Denon's separates are here!

[mperfct]

Pretty interesting...

If nothing else to see the reactions

 

[64Bug]

I am not a marketing guru by any means, but I think this is pure genius by Denon.

In my opinion, they are attempting to elevate their brand name above all others in the mass receiver market by adding this to their product line (and hence charge higher prices). This will give Denon more prestige in the market and will separate them from Yamaha, Onkyo, etc.

Denon would never be able to compete with likes of Emotiva, Outlaw. Unless they got rid of their dealer network.

There is probably a lot of synergies in design between their receivers and these separates. That way they are guaranteed to make money.

I think it is brilliant.

 

[3db]

I hope for $7000 that they are going to give more detailed specs. From what they published so far, nothing seems to standout that puts it over the rest of the crowd.

I see from the back that it has the ability to use balanced inputs which is a good thing.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

"If someone offered you a $50K Lexus or a $50K Chevrolet, would you take the Chevrolet?"

The answer to the question is "Yes, if the Chevrolet is a better vehicle."

Yes, if the Denon separates are better than the Krell separates.

The "prestige" of the brand name shouldn't matter. I'm surprised it matters to so many people here. I thought Audioholics was all about actual performance, not snake oil or "prestige" badges.

Yeah, IF IT IS BETTER.

But what's the odds of a Chevrolet being BETTER than a Lexus or a Denon being BETTER than a KRELL?

"Audioholics" means we are Addicted to Audio in EVERY SENSE of the WORD.
It's not just the performance, it's EVERYTHING.

 

[jonnythan]

Yeah, IF IT IS BETTER.

But what's the odds of a Chevrolet being BETTER than a Lexus or a Denon being BETTER than a KRELL?

They're not zero, I'll tell you that.

 

[3db]

I am not a marketing guru by any means, but I think this is pure genius by Denon.

In my opinion, they are attempting to elevate their brand name above all others in the mass receiver market by adding this to their product line (and hence charge higher prices). This will give Denon more prestige in the market and will separate them from Yamaha, Onkyo, etc.

Denon would never be able to compete with likes of Emotiva, Outlaw. Unless they got rid of their dealer network.

There is probably a lot of synergies in design between their receivers and these separates. That way they are guaranteed to make money.

I think it is brilliant.

Good point. I wonder if Yamaha will answer the call and shoot a similar salvo to Denon. Yamaha has made seperate power amps in the past that were quite good. It wouldn't take much for Yamaha to do the same.

 

[gene]

But what's the odds of a Chevrolet being BETTER than a Lexus or a Denon being BETTER than a KRELL?

Much better than you realize. I have played with many Krell processors in the past and not one of them came even close to the processing power, bass management and overall quality of the Denon AVR-5805. The Krell does however have a much nicer box, aesthetics, snob appeal and resale value.

Good point. I wonder if Yamaha will answer the call and shoot a similar salvo to Denon. Yamaha has made seperate power amps in the past that were quite good. It wouldn't take much for Yamaha to do the same.

They won't do it. I begged them for years to make a dedicated pre/pro and they told me it would cost the same as making a flagship receiver since they would sell far less pre/pros. Thus the Z-11 for example can be viewed as an 11.2 A/V pre/pro with a free amp thrown in. Denon is going after a niche market which Yamaha rarely does.

 

[corysmith01]

Denon would never be able to compete with likes of Emotiva, Outlaw. Unless they got rid of their dealer network.

I also agree with this. Denon can't really compete with those. Well, I guess they could. Or, they could build on 1) their heritage and 2) their recent prestige derived from heralded products like the 5805 (and its more recent incarnations). The 5805 was a $5000 receiver...I say again a five thousand dollar receiver. Who do you think the target for that was? How many of us here have $5K receivers. I'm not picking, I'm just saying that they've slowly been cultivating this field. This isn't and "out-of-the-blue" offering. Does it seem expensive? Sure...to me. But if I had money to burn and I wanted the absolute best, I wouldn't write this off just because it had a Denon badge on the front. In fact, it might actually get me to raise and eyebrow and wonder what they were bringing to the table if it cost that much. I don't think they just arbitrarily priced these items that high. I'm sure there's loads of technology in them...and probably a lot of it you'll only find in these units (vs all the other "badge" brands). But of course, that's just speculation.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I am not a marketing guru by any means, but I think this is pure genius by Denon.

