Denon AVR4806ci upgrade from AVR5803A worth it?

[kingchorizo]

Hey Aholics!

I am proud owner of a Denon 5803A (the "A" is the upgrade version from factory) and really love it. But I am now interested in the AVR4806ci for its HMDI 1080p switching! Sure 1080p material is scarce, but with SP3, blue-ray, hd-dvd and other digitial formats coming along it would be nice to have it just for this alone.

I did some comparisions of my 5803A and the 4806ci, and there really isn't much of a difference outside of the integrated XM tuner, less power (140x7) and HMDI/DVI switching and the Audessy video scaler in the 4806. I have a seperate XM tuner (polk audio reference xm tuner XRT12) so can care less about the integrated version.

The questions I have: Is it worth the upgrade? I do have hdmi devices such as my plasma tv and denon dvd player w/720p or 1080i upconversion. I currently run all component via my 5803A but all my HMDI connections are directly plugged into the TV. I would love to have one HMDI cable run to my Plasma and run all component and HDMI connections through my RX but my 5803A doesn't support HDMI switching. Should I simply invest on a seperate HMDI switch box that supports 1080p output or get rid of my 5803A for a 4806ci?

If I decide to buy the 4806ci, how much do you think I can get for my 5803A? It is in absolute perstine condition and has been babied since day one. I have the original materials/access./manuals/cables/remote/and even box w/reciept).

Sorry for all the questions but hate to get rid of a so called future proof reciever. I wish Denon would offer 5803A owners some credit for a trade-in or similiar towards a newer model.

 

[jcPanny]

New Receiver

King,
Sounds like you are pretty happy with your Denon sound wise.
You should consider an outboard video scaller from DVDO and/or an HDMI switch to fulfill your video upgrade needs. The scaling capabilities will be better than anything you will find in a Denon Receiver or DVD player.
http://www.dvdo.com/pro/pro_ishdplus.php

In the next year or two, receivers will include HDMI 1.3 and decode the HD Audio formats which might be a better time to consider a receiver upgrade.

 

[kingchorizo]

King,
Sounds like you are pretty happy with your Denon sound wise.
You should consider an outboard video scaller from DVDO and/or an HDMI switch to fulfill your video upgrade needs. The scaling capabilities will be better than anything you will find in a Denon Receiver or DVD player.
http://www.dvdo.com/pro/pro_ishdplus.php

In the next year or two, receivers will include HDMI 1.3 and decode the HD Audio formats which might be a better time to consider a receiver upgrade.

You might be right. I think I will look into buying seperate video scaler instead until the whole HDMI 1.3 and 1080p mess gets straighten out. I mean outside of my 5803A not having HDMI switching why would I get rid of it for a 4806CI?
Now excuse me if this sounds like a "common sense" questions,but even if I get an external video switcher/scaler wouldn't it be a pain in the a$$ to keep swithcing back and forth from my receiver to the scaler? Or is there some kind of interface between the iSCAN and A/V RX then to the monitor sources?

 

[jcPanny]

Remote

King,
A good remote can take care of that for you. Check out the options from Logitech/Harmony and URC Home Theater Master. I got the URC-300 remote with R/F base station and it was working great. The other day, my wife was complaining because it was too dificult turn on the XM radio. With a few button presses I set up a macro to: Turn On Receiver, Change to the Tuner Input, Change to FM station for XM, Turn On XM receiver, and Change to her favorite XM station. The marcos for the video switcher would simply change the video source any time you change the audio source.

Also, the Iscan has a serial port to receive commands from more complex home automation system like Crestron.

 

[kingchorizo]

King,
A good remote can take care of that for you. Check out the options from Logitech/Harmony and URC Home Theater Master. I got the URC-300 remote with R/F base station and it was working great. The other day, my wife was complaining because it was too dificult turn on the XM radio. With a few button presses I set up a macro to: Turn On Receiver, Change to the Tuner Input, Change to FM station for XM, Turn On XM receiver, and Change to her favorite XM station. The marcos for the video switcher would simply change the video source any time you change the audio source.

Also, the Iscan has a serial port to receive commands from more complex home automation system like Crestron.

Thanks I actually have that remote already (Logitech Harmony) and love it!

However, no one has really answered my question and would like some additional opinions. I am just curious if it is worth it to get rid of my AVR5803A for the AVR4806Ci? The 5803 has more power, is heavier as a result 60+Lbs. Has anyone out there have an 4806Ci not the 4806 version? What are your opinions? Any similiar upgrades from 5803 to this one?

I guess I am not sure if it would even be considered an upgrade?

 

[B5I8]

I don't suppose you could send your 5803 back to Denon and have them upgrade it to a 5805MK2? If not, I would say keep the 5803 and add a separate HDMI switcher.

 

[kingchorizo]

I don't suppose you could send your 5803 back to Denon and have them upgrade it to a 5805MK2? If not, I would say keep the 5803 and add a separate HDMI switcher.

I was thinking of the same thing. I will give them a call and see what they are able to work out for me. I realize there is a huge price difference, but I am willing to pay it. Otherwise, I will look for a seperate HDMI switcher. Anyone have any recommendations for HMDI switchers? I will need at least one with 4 HDMI inputs.

 

[B5I8]

Take a look at these:

http://www.htmarket.com/audio-video-products-for-home-theater-video-scalers--line-doublers-and-quadruplers.html

You were probably looking for something simpler but these sure would make your picture nice.

 

[kingchorizo]

If I decide to sell my Denon-AVR5803A would anyone in this forum be interested? I also have a Denon DVD-5900 player. They are both in absolute prestine condition, have all accessories, remotes, manuals, boxes etc. I can post photos as soon as I take some pics of the equipment. I will post this question on the FOR SALE thread too.