Indecisive on Denon

[psbfan9]

I know I have been all over the place with trying to make buying decisions on a new amp and new speakers, but here's the latest.

I can get a New in box Denon 4520 for $1550.00 shipped!

Here is what is holding me back;

Problem 1:

Unit was purchased directly from Denon, so warranty is NOT transferable. Seller did offer to 'help' if any issues come up. But, he is trying to sell something.

Problem number 2:

One thing I have read here at AH is that speakers will make the largest improvement to a system. The price for the Denon is half of my speaker budget.



Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Thanks.
Barry

 

[Adam]

Barry,

That's a pretty sweet price for that Denon, but...with all of the reviews that I've read on Denons (including that model, as I was looking at getting it when it first came out), I'd be nervous about dropping that much cash on a unit and not having a warranty. That's coming from a guy that tends not to care about warranties, but I do like that first X-days piece of mind in case something goes wrong. Every manufacturer is going to have workmanship issues, and unless they screen their hardware, that's what the initial warranty is for because those issues tend to show themselves early on.

I'd definitely look at what features it has compared to other, lower-priced models to determine if you really think that you'll benefit from the 4520. Just remember that the prices on the newly released units will drop, too.

Adam

 

[fmw]

As always I would look at the features and decide which you need and will use. If a less expensive unit will fill the bill, you can add some money to the speaker side of your budget and likely get more satisfaction for your money.

 

[panteragstk]

+1. I agree about the warranty part, and wonder why someone would want to sell such a seemingly fantastic unit. What receiver do you currently have?

 

[Adam]

...wonder why someone would want to sell such a seemingly fantastic unit.

You got me thinking. I just reread the original post, and I see that's a shipped price. For some reason, I was thinking that it was a local sale.

Barry, definitely look into if it's a North American version. It might be a gray market item that was intended for sale in anther region and might have lower quality control.

 

[slipperybidness]

I know I have been all over the place with trying to make buying decisions on a new amp and new speakers, but here's the latest.

I can get a New in box Denon 4520 for $1550.00 shipped!

Here is what is holding me back;

Problem 1:

Unit was purchased directly from Denon, so warranty is NOT transferable. Seller did offer to 'help' if any issues come up. But, he is trying to sell something.

Problem number 2:

One thing I have read here at AH is that speakers will make the largest improvement to a system. The price for the Denon is half of my speaker budget.



Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Thanks.
Barry

Well, for that price (more or less) you can pick up the refurb 4520 with a 1 year warranty
DENON AVR-4520CI Denon's Flagship Home Theater Receiver 150wpc | Accessories4less

I would be more inclined to get this with warranty, or use this info to beat him down on the price

 

[afterlife2]

Hey Barry! I'd skip it. Like others asked, what features are important to you? This will give us a better sense of what you need and want. What other brands would you be interested in?

 

[Pyrrho]

As always I would look at the features and decide which you need and will use. If a less expensive unit will fill the bill, you can add some money to the speaker side of your budget and likely get more satisfaction for your money.

This. Speakers (including subwoofers) make far more difference in how your system sounds than a receiver. I think most people spend too much of their budget on electronics and not enough on speakers, if actual sound quality is the goal. There is no way I would spend that much on a receiver unless I had a lot more money for speakers. I think it would be far, far better to go with a receiver that one can get for about $500-600 and spend that extra thousand on better speakers. Unless, of course, one already has state of the art speakers.

It does not matter how good of a deal that receiver is; if it is taking money away from your speakers, it will make your system sound worse than it would with a midlevel receiver and better speakers.

I personally was using a receiver that retailed for about $600 with speakers that retailed for over $6000, and it sounded great (as it should). Because I wanted more (and more modern) features, I replaced the receiver with one that retailed for about $1700 (which was a discontinued model that I got for far less). Unless I engage a feature that affects the sound, it sounds the same now as it did before. Now, if my speakers required it, the extra power could have made a difference, but because my speakers are easy to drive, the extra power is totally unnecessary. [For those who need extra power, it is usually a better idea to get a midlevel receiver and a separate power ąmp(s), both because one can get more power that way, and also because when one decides one needs new features, one is replacing a much cheaper receiver, so less money is lost in the modernization/upgrade.]