I think it is brilliant.

I will think it is brilliant too if they end up selling a lot and make a huge profit. I guess only time will tell.

Yes, I think it will be a tremendous high-performing product. I just don't think it will sell @ $14,000/pr, but I could be 100% wrong.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...The 5805 was a $5000 receiver...I don't think they just arbitrarily priced these items that high. I'm sure there's loads of technology in them...

Yeah, If I bought a $5,000 receiver (or $14K pre-pros + amp), I would definitely want to buy at least a 5 year extended warranty (or 10 year) just in case any of those million parts and technology breaks.

 

[fmw]

I agree on both counts. Unfortunately I believe that, not only will they sell very few of them but I doubt it will succeed at raising the brand cache to the level of the high end manufacturers. I give them credit for trying.

 

[64Bug]

I would say Denon has already accomplished what it set out to do........ get everyone talking about these products and view Denon products in a different context.

I know it has raised my eyebrows.

I have never sound tested a Denon product before. I think that may change in the near future.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

But what's the odds of a Chevrolet being BETTER than a Lexus or a Denon being BETTER than a KRELL?

Much better than you realize. I have played with many Krell processors in the past and not one of them came even close to the processing power, bass management and overall quality of the Denon AVR-5805.

Okay, point taken regarding the Denon Pre-pros + Amp. They are worthy.

But I'm not going to believe you if you say that Lexus doesn't come close to the performance and reliability of Chevrolets!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would say Denon has already accomplished what it set out to do........ get everyone talking about these products and view Denon products in a different context.

I know it has raised my eyebrows.

I have never sound tested a Denon product before. I think that may change in the near future.

I have personally listened to the new Denon 4308 and compared it to the Denon 3808 & 2808, and other Pioneer and Yamaha receivers with the same speakers in one show room. I sure can't hear any difference between any of them. They all sounded pretty good.

I sure hope somebody will do a blinded-A/B test with the new Denon Pre-pros + Amp Vs. the Denon 2808!

 

[majorloser]

I sure hope somebody will do a blinded-A/B test with the new Denon Pre-pros + Amp Vs. the Denon 2808!

And if you can get them to send me the above mentioned items, I'd be glad to set up the review.

Heck, I'd even be willing to do a submit myself to "long term" test with this pre/pro. Say a couple years.

 

[gene]

But I'm not going to believe you if you say that Lexus doesn't come close to the performance and reliability of Chevrolets!

LOL not at all. The top two most reliable cars are from:

• Toyota/Lexus
• Honda/Acura

But lets not start car talking else you will have me going a mile / minute

 

[Jack Hammer]

Both of the OPs links took me to the pre/pro. I wasn't able to find the amp or a link to it. What am I missing (besides $7-14K)?

(BTW, when Toyota first came out with Lexus a lot of people scoffed at them and their ability to successfully market a luxury car. I think it worked out alright for them )
Thanks

Jack

 

[corysmith01]

Here's the link to the amp:

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3921.asp

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think I'm just mad because I can't afford it!

They sure look pretty.

I'm really going to hate the person who can afford this thing!

Just add the new $2K Denon DVD3800-BD player and you got something there.

 

[billy p]

Denon always thought of themselves as an elitest brand for one dumb reason or another. For that much money, I would not even give them a glance.

I'll stick to something like NAD, Anthem, Bryston.

Denon is a just a 3 dressed up as a 9. They are no better or no more robust than Yamaha.

Heh.. whats wrong with a 3 dressed up as a 9? I happen to like that Trooper song! As for the anology to a three thats a bit harsh! Denon only dabble in A/V electronics unlike Yamaha and I for one am a very happy owner of Denon products.