Need Help: Denon 3808 vs Onkyo 876

[rt131975]

I need some help. I am looking at upgrading my very old Denon and was looking at the Denon 2809 vs the onkyo 876 initially but found a good price for the 3808. This is mainly for my Bluray player and xbox 360 but would like the network connectivity, XM radio if possible. I am just trying to figure out the best buy here. Any suggestions?

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well I can tell you that the 3808 is an excellent unit.....I have been nothing but thrilled with mine. I was looking at the 876 as well when considering my upgrade but decided to go with the Denon for a number of reasons. Both are excellent units and it will really come down to your needs and usage habits. Seeing as how you are not going to be using the Reon processing, as you stated the AVR will be mostly for Blu-ray and 360--that is the real edge that the Onkyo has in terms of video processing.

Also the Onkyos run very hot and cannot be in a closed space, so if you have a AV cabinet it won't be good idea or you will have to install fans. All of that aside, I choose the Denon in terms of sound, connectivity, and reliability. Not to mention that the new GUI on the Denon is absolutely fantastic. Several people around here on Audioholics have gotten the 3808 for $1099---a price you should be able to get matched or come very close to...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I am also a big fan of the 3808. The GUI is outstanding and the network system works well. I use it as my music server to play music stored on my CPU as WAV files. I also use the Rhapsody for non critical listening such as background music. It is cool to have access to millions of songs.

 

[rt131975]

I couldnt decide. They both seemed good. The Onkyo was a little cheaper. I actually ordered it already. I figured I could play music through my 360 or PS3 and both can get firmware upgrades. It also seemed that if I bought the 3808 from someone other than denon that I wouldnt get the software upgrades, like the the audissy upgrades, etc. Do you think its worth it to spend the extra hundred bucks for the 3808?

 

[Chopin_Guy]

If the 3808 is only $100 more than the Onkyo then I would say it's a no brainer to go with the Denon....And you get the software update as long as you buy it from an authorized dealer--that is all that matters and you want to do that anyway for warranty reasons. In any event, both are strong units but IMO the Denon is a notch above the Onkyo...

 

[jostenmeat]

The 876's features will wipe the floor when considering the retail price of a 3808.

If you like the name brand, please follow the advice above.

 

[PENG]

If you need the superior video processing of the 876 go for it. If you do not need it then I agree the Denon is a no brainer for only $100 more. The Onkyo does offer more power output but not enough to get you any more than 1 dB of headroom.

 

[rt131975]

It looks like the authorized dealers are selling it for 1499. I bought my 876 from B and H for 999 and they are an authorized dealer. I guess I am going to go with the onkyo. They both sound pretty solid and both will be light years ahead of my current denon. I think I would like the 3808 more but its a lot more to get from an authorized dealer. I really appreciate everyones input. This is my first time using these forums and it was a big help. My shelving is an open shelving unit with no doors on it. Do I really need a fan for the 876? Merry Christmas everyone.

 

[allargon]

It looks like the authorized dealers are selling it for 1499. I bought my 876 from B and H for 999 and they are an authorized dealer. I guess I am going to go with the onkyo. They both sound pretty solid and both will be light years ahead of my current denon. I think I would like the 3808 more but its a lot more to get from an authorized dealer. I really appreciate everyones input. This is my first time using these forums and it was a big help. My shelving is an open shelving unit with no doors on it. Do I really need a fan for the 876? Merry Christmas everyone.

$1499? You actually paid that much despite all the deals listed right here on Audioholics in the deals forum? $1299 at Fry's. $800 (refurb) at Club Onkyo.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well you did get a good price on you 876....to get the $1099 you will have to call a place J&R and see if they will still match this price that was once being offered to forum members on the 3808ci. One member here even went into his Magnolia and got them to match it....you will just have to ask. So if you think you would like the 3808 better then it is worth a try for only $100 more. Both units are great, but if you don't need the Reon video processing the 3808 is a better choice. That aside for the 876 is terms of cooling having an open cabinet is a good start. My only concern will be how much clearence you will have on the top and sides. If it is going to be a tight fit, especially on top--as in anything less than 5-6'' of clearence--I would want to put a fan system in your cabinet. (And Onkyo might even suggest more clearence than that---the manual will tell you.) From reading around here, it seems that the Reaon runs rather hot in addition to the amp section---the two together throw alot of heat.

As long as there is ample air-flow you will be fine and will help protect your investment much better...

 

[Chopin_Guy]

$1499? You actually paid that much despite all the deals listed right here on Audioholics in the deals forum?

I believe the OP was talking about what he could find the 3808ci for as that was the alternative choice from the 876...he got the 876 for $999....

