Lex RV-8 or Sherbourn 7010A/2100 Sep's

Alan Wise · 07-11-2007, 01:55 PM

It is time to retire my trusty Denon 3805 and upgrade.
My local Home Theater/Audio dealer has two demo systems that I am intersted in.
The first is a Lexicon RV-8 receiver for $ 5K, and the second is the Sherbourn 7010A processor powered by their n2100/7 amp for $ 4K total.
Both systems come with the associated remotes, manuals, box's, and manufacturers warranty.
I have no need for HDMI switching because I choose to go direct into my 60" SXRD XBR2 Sony.
My speakers are six Boston VR-60's, one VRC, and an AR 12" 250 watt sub.
The system is used mostly for movies/HD TV(80%) and SACD hi-res music (20%).

Please give me some opinions.

Thanks, Al Wise

Alon Goldberg · 07-11-2007, 02:41 PM

The Lexicon is a phenomenal receiver, absolutely outstanding. But at that price point I would be considering separates. I haven't had the opportunity to audition the Sherbourn, but I would recommend also auditioning the Anthem AVM 30 pre-pro ($2,999) plus an Anthem PVA 7 poweramp ($1,499). I recommend that you audition as many systems as possible before making a purchase this large, and even asking for a home demo if possible.

Very interested to hear what you eventually select for your system

4VTHOKIES · 07-11-2007, 04:31 PM

At the 5k price point the Lexicon RV-8 or the Denon 5805Ci is as good if not better then any seperates on the market at that price point. I like the Denon because of the amp section, inputs, HDMI for new audio codecs and especially for Audyssey XT pro. The Lex does sound nice and the L7 is extremely nice and better imo then PLIIx. You can find the Denon new in the 5k range as well.

But if the two above choices are the only ones you have, I would jump all over the Lex.

Alon Goldberg · 07-11-2007, 05:00 PM

I'd agree that the Denon AVR-5805 is an astoundingly good receiver (well it should be for over $5,000), but I'd still be very hesitant to throw that much money at a dedicated receiver. With separates, at least you can upgrade the pre-pro at later date without losing a considerable fortune.

In fact, Denon has already announced separates based on the 5805, including a pre-pro and a re-badged McIntosh amp. Added features in the Denon AVP Processor that are not found in the 5805 include:

* HDMI 1.3
* Analog to HDMI Conversion and upscaling to 1080p
* Realta HQV Processing
* Dolby TruHD and DTS HD decoding
* Multi Channel Zone 2 Output for dual surround zones
* Zone 4 Digital Audio
* Simply HD Certified silicon image approves connectivity and operability
* Remote maintenance program
* Wireless audio streaming with WMA support
* Balanced outputs

4VTHOKIES · 07-11-2007, 07:41 PM

I love the new pre/pro coming out by Denon but name another dedicated pre/pro that has the features of the 5805ci? There are none. It is way beyond any pre/pro on the market today including the Anthem Statement D2. To be quite honest, I don't see a pre/pro other than the new Denon that can compete feature wise and sound wise at this time or in the near future with the 5805ci.

By the way the new Denon amp is not going to be a rebadge of a McIntosh. To tell you how much I like the Denon, I sold a McIntosh MX119 and McIntosh MC207 to purchase the 5805Ci and I have not looked back once. The feature set with the new audio codecs and inputs just blows the Mac out of the water. The Mac amp handle the low end a little better than the Denon does but in a double blind test I could not pick either one out a majority of the time and that was in my own dedicated theater. The Audyssey makes such a huge difference and until the dedicated pres come out with a good room eq I don't see this changing.

Basically I don't think right now that there is a better sounding, feature rich pre/pro or receiver that competes. This of course is my opinion. I will be looking hard into the new Denon pre/pro when it hits the market as well as a new ICE powered amp by D-Sonic to power everything with.

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Alon Goldberg · 07-12-2007, 03:34 AM

Hi Ted - thanks for clarifying, I assumed that this was a re-badged McIntosh amp, as D&M Holdings owns both Denon and McIntosh. But you can't deny the visual similarities, for instance the VU Front Panel Power Meters. I think it's safe to assume that McIntosh at least assisted with the design of this new amp, given their decades of expertise

Alan Wise · 07-12-2007, 10:06 AM

Thanks guys, you've added some other possibilities for me to consider.
I will let you know how I make out.

Al. Wise

4VTHOKIES · 07-12-2007, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alon Goldberg

Hi Ted - thanks for clarifying, I assumed that this was a re-badged McIntosh amp, as D&M Holdings owns both Denon and McIntosh. But you can't deny the visual similarities, for instance the VU Front Panel Power Meters. I think it's safe to assume that McIntosh at least assisted with the design of this new amp, given their decades of expertise

In all reality, McIntosh and Denon do not assist one another in developing their respective products. This is basically the same amp section plus balance inputs and VU meters and possible better power supplies that you would find in the 5805ci. The chasis is the exact same chasis the 5805ci comes in.

I owned the McIntosh MC207 and other then handling the bass a little better (tighter) the Denon and the Mac are pretty close in performance. I double blind tested both before I sold my Mac and could not pick them out consistently.

I do wish the Denon's looked the same because the Macs just look incredible especially up close in your rack.

Brian-W · 07-13-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Wise

The first is a Lexicon RV-8 receiver for $ 5K, and the second is the Sherbourn 7010A processor powered by their n2100/7 amp for $ 4K total.

Wait for Lexicon's new RV-8 coming out soon. It should be less than the RV-8, with newer features. I don't have any more info, but you should be hearing something soon.