Denon AVR 3808CI or Yamaha RX-V3800

[caupina]

I'm ready to go digital all the way, so I deciding between these 2 receivers. I currently own a Yamaha HTR5890, but no HDMI in this piece. One other piece of gear I also own is the Denon DVD2930CI, so my question is, if I go for the Denon receiver, I can use the Denon Link connection to pass SACD/DVDA signal, therefore no need for an HDMI connection, right????. I'm planning on getting a BD player soon (probably Denon too), and the main use of the 2930 is just music. On the other hand, does the 2930 have better DAC than the 3080??? If it doesn't, then the Denon Link makes sense, but if it does then I'll have to keep the connection analog, and the Denon Link becomes a moot point.
I've read good reviews about either receiver so now it just becomes a matter of being practical (denon link use).

Any suggestions are welcome regarding this 2 pieces only....thanks

 

[shokhead]

People really like the Denon link and those two Denons together would be pretty nice combo. My guess is at worst the dac's are the same but you would be able to use the BM of the receiver.{i think}

 

[PENG]

I am in the same boat, but I may wait until year end and then go for the 4308 in the hope that it will be more affordable by then. It is a tough choice between the 3808 and the 3800 but money aside the 4308 is a easier choice.

Regarding your quesiton about the DACs, for DVDA and SACD multichannel listening I use the Dlink but I do use the analogs for DVDA/SACD 2 channel listening because I assume my 3910 has better DACs than the 3805. I would think the 3808 has equal or better DACs than the 2930.

 

[caupina]

Thanks Shokhead/PENG: I got my mind pretty much made up in regards to the Denon (I'm getting a good discount on this item from a shop I bought some stuff before). Regarding the DACs, the 3808 has the Burr-Brown 1791A and the 2930 the 1791, according to Denon's website so using the denon link might have some advantage, but at the end of the day the speakers and the acoustic characteristics of the room are the most crucial items one should consider. Thanks anyway for your valuable input.

 

[jerryyyyy]

I considered both of these a couple months ago and went with the Yamaha because I have 4 ohm speakers. If that is an issue, read the fine print on the Denon.

 

[20Glove]

I am bias... just wanted to say that. When I wanted to upgrade.. I went with the 3808... though upgrading from 3805. I love the Denon sound.

I am also a person that tries my best to keep all components the same... so Denon 3800 if you have Denon 2930 DVD player. Denon link is great... CRYSTAL CLEAR sound... I have the 3910 with the Denon link and it is GREAT. You can hear the difference when you have analog hooked up versus Denon Link, I can switch back and forth and you notice the difference... Denon link to my ear gives you better sound stage with the vocals coming right at you... as opposed to analog that vocals appear to my ear to be very even with all instruments, does not stick out. I am not sure how 3910 compared to 2930 though DAC wise.

I listened to both receivers b4 purchasing (along with Onkyo 875, Elite 94TXH, and Sony ES model that was $1699. I am one that listens to a scene in a movie, same scene like 25 times, comparing the sound of all receivers and also doing this with music, same 30 second piece of music over and over again just so I can compare apples to apples.

I liked the Onkyo 875, Elite, and Denon the best. Sony was excellent though for movies... just not as good in stereo. Yamaha was good in all aspects (did not push the bass as much, and a little bright sounding). Though the Elite, 875, and Denon were all best to my ear doing all things GREAT (pushing bass, clear, warm sounding).

So with that said... I recommend Denon (best to my ear), but this is like comparing Toyota's to Honda's to Nissan's you will get a GREAT product either way, performing minor differences, which do you like best, you will not go wrong!!

 

[shokhead]

Analogs and your BM is from the player. What about Denon link?

 

[caupina]

I bought the Denon receiver and can't be any happier, but it was an uphill battle trying to make it work. Last night I connected all my gear according to plan, including the Denon Link (6 less cables to worry about ) and was ready to turn it on ( I wanted to try the Denon Link first) but the manual is so confusing, it doesn't follow a logical way, and to be honest I was so frustrated that I thought of hooking the Yamaha back together again, and returning the Denon. I went to bed like 1am tired and irritated, thinking of the logical way of making things work with the little knowledge I have. So I got up this morning and started thinking how everything was to suppose to work, and little by little it all came to life, SACD player, CD player, DVD player, VCR and LD player, and let me tell you the Denon Link works perfect. Now I'm in the process of using the Audyssey to get the speakers set up properly, but so far they sound good, not excellent but very good. The remote is also confusing, and hooking up the different equipments and speakers, that took me a looooooong time ( I know Japaneses tend to have small hands, and pack everything so tight together, but come on, give us a break). So far so good. I forgot to mention that I went Denon all the way, I'm replacing my Onkyo CD and DVD players, with Denon DCM390 and DVM2845CI (got a good deal on those too). Next big purchase Sony KDL46xbr5 (HD, here I come!!!!!)

 

[shokhead]

I bought the Denon receiver and can't be any happier, but it was an uphill battle trying to make it work. Last night I connected all my gear according to plan, including the Denon Link (6 less cables to worry about ) and was ready to turn it on ( I wanted to try the Denon Link first) but the manual is so confusing, it doesn't follow a logical way, and to be honest I was so frustrated that I thought of hooking the Yamaha back together again, and returning the Denon. I went to bed like 1am tired and irritated, thinking of the logical way of making things work with the little knowledge I have. So I got up this morning and started thinking how everything was to suppose to work, and little by little it all came to life, SACD player, CD player, DVD player, VCR and LD player, and let me tell you the Denon Link works perfect. Now I'm in the process of using the Audyssey to get the speakers set up properly, but so far they sound good, not excellent but very good. The remote is also confusing, and hooking up the different equipments and speakers, that took me a looooooong time ( I know Japaneses tend to have small hands, and pack everything so tight together, but come on, give us a break). So far so good. I forgot to mention that I went Denon all the way, I'm replacing my Onkyo CD and DVD players, with Denon DCM390 and DVM2845CI (got a good deal on those too). Next big purchase Sony KDL46xbr5 (HD, here I come!!!!!)

2845 has Denon link?

 

[caupina]

No, it doesn't but my plan is to use it only to play DVDs, transmit the signal digitally (optical output) and let the receiver do the decoding. I have the 2930 for SACD/DVD-A