Just purchased a Denon AVR-2805 - few moments of you time

[Rotarhead69]

Let me firt start by saying that I've been an avid self prclaimed audiophile since I was about 16 years old. Im now 34. It happened when I walked into our local HiFi shop and there were some Carver freeair speakers (forget the model no.) and a McIntosh Amp and Pre amp. They had Chicago playing (of all things!) - a CD I happen to have and the 3 dimentionality was amazing. I decided from that moment on I was to achieve this.

Fast forward 18 years and thousands of dollars spent on various pieces of equiment incrementally inching upwards towards my goal (not the best way by the way) I ended up with two systems.

Hi end (or my budgests worth of) and Theater.

My "hi end" consists of Vandersteen Speakers, Conrad Jonson MF 100 amp, Acuras Preamp an Adcom line conditioner, and a California Audio Labs DX-1 CD player. I know, old equipment, and bottom rung Hi end at best - but it does sound quite good. Oh, too much money spent on cables!!!!

My "home theater" consists of the just purchased Denon AVR-2805, Klipsch Reference speakers, MK subwoofer (I think 125). A 36" Sony, XBR Wega HD TV, and Sony DVD player (definately need to upgrade for DVD-A)

My goal for this receiver was to be able to combine my Hi Fi with My home theater. Which it has done quite well. I run my pre outs to my CJ amp that runs the Vandersteens and use the receiver for the HT speakers.

I have a couple questions:

1. What would be a good DVD-A component to buy concidering the equipment I have. I don't want too spend too much or too little. This DVD-A thing I'm just starting to read about and understand.

2. I know the 3805 can be bi-amped, can the 2805?

3. Seeing what equiment I have is there any suggestions anybody give on how to optimize this receiver. I've never mixed home and hi fi, I've always called it a no no. But realizing that I never use my Hi fi anymore, b/c it is not in the living room I figured I give this set up a try.

So for I am quite impressed with the Denon. Not enough living with it yet to give my full impressions, but very nice, and sounds good so far.

greg

btw - Acuras Pre Amp for sell

 

[MBauer]

DVD Player

I have read rave reviews (most recent Perfect Vision) about the Pioneer DV-578A. It is a universal player (CD, SACD, DVD Audio, etc) and is available at well under $200.00 US. (Check Pricegrabber or through this site)

 

[hopjohn]

Mixing hi-fi and HT isn't quite the "no-no" it used to be. The main difference summed down to one thought is that, your subwoofer will need to be more substantial for movies, and so you'll need a good one to do both well. There are other smaller issues like speaker placement etc., but for me that was the main concern.

Also if you are looking into getting into multi-channel music. I'd start with a 578A for DVD-A, and see if it grabs your fancy, then move on from there before laying down more cash. The next price tier up for something substantially nicer is considerable, more than double.

 

[jbracing24]

I have just installed a 2805 this week. Everything seemed to be OK until...this afternoon, I was playing a movie on the Pioneer 578A and for no apparent reason the video cut out (component feed to the 2805). It appears to be a hangup on the 578A, because I pulled the power cord for 5 minutes and I have the component signal back. I tried the S-Video connection as well and it seemed to work OK but, no comparison. I'll just have to monitor. First problem with the 578A in the six months I have had the unit. Just thought you should know.

 

[jbracing24]

Let's back up the ship!! When the Denon 2805 had trouble the next day locking in to the HD satellite through the component video, I knew then that the problem was with the receiver not the DVD player or the DBS. OK, reread the manual!!! Video Input screen..."Auto" setting is default...for multiple connections, (figure...auto means automatic). NO. Designate "Component" and the video locks in to component connection. Guess the Denon was not locking in in the "Auto" setting. Now rock solid video on DBS and DVD. The Denon manual is not very user friendly.

 

[shokhead]

Kinda same as me,2805,sony TV and DVD.