 

[jostenmeat]

It looks like the authorized dealers are selling it for 1499. I bought my 876 from B and H for 999 and they are an authorized dealer. I guess I am going to go with the onkyo. They both sound pretty solid and both will be light years ahead of my current denon. I think I would like the 3808 more but its a lot more to get from an authorized dealer. I really appreciate everyones input. This is my first time using these forums and it was a big help. My shelving is an open shelving unit with no doors on it. Do I really need a fan for the 876? Merry Christmas everyone.

Congrats. The VP of this unit is pretty cool, and it separates itself from the 875 not only by the addition of Aud Dyn vol/eq, but the ISF controls. You can control both settings of contrast and brightness for each of RGB, in addition to gamma controls, and have separate settings for night vs day viewing, and in fact do all of that in multiple ways for even the same source. You can also apply three different types of NR, being mosquito, random, and block, as well as edge enhancement.

Add the beefy amp and Audyssey XT, and the value becomes formidable.

 

[rt131975]

Man I'm just dying to hook it up already. I got it today but working nights so havent set it up yet. I'm going to give it a run and see. The only thing I'm concerned about is the heating up. It is a tight fit and I am not sure how this cooling system will work. I guess if worse comes to worse I have 2 weeks to return it I believe. Are the places you mentioned authorized dealers for the 3808? Thanks again for your help.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Are the places you mentioned authorized dealers for the 3808? Thanks again for your help.

Oh yes they are....J & R is an online/in-store dealer out of NYC....and of course you could always try any of the Magnolia home theater stores through Best Buy if you have one near you. But give the 876 an honest shot and see how like seeing that you already have it.....if you are still left wondering or curious send it back and give the 3808 a trial as well...

 

[armaraas]

Hi. If you're still interested in the 3808, you will have to do a little legwork to get the best price. To start off with, onecall has it on sale right now for $1199-
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=88235

Otherwise, call 6ave.com on their toll free line. They usually give a better price over the phone. You can ask them if they still have a special price for AVS forum members. JR.com will probably match them if you ask (if you have a preference for where you buy it), they're all authorized dealers.

If you have a local place that sells it nearby and would prefer to buy it local, it's probably worth giving them the best authorized price you find online and asking them to match it. If their sales are down this year they might be more than willing to deal.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Oh yes they are....J & R is an online/in-store dealer out of NYC....

Yeah, I love J&R. I bought both the 5308 & 3800BD from them. Big-time store.

 

[dave81]

Need Help As Well

Hello all I am new to the forum and trying to make a decision between the two infamous receivers:

Denon AVR 3808CI and the Onkyo Tx-Sr876 / NR906

As of right now I think I have the speakers picked out but let me know what you think. 5.1 setup will be Kef KHT 3005se setup.

Right now I am leaning toward Denon with the Kef but all help and suggestions is appreciated.

Here is what I am running now Sony 52" XBR3 LCD w/ Comcast HD cable box and Sony BDP S350 Bluray. I was using just a basic HTIB for the time being while saving for a better setup but when the Blueray came in Dec the HTIB was outdated as no HDMI in port!! So that makes the upgrade even more necessary asap to get the true surround that blueray is made for.

So lets here any suggestions or comments please....

 

[dave81]

Forgot to mention the room is small to average size and I do not want to go over the top cost wise. Looking for an excellent quality system for $2,000 or less with good looks to please the wife and that will last into the future. Also of course I want it to sound excellent for movies, sports and TV. Do not listen to the radio much, might occasionally hook up IPOD and most everything I watch is Blue Ray or HD so the Reon chip might not be a big consideration for its upscale capabilities. Thanks.

 

[MatthewB.]

I have the Onkyo 805 and the Denon 3808ci and if I had to do it over again, I would get another Denon. Not that I don't love the Onkyo, but mine died recently and I just got it back yesterday (bad solders in unit) but my Denon has been going strong five hours a day since I bought it over a year ago. My onkyo gets used 2-4 hours per week so less than 200 hours on it and it needed fixing. I will say that i actually prefer the sound on the Onkyo a hair more than the Denon (but that has to do with the speakers and rooms set up in) But I love the GUI features and the video processing on the Denon (even HD content gets sharpened up on the Denon.

 

[jostenmeat]

Forgot to mention the room is small to average size and I do not want to go over the top cost wise. Looking for an excellent quality system for $2,000 or less with good looks to please the wife and that will last into the future. Also of course I want it to sound excellent for movies, sports and TV. Do not listen to the radio much, might occasionally hook up IPOD and most everything I watch is Blue Ray or HD so the Reon chip might not be a big consideration for its upscale capabilities. Thanks.

If I understand this post correctly, you need to step down on the receiver, and step up on the speakers/sub/treatments. 50/50 is waaay too heavy on the side of the receiver, IMO.

Since all you watch is BD and HD, you can spend half the amount on the receiver which can go directly to better speakers and sub.