All,

I'm looking to upgrade my receiver in the very near future and have determined that I want to go with either the Denon 2805 or 3805. The receivers seem almost identical (aside from output 100w vs 120w) but one thing that I don't understand since I have been out of the HT game for awhile is the DAC specifications.

The 2805 has the following:
8 - 24bit / 96kHz DAC's (one per channel)

The 3805 has:
16 - 24bit/192khz DAC's (two per channel)

Can anyone explain to me what this means? I'm trying to determine if this makes any intelligible difference.

Also, FYI, I found the 3805 for $699 on www.pcmall.com where all the other retailers aren't below $850. Any chance this is a real deal or am I most likely looking at a refurb?

Thanks in advance,

-Sam

Unable to answer your question about the differences in DACs, but look forward to someone else answering it.

It's a refurb, although they use the term "Reconditioned by Denon." PCMall is an authorized refurb dealer for Denon. I think your chances of getting a refurb lemon, are about the same as, or perhaps even less than, getting a brand new lemon. But, that's just my opinion. The biggest disadvantage in going the refurb route is that you only get a 90 day warranty. If I were in the market for a new receiver, and I may be in the near future, I'd take the chance. But again, that's just my point of view. YMMV.

AFAIK, there is no format currently available that would use the 24/192khz DACs at that resolution. In essence, it's better for those who believe that the upsampling will make a difference and it's future proofing. That said, part of the reason I bought the 525 is that it has 7 channel 24/192 DACs. That was, of course, before I stumbled onto these boards and saw the light of logic.

DVD-A can use 24/192, no?

Um, dunno. Haven't a clue, really. It's certainly possible...

Oh, right, I think they can, but since there's no digital out from most DVD-As (excluding Denons?), it doesn't matter.

So what you're saying is that I really won't notice not having it and the only reason to really have it is if it becomes more widely used in the future. Makes sense to me. Now to finally just make the call...brand new 2805 or reconditioned 3805...I hate decisions.

Thanks for the help as usual,

Sam

3805. Why run the chance you may regret not getting it in the first place.

The only reason I wouldn't is b/c a new one is out of my price range (slightly) and I have hang-ups about reconditioned items. I will say that I'm leaning toward the 3805 though b/c it is supposedly reconditioned at the factory so I would assume they just put in factory parts for whatever didn't work and ship back out.

Just saw those 3805's on Ecost.com. I'd go that route if it were me. You should call them before placing your order though. They quite often post items on the site, before they actually receive them. There could be a wait list.

spiff is right about the DVD-As BTW. Also, ecost is generally a pretty good opportunity if you don't have qualms about refurb/b-stock (I don't) Bought a Denon DVM-4800 from them last year and I'm still tickled. As with any retailer/etailer, some folks have had bad experiences, but nothing that shows a trend.

Also, for $30, I bought a 2 year extended warranty from ecost, so that may solve another problem that Jack mentioned.

As always, there is no such thing as "too much" in this insane HT hobby. There is the ever present "what if" that gnaws at the very core of your manhood . Go for the 3805.

Sam, also consider the 985 which is identical to the 2805 except that it costs less and comes only in silver. The differences in DACs(two per channel increases the signal to noise ratio by 3dB, but it's already higher than necessary) will make no audible difference in general since both the Texas Instruments(Burr-Brown)1791 which the 3805 uses and the Analog Devices 1835 codec(COder/DECoder, a combination ADC and DAC on one chip)are beyond the limits of human audibility and also beyond the needs of any audio format, with one exception. The exception would be if you were going to play one of the two channel DVD-As which sample at 192KHz(the multi-channel DVD-As sample at 96KHz)with a direct digital(Denon link)connection from the so far very-expensive Denon players. Then the 3805 with its provision for Denon link and its 192KHz converter would be necessary. Otherwise you'll never be converting digital 192KHz material to analog.

My view is that the 2805/985 is more cost effective, especially since it includes the necessary microphone which is about $60 extra for the 3805.

Hey all, thanks very much for all of the input. It seems, though, that the situation has become moot since both ecost and pcmall won't have the 3805 in stock until Nov 15 and I really don't want to wait that long. Call me impatient but...well, yes, I'm just impatient. 2805 it is.

I got a similar project I'm working on right now. I'm trying to decide between a few recievers and wanted to hear what you all had to say. I too had been considering whether or not to buy the the Denon 3805 or the Denon 2805, however my friend who owns an A/V store also suggested he could give me a good deal on a Integra 8.4 reciever he has and needs to get rid of for approx $1,000 bux. In addition I had been looking at Sherwood NewCastle 863T as well. The speakers I will be buying are Dali suite series 1.7 alongside the 0.7 surround set. Let me know hat you all think with regard to recievers. I was hoping to spend about 600-700 on a reciever, however given the current circumstances what you guys suggest...?

Thanks...

correction...the unit
I was talking baout is actually the Integra dtr-8.3 not the 8.4...sorry

Ended up with the 2805 from www.pricesrite.com listed at $619. Customer service seemed normal and I received the shipment via UPS ground exactly one week after my order.

Couldn't be happier, the 2805 is pretty much spot-on for the setup I'm running right now. I'm not sure what you're running, but for the Epic 50 HT, the 2805 was just right. Good luck!

-Sam

Buy your receiver base on features and power rating you need, and look at the DAC last. 24/94 is generally more than enough to support 99% of the format out there, and So far I still haven't been able to find one that show its superiority over another. Best way to find out is buy both or few more others at the same time and compare them to see for yourself.