Dilemma, objective opinions please (1 Viewer)

[Steve_Barrow]

Hi folks;

I have a small dilemma and opinions would be much appreciated.

Fairly recently became interested in home theater, and in our new home I'm building a 14x30 room for a theater. Unfortunately I don't have the cash to buy what I really want for equipment for this room, but on my budget I have narrowed down to thinking the receiver is the next to go.

Room is currently comprised of

Denon 1601
Panasonic DVD-RV32
Sansui CD Player
Hitachi 43" HD rear Projection TV
B&W 604 S3's
B&W LCR 600
B&W 602 S3's
Signet SP100 15" Sub
Mission 8" Sub

I'm pretty happy at this point with the speakers and think my weak link is defiantly the denon receiver.

Dilemma:
I have enough cash to purchase the Denon 3805 right now, but haven't heard it with a similar setup of speakers, and no one in town does in home demo's. On totems and energy's I found this seemingly a huge improvement over the 1601.

My alternative is to hang in there another few months and go with a Rotel 1068. I've heard this with my exact fronts and rears setup and was very impressed.
By this time though I could have replaced my DVD also with a universal player.

I'm hoping with opinions from you all, I might see more clearly on what to do. It's far to tempting with cash in hand to go pickup the denon tonight

Any and all comments greatly appreciated

 

[Mike Likens]

If you can hold off a few months definately go with the Rotel. YOu will not regret it. It sounds like your weak point is your amplification. If you have preouts on the 1601, buy a multichannel amp.

 

[Steve_Barrow]

Sadly no pre-outs on the Denon.

if you don't mind, could you please elaborate as to why the rotel?

 

[Mark C.]

The Rotel will make the Denon roll up into a ball and hide in the corner. How's that?

Seriously, it sounds like your plans involve spending a load of cash. With the RSP-1068 comes a multi-channel amp. So you're talking well over $2,500 for the pre/pro-amp combo. The Denon 3805 retails for about $1,199. If you don't stammer at the thought of spending a chunk of money, the Rotel is well worth the expenditure. Start saving! Otherwise, the 3805 should have no problem driving your speakers and should give you a very satisfying HT experience.

 

[Steve_Barrow]

Whoops, thanks for helping me see my error. I'm considering the 1067, the 1068 was a consideration but really is out of the price range.

 

[Yogi]

That is if you are careful enough never to short any of the speaker terminals otherwise the Rotel might also roll up into a ball (of fire)

For more info about Rotels' short circuit protection (or lack thereof) see the other thread by PhillJones.

 

[MikeHU]

Steve, I recently switched from a Denon 1801 to the 2805, and it made a huge difference in improving my sound. (klipsch ref./SVS). The 2805 is a step "below" the 3805 you have considered. I was torn between the 2, but went with the recommendation of my local retail expert, based on my listening needs/habits. I am quite pleased with the 2805, and can't imagine it getting a whole lot better. (although I'm sure I will find something else to change - like everyone else ) So, the 2805 could even save you a few more dollars over the 3805. I was really more interested in the upgrade from 5.1 to the 7.1 on the 2805, but came away from the whole thing with a surprisingly better overall sound, which was far more dramatic than I expected.

 

[Steve_Barrow]

Thanks Mike, thats the style of answer I was hoping for, Based on the above I'm starting to consider the Denon a bit more.

One more thought if anyone has a comment. Outlaw...

For a decent price I could go with an outlaw setup. might be inclined to wait until their new stuff hits the streets but any comments on outlaw gear and better yet Outlaw with B&W 600 series?

 

[Chu Gai]

Well for an objective opinion, why don't you wait till the room is finished and move everything in and live with it for a while after calibrating everything. Then maybe your perspective will change...or maybe not?

Yogi, that busted me up!

 

[Jean D]

if you would want to settle for a silver Denon 3805s its cheaper than the normal black one at ecost

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

Given the speakers you have and your lack of a good prog-scan DVD player I would get a receiver in line w/ a Denon 2805 or Pioneer 1014TX and also add a good prgo-scan dvd player like a Denon 1200, 2200, or the upcoming 1710 or 1910. I think this would make more of an impact in your overall enjoyment of your system compared to just upgrading to a better receiver, especially one that may outclass your current speakers. You should always have at least twice as much invested in speakers as a receiver.