Denon 3808 over 2809/2808?? (1 Viewer)

[vpulipati]

I was pretty much decided on 3808 based on reviews, but again I started thinking about 2809 (replacement model of 2808) because its much cheaper.
I'm wondering what are the main reasons people consider 3808 over 2809/2808 apart from the higher output. Pls help me decide. Thanks much.

 

[Dave Moritz]

The 3808ci is a very nice receiver but if you are on a budget the 2809 is looking like a very good alternative. The 2809 is going to come with Audyssey Dynamic Volume but the 3808ci can be upgraded to Audyssey Pro. I am looking to upgrade my aging Yamaha RX-V995 and may very well end up with the 2809 and use it as a pre/pro down the road. I could be tempted to get the 3808ci if I can get a smokin deal on one.

Both the 2809 and 3808 have 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI out and the 3808 has 3 component videos with 2 component outs, while the 2809 has 3 in a 1 out. They both have SACD support via HDMI. They both have Burr Brown DAC's and I would say that many of the features are the same with maybe a few more newer features coming with the 2809. How ever it is being said that for a small fee the 3808 can have new features added via the ethernet connection. Personally I am leaning towards the 2809ci as it offers alot of bang for the buck especially if you are on a budget like me.

But if you are not in a rush you may want to wait awhile and see if the 3809ci comes out soon? That is if they come out with one? I am thinking there could be one since there is a 2809 that replaced the 2808. I am slightly conserned that there is an aprox 10 difference so I am wondering what they did to make it that much litter than the 3808?

Denon AVR-3808ci MSRP$1,699
-Weight: In Pounds 39.2
-Power Output; Watts Per Channel - 130 watts per channel x 7 channels
-All Channels Rated @ 0.05 THD
-High-Current/Discrete Amplifiers
-Processor(s) – Bit Depth and Type: 2 - 21366 x 1 and 21367 x 1 32-bit Floating Point.
-Dolby Digital, dts and DSP Modes – Analog Devices, HammerHead SHARC
Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx decoding.
-DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS ES 6.1 Discrete, DTS ES 6.1 Matrix, DTS Neo:6 decoding.
-AL24 Processing - All Channels: AL24+ FL/FR
-24-bit/192-kHz DACs – Burr-Brown PCM-1791: PCM-1791A - 2 x 8 channels.
-Analog-to-Digital Conversion - Bit Depth/Sampling Rate: 24-bit/192kHz Burr-Brown PCM-1804.
-HDMI v1.3a - Inputs (4), Outputs (1)
-Component Video (100MHz) - Inputs (3), Outputs (2)
-Component Video Outputs: 2 Main Zone
-Ethernet: Yes
-Denon Link: Yes
-Faroudja DCDi Video Processing and Scaling FLI2310
-Audyssey Mult EQ Pro CalibrationCompatible/Installer Ready
-Rear Panel RS-232C
-Audyssey Dynamic EQ calibration installer ready
-Audyssey MultEQ XT in-room acoustic correction system


Denon AVR-2809ci MSRP$1,199
-Weight: In Pounds 28.2
-Power Output; Watts Per Channel - 115 watts per channel x 7 channels
-All Channels Rated @ 0.05 THD
-High-Current/Discrete Amplifiers
-Processor(s) – Bit Depth and Type: 2 - 21366 x 1 and 21367 x 1 32-bit Floating Point.
-Dolby Digital, dts and DSP Modes – Analog Devices, HammerHead SHARC
-Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx decoding.
-DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS ES 6.1 Discrete, DTS ES 6.1 Matrix, DTS Neo:6 decoding.
-AL24 Processing - All Channels: AL24+ FL/FR
-24-bit/192-kHz DACs – Burr-Brown PCM-1791:24-bit/192-kHz DSD-1608
-Analog-to-Digital Conversion - Bit Depth/Sampling Rate: 24-bit/96-kHz Burr-Brown PCM-1803.
-HDMI v1.3a - Inputs (4), Outputs (1)
-Component Video (100MHz) - Inputs (3), Outputs (1)
-Ethernet: No
-Denon Link: No
-Faroudja DCDi Video Processing and Scaling FLI2310
-Rear Panel RS-232C
-Audyssey MultEQ XT in-room acoustic correction system
-Audyssey Dynamic Volume automatic volume-leveling system
-Audyssey Dynamic EQ automatic tonal balance adjustment system

Hope this helps in some way. I suspect for most there will be no audible difference between the two and you do not have to pay the fee to update the 3808 for dynamic volume or dynamic eq. And if you get a really nice 7 channel power amp or a couple of multi channel amps, the 2809 would make a nice pre/pro.

