Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Marantz vs Denon

Going to purchase the Epic Grand Masters, with center upgrade to VP 150. Any advice on a receiver to drive them. I'm considering a Marantz SR 5600 or Denon 2805 or 3805. Room is a typical basement - drywall, carpet, 2800 cubic feet. Thanks for any help.

With audio and video equipment for that matter, I have always gone with "Buy the best that you can afford". The one clear avantage the Denon has is that it will handle 4 ohms. That was important to me going with the M80ti towers. The Marantz makes some good stuff and is probably a very nice amp. It has some good reviews and will probably be fine with your GM speaker set-up. I have the Denon 3805 and can tell you...It is a VERY nice reciever! Buy the best you can afford and don't look back!!! If you can get the Denon 3805...you will not regret it, fact is that's what I would tell you to get!!! Enjoy!!!

Denon is OK for movies, but not good at all for stereo. I had Denon 2805 and axioms M60 more than one year, and I was more disappointed than happy. I also tried Marantz and HK (now I do not remember models). Denon was better, but still…………………
Unfortunately, and regardless previous good reputation, Denon produces today mass market products rather than high fidelity equipment. Look at NAD or Yamaha.
However, for the full enjoinment of music and your speakers you should consider integrated amp (or separates) from hi-fi hi-end oriented companies (Rotel, NAD, Parasound, Musical Fidelity are just a few of them). I also think it is difficult to find universal DVD player (with the exception of few very expensive models) that will match the sound reproduction of CD player.
I can personally tell that integrated amp NAD c352 paired with NAD CD-player c542 and axioms M60 produce very good, clean, soft and pleasant sound. Speaker cables and interconnects are also important. Do not believe?, try to compare many of them, invite your friends and family members. If you will not drink beer or wine before or during listening, you will find difference, and sometimes this difference could be dramatic.
Bets regards.
AM

Hi Saskat,

I'll have to disagree with the last poster about the Denon 2805. The 2805 is NOT just "OK" for movies or "Not Good" for stereo, this is just not the case. My room is almost 900 Sq Ft with 9ft ceilings. For HT movies the Denon is fabulous at surround decoding, completely blows me away compared to my past AVR's. Also, for stereo listening the 2805 and other Denon's do a great job, especially in Direct or Pure Direct modes. To be honest, you will be hard pressed to "Hear" much difference between most high end AVR's today. The neutral design of both the Denon/Axiom combination brings out the true recording. So basically, junk in is junk out. If your listening to a poorly recorded track, you will hear those flaws. However, if your listening to a well recorded product, you won't believe your ears how great it sounds.

In regards to Marantz, I can't help you. I will tell you that a large majority of Axiom owners, especially the m80 owners have Denons or Seperates.

Randy

i have a sr-6300 and it works very well.

I have heard the denon 3305 on my stepfathers system, power handling i think they are equal. Although i think most of the marantz advertize handling a 6 ohm load.

I think the denon is more neutral where as the marantz is more warm. The bass sounds better to me in stereo and 5.1 on the marantz.

Too bad you couldn't listen to both with your axoims. Where are you anyways?

Marantz SR 6300 and Denon 3805 are not equal in power handling and there are different features that both have. Here is some specs:
The SR6300 provides 100 watts x 6 channels--serious power--enough for the largest rooms, and finest speaker systems. Even in standard-size rooms, more power means cleaner sound. And with the SR-6300 you get "high current" power, which is more powerful, and will ultimately sound better than cheaper receivers that have the same or higher power rating.

It also features all the surround processing you want including Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS and DTS-ES; loads of inputs and outputs including 6.1 inputs for DVD-Audio and SACD players; and Marantz build quality. 6.1 playback adds a rear-center speaker to the standard 5.1 channel surround mix. Only certain discs have this seventh channel of audio—discs marked with "THX Surround EX" or "DTS-ES". Adding the center rear channel adds richness and depth to the playback of any movie.

The SR6300 features high quality 192kHz/24-bit DACs. 30 station preset AM/FM tuner section, sleep timer, and auto-TV power on feature. The 6300 also gives you a learning remote control, that can operate your whole system. The 6300 has extensive inputs and outputs. Audio: 7 in/4 out; Video: 5 in/3 out with S-video on all; Optical digital 2 in/1out; Coaxial digital 3 in/1 out. Also includes 6.1 channel pre-amp outputs, which can drive external amplifiers.

Marantz SR 6300

MULTICHANNEL/SURROUND
DTS ES 6.1 Discrete/5.1/Neo:6
Dolby Digital EX®
Dolby Pro Logic II Yes
Circle Surround SRS CS ® II (6.1)
SOUND ENHANCEMENTS
Discrete Amplification Yes
Power Transformer EI
D/A Conversion 192 kHz/24-bit
Digital Surround Processing Crystal®
Source Direct Yes
Chassis Metal

