Old Newbee needs help

[WayneReux]

Just joined this group – hope you can help. I’m an old guy who has been without “sound” for a while and decided to reinvest into the Hi-Fi world. Don’t know a lot – just what I read – so I hope you can teach an Old Dog New Tricks.

Own a Sony KV-34XBR910 TV. Have Comcast cable with a HD dual tuner DVR cable box. DVI to DVI connection. Have been in HD heaven ever since.

Recently purchased the following equipment from Tweeter:

Denon AVR 3805 Receiver - $900.00
Denon DVM 1815 DVD - $270.00
Sapphire MKII Towers - $700.00
Sapphire Center Channel – 260.00

Intended to setup a music system with a taste of home theater. Would add the rears later.

We (wife & I) purchased the Denon 3805 after reading many positive reviews – even though the unit may be overkill for my needs.
Didn’t know Denon made carousel (a must have feature) DVD/CD players nor had we heard of Sapphire speakers until we went to Tweeter.

At Tweeter, listened to other speakers in the “high-end” room using the demo Denon 3805 & Denon 1815 with CDs (copies) we provided. Listened to the Sapphire MKII in their “mid-range” room and thought they sounded pretty good.

Twenty days eval left to return all or part of the Tweeter purchase.

Now the questions: (and your evaluation of the above equipment)

1. Was misled into believing the Denon 3506 wasn’t coming out for months and that its price would be in the $1600 range. Since that isn’t true – should I return the 3805 and buy the 3806 at full price ($1299.00)? Is it worth the extra money?

2. Disappointed in the Denon 1815 reviews (after purchase reading) but mostly not happy that the 1815 doesn’t default to continuous 5 disk play. Am I missing something – can the 1815 be set to always do continuous 5 disk play? Are there other factors that say I should return the unit? If I return it, what other carousel DVD/CD player do you recommend in the same price range?

3. I have read a few reviews on the Sapphire speakers (here and elsewhere). Nobody seems to say or support them all that much – though some of the reviews are older. So – if you own the Sapphire speakers, what do you think of them? Are you happy with your purchase now? Would you have bought different speakers in hindsight? Also read that they were Tweeter’s home brand. Is that true?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Kurt C.]

I have read a few reviews on the Sapphire speakers (here and elsewhere). Nobody seems to say or support them all that much – though some of the reviews are older. So – if you own the Sapphire speakers, what do you think of them? Are you happy with your purchase now? Would you have bought different speakers in hindsight? Also read that they were Tweeter’s home brand. Is that true?

Any help is appreciated.

It's not a bad thing that you bought the speakers, even if you eventually decide not to keep them. In my opinion the three most important elements in a listening room/HT are: 1) the source material, 2) the room itself, 3) the speakers.

It is a good idea to evaluate speakers at home since the sound of speakers is so heavily influenced by their interactions with the room (read the 'room acoustics' section at audiohoics.com for more).

If you have enough space on your credit card, I'd recommend buying another set of front/center speakers from a reputable internet direct company like Ascend Acoustics or Axiom. Once they arrive, compare them to the Sapphires for a couple of weeks and keep the ones you like best.

Great TV. You won't regret that purchase. I'm guessing that the consensus would vote to keep the 3805 or find it cheaper elsewhere, but you can read the debate here. As for the DVD player, a great source for rigorous comparisons of DVD players (but not much else) can be found at Secrets of Home Theater. Just pick the highest rated player that can handle multiple discs.

 

[bpape]

I'd second the suggestion on the Ascends. Quite a nice value for the money IMO. The receiver is really up to you to decide if YOU think it's worth it. If you're just bent that they lied to you but still think the 05 is OK, return it and buy it somewhere else.

I don't know about the player - sorry.

Overall, what you picked will be a nice system. Just a matter of tweaking a little potentially.

One other thing - if you really want to taste the HT world, you really need to invest in a sub. Check out SVS and HSU. Good value for the money. I personally prefer the HSU but that's just me. I think in the lower price ranges, the HSU is a bit more accurate and better for music.

