Denon 3806 compared to Rotel Separates

[heckeng]

Well, I've had a 3806 for a couple weeks now, after selling my Rotel separates on Ebay so I could change out the two channel for home theater.

I'll start out with positive stuff
The Denon makes sense to work with as far as the menue goes, and really isn't to bad to work with, lots of options and capability. It doesn't get too warm which I like. I had ordered an Onkyo NR901 which is relatively comperable to the Denon spec wise, but it got really really HOT, so I took it back and got the Denon.

On the other hand. . .
Sound quality is way below the Rotel stuff. Not all of that is due to the Denon though, In changing out my old system, I also got rid of my $700 Rotel CD player, which I now think really kicked ***--hind sight is 20/20. I have lost alot of "impact" though, which I do contribute to the Denon having not as ballsy of an amplifier section. I will probably also look into getting another quality CD player instead of the generic Sony that I have now.

I may try and find some more lively speakers to match to the Denon to replace my PSB Century 600s, which sounded excellent with the separates.


So, to sum up, The Denon seems like a quality built receiver and it seems to do everything pretty well, but as is probably true with most receivers, it seems like it sacrafices some on musical quality compared to a dedicated system.

I would definitely recommend this receiver to others setting up a home theater. I think that compared to other receivers, it has got to be on the better end of the scale as it just seems to have a very quality build, not bad musical sound (regardless of the above comparison), great movie sound, and easy to work with.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The Denon pre-amp parameters are pretty flat compared to the likes of Rotel. The Denon has plenty of power. What you need is a little more control of the Hz. Have you tried tweaking the onboard eq? If you've done so and still aren't satisfied, I'd recommend putting a Behringer 2496 between the source and receiver. That will add plenty of punch to the kick drum, and crispness of the high hat, while eliminating any muddy mid bass.

If you can't swing the Behringer just yet, get something like this for the time being. It's only 2 channel (exactly what you just sold on ebay), but most of your cable/satellite feeds are 2 channel, as well as your cd's. You can always play material on dsp modes like 5/7 channel stereo, DTS Neo 6 or DD PLIIx (all of which take 2 channel and process it through all surround speakers). All channels will be eq'd. Let me know if you need help hooking it up. I run an eq, and it's like I lifted a blanket off my towers (and all surrounds) with the addition of a separate eq.

You'll just have to suffer with DVD and the Denon (if you run a digital connection-which I recommend), but most dvd's are so dynamic, it's really not an issue compared to 2ch music.

http://cgi.ebay.com/31-Band-Stereo-Graphic-Equalizer-ElectroVoice-EQ-231_W0QQitemZ7380068661QQcategoryZ23788QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[AudioSeer]

What kind of speakers are you using now?

 

[maverick11359]

Well, I've had a 3806 for a couple weeks now, after selling my Rotel separates on Ebay so I could change out the two channel for home theater.

I'll start out with positive stuff
The Denon makes sense to work with as far as the menue goes, and really isn't to bad to work with, lots of options and capability. It doesn't get too warm which I like. I had ordered an Onkyo NR901 which is relatively comperable to the Denon spec wise, but it got really really HOT, so I took it back and got the Denon.

On the other hand. . .
Sound quality is way below the Rotel stuff. Not all of that is due to the Denon though, In changing out my old system, I also got rid of my $700 Rotel CD player, which I now think really kicked ***--hind sight is 20/20. I have lost alot of "impact" though, which I do contribute to the Denon having not as ballsy of an amplifier section. I will probably also look into getting another quality CD player instead of the generic Sony that I have now.

I may try and find some more lively speakers to match to the Denon to replace my PSB Century 600s, which sounded excellent with the separates.


So, to sum up, The Denon seems like a quality built receiver and it seems to do everything pretty well, but as is probably true with most receivers, it seems like it sacrafices some on musical quality compared to a dedicated system.

I would definitely recommend this receiver to others setting up a home theater. I think that compared to other receivers, it has got to be on the better end of the scale as it just seems to have a very quality build, not bad musical sound (regardless of the above comparison), great movie sound, and easy to work with.

