Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo choice between denon 3802 or 1083 to drive m60s

Trying to chose between these two on the ecost website

AVR3802 Digital Cinema Receiver, Refurbished by Denon $449
AVR-1083 ( openbox) Dolby Digital Surround EX Receiver Reconditioned by Denon $499

Application will initially just to drive m60s in medium sized room. Will eventually upgrade to surround sound but music will always be the priority. The Denon website does not make simple reading for the novice - no high level view of what one receiver offers over another - just lots of techie stuff.

Any opinions appreciated.

In reply to:

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The Denon website does not make simple reading for the novice - no high level view of what one receiver offers over another - just lots of techie stuff.

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I can't answer your question - I don't know either model - but I will warn you to be prepared with Denon: they never make things simple or understandable in their writing, be it website or manual. When the cliche about being as hard to understand as stereo instructions gets tossed around, I'm pretty sure they're referring to Denon...

The M60's are very efficient and easy to drive speakers, you should have no problems. I'm not familiar with these models, but you should be fine. My Denon 2805 makes my M60's sing. The only thing I would make sure is if these models have the features your looking for, for ex., surround modes. Also, make sure your purchasing from an authorized refurbished dealer for Denon...

The 1083 is the 3803, it is simply re-badged for marketing purposes. There is a simple, 2-page compare of the 3802 and 1083/3803 available for the 3802 here and the 1083/3803 here .

There are a handful of small changes. The main changes are these enhancements to the 1083/3803:
1) More crossovers for LFE
2) More analog, optical and coax audio inputs/outputs and the optical/coax are assignable.
3) More video inputs/outputs.
4) Use of the SHARC processer (Much more robust than the 3802 processor)
5) It's newer.

Frankly, for a $50, this is a no-brainer and the 1083 won't last long on ecost . I'd grab it today.

pmulvey:

I'm not sure where you are seeing either of those amplifers on ecost's web site. I search there almost daily for new updates, as I'm in the market for a Denon too; however, I've yet to find and 3802 available, since about early January.

TK

thkhankson - At the risk of shooting myself in the foot....

- Click on Receivers on the left hand frame
- Then click on 'Suuround Sound Home Audio Receivers'
- Order by Manufacturer and it should pop close to the top of the list.

There should be a 3802, a 2803 and a 1083. Now most normal people would think that the 1083 is the lowest model in the lineup but apparently you have to be able to grasp much more complicated model naming schemes to really quality as a Denon owner ;-)

ad news, but the phone icon on their web site indicates it is no longer in stock. I've called them on this and they say they "may" have more in stock in 2 to 3 weeks. I called on all the receivers you are intested in, about 3 weeks ago. We've still go the phone icon. Not a good sign. This company apparently likes to keep items--they no longer have in stock--on their web site. Bugs the grap out of me.

While it is a pain in the butt to have to wait, Ecost does have some terrific prices on refurb Denon products.

Heck...I just saw the DVD-3910 for under $750 on there. That sure seems well worth the wait to me. (Wish I had the extra $750 laying around!)

TKHanson - do you not see a 'sun' icon beside the 1083? Earlier in the chain somebody said this was a rebadged 3803. Do you agree with this assertion? Do you believe the sun to be misleading?

pmulvey-

Perhaps you will be more comfortable with Denon's "assertion" on the cover page of the manual than mine.

I'm just not sure how you will also be able to verify the other information I provided. Maybe someone else can assist you and verify that the information is correct.