Processor "Upgrade" a Good One?

Dave Delbridge · 04-14-2003, 09:49 PM

Hi all,

I am advised by our home theater consultant to replace our Rotel RSP-985 (to Parasound HCA-1205A 5-channel amplifier) with a Denon 3803. Is this a good move?

The obvious concern is that the Denon 3803's internal amplifier will be inferior to the outboard Parasound amp. Our HT "guy" responds that because we utilize a hefty Velodyne sub, the Parasound amp has gone largely underutilized and that I should not notice an audible difference -- and that, even if I do, there is always the option of bypassing the 3803's internal amp for the outboard Parasound.

Sounds good to me, but every sales guy I speak to makes an ugly face and ushers me over to the $5,000+ Parasound and Rotel processors, as if to say that I'm degrading my system somehow by introducing the Denon.

I have no experience with Denon. I only know that the 3803 appears to answer my requirements:

> Need more S-video inputs
> Need multiple component inputs
> Need upconversion
> Integration of Denon w/ Phast automation would supposedly be better than our current Rotel setup. [It IS pretty funky, and Rotel's is perhaps the WORST remote control layout I have EVER seen.]

So, given these requirements, is this a good move?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Dave

Frank Carter · 04-14-2003, 10:33 PM

Let me get this straight, your "consultant" is telling you to get rid of a Rotel pre/pro and Parasound amplifier to "upgrade" to a Denon receiver?

Shane Martin · 04-14-2003, 10:38 PM

Frank,
I'm thinking that the consultant wants him to use the Denon as a pre/pro as opposed to a normal pre/pro such as an Anthem. Am I correct in this assumption?

Frank Carter · 04-14-2003, 11:04 PM

That's what I thought at first but then Dave mentions his concerns about the Denon's internal amps being inferior to the Parasound amps.

Dave Delbridge · 04-15-2003, 12:49 AM

Woops. I guess I did confuse the issue by presenting both sides of TWO arguments -- the all-Denon solution and the Denon/Parasound solution.

Judging by your responses, I suppose we can throw out the all-Denon solution. The Parasound amp stays. [And remember, even though the Denon's amp could go entirely unused, this remains the least expensive solution that answers all of my requirements. The Rotel and Parasound alternatives are $3k-$6k and don't offer an obvious advantage. For example, I simply don't need four or even three component inputs.]

Now, given that the Denon 3803 will feed a Parasound amp, is this a good solution? Or, am I still introducing inferior links into my chain? ...so to speak.

Thank you so much for your help. I greatly appreciate it.

Dave

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Charles Gurganus · 04-15-2003, 08:23 AM

Are you saying the only prepro's you will consider are a 3k rotel and a 6k parasound? What would be wrong with the $1500 Rotel for example? You may want to list your system requirments (5 or 7 channel for example) for better answers and diffinately keep the 1205 amp regardless.

Dave Delbridge · 04-15-2003, 01:19 PM

That's just it: I don't feel that a $3k-$6k processor is required to meet my demands. However, I'm not knowledgeable enough about this kind of equipment to make these decisions confidently. I don't want to inadvertently "cheap out" and degrade my system. Any equipment recommendations are very, very welcome and appreciated.

My requirements are:

INPUTS (video/audio)
- CD Jukeboxes (x2) (optical)
- DVD (S-video/optical) currently combo w/ LD but not forever
- Laserdisk (S-video/optical)
- DSS (component/optical) + (S-video/RCA - to TV)
- PC (component/RCA) (no S-video, so goes only to proj.)
- X-box (S-video/RCA)
- VCR (S-video/?)

OUTPUTS
- TV (S-video)
- Runco projector (S-video & component)

We aim to send only component to the projector in order to elliminate some automation problems. Hence, the new requirement for upconversion from S-video to component. If I understand correctly, DVD and X-box will be line-tripled due to their source resolution, whereas Hi-Def DSS and PC will not.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Integration with Phast system. The processor must accept absolute commands. For example, the processor must accept a "Select SOURCE DVD" command, rather than rely solely on relevant (prev/next) commands which always fall out of sync with the programming.

Again, ANY equipment recommendations are welcome.

Thanks again.

Dave

Frank Carter · 04-15-2003, 03:23 PM

I don't think switching to the Denon will be an upgrade. I would also recommend to keep the Parasound amp, if you wanted to upgrade to 6.1/7.1, just add a smaller amp to power the extra channels. Two very popular pre/pro's around here are the Outlaw 950 and Rotel RSP-1066. I would look into either of these to see if they meet all your criteria.