I am looking at upgrading my Sony BDP-S300 to ether a Panasonic DMP-BD30K or a Denon DVD-2500BTCI if I can come up with the extra cash.

This is the system the AVR-2809ci or maybe the AVR-3808ci? will be added to.

Current A/V Rack: Yamaha RX-V995 5.1 Receiver, Denon DVD-2200 (DVD,DVD-A,SACD Player), Sony BDP-S300(Bluray), Toshiba HD-A1(HD-DVD Player and a Sony DVP-S9000 ES DVD/SACD Player.
[url=https://static.hometheaterforum.com/imgrepo/e/e0/htf_imgcache_34094.jpeg] [/url]


Altec Lancing Voice Of The Theater A-7's (Need to be refininished) with A/V rack and Sony 50" HDTV.
[url=https://static.hometheaterforum.com/imgrepo/4/43/htf_imgcache_34095.jpeg] [/url]

Here is the power amps I would like to add to the 2809ci.
[url=https://static.hometheaterforum.com/imgrepo/a/a2/htf_imgcache_34096.jpeg] [/url]

[url=https://static.hometheaterforum.com/imgrepo/9/9c/htf_imgcache_34097.jpeg] [/url]

Emotiva Audio MPS-2 7 Channel Audio Power Amplifier

 

[Raptor007]

Dave, your post makes it looks like the AVR-2809CI uses Brown-Burr PCM-1791 DACs; in fact, it only uses the considerably-cheaper DSD-1608. (It's not really your fault though, since that's the way Denon's comparison page lists it -- they call the category "24-bit/192-kHz DACs – Burr-Brown PCM-1791" when they should just call it "DACs".) This is one of the big differences between the AVR-2809CI and the AVR-3808CI, which actually does have Brown-Burr PCM-1791A DACs.

I can't post links yet, but here's the comparison page:
usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/257.asp?compareitem=3510&compareitem=4484&compareitem=3526

Personally, I'm going for the AVR-3808CI.

 

[Dave Moritz]

Denon's website says the following for both models:

AVR-2809ci
24-bit/192-kHz DACs – Burr-Brown PCM-1791 - 24-bit/192-kHz DSD-1608.

Analog-to-Digital Conversion - Bit Depth/Sampling Rate - 4-bit/96-kHz Burr-Brown PCM-1803

AVR-3808ci
24-bit/192-kHz DACs – Burr-Brown PCM-1791 - PCM-1791A - 2 x 8 channels.

Analog-to-Digital Conversion - Bit Depth/Sampling Rate - 24-bit/192kHz Burr-Brown PCM-1804

How big of an actual difference is there between the 3808ci and the 2809ci? I know that there are deals to be had online where one could pick up a Denon 3808ci for about the same price as a 2809.



The link that shows the comparisons and it really does not tell me enough to tell me what reall differences in sound there are. Have you heard both of these receivers in person? I also noticed that the chart says:

AVR-3808ci
24-bit/192-kHz DACs – Burr-Brown PCM-1791 - PCM-1791A - 2 x 8 channels
Analog-to-Digital Conversion - Bit Depth/Sampling Rate - 24-bit/192kHz Burr-Brown PCM-1804

AVR-2809ci
24-bit/192-kHz DACs – Burr-Brown PCM-1791 - 24-bit/192-kHz DSD-1608
Analog-to-Digital Conversion - Bit Depth/Sampling Rate - 24-bit/96-kHz Burr-Brown PCM-1803

Now I am wondering if there is a typo on the "24-bit/96-kHz Burr-Brown PCM-1803" ?



I was originally looking at a 3808ci but my budget really sucks and I could always push for a 3808 if it is really worth the extra cash. I wanted to get a higher end receiver and maybe go for something like a Onkyo TX-NR905. But the money situation has not improved and it is rough trying to save for a 3808 or 2809.

The 3808 has 4 HDMI inputs and so does the 2809. The 3808ci has 3 componenent inputs and 2 outs and the 2809ci has 3 component inputs and 1 output. And the 3808ci has 130 watts per channel and the 2809ci only has 115 watts per channel.

I can always add another Emotiva amp (XPA-3, 3 Channel Amplifier, 200 Watts per channel) for about $649.

I am going to keep my HT plans open for a 3808ci but I will need to make sure it is going to give me enough of a performance edge to warrent the investment.

 

[KIWIBOY]

From what I can determine the 2809 has no GUI interface, whereas the 3808 does. How big a deal is this do you think?

Cheers

 

[Electric_Haggis]

One of the big benefits of the 09 Denon series is Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Volume... I've been holding out for this.

(I'm thinking of getting a 2809 to use as a pre-pro with Rotel power amps (replacing a NAD T163).)

Dynamic EQ could stand to make quite a serious improvement if you don't listen at reference level (who does?)...