I have been researching speakers for about 2 months now. I am probably going to purchase the epic 60 but upgrade the center to the 150 and the sub to the 500. I am leaning towards denon for the reciever. My room is 22x12x10. Do I need the 3805 or will the 2805 be sufficient. Can anyone tell me what I will be missing if I go with the 2805. And last but not least, if anyone has a strong opinion on another reciever, I am opened to suggestions.

Someone will get you the answers ya want.Ray3 is about the best suited for this job, he's not online right now.There's no need to double post as most of us read all the threads here.

JT, welcome. You can compare the features on the Denon chart . If you're thinking about power, the difference is insignificant(about 0.8dB maximum output)and the 2805 should be plenty.The 3805 has the Denon Link capability with some of their players to bring in DVD-A/SACD on a digital connection, which may be significant to some. In general, the 2805(or 985)would seem to be more cost-effective, especially since the microphone is included, while it's about $60 extra on the 3805.

JT, John has provided his usual sage advice on these two units. Once you look at the chart, you'll see that the difference between the 2 is somewhat esoteric. Matter of fact, if $$ are a consideration, you might also put the 2105 into the comparison.

You give up very little going to the 2805 and unless you want to avoid upgradeitis or feel the need to have bragging rights, I'd suggest the 2805 for you. Has more than enough of everything you need, including plenty of power to drive the Axioms. Also gives you some $$ to use elsewhere.

The good news - you don't make a mistake with any of the 3 Denons.

Thanks guys. The chart really allows the reader to decide for themself. Very informative. I think the 2805 is a good compromise. If money is not a major object, would you think that another brand would be better... NAD or Rotel. And if so what models do you suggest. If not, I think the 2805 is for me.
Thanks again!

Keep in mind if you go with the 2805, it is also known as the 985, which can be had for about 100.00 less.

You can certainly look at other brands and do very well.

Alan Lofft usually recommends Denon and HK (HK has an on-line outlet store). Most everybody who has a mid to upper level unit will suggest that model based on their positive expeirence with it (the real beauty of a forum like this).

I am a long time Denon guy, but as long as you are at $500 or more, just about anything will work well. Just pick the features you like and buy something you feel good about.

If you were to go with the 2805 what are your options for dvd audio and sacd with out the denon link. i think the denon link (one cable) is the biggest factor for me. in the comparison of the 2.

The Denon should be plenty (as I have one), but I've always wanted to try the robust power of a NAD amp.

Jake, if the receiver isn't going to be able to do bass management for DVD-A/SACD in the digital realm, then it should be done in the player before it makes the DAC conversion. Another option is a separate external processor such as the Outlaw ICBM. Note also that the Denon Link is their proprietary connection which also requires the use of one of their rather expensive players which has the Denon Link output.

I have to ask this question. If someone wanted to maybe try seperates, and was looking for the feature set found in the Denon 2805/3805, could they not use them as such? I haven't found a good preamp seperate for ~$550-750, so not counting the amp section, is their any reason you coundn't use these as preamps? maybe another brand or something else?

Looking at maybe a Argon 2005 or Anthem MCA50 for the main power sections, but what would complement these in a sub $1,000 pre? In considering the Denon, I might want the use of Zone 2, but I'm open . . .

Affordable pre-pro's that are up to date features wise are hard to come by. I've also read that the preamp sections of todays quality recievers are pretty much as good as dedicated preamps. When I upgrade my reciever, I'd like to try a reciever similar to the Denon 2105 or 2805 (probably their next generation recievers as I'm 3-5 yrs from upgrading) with a nice NAD 2 channel amp or Outlaw Monoblocks. So I guess I would recommend it.

For some reason, Denon always seems to be at the forefront with their features. Except when they are perfecting technologies. They took a while to come out with a universal DVD player because they wanted to make sure it had excellent bass management as well as solve the Chroma Bug issues, they succeeded with the excellent DVD-2900. So it goes without saying that they make some of the best pre-amps in the world because they are always the leader in new technologies with quality components. So I think using a Denon 2105 as a pre would be a great idea. The only problem is that it does not have balanced interconnects.