Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Denon upgrade or Downgrade???

I'm one of those guys that likes to have everything the same brand - hence I have 3 HK units in my cabinet. Well the DVD player went out and I purchased a Denon. Today I also purchased the Denon DCM380 and now I am eyeing a AVR-3801 for about $500 shipped.

Do you guys think the 3801 is a downgrade from my HK AVR520?

I know H/K is known for more accurate power ratings - Are Denon's as accurate? supposedly the 3801 is 105watts but will this drop to 60-70 when all 5 channels are driven?

I've done some research and some review the 3801 as a THX receiver without the stamp on it. Others have said that the build quality is better than the 3803...

Any Denon users have opinions?

thanks,

Steve

Steve, audio components are quite congenial; your new Denon components won't mind a bit that they're working with an HK. About the only thing I see where the 3801 would have an advantage is the 7 channels of power, while the 520 has 5, but with pre-amps for 7. This might not be significant to you if you don't plan for 7.1. The 520 has Logic 7 processing, which many consider to be superior. So far as the power, there's no significant difference in real-world operation. In particular, all channels driven simultaneously at full power for an extended period is a condition that exists in the test lab, but not in the home. Far too much attention is sometimes paid to it. Both receivers are fine, there's no good reason for you to change.

If you do feel like changing anyway, feel free to ship your old H/K stuff to me. My wife mentioned that we should have a receiver in our computer room...

I guess I have just got a case of upgrade-itis. I replaced my speakers with Axioms, then my DVD needed replacing...

Once one starts on this dark path, it's hard to turn back!

Steve, the 3801 is several generations old. I'm not sure how that translates into features, etc. But the 3803 was recently replaced by the 3805. I'm not sure I'd be inclined to change.

Well, the 520 is a couple generations old, too. It was replaced by the 525, which was replaced by the 630 (?).

I got the 520 as a gift a few years back, so my investment is minimal. I was looking at the 3803 & 3805 too. The criteria I am judging things mostly by power handling. My room will not accomodate 6.1 or 7.1 so Dolby EX and DTS EX are a waste of money.

Thanks for the input

-Steveo

How do you like the DCM-380? I was thinking of getting that player for my dad. Does anyone know how that player would compare to the NAD 521i? All of this would of course, be through analog inputs.

The DCM is a nice unit. I got it for $150 (A-Stock) from a dealer in Valencia, Calif. Since I listen to more music now, I thought It would complement my system. The mechanism has very good response time and is quieter than my H/K

It's a quasi-upgrade from a H/K CDR-30 which I have never used for making CD's.

What about the all important sound quality? I like the fact that the player has a 5 disc changer in it and it's also a Denon which will match with my dad's reciever. But if the NAD is superior then I will go with the NAD.