Which Denon to get?

letrbuck2006

letrbuck2006

Audioholic Intern
I am planning on getting a Denon reciever in the next 2 weeks. I am currently running the Klipsch Quintet SL speakers but will hopefully be upgrading to higher end Klipsch. I am wondering which Denon reciever you would reccomend. I currently have this is a 13 x 12 foot room that was a bedroom. My current budget would allow me to get the Denon 3808 but I don't really see much difference in that and lets say the Denon 2809 or 2309. The major difference seems to be wattage which really doesn't make that big of a difference. This system is used entirely for Blu Ray movies and Xbox360 games. Like I said the main thing to me is why pay 600-800 dollars more for an amp that seems like the only difference is wattage (which is only 30 watts more). Any input on which one I should get would be great.
 
letrbuck2006

letrbuck2006

Audioholic Intern
Does this reciever have updates that you connect to the internet over or what is it for because I really don't see myself using the internet for anything with the reciever, but really 15 watts more power doesn't make much differnece at all. Is it really worth paying the extra money for?
 
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browninggold

browninggold

Junior Audioholic
The 3808 uses internet for downloading updates which is one reason I purchased the 3808ci. Of course the free internet radio is a nice feature also. radiodenon.com. Plus the internet site where you can change settings on your 3808 and save the settings on your computer is another nice feature.
 
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mperfct

mperfct

Audioholic Samurai
I agree, the 3808 is one of the best receivers out there. It's especially nice that you can upgrade to full Audyssey as well with this model, which is well worth the price tag.

If I were going to change receivers, I think I'd look awfully hard at the 3808.
 
Chopin_Guy

Chopin_Guy

Senior Audioholic
I would have to to agree what has been said here thus far regarding the 3808 vs. 2809....I was in the somewhat same boat as you although I was considering the 2808ci at the time which was going for $599 but I still chose to spend the $$$ for the 3808.

I do understand your reasoning in the rather small difference that 15 watts of power seems to make the price difference a little silly. However, there is more to it than that. The 3808 is a much more solid AVR. Where the 2809 weighs I believe 28lbs the 3808 is 40lbs...Not knowing the internal specs of electronics used, this must translate into a better power supply and amp section over all the lower series...

As had been mentioned...the GUI!!! This interface is just fantastic and I was SO happy I spent the money to have it. I had two Denon receivers previous to this unit and this makes set-up, tweaking, and all tasks a breeze to do---so much more intuitive than the previous DOS like windows...

Lastly is the internet expandability with the 3808ci. You do have the option to hook it up via ethernet to download updates as they become available or to stream music, which I know some members do here from their PCs to the 3808. Denon was offering the upgrade pack that expanded the Audyssey functions to Dynamic EQ and Volume for free to new buyers....don't know if that still stands....still have not downloaded it myself...

In any event, the 3808 is a clear step up in the Denon line that seperates it from the rest of the products....making the 3808 4308 and 5308 Denon's best three AVRs...

Hope this was of some help for you...
 
browninggold

browninggold

Junior Audioholic
Chopin Guy- Make sure you get the 100 dollar update/Dynamic EQ & Volume. IMO it was money well spent. Cannot really explain the diffrence with dynamic eq....just wow. It evened everything out-hard to explain I am not a pro-sound is 110% better after running audyssey.
 
Chopin_Guy

Chopin_Guy

Senior Audioholic
The update will be free for me as I bought my 3808 during the promotional period....However I have read that this update causes some functional issues. Also, being a purest I don't want the AVR doing that much signal processing....want the source as unaltered as possible....room correction is enough...
 
browninggold

browninggold

Junior Audioholic
Since it is free for you give it a try. Might suprise you. Really makes a diffrence during blu-ray.
 
ParadigmDawg

ParadigmDawg

Audioholic Overlord
3808...

Awesome GUI

Works very well as a music server, I haven't busted out a CD since I got this.

Volume display onscreen...I know, I know, as silly as it seems it was something I really wanted.

Chopin Guy- I was nervous about the Dynamic EQ & Volume download too but I had no issues. I like the Dynamic EQ, couln't care less about the Dynamic volume but as Browning gold said, you can turn it off if you don't like it.
 
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