Okay, clearly I have a problem and need help

[corysmith01]

Isn't admitting you have a problem the first step towards recovery?

So I went to a local shop today, just browsing as I often do and came across some Denon receivers. Admittedly I haven't had a lot of exposure to them, only the great reviews and recommendations I see here and elsewhere. So, I took the opportunity to noodle around with a few, stopping mostly with the 3805 as I figured that was closest in performance to my current receiver (Marantz SR8400). All I can say is wow. What a great piece. Now, I know that in terms of performance, mine is pretty much (give or take) on par with this model. What I was most impressed with was it's looks (hey, I'm an art director by profession...I like well designed things) and it's feel (buttons, knobs etc). I thought it was really cool and could see why it gets recommended so often.

Out of curiosity I came home and was scanning prices of equipment and came across the 3805 on ubid for $699. Again, I thought wow. Then my problem kicked in...that being, I sat here and thought "I want that...no, I need that."

This isn't a case of upgradeitis, 'cause there's no significant upgrade. I think there shoud be a term for this affliction: New-Toy-itis. I think I'm coming down with a case. I wonder if others suffer from it too. I know in my heart of hearts that this is virtually a lateral move, but I can't help but want it. Immediately I started figuring out how I could afford it; "lets see...sell the Marantz, pull a little from savings...and piss the little lady off while I'm at it."

Am I alone in this? Does anyone else out there just yearn for new stuff, even if it's not a real performance upgrade? Am I alone in deriving joy from simply having something new to gawk at or play with? I guess I just like new toys. Shouldn't the logical me be taking over and saying "you have enough...leave well enough alone."

Just thought I'd drop a line and see if anyone else suffers from new-toy-itis.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Cory,

You crack me up. Unlike you, I hate the look of my 3805. It's plastic, has undersized knobs on each side (like an old car radio), and the display is boring. Now your Marantz has the brushed metal look, and massive knobs for massive guys. Nothing, IMO, beats the HK's look at night. Especially the older stuff like the 7200's. Like a mini xmas tree. Thank God my unit sits behind a dark enclosed glass cabinet. It's my "ugly-duckling."

Upgradeitis is catchy, though. I've been on this digital camera craze. I'm on my fourth one in three years. My 5yr old daughter has my first 2 megapixel. Pretty pathetic. Just bought a 512mb Ultra II secure digital card for my wife's new Canon SD400. This thing is awesome. Records movies at 60 frames per second. TV is only 30 fps! My next purchase will definitely be a beefy older 2 channel amp to drive my pigs - I mean my Polks.

 

[oscar6036]

Isn't admitting you have a problem the first step towards recovery?

So I went to a local shop today, just browsing as I often do and came across some Denon receivers. Admittedly I haven't had a lot of exposure to them, only the great reviews and recommendations I see here and elsewhere. So, I took the opportunity to noodle around with a few, stopping mostly with the 3805 as I figured that was closest in performance to my current receiver (Marantz SR8400). All I can say is wow. What a great piece. Now, I know that in terms of performance, mine is pretty much (give or take) on par with this model. What I was most impressed with was it's looks (hey, I'm an art director by profession...I like well designed things) and it's feel (buttons, knobs etc). I thought it was really cool and could see why it gets recommended so often.

Out of curiosity I came home and was scanning prices of equipment and came across the 3805 on ubid for $699. Again, I thought wow. Then my problem kicked in...that being, I sat here and thought "I want that...no, I need that."

This isn't a case of upgradeitis, 'cause there's no significant upgrade. I think there shoud be a term for this affliction: New-Toy-itis. I think I'm coming down with a case. I wonder if others suffer from it too. I know in my heart of hearts that this is virtually a lateral move, but I can't help but want it. Immediately I started figuring out how I could afford it; "lets see...sell the Marantz, pull a little from savings...and piss the little lady off while I'm at it."

Am I alone in this? Does anyone else out there just yearn for new stuff, even if it's not a real performance upgrade? Am I alone in deriving joy from simply having something new to gawk at or play with? I guess I just like new toys. Shouldn't the logical me be taking over and saying "you have enough...leave well enough alone."

Just thought I'd drop a line and see if anyone else suffers from new-toy-itis.

If you do decide on getting that toy I'll buy that Marantz from ya! Would solve so many problems for me.

 

[rikmeister]

well seems like you have two good choices. you can take the ten step course in audio

holic anonymous and learn to live with your excellent marantz or take oscar up and sell it to him and get the denon.

 

[corysmith01]

Buckeye, that's too bad. It's a shame you don't like your Denon in terms of appearance. I thought it was quite nice. Wanna trade?

Also, I'm on the camera kick too, looking for one right now. Recently, I've taken a liking to those really thin cameras that are easy to conceal...not to conceal it for anything devious, I just like the thought of being able to take one with me anywhere and whip it out. I'm currently looking at picking up a Sony DSC P200...they seem pretty sharp. And I'm still using an old Fuji Finepix 3800. That was a $500 camera at the time I bought it. This sort of technology changes so rapidly. Everything out there now leaves mine in the dust.

I also was into video for a while, but got out quickly. A friend of mine got me started when he bought his Panasonic DVX100a. I had bought a Canon GL-1 plus a Pelican hard case, filters, steadicam, etc. It sort of went over board so I bailed out selling it all on eBay. *Whew* I'm not looking back.

oscar6036, if I do decide on the Denon, I'll make sure to pm you. This purchase is pending proper authorization from the home office (i.e. the soon to be wife).

This little hobby of ours is painful at times...in a good way. I guess it all depends on how far you want to chase the rabbit down the hole.

 

[AVRat]

Go big or stay at home

Come on dude, if you're going to do it, do it right. Denon 4806. After all, she's not the wife yet.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Come on dude, if you're going to do it, do it right. Denon 4806. After all, she's not the wife yet.

She may never be the wife if he goes for that. What he really wants it this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14973&item=5785998024&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

or at least one of these
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=71546&item=5786018513&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39783&item=5784956368&rd=1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39783&item=5786345324&rd=1

And you thought Sony put out crap?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39783&item=5785611049&rd=1

I may have to buy this one...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=23787&item=7333337143&rd=1

Can you tell I luv V.U. meters? You just can't beat the sound, and bang for the buck with these old beasts. Like a kid in a candy store!

 

[indcrimdefense]

I recently purchased a Denon 2805, after looking at the 3805 as well. 3805 offered a little more power, which was not a concern as I plan on adding an amp. Went w/ 2805 as it was less money and included the denon set up mic which the 3805 did not. I have not used zone 2 so can't offer any advice about the outdoor speakers, but my 2805 has enough to run RF-7 fronts, RC-7 center & RF-5 rears without a problem. The RF-5 may be overkill for surround, but work well for 5 channel stereo.