Hi heckeng, Ive only just joined this forum and read your Thread and for what its worth I'll give you a few ideas.The 3806 is a great machine but it's a home theatre amp and won't sound like your seperates for music.If you wont the best out of both worlds like me and my circle of friends we run Rotel RB1080's and 1090's power amps of the preouts front /back surround(not Rotel RMB surround amps)(the RB are better for music) .I run preouts of my Sony VA333ES reciever were as my mates run preouts of a Denon 3805 and a NAD (last flag ship)Reciever.Don't be disappointed that you sold the Rotel CD player (probably best thing you did)because last year we did a lot of AB testing between different transports and my mate had one(Rotel CD player) and sold it on ebay straight after.Unfortunatley if you don't hear it against other players you wouldn't realise how congested and aggressive it is and seriously what you were missing in clarity.I have a Denon 3910 sacd/dvd-a player which I recommend to try and also my mates Pioneer Flagship Universal sacd/dvd-a player(great sound but I've forgotten the model number).The Denon would give you the advantage of the Denon Link between player and amp (Great for SACD's and DVD-A's). Rotel make fantastic Power amps,high end gear at middle gears costs(can't beat them and a must).P.S.B are great speakers I've only just repaced mine.I'd try a new player(transport)and Power amps first and don't forget speaker cables , interconnects can change your sonic sound big time too. Regards Mave. My Gear ;Sony strva333es reciever,2 Rotel RB 1080s ,Denon 3910 sacd/dvd-a player,Denon1400 dvd player,Digicrystall HD set top box,Infocus sp5000 projector and Longhorn fixed 94" screen,Tara Lab interconnects and speaker cables;Speakers:-4 Accusound delta 890 towers,2 Accus. delta 600 bookshelfs,1 Accus. delta centre 130.

 

[mtrycrafts]

.The 3806 is a great machine but it's a home theatre amp and won't sound like your seperates for music.

No reason why it wouldn't sound the same unless it is driven beyond its design limits. After all, both are well designed components.


Don't be disappointed that you sold the Rotel CD player (probably best thing you did)because last year we did a lot of AB testing between different transports and my mate had one(Rotel CD player) and sold it on ebay straight after.

That would depend on the protocols you used for those A/B comparisons.
T$$ showed how an $80 RCA CD player, carousel at that, sounded the same with CD players costing $1000s.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Well, I've had a 3806 for a couple weeks now, after selling my Rotel separates on Ebay so I could change out the two channel for home theater.

I'll start out with positive stuff
The Denon makes sense to work with as far as the menue goes, and really isn't to bad to work with, lots of options and capability. It doesn't get too warm which I like. I had ordered an Onkyo NR901 which is relatively comperable to the Denon spec wise, but it got really really HOT, so I took it back and got the Denon.

On the other hand. . .
Sound quality is way below the Rotel stuff. Not all of that is due to the Denon though, In changing out my old system, I also got rid of my $700 Rotel CD player, which I now think really kicked ***--hind sight is 20/20. I have lost alot of "impact" though, which I do contribute to the Denon having not as ballsy of an amplifier section. I will probably also look into getting another quality CD player instead of the generic Sony that I have now.

I may try and find some more lively speakers to match to the Denon to replace my PSB Century 600s, which sounded excellent with the separates.


So, to sum up, The Denon seems like a quality built receiver and it seems to do everything pretty well, but as is probably true with most receivers, it seems like it sacrafices some on musical quality compared to a dedicated system.

I would definitely recommend this receiver to others setting up a home theater. I think that compared to other receivers, it has got to be on the better end of the scale as it just seems to have a very quality build, not bad musical sound (regardless of the above comparison), great movie sound, and easy to work with.

I would also ask about your speakers as audioseer did. Did you change anything to speaker locations? Acoustic treatment to cause your displeasure?

You give too much credit to that old CD player. And, if you don't exceed the Denon's capability by clipping, no reason for your displeasure there.
At the end, your speakers may be the issue all along as it is the most important component in the system tied to acoustics of the room and the recording quality.

 

[heckeng]

My speakers are PSB Century 600i. They are floorstanding speakers with 2 6.5" drivers (one passive) and a tweeter. Nothing has changed as far as placement. I have not messed with the EQ settings on the receiver yet, so that is a possibility. I'll mess around with stuff yet and report back later. Thanks for the replys and suggestions!