Receiver Ideas....

[mazersteven]

I thought you where going the Emotiva route?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Glad he is not...smart move...

I thought you where going the Emotiva route?

 

[armaraas]

I haven't done the ebay thing, but a friend did it at work today for Sea World tickets and was told he'd get $45 back. Otherwise there's a couple of links here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1072028

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1072092

If money is an issue, the 7002 I would think is probably the best deal, make surer you are aware of some of its quirks though.
If money isn't an issue, the 3808 for under $1k is a great value...

So does JR just match Dakmart, or would I need another 'dealer'?

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Looks interesting....it would certainly alllow me to get a more expensive unit....just hate to not see that money show up in my account in 60 days....and now the discount is down to 20% which is still fantastic....

 

[armaraas]

Yah, even 20% putting it at $700 is a great deal still. I'm surprised that 30% stuck around as long as it had, I would imagine a lot of people jumped on that over the weekend.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Mazer....sorry didn't see your post there....but yeah I decided to just go with the new receiver for now....space doesn't allow for the amp at the moment and having a new receiver with more connectivity and future-proof features seemed the better route...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

So does JR just match Dakmart, or would I need another 'dealer'?

You need another dealer, like mine.

JR (& probably others) is giving a lot of discounts lately IMO due to economic reasons.

I don't want to give away my dealer's name, but you can PM me if you want.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

So do these new receivers have lots of firmware updates...cause if that is the case, it makes me want to go up to the 4308ci with its wireless capabilities....(not that I have the money to splurge on that). I don't know as for everyone else, but I only have wireless access where my entertainment center is....not an ethernet port....

Any comments on this????

 

[armaraas]

The Marantz 7002 has some updates for it, but you cannot do it yourself, needs to be done by an authorized service center. Some receivers like the Denon 2809 has the RSC 232 port or whatever it is, that needs to be connected to a pc to do the update. The 3808 has the network option, I have no idea how it works, but I would think you could take to your router/pc and connect it directly with a network cable and run the updates from there before putting it into the entertainment center. Someone with one would have to confirm if it would be possible to do that though...

It seems to me there's more firmware updates for last years models, the earlier versions of the HDMI 1.3 receivers. I think models coming out now have had most of those bugs addressed based on previous models, but I could be wrong and it's just too early for them to have been discovered yet...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

There will be some firmware updates and you really need to use a hardline to do them so dont let "wireless" ease your mind. It is no big deal to buy a 20ft ethernet cable and run it across the floor for an hour once every few months. You could also buy a wireless Denon device that would let you stream from WMP if you want. I ran a 50ft ethernet cable through my walls and attic just for the 3808. It took about 3 hours and was worth it. I will dig up the link and posted it below if you missed it.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Here it is.....

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47917&highlight=ethernet&page=2

 

[Chopin_Guy]

All this is very true....I think the wireless is more interesting for the possibility to stream audio with it more than anything....Well I just there was something definitive that would sway my decision cause not having a receiver is getting old...

I have definitely edged out the onkyo 875 from my choices due to quirks, heat, and reliability issues...Right now it is down to the Marantz SR7002 ($869) and the Denon AVR-3808 ($969)....

 

[jostenmeat]

Dear Chopin Guy,

this thread got way too long before I really read much of anything. Without a clue on what you need (forgive me), have you considered a cheaper receiver, and adding amplification?

Sure, some folks would say you might not need the extra amp. I have no idea what speakers you have.

For instance, you could do Onkyo 705, add some Outlaw monoblocks for front stage, and use receivers amp for surrounds. Or add an Emotiva. Etc. Used NAD, Rotel, Sunfire stuff.

You might not need it, but once you buy the amp, you'll never have to concern yourself with it until it dies. OTOH, processors (read: receivers) get outdated so fast it'll make your head spin. FWIW, my amp cost twice as much as my receiver feeding it, a refurbed 805. It's my second "pre" within a year! I have no idea how fast I'll keep replacing it, but the amp will stay till it dies.

I wish you luck.

what are your favorite Chopin works, and performers? Ever play much Albeniz, particularly the Iberia stuff?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I'm a "separates" kind of guy.
I'm an "analog" kind of guy.
I have my BD player, HD DVD player, and SACD/DVD-A player hooked up to 3 Integrated Amps via Analog and have all my players do all the internal decoding. I don't really need a receiver or even a pre-pro.

Is it because I don't have to upgrade my amps in the future?

Some of us feel like we need external amps.

Some of us upgrade so many things and so often I don't think it matters.

I don't think there is a right and wrong here.

So what if I buy a receiver today and they came out with a new sound codec and technology 2 years from now?

I'll just buy a new receiver, right?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I didn't know the Marantz had to "go in" for firmware updates. I would just go with the 3808 and be done with it.

All this is very true....I think the wireless is more interesting for the possibility to stream audio with it more than anything....Well I just there was something definitive that would sway my decision cause not having a receiver is getting old...

I have definitely edged out the onkyo 875 from my choices due to quirks, heat, and reliability issues...Right now it is down to the Marantz SR7002 ($869) and the Denon AVR-3808 ($969)....

 

[Chopin_Guy]

I really do appreciate all of the input with this decision....I will certainly be making a call today...I will probably go with Denon as I have had such wonderful experiences with them thus far...but I don't know if the 3808 is worth the $400+ more over the 2808 that I can get for 598 through 6th Ave NEW...cause 969 is for a refurb 3808 not new....

And as for your question Jostenmeat....I love much of the Chopin repertoire...I have played Scherzo's 1 & 2, Ballades 2 & 3, many Etudes from Op. 10 and couple Op. 25...more than Chopin I have loved Liszt, playing several of the famous transcriptions, Dante Sonata, and some other things...this could go on for a while as there is so much wonderful music. As for performers: Cziffra, Arrau, Gould, Rubenstein, Volodos, far too many great artists as well.....

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It's all in what you need so if the 2808 works for you then that's good.

I would get what you really want though and I think that's the 3808 and hey, you just sold your AVR and now you have an extra 400 bucks!

I really do appreciate all of the input with this decision....I will certainly be making a call today...I will probably go with Denon as I have had such wonderful experiences with them thus far...but I don't know if the 3808 is worth the $400+ more over the 2808 that I can get for 598 through 6th Ave NEW...cause 969 is for a refurb 3808 not new....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

It's all in what you need so if the 2808 works for you then that's good.

I would get what you really want though and I think that's the 3808 and hey, you just sold your AVR and now you have an extra 400 bucks!

You guys and this whole forum are very dangerous, you know that?

All this talk of receivers is making me want to just go out and buy the Denon AVR-5308CI and sell everything else!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I know, I keep wanting to return the 3808 and get the 4808 while I still have that 30 day window but I can't think of any reason to do it.

You guys and this whole forum are very dangerous, you know that?

All this talk of receivers is making me want to just go out and buy the Denon AVR-5308CI and sell everything else!

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well hey Paradigm---I'll give you a good price for yours....

And I have to be careful....I'm still a student here...so moeny is always an issue...