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I agree w/ the fellas. $1550 is too much w/o warranty. I would rather get the 4311 new for $1225 shipped.

 

[psbfan9]

I appreciate all the comments!

I have decided to pass. Here's the link if anybody else is interested.

Denon 4520 Brand New In Box(Free Shipping) | Receivers | Memphis, Tennessee 38135 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

Most of the speakers I have been looking at are 4ohm, so I may need a better amp than my Onkyo 608. But, I can always do that later if I think I need more power. Or, until the Onkyo goes *BOOM*.

 

[PENG]

I agree w/ the fellas. $1550 is too much w/o warranty. I would rather get the 4311 new for $1225 shipped.

For someone who believe in Audyssey, yes the 4311 is a great deal for 1225 shipped. if Audyssey is not a must then I would consider the latest Yamaha as they seem to offer better feature and specs to price ratio than Denon's.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

For someone who believe in Audyssey, yes the 4311 is a great deal for 1225 shipped. if Audyssey is not a must then I would consider the latest Yamaha as they seem to offer better feature and specs to price ratio than Denon's.

I am still enjoying Audyssey Flat + Dynamic EQ very much.

If I can be converted, anybody can.

I've been trying to rationalize why I did not like Audyssey before. And I think it's because I kept on turning off Dynamic EQ for some ridiculous ignorant reasons. When Dynamic EQ is turn off, I see no benefit to Audyssey or Audyssey Flat. But that Dynamic EQ is something else, in combination w/ Audyssey Flat.

I sound like a darn hypocrite. After expressing all this time about how I did not enjoy Audyssey and how I hate EQ. What a hypocrite.

Basically, my impression is that the midrange and treble is the same as Bypass. But the bass is just a lot more amazing. And it's not just the bass-heavy music. Even the bass-light music seem to benefit in the bass. It sounds more well-balanced. I also watched a movie w/ Flat + DynEQ. Also liked it.

So I am now a new-born Audyssey Flat + Dynamic EQ believer.

I have never used the Yamaha or Pioneer Room Correction EQ at home, so I cannot say. I have used the Harman Kardon RC, and it truly sucked. Now that I am 100% sure of. It's probably because HK doesn't have a Dynamic EQ.

Or maybe certain types of music sound good w/ Audyssey and some music do not sound good. I don't know. I have to play around more w/ more variety of music. I am now listening to Yo-Yo Ma/ Ennio Morricone.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I like my AVRs priced around $650
A/V Receivers, Home Theater Receiver | AVR-3313CI | Denon\
Amazon.com: Onkyo TX-NR818 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver (Black): Electronics

818 is now $799, but it's an older model (replaced by inferior 828) and will go on sale very soon and was sold for 650 in last December.

If you are not in the rush, Set the alerts at camelcamelcamel.com and wait till prices drop

In ether case you are getting both warranty and extra cash in the pocket to spend on better speakers

 

[GlockFan]

I know I have been all over the place with trying to make buying decisions on a new amp and new speakers, but here's the latest.

I can get a New in box Denon 4520 for $1550.00 shipped!

Here is what is holding me back;

Problem 1:

Unit was purchased directly from Denon, so warranty is NOT transferable. Seller did offer to 'help' if any issues come up. But, he is trying to sell something.

Problem number 2:

One thing I have read here at AH is that speakers will make the largest improvement to a system. The price for the Denon is half of my speaker budget.



Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Thanks.
Barry

PSBfan,

If you are still interested in a Denon 4520, I just purchased a brand new one with the full 3 year factory warranty from an authorized Denon Dealer for $1599.
Send me a PM if interested and I will provide the details.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I like my AVRs priced around $650
A/V Receivers, Home Theater Receiver | AVR-3313CI | Denon\
Amazon.com: Onkyo TX-NR818 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver (Black): Electronics

818 is now $799, but it's an older model (replaced by inferior 828) and will go on sale very soon and was sold for 650 in last December.

If you are not in the rush, Set the alerts at camelcamelcamel.com and wait till prices drop

In ether case you are getting both warranty and extra cash in the pocket to spend on better speakers

I'm with you there, except I would buy it as brand new from Amazon when they go on sale for $650.

I bet the Denon X4000 will be about $650 in 6 months on Amazon.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm with you there, except I would buy it as brand new from Amazon when they go on sale for $650.

I bet the Denon X4000 will be about $650 in 6 months on Amazon.

3313 wasn't reduced (new) to $650 yet on amazon, but it is an older model who knows - it might happen
Denon AVR-3313CI Networking Home Theater Receiver with AirPlay and 3 Zone Capacity | Amazon price tracker / tracking, Amazon price history charts, Amazon price watches, Amazon price drop alerts | camelcamelcamel.com

If official denon 3313 refub would have same warranty as new - I wont care

 

[RichB]

I am still enjoying Audyssey Flat + Dynamic EQ very much.

If I can be converted, anybody can.

I've been trying to rationalize why I did not like Audyssey before. And I think it's because I kept on turning off Dynamic EQ for some ridiculous ignorant reasons. When Dynamic EQ is turn off, I see no benefit to Audyssey or Audyssey Flat. But that Dynamic EQ is something else, in combination w/ Audyssey Flat.

I sound like a darn hypocrite. After expressing all this time about how I did not enjoy Audyssey and how I hate EQ. What a hypocrite.

Basically, my impression is that the midrange and treble is the same as Bypass. But the bass is just a lot more amazing. And it's not just the bass-heavy music. Even the bass-light music seem to benefit in the bass. It sounds more well-balanced. I also watched a movie w/ Flat + DynEQ. Also liked it.

So I am now a new-born Audyssey Flat + Dynamic EQ believer.

I have never used the Yamaha or Pioneer Room Correction EQ at home, so I cannot say. I have used the Harman Kardon RC, and it truly sucked. Now that I am 100% sure of. It's probably because HK doesn't have a Dynamic EQ.

Or maybe certain types of music sound good w/ Audyssey and some music do not sound good. I don't know. I have to play around more w/ more variety of music. I am now listening to Yo-Yo Ma/ Ennio Morricone.

A cynical person would ask if you have volume matched </SPAN>
Dynamic Equalization is a fancy loudness control; They have always been seductive.

I have never heard anything better than connecting the BDP-105 analog outs to my Amps.
However, it is too inconvienient and limitting in terms of connectivity.
Also, I really like a volume know

Are you using Audyssey with you Salon 2's?

- Rich

 

[psbfan9]

PSBfan,

If you are still interested in a Denon 4520, I just purchased a brand new one with the full 3 year factory warranty from an authorized Denon Dealer for $1599.
Send me a PM if interested and I will provide the details.

Hey Glockfan,

I appreciate the offer, but I have to pass. I may have something that will work for $800.00

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

A cynical person would ask if you have volume matched
Dynamic Equalization is a fancy loudness control; They have always been seductive.

I have never heard anything better than connecting the BDP-105 analog outs to my Amps.
However, it is too inconvienient and limitting in terms of connectivity.
Also, I really like a volume know

Are you using Audyssey with you Salon 2's?

- Rich

Hey, get over here and discuss Audyssey : http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/amps-pre-pros-receivers/86081-do-we-really-need-audyssey-multeq-xt32-smart-decision-what-i-hear-5.html#post977095

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hey Glockfan,

I appreciate the offer, but I have to pass. I may have something that will work for $800.00

$800 would be much better than $1600.

The big thing is the speakers and subs. Moderation is good. I wish I had used some moderation.