Stupid Amp question and lesson needed

[ryounglaw]

its still in the box i could return it and up grade have to check prices. I it worth it though?

 

[Chopin_Guy]

I would say that having pre-outs is something you want to have in terms of future flexibility...and obviously something you MUST have to add an amp. How much did you spend on the Denon???

 

[ryounglaw]

is it worth an extra 400. To me probably not on a HT.

 

[ryounglaw]

Best buy matche 6th ave price. ended up with 750 with three year bb warranty and taxes. if i go with the 2809ci at 6th its 900 plus their warratny say 100.oo to estimate talking 1000. its an additional 250 i guess. is the warratny from 6th ave good

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well if you want to be able to ulitize external amps and give us a price total for say an xpa-3 and an AVR once/if you return the 2309ci---we could give you some options to consider....

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Are you stuck on Denon or would you consider another brand AVR??? How many HDMI's do you need on the AVR?? Cause the 2808ci can be had for less but only has 2 HDMI in...

 

[Swerd]

ryounglaw

Sorry if we got you worked up over nothing .

The Denon 2309CI receiver lacks the pre-amp out jacks that you would need to connect an external amp. For an example of what I mean, look at the Denon 2809CI back panel photo. There is a box labled PRE OUT that contains 8 RCA jacks for each of the 7 surround channels plus a subwoofer. All receivers have at least a jack for the subwoofer. Some others may have pre out jacks for the front left & right channels, the center channel, or all 7.

To run a 2-channel external amp, you would connect RCA audio interconnect cables from the front left and front right jacks to the input jacks on the back of the external amp. You would also connect the wires running to those speakers to the binding posts on the external amp.

For what its worth, I think you'll find this receiver plenty powerful enough to run your Polk speakers. Enjoy them and your new receiver.

 

[ryounglaw]

swerd, so you say stay with the 2309ci.

If i do that then i will get the svs pb13 ultra nad not the plus. bubdget budget budget. i can always get something better at sme point i just have to stop.

i am concerned with a 6th ave warranty too. i feel better beineg able to yell at a person and not a phone and sonmeone in athoer state

i would like to have the ultra too.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

I would have to agree...for now your Polks will play just fine with the 2309...I am using my 2308 with 4ohm studio montiors in my office and it just a fantastic job....no problems...Not to mention, you MUST have the ultra...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I would return it while you still can as you will upgrade speakers at some point and want an outboard amp. The only way to prevent the upgrade bug is to log off of here right this second and never get back on.

Seriously, you want an AVR with pre-outs for future use. I would skip the amp for now and spend the money on upgrading to the 3808. I talked BB down to 1250 bucks on a new, in the box one. This will power your speakers just fine and is an awesome AVR with the best GUI I have seen.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Wait, I just saw that the AVR/amp upgrade would cause a sub downgrade. That's a no go, get the Ultra.

I would still consider sending the Denon back and get a comparable from Yamaha or Pioneer so you have pre-outs for future use.

 

[Swerd]

swerd, so you say stay with the 2309ci.

That's my guess. I haven't heard those Polks, but with a sensitivity of 89 dB and 8 ohm impedance, they should be an easy load to drive.

Denon receivers are good products and I wouldn't worry about their power unless your speakers cause it to audibly clip or go into protection mode. Even if you don't know what clipping sounds like, you'll know it when you hear it. It sounds UGLY. Turn the volume down and then look into a more powerful amp or receiver.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Paradigm has a point....I let the Ultra thought cloud my judgement. You will wind up spending more money in the end to get what you want...and if you can still return it now it might be the best use of your $$$. I don't know about the 3808...I did get mine foe $1199 brand new w/shipping from J&R...

You could probably find a 2808ci and pair it with the XPA-3 and maybe spend about the same....you have LOTS of options if you do return the AVR....

 

[Swerd]

Well, I hope we haven't confused you too much ryounglaw .

The choice is yours, stay with the 2309 which is probably powerful enough, but cannot connect to an external amp, or return it for another receiver that does have pre amp out jacks, for at least the front 2 or 3 channels.

Is that worth an extra $400 ?

If you ever go for a more powerful external amp in the future, look to at least double the power. Triple it if you can. I think someone else said this earlier in this thread. I had a Denon AVR-1800 with 70 wpc. After several years I added an external 2-channel amp with 200 wpc, and used the receiver to drive the center and rear channels. With about triple the power for the front left & right speakers, I could easily hear the difference. Used amps can be a very good deal. I recently got a newer receiver (also used) with plenty of bells & whistles, but I still use that same external amp for my main left & right speakers.

Good luck whatever you decide, and best wishes from all us experts here at AH .

 

[ryounglaw]

6th ave (6ave.com) has a promo right now and selling 2809ci for 899.90. no tax. BB will match i know. therefore bb with tax and warratny about 1073 and at 6th 960 with similar warranty.

anyone have experience with 6th ave

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I would blow off the warranty, an AVR will likely last you 20 years.

I have heard many stories about bad CS from 6ave. If it were me, I would just do the deal at BB if they will price match.

6th ave (6ave.com) has a promo right now and selling 2809ci for 899.90. no tax. BB will match i know. therefore bb with tax and warratny about 1073 and at 6th 960 with similar warranty.

anyone have experience with 6th ave

 

[ryounglaw]

well if i do not need a warranty then i will only deal with 6th for the purchase. everthing else will be through denon for two years. i will save 125.00 through 6th

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Ask around some more first. I have heard stories about them not actually having items in stock even though they say they do. Long wait times and no returned calls.

well if i do not need a warranty then i will only deal with 6th for the purchase. everthing else will be through denon for two years. i will save 125.00 through 6th

 

[ryounglaw]

bb will match 6ht ave
899.25 with discount code + 53.95 (MD 6% tax) = 953.20 plus warranbty $120.00 total 1073.20

6th
899.25 + 70 their warranty and no tax = 969.25

difference of 109.95 for me

its more than i wanted to spend, i have the 2309ci for 750 and now looking at another 323. ouch

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Well Strube just had good luck getting his 3808 from 6ave so maybe they are fine.