Denon 1803 & new products in general (1 Viewer)

[Radim]

What is the latest word on the expected availability of the Denon AVR-1803?

Also, is there any reason to wait a few months after a product's launch to let the manufacturer sort out minor bugs and make some firmware adjustments? Or is there no reason not to go into a product right when it launches?

 

[DarrinH]

Waiting on this one also...
No word yet.

 

[Jon Duke]

The last thing I heard was the 1803 would be available in September for $500. Its a pretty credible source, since it came from Denon's US product rep.

When in September, he never said. Although many have said in store computers show it will be available on 9/11. I doubt that Denon will create firmware updates for the 1803 unless there is something severely wrong with it. I weighing between picking this one up in September or buying the Onkyo 600 now...

 

[Radim]

Thanks for the info. However, I thought the MSRP was going to be $500 (and hence street hopfully noticeably below that).

 

[JackS]

If you own a receiver I can't argue with the wait for the new model. If however, you are without HT at present, I would argue that you should buy the 1802 today. What price do you place on the fact that for 30 days you own nothing? I wouldn't expect that the 1803 is truly that much better than the 1802 and thus not worth waiting for. If newer models are on the way, you can probably deal a little now which makes the 1802 an even better buy. Unless the 1803 has a very special feature worth waiting for, the 1802 can deliver some vey satisfying sound tonight. Can the 1803 do that? Your choice though, Good luck, Jack

 

[JackS]

If you own a receiver I can't argue with the wait for the new model. If however, you are without HT at present, I would argue that you should buy the 1802 today. What price do you place on the fact that for 30 days you own nothing? I wouldn't expect that the 1803 is truly that much better than the 1802 and thus not worth waiting for. If newer models are on the way, you can probably deal a little now which makes the 1802 an even better buy. Unless the 1803 has a very special feature worth waiting for, the 1802 can deliver some vey satisfying sound tonight. Can the 1803 do that? Your choice though, Good luck, Jack

 

[JackS]

If you own a receiver I can't argue with the wait for the new model. If however, you are without HT at present, I would argue that you should buy the 1802 today. What price do you place on the fact that for 30 days you own nothing? I wouldn't expect that the 1803 is truly that much better than the 1802 and thus not worth waiting for. If newer models are on the way, you can probably deal a little now which makes the 1802 an even better buy. Unless the 1803 has a very special feature worth waiting for, the 1802 can deliver some vey satisfying sound tonight. Can the 1803 do that? Your choice though, Good luck, Jack

 

[JackS]

Honestly, I didn't post this 3 times. Don't know what happened.

 

[Radim]

Good point. However, the 1803 is actually much closer to the 2802 than the 1802. It's pretty much the 2802 with a bit less power (and front inputs). I'm hoping that it's going to be noticeably cheaper than 2802 though. Hence the willingness to wait.

 

[Aaron H]

I guess the question I am wondering is.... if you could get the 2802 for $500 now, or wait and get the 1803 for $500, which would be the best choice? Is there an obvious answer?

Aaron

 

[Peter Overduin]

Is there an obvious answer?

YES!
The 1803 will have DD-EX, DTS-ES with all channels driven. The 1802 does not have this. I am waiting for the 1803 and it is a marked improvement in features over the 1802. If you have nothing, wait.
BTW, here are the specs for the 1803:
http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/pdfs/avr1803.pdf

 

[Jon Duke]

I guess the question I am wondering is.... if you could get the 2802 for $500 now, or wait and get the 1803 for $500, which would be the best choice? Is there an obvious answer?

There is an obvious answer, but I would imagine you'll be able to find the 1803 around the same price point that the Onkyo 600 came in at when that model debuted ($420) For me the question is: Do you buy an 2802 for $500 with more power, an Onkyo 600 now (with reported power problems), or wait a month to purchase an 1803 for $420?

 

[Kevin_Kr]

My computers show us getting them 9/16 and a MSRP of $499.95

1603 on 9/5 retail is $399.95


1403 on the shelves with retail of $349.95

 

[Aaron H]

Jon, I hope you're right about the $420 price point. I have no system right now - just buying everything piece by piece. And we are moving at the end of the month, so for me, I can afford to wait. I keep going over this forum trying to find a receiver that has everything I want, and the Denon's keep popping up as the best choice, for some reason. I guess I'll probably hold out for the 1803, too.

Aaron

 

[Brajesh Upadhyay]

Peter, the pdf you linked doesn't mention DD-EX. Did I miss something?

 

[Russ Dunn]

I bought the 1802 2 weeks ago and have been wondering the same thing. How great is 6.1 ES/EX? Is it a huge difference in the HT experience?
I picked up the 1802 for $380 (w/ a free Monster surge protector), I thought it would be October before the 1803 would be out. So I could still take it back and wait a month or so, But... my couch is against my back wall, can you have a rear channel mounted above your head? It seems a little close to me?
I wasn't planning on the 6.1 so I went w/ the 1802, but on the other hand the new remote would almost be worth the wait Either way I'm happy w/ the 1802, but tell me about ES/EX.
Thanks & Good Luck,
Russ

 

[HarleyMYK]

Note that the 2802 has Pre Outs (and 8 at that) and the 1803 appears to not have any Pre Outs. To some this may be more important.

 

[Radim]

Sorry for the potentially basic question, but what are pre-outs for? Thanks.

 

[Aaron H]

Pre-outs allow you to add external amplication later, reducing the strain on the receiver's internal amps and probably most of the time, when mated with a good amp, providing increaced headroom and sound quality.

I just printed out both the info sheet on the 2802 and the 1803. This is really a tough call. Like stated above, the 2802 has pre-outs. The 2802 has 10 more watts. The 1803 has front-pannel A/V inputs. The 2802 has A/B speaker switch on the front pannel. But other than that, the info sheet are basically the same, often time using the exact same wording.

I guess, like has been stated above, it just comes down to what's inportant for you. But at an equal price point, both $500, I would guess the 2802 has the edge with the increased power and pre-outs. Tough call.

Aaron

 

[Radim]

Thanks for the explanation!

You noticed that the 1803 doesn't have A/B switching on the front panel. Does that mean it only has it on the remote?

Actually, the two receivers have very different price points (MSRP is $799 for 2802 and $500 for 1803). The 2802 can be had for no less than $560 plus shipping online and I assume that the 1803 will be available for about $400-420. For that price difference, it might be an easier call for the 1803.