 

[WayneReux]

Thank you Kurt...

Thank you Kurt.

Just read the Denon 3805 debate – your comments and their exchanges made me feel better. Will keep tabs on the debate now that I know it exists.

Will head over to the DVD site tonight for their input.

I’ve seen other postings about Ascend Acoustics and Axiom but which model of each brand would you recommend? (We listen to a cross section of music at regular or low volume – rarely loud – never house shaking.)

Yours and any other opinions would still be appreciated.

Thanks again.

 

[WayneReux]

Thank you bpape...

Thank you bpape,

Just thanked Kurt and saw your post.

Don’t know if I was lied to or the saleperson just didn’t know so I’m not upset.

If the “upgrade” to the 3806 for the HDMI switching was worth the price difference then I would return the 3805 otherwise I am happy with it. From what I’m reading keeping the 3805 is a good choice. Someone in the Denon debate bought an “open box” one for a hundred less – mine was new, manufactured in March of 2005 – so I ‘m ok with the price.

But I have the same question. Which speaker model #s - fronts/center/(and now) sub?

Thanks again.

 

[racquetman]

2. Disappointed in the Denon 1815 reviews (after purchase reading) but mostly not happy that the 1815 doesn’t default to continuous 5 disk play. Am I missing something – can the 1815 be set to always do continuous 5 disk play? Are there other factors that say I should return the unit? If I return it, what other carousel DVD/CD player do you recommend in the same price range?

I don't own this player, but the owner's manual say it will do 5 disk repeat no problem. See page 18 of the online owner's manual here:

http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/pdfs/dvm1815 DFU.pdf

 

[WayneReux]

Thank you alandamp...

Thank you alandamp,

The unit allows the “repeat” to function in OFF, TRACK, DISC, 5 Disc Repeat.

But what happens is you set the “repeat” to “5 Disc Repeat” and it works – and this is the problem – as long as you don’t change any parameters, i.e. skip a track or disk, change a disk, etc.

If you do anything then the unit goes back to its default setting of OFF.

When you push the remote’s repeat button once, the display shows “repeat” in one location and “trac” in another. Push it again and “trac” disappears “repeat” stays but nothing else shows – you are in “DISC” mode. Push it again and your in “5 Disc Repeat” mode” but who can really tell. Don’t know for sure which setting you have unless your viewing changes on your TV screen – pain in the donkey if you just want to listen to music.

Sort of defeats the carousel’s purpose. But I do appreciate your researching the problem.

Thanks again.

P.S. Correction to prior post – Denon 3805 was new in box but with no date of manufacture (the Denon 1815 was March of 2005) – my mistake. Still happy with the 3805 though.

 

[rgriffin25]

I think you will be happy staying with the 3805. I will say that the salesperson was trying to get the old model out of his inventory so they can stock more of the 3806. It is common knowledge around these parts when the new model receivers are released. (FALL)

 

[brian32672]

P.S. Correction to prior post – Denon 3805 was new in box but with no date of manufacture

Hey, if you ever become unhappy with the 3805, heck I'll take it off your hands Thats a great unit for a old newbie, maybe to much for you to handle. LOL. BTW, sounds like a great set-up. Maybe post some pics in the members system area...

 

[WayneReux]

Thank you rgriffin25 & brian32672…

Thank you rgriffin25 & brian32672.

Rgriffin, because of everyone's input, I believe we (that’s the wife & I not me & precious) will be keeping the 3805 and unless something can top the 1815 we’ll keep that too (feedback has convinced me the 1815 is a good decision also). Now if only we could decide on the speakers…

Brian32672, it may be too much for me to handle but so is the wife and I stayed with her. And once I finish the setup I will be more than happy to post some pics.

P.S. Brian32672 - everyone has been very helpful but since you were the first to ask - we could always leave it to you in our will.

Thanks again for your input.

Wayne