NAD or Denon: need some advice!!

[Tom 17]

I am looking to buy a new a/v system and would appreciate readers' thoughts on my "final" list of 2: Denon 2808 or NAD T755 (when it comes out)? I am using a Pioneer Elite 1140HD monitor with (at this point) Def Tech Mythos speakers. I will use the system for tv/movies (65%) and music
(35%), but when it comes to the latter I listen to a lot of classical and jazz at moderate volumes. These 2 units seem to be very close in many respects, and I wonder whether the NAD would result in "warmer" music usfficient that I could really tell (whether on the Mythos speakers or others).

I am also looking at a new DVD player; not going HD/Blu Ray at this point so am down to either the Denon 1940, 2930 or the NAD T585. Particularly between the latter it seems as though the Denon is hard to bat.

Thanks!

 

[Seth=L]

I personally think the Denon is a better receiver per dollar spent. Their DVD players are also very good, and should easily outperform the NAD player.

 

[bholz]

I have the T763, which I purchased 3 years ago when I upgraded my Music/HT system to 5.1. I personally like NAD (I have a 20 yr old 7250PE which is now living in a 2nd system).

My listening tends to be more 85% music and have a LARGE room to fill (15 x 21 X 18h). (I would have purchased the Master Series seperates but they were not announced until a year later.) I did purchase the M55 Universal Player for SACD & DVD-A.

I've had a few issues with the M55, which NAD rectified very quickly, otherwise the system has been excellent.

Bill

 

[3db]

I am looking to buy a new a/v system and would appreciate readers' thoughts on my "final" list of 2: Denon 2808 or NAD T755 (when it comes out)? I am using a Pioneer Elite 1140HD monitor with (at this point) Def Tech Mythos speakers. I will use the system for tv/movies (65%) and music
(35%), but when it comes to the latter I listen to a lot of classical and jazz at moderate volumes. These 2 units seem to be very close in many respects, and I wonder whether the NAD would result in "warmer" music usfficient that I could really tell (whether on the Mythos speakers or others).

I am also looking at a new DVD player; not going HD/Blu Ray at this point so am down to either the Denon 1940, 2930 or the NAD T585. Particularly between the latter it seems as though the Denon is hard to bat.

Thanks!

It depends on what you are looking for. If features are more important to you, then Denon would be the better buy. If you want a more robust amp, them NAD easily walks over Denon. Thats what it boils down too.

 

[Tom 17]

Thanks for the input - - ny other issues with the NAD? I am a little hesitant to go after the new T755 untill I know that no bugs exist....though I understand that perhaps the introduction of the 754 removed most problems had with the 753.

Also, it seems as though the T755 and the 2808 are roughtly the same price
($1,100) and they seem to have the same fetures; am I missing something? Based on 'personality' of the 2 I'm presuming the NAD will have a warmer, less in-your-face sound than the Denon, and for the $$ I'm crazy not to go with NAD?

Both DVD players are the same price as well, but the Denon seems to be the run-away winner here.

 

[jostenmeat]

I know that many here think most electronics just sound the same or similar enough that it doesn't matter. That being said, my dealer's opinion is that Denon, Onkyo, etc have inferior analog sections compared to NAD. I was REALLY itching good to buy a receiver with new audio decoders as a pre/pro and he totally talked me out of it. Saved me money... well, if only for a short time! He says while the new formats may give me improved detail, he thinks that the analog sections provide quality of separation and dynamics. FWIW, there might be a few who choke on these words, but he has kept me from pulling out the wallet at the moment. BTW, he sells a lot of Denon 4308s, and can get any Onkyo that I might desire. He says to just keep my NAD T-163, and that he has many customers that are disappointed after swapping out their fine equipment just to get new HD audio formats...

In a nutshell, I think my dealer would vote for NAD. I might vote that way too now that I re-read your post and see that you listen to 65% music... The one thing that I will never have to consider upgrading is my multi-ch amp for HT... also a NAD. It really opened up my HT experience.

 

[PENG]

I know that many here think most electronics just sound the same or similar enough that it doesn't matter.

I am going to stay away from this topic, but I would say I had no trouble telling speakers within the same price range apart. A few years ago I had the opportunity to AB a pair of Energy C9 and a pair of big Def Tech, the difference was so great that I am sure anyone can pick them out in any sort of blind tests. The demo was done with the Denon 3805, then the 2805 playing the Diana Krall Live in Paris DVD.

 

[bholz]

Thanks for the input - - ny other issues with the NAD? I am a little hesitant to go after the new T755 untill I know that no bugs exist....though I understand that perhaps the introduction of the 754 removed most problems had with the 753.

I'm not aware of the issues that might have existed witrh the 753. As I said earlier, I have had the 763 for a little over 3 years now with no problems. (and I have a 20 year old 7250PE stereo receiver still in heavy use). From what I have read about the newer units, they have been designed a little more modularly to allow for upgrading of specific pieces. Good or bad, I don't know.

The issues with the M55 were mainly firmware. NAD sent me upgrades next day, and when that did not work, they sent me a new unit. The 2nd M55 worked for 30 days then lost it's 5.1 analog outputs??? Levels were so low that no level of amplification could make an SACD or DVD-A listenable. So they sent me another brand new replacement unit, which has been working perfectly since. (This was one fo the times I was an early adopter of a Universal player and it obviously had some kinks to be ironed out. However, I have not found any others who have posted any issues with their units on the internet.) BTW: I should say I am EXTREMELY happy with the sound of the M55 and trhe T763 (which is powering Monitor Audio S10 mains, SLCR center, Polk 4.6 rears, and Paradigm Seismic 12 sub)

Good luck with your decision. Sorry I can't be of more assistance with the Denon side of the question, but I did not even listen to any Denon receivers as I knew that I wanted to replace my 7250PE with an A/V reciever that would be used primarily for music.

Bill

 

[mtrycrafts]

... am I missing something? Based on 'personality' of the 2 I'm presuming the NAD will have a warmer, less in-your-face sound than the Denon, and for the $$ I'm crazy not to go with NAD? .

No, that is not a good presumption at all. No reason for that to be the case with those two components. Buy one or the other for other reasons.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... the difference was so great that I am sure anyone can pick them out in any sort of blind tests. .

Even by a deaf person such as me
Couldn't help myself, it is that time of the year

 

[fmw]

I'll throw one more thing to consider. I've never owned either a Denon nor a Sony receiver so I'm not going to recommend one over the other. But I will say that Denon's philosophy is dealer margin protection while Sony's is not. What that means is that the Sony equipment will normally have a higher discount from list price than a Denon. If they are comparably priced at list and comparable in terms of functionality and performance (I have no clue) then the Sony would probably be a better value. I'm not trying steer you. I'm just offering another thing to think about.