Denon 3803 vs 3805

[huey]

<font color='#000000'>Ok, sorry if this has been answered before but I cannot find it. &nbsp;I am just getting into the world of HT. &nbsp;I have a great Toshiba HD-ready TV, a sub-par Infinity satellite speaker system and a 10 year old Pioneer receiver with ProLogic. &nbsp;The TV is brand new and the picture is great. &nbsp;I did my research for that one and am pleased. &nbsp;The speakers and receiver are next on the list.

I have done a lot of research on the 3803 and have waited for the 3805 to come out. &nbsp;At first I was only waiting for the eventual price drop on the 3803. &nbsp;Now I am left wondering if the 3805 would be a better purchase. &nbsp;I am sure the answer is yes but is it really worth the extra $400.00? &nbsp;I am no audiophile so I may not notice the differences that some of you might. &nbsp;My room is also small so I may not benefit from some of the other features. &nbsp;One thing I always try to do is buy electronics that will last. &nbsp;Not just build quality but features. &nbsp;I will pay more for a product now if it pays off several years down the road.

Any thoughts?

Thanks for the potential advice.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>I upgraded to the 3805 from a Denon AVR3000, so we were/are in the same boat as far as using equipment past it's effective life. &nbsp;The 3805 has the Denon link, three component inputs and a pretty decent universal remote as additions to the 3803. &nbsp;It was worth the extra few dollars to me.

Mort</font>

 

[docferdie]

<font color='#000000'>The difference at retailers is more like 100-250 depending on where you look. At that price point the 3805 is definitely a better choice.</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>If price were no object which would you choose to go with a paradigm speaker system?

Onkyo 901
Denon 3805
Yamaha 2400
Yamaha RX-Z1

Thank you.</font>

 

[huey]

I have only considered buying a Denon receiver from an authorized dealer. So far I have only found the 3805 for $1199.00. I have found the 3803 as cheap as $799.00 at an authorized dealer. That is how I came up with a $400 price difference.

Some of the differences I see between the two models that I am most curious about are the following:

3805 vs 3803

1. Hammer Head SHARC vs Melody 100 SHARC

2. PLIIx vs. ?

3. AL24+ vs. ?

Other differences are obvious. More watts but not a huge jump. More crossover options (150/200/250). Front inputs which are nice but not mandatory. One additional component video input. This is nice but not absolutely necessary. I will not consider the remote.

Do the first three improvements I listed justify spending $400 more?

 

[Wabbit_Swayer]

Well, one more fairly important (IMO) feature is the denon link, which seems to be overlooked by most people. Thats what made the choice for me. Although this is my first rig, so I havent yet got a dvd player. Which puts me in a situation to prefer the d-link combo.

 

[Mort Corey]

The automatic parametric equalizer system is another plus on the 3805...it works really well.

 

[Glenn]

3803 vs 3805

As far as the pricing, I just bought the 3805 at 6 Avenue for 999.99, which cuts that 400.00 in half.

 

[huey]

Good to know Glenn. I have been checking their site but it has not been posted yet. I sent their sales department an email requesting a quote but they never got back to me. I assumed they were not carrying it yet. So far I have only found the 3805 at Tweeter and Crutchfield for $1199.

That definitely helps when making a decision.

 

[Glenn]

3803 vs 3805

Huey, 6 Avenue list it at 1199.00 but when I went in there and spoke to the salesman they were willing to drop the price to the 999.00. Just ***** alittle and tell them you heard you could get it at 999.00 else where. If they don't offer it to you. I went to the store in Woodbridge NJ. They must be making a killing on these things. I do have to say the receiver is excellent. Autosetup works great.

 

[huey]

Unfortunately, I am in Chicago. The best I can do is order it online or run over to Abt Electronics.

Thanks for the info regardless. I shall see how much Abt is willing to go down.

 

[Unregistered]

If you want to settle

Go to av123.com and contact sean or sales they are a Denon dealer and will sell the 3805 for $900.00. They only sell denon to sell their speaker line. The 3805 uses the same power supply and some other common part to the 3802 and 3802. I would look at some other lines and compare before you buy. I have the HK 7200 and it blew the pants off my brother's new 3805 on the same speaker system. You can buy the hk 7200 for the mid $800.00 at WWW.onecall.com

 

[Unregistered]

same

edit........... the same as the 3802 and the 3803..........

 

[Audioholics]

I have only considered buying a Denon receiver from an authorized dealer. So far I have only found the 3805 for $1199.00. I have found the 3803 as cheap as $799.00 at an authorized dealer. That is how I came up with a $400 price difference.

Some of the differences I see between the two models that I am most curious about are the following:

3805 vs 3803

1. Hammer Head SHARC vs Melody 100 SHARC

2. PLIIx vs. ?

3. AL24+ vs. ?

Other differences are obvious. More watts but not a huge jump. More crossover options (150/200/250). Front inputs which are nice but not mandatory. One additional component video input. This is nice but not absolutely necessary. I will not consider the remote.

Do the first three improvements I listed justify spending $400 more?

First of all:

1) No change (both use the Hammerhead Sharc DSP - AVR-3803 called it the AD Melody 100)

2) AVR-3803 has Dolby PL II

3) Both have AL24+ - the AVR-3805 simply has it on all channels (AVR-3803 had it on mains only.)

4) 10 Watts/ch power difference between the two units

5) Denon Link 3rd vs. 2nd (SACD will be possible via Denon Link 3rd)

Obviously, if you have a 7.1 room or plan to get a new Denon-Link enabled DVD player, then the AVR-3805 is probably best. Other than that, I'd pay up to $150 for the differences if I planned on holding on to the unit for at least 3 years. If you like to upgrade quicker than that, then spend less now and upgrade again later on.

 

[sschen]

I recently bought the Denon 3805 and need to start buying speakers for the system. Can anyone suggest what floor standing speakers to buy if I am planning around AUS$1000-1500 for it? I should have money leftover to spend on either the centre speaker or the subwoofer. Which speaker should I go first?

Any suggestion is much appreciated.

Thanks
Stephen

 

[laurie]

The automatic parametric equalizer system is another plus on the 3805...it works really well.

While I attend to agree with you it should be the last thing on a list as a choice why.........well really once it is done[setup] then how many times would it be used assuming the room never changes ok someone here may move their furniture around once a week
cheers laurie

 

[huey]

I finally pulled the trigger and purchased the 3805 this weekend. All of the input I received from this site was very helpful. I am impressed with the Denon but the change from ProLogic to Digital would be impressive with any receiver. I haven't had much time to play with my new toy but am sure I will not be disapointed. My small, inexpensive Infinity satelite system sounds way better.

The remote has received a lot of bad press and I was less than impressed when I first saw it. Now that I am used to it, I think it is a cool little device. For a "free" remote, I will not complain.

Once I have the receiver properly set up, I will post again.

Thanks for all of the input.

 

[Unregistered]

3803 from Tweeter.............

Tweeter is moving the 3803's out of the store for 688.00

 

[free2day33611]

Bought the Denon 3805 for $945 plus $35 shipping with no sales tax from Hippo's in Akbany, NY. No question, at that price choose the 3805. They are also an authorized dealer (important as Denon states on their website that they will not honor the warrenty unless it is purchased from an authorized dealer).