IN/OUTPUTS
VIDEO
Composite In 5
Composite Out 3
S- Video In 5
S- Video Out 3
Component In none
Component Out none
AUDIO
Analog In 7
Analog Out 4
Digital In 3
Digital Optical In 2
Digital Optical Out 1
Digital Coaxial In 3
Digital Coaxial Out 1
OTHER
Pre- Amplifier Out 6.1 Channels
Multi-Channel In 7 Channels
Speaker Terminal Speaker A/B
D-Bus RMC Out Yes
AC Outlets 2
Front Inputs Yes
Headphone Out Yes
SPECIFICATIONS
AUDIO SECTION
Power Output (8 Ohm) 100 W X 6, (<0.08%THD, 20 Hz - 20 kHz)
Signal to Noise 105 dB
Freq. Response (Dig In) 10 Hz - 100 kHz
Input Sensitivity 340 mV/47k Ohms
TUNER SECTION FM
Frequency Range 87.5 - 108.0 MHz
S/N Ratio (Mono/Stereo) 70dB/75 dB
Distortion (Mono/Stereo) 0.3%/0.2%
Usable Sensitivity IHF 1.8uV/16.4 dBf
TUNER SECTION AM
Frequency Range 520 - 1710 kHz
S/N Ratio 50 dB
Distortion 0.5% (1kHz)
GENERAL
Color Black
Front Panel Aluminum
Remote Control Learning with LCD RC7300SR
Power Requirement AC 120 V/60 Hz
Dimensions Inch W x H x D 17 5/16" X 6 7/16" x 16 3/4"
Weight 32.6

I have the Denon 3805 w/ the M80 towers and VP150 center. I will finish with 4 QS8's and the EP500 when money allows. What the other poster said about the Denon as being poor quality is just not correct in any shape or form, in my opinion. My room is 18'x 30' with 18' ceilings and the set-up discribed above fills the room with awesome sound, whether watching a movie or cranking out "CrossFire" by Stevie Ray Vaughn. The Denon 3805 allows you to set your crossover level and the Marantz is stuck at 100 by the factory. The Denon is also 7.1 and is fine with 5.1 until you ad the extra speakers. Buy the Denon, you won't be sorry!

And the Denon 3805 specs:

FEATURES

7.1 A/V Receiver w/ Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic II
7 Channel Amplifier
11 Analog Inputs Including Built-in AM/FM Tuner
120 Watts Per Channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, <.05%THD)
160 Watts Per Channel (6 ohms, 1 kHz, <.7%THD)
EL Backlighting Pre-programmed Remote w/ Learning Capability
DTS ES Discrete 6.1 & Matrix 6.1 Decoding
Cinema, Music and Game Modes
DTS Neo:6 Stereo to Surround Decoding
DTS ES 96/24 5.1 Decoding for DVD Video
HDCD Decoding
DENON Link 3rd (Super Audio CD & DVD-Audio) Compatible Digital Input
Auto-Setup and Room EQ Function
16 Burr-Brown PCM-1791 24 bit, 192 kHz High Resolution DACs
Front Panel Display Circuitry
ALPHA 24 Processing Plus (AL24+) on All Channels
Adjustable High & Low Pass Crossover (40/60/80/100/120/150/200/250Hz)
3 Component Video Inputs (100MHz Bandwidth) w/ On-Screen Display
Video Conversion of Composite to S-Video and/or to Component w/ On-Screen Display
5/7 Channel Stereo
Digitally Regulated Volume Control w/ .5dB Increment Adjustments & Step Range of -80 to +15
Audio Delay Adjustment to Match Audio Signals w/ Video Signals (0-200ms)
7 Assignable Digital Inputs (5 Optical, 2 Coaxial)
2 Optical Digital Outputs
Multi-Zone Composite Video Output
True 3 Source, 3 Zone Functionality w/ Discrete Power, Source Select & Volume Control for Each Zone
Multi-Zone Stereo Pre-amp Level Audio Outputs, Fixed or Variable Level (Zone 3 Fixed Only)
Power Amplifier Assign Function
Direct Access Tuner Presets by Remote
RS-232C Port
Remote I/O Ports
Assignable +12v Triggers
Detachable Power Cord
Full System Setup & Parameter control on Front Panel Display
Dimensions (W x H x D): 17.1" x 6.7" x 16.9"
Weight: 37 lbs. 8 oz.
SPECIFICATIONS

Power Amplified Section

Front:
120 W + 120 W (8 ohms, 20Hz - 20kHz, 0.05 % THD)

160 W + 160 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7 % THD)
Center:
120 W (8 ohms, 20Hz - 20kHz, 0.05 % THD)
160 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7 % THD)
Surround:
120 W + 120 W (8 ohms, 20Hz - 20kHz, 0.05 % THD)
160 W + 160 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7 % THD)
Surround Back:
120 W + 120 W (8 ohms, 20Hz - 20kHz, 0.05 % THD)
160 W + 160 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.7 % THD)




PRODUCT ID#: DENON AVR3805

Another vote for the Denon 3805. I have it powering four 4ohm M80 speakers plus the 6ohm VP150. Only at close to reference levels do I detect any distortions. I do have a very large HT room, so I will eventually get a separate amplifier and use the Denon as a pre/pro. But still, for the price, the Denon is clearly the best receiver/amp in the market today.

Sask, welcome. You haven't indicated what features are most important to you, and that's what should determine your decision. The three units that you mention differ only slightly in maximum power capability and this shouldn't be of significance in real-world use; all have plenty of capacity. They will be transparent, without any "sound" of their own(the third post, which appears to be intentionally antagonistic, has no factual basis and shouldn't be taken seriously).

Among the features, note that the 5600 also has variable(80,120,150 Hz)crossover which some previous models didn't have. However, it lacks an auto-calibration feature which makes things simpler and is possibly more accurate than a manual calibration would be. This would suggest preferring either the 2805 or the 3805. Note that the 2805 includes the microphone, generally about $50 extra with the 3805.

I like my 3805. I use it as a pre/pro now. Just because I could!