Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Denon 3803 vs 3802

The Denon 3803 that I ordered has not shipped yet. I just found out that 3802 has substantially gone down in price and available from authorized dealers at $380 cheaper. There is quite a list of improvements on 3803 including a newly developed block capacitor, AL24 processor, the latest Melody100 DSP, additional 40/60Hz crossover, 192kHz A/D conversion, etc. Would these improvements really make better sounds, improved video, and technically more advanced thus would somewhat "future proof" my receiver purchase?

More importantly, are all these improvements worth $380?

To me, there is one feature of the 3803 that would alone justify the price difference. It can upsample all video inputs to component video and output through one component monitor cable to the TV. I would never again have to switch sources on both my TV and my receiver which appeals to me.

Too bad it only has 2 component inputs though as I need at least 3. I just wish they'd hurry up and produce a successor to the 4802.

Thanks Semi, I feel better already. I will just wait for the delivery of 3803

Glad I can help.

Edit: I just graduated to an enthusiast...

Good choice. I would almost always go with the more recent versions of a receiver.

From where did you order it? I was looking at a 3802 a couple months back and I heard rumors of the 3803 coming soon so I held back in order to not waste money - I was wondering how much you paid if that okay with you too

I ordered it from Goodguys.com. So far they have not delivered but they have not charged my card either. I have already received 2 notices from them that they still do not have the unit and gave me the option if I wanted to cancel the order. I think I will just wait.

Hey thanks for the link; I noticed it said click here or something if you find a lower price - I found it for 939$ USD on acousticsounddesign.com

http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/index.cfm?Fuseaction=products&ProductID=775&MainCatID=1&SubCatID=7&p=bg

That's a good price, though from an unauthorized seller (according to Denon). Denon is pretty particular when it comes to warranty issues on equipment purchased outside of its authorized retailer list, so that may be a consideration for some. Check out their approved list: Authorized Denon E-tailers, and there is other good info on their site. Good luck in your searching.

lando

I decided the differences between the 02 and 03 weren't worth the price difference. I picked up a used 3802 for $600 last week. I'm waiting on my speakers now (should be here tomorrow) to test it out.