pro. Best sounding combination that I have ever heard! I tried the cx-a5000 with several different newer denons and yamaha's and this combo just beats them all! Even when comparing to the latest Yamaha RX-A3080 flagship receiver, which I am now letting go of. Though the RX-A3080 comes closest to perfection when in comparison to my denon and yamaha pre-amp combo.
I also tried my pre-amp with the Yamaha RX-Z9 amp and it still does not compare.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am using my denon with the Yamaha CX-A5000 Pre-Amp Pro. Best sounding combination that I have ever heard! I tried the cx-a5000 with several different newer denons and yamaha's and this combo just beats them all! Even when comparing to the latest Yamaha RX-A3080 flagship receiver, which I am now letting go of. Though the RX-A3080 comes closest to perfection when in comparison to my denon and yamaha pre-amp combo.
I also tried my pre-amp with the Yamaha RX-Z9 amp and it still does not compare.

R......................I...................G...................H.....................T................

All those components you mentioned are great.

There’s nothing wrong with that.............. just a bit unconventional.

Most of us “separates guys” usually use a pre-pro (CX-A5000 series or others) with a dedicated amp (MX-A5000 series or others), not an AVR.

 

[PENG]

R......................I...................G...................H.....................T................

All those components you mentioned are great.

There’s nothing wrong with that.............. just a bit unconventional.

Most of us “separates guys” usually use a pre-pro (CX-A5000 series or others) with a dedicated amp (MX-A5000 series or others), not an AVR.

Well I guess, like me, you are not so prone to expectation bias.

 

[Pedro Alvarado]

i took mine to the city transfer station along with other odds and ends.

i am either getting weaker or i forgot how heavy it was.

surprisingly the remote powered up and worked but now it looks like a star trek gizmo.

 

[Zega]

R......................I...................G...................H.....................T................

All those components you mentioned are great.

There’s nothing wrong with that.............. just a bit unconventional.

Most of us “separates guys” usually use a pre-pro (CX-A5000 series or others) with a dedicated amp (MX-A5000 series or others), not an AVR.

No doubt. I'm working towards the Monoprice Monilith amp to go with the cx-a5000. Hopefully the tails of the better sound of the separates, will prove to be accurate.

 

[Zega]

R......................I...................G...................H.....................T................

All those components you mentioned are great.

There’s nothing wrong with that.............. just a bit unconventional.

Most of us “separates guys” usually use a pre-pro (CX-A5000 series or others) with a dedicated amp (MX-A5000 series or others), not an AVR.

Though, for awhile, I was using the amp section of the Yamaha RX-Z9 receiver, which has far better specs than the MX-A5000 separate amp, or even the latest MX-A5200. The Z9 also has an awesome, very rare, Multi Channel Pure Direct option. It will put all inputs from a pre-amp through Pure Direct mode, to all related speaker outputs. I have yet to see a separate pre-amp that has that option. But the denon just seems to match up, a little better, with the cx-a5000 for sound.

Separates are not always better. I have heard many separate systems that did not even compare with several of the receivers that I have had. They were older separates and not higher end, but still. Besides, what matters most is what sounds the best to each individual.

 

[ryanosaur]

Can you buy some sort of processor that will do room EQ with the 5800?

This, but you might as well upgrade the whole thing. Though the pickiest guys here prefer Dirac to any other room correction, and with the Bass Management upgrade to this unit, you have a significant amount of control for a 5.3 system... add on another module and you can expand too, and cover any/all channels you may have. And you need to send the signal to an amp still.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Separates are not always better.

I don't think separates actually sound better than AVR.

My only point is that if you're getting an AVP (like the CX-A5000 series or Marantz AV8800 series), then might as well match it with an AMP, not an AVR.

Otherwise, just get an AVR (like the excellent RX-A3000 series) and don't get the CX-A5000 or other AVP.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Well I guess, like me, you are not so prone to expectation bias.

Oh, I'm bias. Only difference is that I KNOW I'm bias.

My pre-pro and amp sound much better just sitting there with the lights on.